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Grace Church

How To...#1 - Be a Friend

How To...#1 - Be a Friend

In our October and November series, we'll be looking at many "How To" topics from God's perspective.

Locations & Times

Grace Community Church

8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA

Sunday 10:00 AM

Our Fall series is entitled "How To". Each week a topic will be added to make a complete statement. These topics will be looked at from God's perspective.
There are countless books whose titles begin with the words, "How To." They fall into the self-help or self-improvement category.
The most famous "how to" book is entitled "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.
Talk about what "how to" books you have read. Or if you were to write a "how to" book, what would be the title?
The idea understanding friendship, having friends, and being a friend is the focus for our message today.
There are lots of definitions for the word "friend" and its variations. A friend is someone with whom you share some sort of social and emotional bond. Usually you...
- have things in common
- have spent time with them
- share similar beliefs and values
- trust them
- feel a sense of loyalty and commitment
- have openness and vulnerability
- enjoy being around them

The Bible gives us examples of friends in both the Old and New Testaments. Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, Elijah and Elisha, Apostle Paul and ??
Today's message is entitled, How to Be a Friend.
Virtually all of us want to have friends...something more than a large phone and Facebook contact list.
How do you become a good friend?
The Bible has much to say on this subject and offers many practical examples and principles to teach us and to guide our thinking and behavior.

Our text today is found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT]
1. FOCUS on our friend's overall success in life.
Ecclesiastes 4:9; Philippians 2:3-4

Practical Steps:
PRAY for their success, not just for their struggles.
PAT them on the back and encourage them.
PRAISE their efforts and don't focus as much on their errors.
POINT them toward the Lord and remind them of their potential.
2. FIND a way to help our friend when they are in need.
Ecclesiastes 4:10-11; Luke 10
3. FORM a bond of loyalty.
Ecclesiastes 4:12a

4. FOSTER an environment where Jesus can be woven into your relationship.
Ecclesiastes 4:12b

Think about the effort you are making with friends in presenting Christ to them by your lifestyle and your words. We can...
- pray for them
- discuss the issues we face in life
- talk about how our faith in God has helped us
- share an appropriate Bible passage
- invite them to events where they can meet other Christians and hear about God
- pull up a chair and explain God's Story of Jesus and our Story with Jesus

Grace Church Website


https://gc3.org/

Giving Link

Giving at Grace Church We don't talk a lot about giving tithes and offerings here at Grace but we share information periodically that will help you as you give to the Lord's work. If you are interested in a year end giving record for tax purposes: 1.  You must use a Grace Church giving envelope and your name must be written on it. Envelopes can be placed in the bins near the doors at the back of the auditorium. 2.  If you have an envelope pack now and there are left over envelopes, feel free to use what you have.  (The notation of 1st Sunday, 2nd Sunday, etc is for your benefit only and is not used by the church.) 3.  Envelope booklets are available in the Lobby at the Information Board whenever you need them. 4.  You are always able to access your giving record via Breeze.  If you need a link to set up your Breeze account click HERE. If you are currently giving through the Grace Church envelopes, financial statements will be emailed to you at the end of January. If you do not need giving records, but want to give to the Lord’s work at Grace: 1.  Tithes and offerings are collected in the bins near the doors at the back of the auditorium. 2.  Envelopes can be used but are not required. More information on giving can be found at the link below. As always, please contact the church office if you have questions (grace@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/giving/

Breeze Church Management

At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management.  Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account. Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/

CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link

https://gc3.org/cjs/

Meet and Greet

Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on October 27th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).

August/September Grace U Classes

Resolving Conflict on Sundays at 9:00 am beginning October 4th; How We Got The Bible on Sundays at 9:00 am beginning October 13th; First Impressions on Sundays at Noon beginning October 13th
https://gc3.org/grace-university/

Church Work Days

Church Work Days each Saturday in October 9:00 am to Noon.
Come help us prepare the church property for winter! Bring work gloves and hedge trimmers/something to trim bushes. Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) with questions.

H.O.M.E. Groups

Grace Church H.O.M.E. Groups have started back up! You can learn more or sign-up for a group at the link below.
https://gc3.org/home-groups/

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat October 31st, 5:30-7:00 pm at Highpoint Community Bank in downtown Nashville. Candy will be collected in the lobby. Sign-up to participate using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/tort

Wednesday Nights in CJ's

CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection all throughout the month. Boxes will be handed out on Sunday morning.  If you're not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, you can find more information at this link.
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!

Saturday, October 5th - Orion Brinckman
Sunday, October 6th - James Yenger, Randy & Kathy Sears
Monday, October 7th - Bret & Cass Ramey, Rick & Deb Abbott
Tuesday, October 8th - Kim Walters
Wednesday, October 9th - Jay Scott, David & Karen Dykhouse
Thursday, October 10th - David Vanderlugt, Emily Golden