Dear Saints of Grace,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is with great joy and deep gratitude that I am writing to you and thanking the Lord for his gracious and generous provision supplied through the beauty of his grace expressed in your giving.
As I type this letter, I am reflecting on the fact that it was 18 years ago, this month, that Grace Church’s Session extended the call to me and my family to come and serve as an Assistant Pastor. I had a few fears; “Was I going to be accepted?” and “How will God provide for me and my family?”; Just one month before receiving the call from Grace, I was sitting behind the steering wheel of an 18 wheeler, shaking with fears of my family not being provided for if I took this position. The Lord calmed my fears using the story of how he fed Elijah beside the brook, Cherith, commanding the ravens to feed him there. It was as if the Lord was saying, “If I can provide for Elijah there, what do you think I can do for you?” After that, I was no longer fearful.
Eighteen years later, the Lord has provided for us in more ways than I could have imagined. I have not been disappointed. Nor do I feel entitled. Everything
has been sheer grace. Praise him! I’ve had a front row seat, witnessing the generosity of the Lord, repeatedly, in the way he has provided for the vision of the church to go forward. Each year God has given us what we need to do what he wants done. One example of this has been the beautiful, notable, and praiseworthy, ministry of Grace for Refuge working to help three refugee families resettle in our city. Your generosity has made this difference in their lives. And this is God at work in you, both to will and do of his good pleasure. With God’s generous grace and your hearts being motivated by love for Christ, we are anticipating God’s gracious provision for future service to the King in his kingdom.
To inflame our enthusiasm for future service, this fall we are introducing a short sermon series on generosity titled “Gifts for a King.” This is a short, 5-day, devotional booklet. We will look at one devotional each week beginning on October 27. By examining five vignettes where generosity was expressed in gifts given to Jesus, we hope to encourage greater joy in giving to the Lord.
The devotionals are available in English, Korean, and Spanish. You can pick up a copy on the table outside of the sanctuary this Sunday at church.
If you would like to download a copy here are the links:
So, unlike me and my anxious concerns for the future, you, the saints of Grace, need not fear a lack of God’s provision. God’s work continues to grow as his kingdom rule takes over. Are you participating in growing Christ’s kingdom? If you are, thank you!
Also, if you have been, you can see what you have given at any time by going to gracedover.com and looking under the MyGrace tab and check the question about contribution statement/summary. Your record can be found there. If you don’t see your record, then according to our records you have not contributed (anonymous cash donations are not recorded). Having a record of your giving enables you to rejoice that God has provided for you to participate in his kingdom’s expansion.
Let the record reflect that we will always have all we need as we join Jesus in contributing to his kingdom’s growth. Friends, be anxious for nothing.
Peace,
Pastor Kenny