Grace Apostolic Church of Clawson

 Greetings GAC Family and Guests!

As always, be sure to stop by the “Prayer Requests Page” Daily. There are regular updates and this will be the prayer list we will use for Monday Night Prayer.

http://gracenews.wordpress.com/prayer-requests/

Homecoming

This weekend will mark our second annual Homecoming at GAC. Please stop by the Homecoming Post to read the vision-cast for this outreach event. NOTE: We will still have Sunday School Classes at Noon, as scheduled.

Special Guest

Gracenews had yet another special guest visit us yesterday. Bro. Brandon Major, who preached this Sunday past, stopped by and left a few comments. Stop by and check out what Bro. Brandon had to say about his visit. Link: http://gracenews.wordpress.com/2007/10/11/hello-world/#comment-48. Thanks again to Bro. Brandon and Sis. Christina for blessing us and we are looking forward to seeing you again really soon!

Weekend Outlook

Stopping by the Current Events Page daily will keep you informed about the upcoming events at GAC. Some highlights of this weekend’s events include the following…

Friday

• Inferno – The Driven Youth Group will be attending Inferno in lieu of Octane this Friday (10/26/07). Link: http://www.apostolicimpact.com/Intro.swf

Saturday

• Youth Harvest Party at Bro. Dean Slone’s Map Here

Sunday

• Homecoming 2007 – Service Schedule coming soon
• Youth Fundraiser Breakfast – Chef Josh will be hosting this event in the GAC Youth Chapel
• Youth Fundraiser – Carmel Apples after Homecoming

Ongoing

• “Baby Pail” for Sis. Valerie Barksdale. Also, see the Prayer Request Page for updates regarding baby Benjamin’s condition.

Blogging Pastors

Below is an excerpt from “Preaching Now” magazine. While I discovered this article a week after we started our blog, this confirms the importance of utilizing this as an additional tool in our communication and vision casting. Pastor RDM

BLOGGING AS VISION CASTING

Can a blog be a strategic tool in casting a vision for your church? Yes, according to Brian Bailey in his book the blogging church (John Wiley & Sons). Bailey writes: “The vision of your church is too critical to be left to a quiet weekend in the summer and a dusty CD case at the resource table. The vision should be part of all that you do as a church and shared regularly, whether online or from the stage.

“The ultimate way to share the purpose of your church is through casting the vision – again and again. One great way to do this is through blogging. A blog allows you to constantly remind people why the church does what it does. What is the purpose behind it all? Why is volunteering important? What does outreach mean? Why do we do communion? What are the priorities of the church?

If you are the senior pastor, or if the senior pastor is blogging, you have a truly unique opportunity. There is incredible power in a pastor’s authentic, personal voice. Through a blog, your church can become so familiar with this voice that you’ll hear them echoing your phrases and defending the church with the same passion and reasoning. With this power comes the responsibility to effectively communicate the God-given vision for your church.”

(Click here to learn more about the book the blogging church)

Ministers Appreciation Month

Alright, before you start thinking I’m vying for some proverbial “at-a-boys” or “kudos” stop now. I wasn’t the one that declared October as Ministers Appreciation Month. Clicking on the link you will discover the origin of this recognition. Let’s do what we can to support the ministries of our church. Grace’s is a multi-faceted ministry and without God’s blessing, your prayer, and support, would not exist. Be sure to encourage your ministry and be a source of inspiration to them. We are so blessed to have such an anointed Sr. Pastor, Stephen Trachsel and his precious ministry partner, Sis. Ida Trachsel. May God bless our Pastor and his wife for their tireless pursuit of the growth of the Body of Christ, and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Have a blessed and prosperous day and check back tomorrow for more updates. We will have the Homecoming Service Schedule, an article about 10 Ways to Honor your Ministry.

Pastor RDM