Weekly Update
GCN Family,
This past Sunday, we talked about suffering. How is a disciple of Jesus supposed to handle grief, disappointment, difficult seasons, and the suffering of the world?
The story of Stephen, from Acts 6 and 7, has always amazed me. Stephen is the first post-resurrection martyr recorded in scripture. We know that he is “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) and “full of God’s grace and power.” (Acts 6:8)
After Stephen boldly preaches the gospel of Jesus to the religious leaders, and any who are listening, they begin to stone him. Here’s what’s amazing: Stephen’s response to their stoning is to say, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59) This sounds a lot like Jesus, from the cross, saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
Then, Stephen says, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) This sounds a lot like Jesus, from the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
There is so much that we can glean from the testimony of Stephen, but here’s at least one thing: The more that we are being filled with the Holy Spirit, the more we will look and live and speak and love like Jesus. Further, this will be most revealed during times of most intense testing.
Our Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us. Help us to look and live and speak and love like Jesus, especially with difficult people and in our difficult situations. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
A FEW OTHER THINGS:
1. Membership Lunch. Sunday, May 17th. CLICK HERE to register. It's a free lunch for anyone who is intersted in learning more about GCN. This is especially designed for those who are interested in taking a next step and becoming a member of GCN. (However, there is no requirement or expectation of membership just becasue you take the class).
2. Summer Ministry Intern, Sydney Cochran, has arrived! She’ll be with us on Sunday. Sydney is finishing up her sophmore year at Regent University, and we are so gald she's joining us again this summer!
3. Mission Trip to Puerto Cortes, Honduras. September 14-23, 2026. We have been partnering with Cocal Gracias ministry in Honduras for many years. If you are interseted in being a part of our next mission trip this fall CLICK HERE to submit the interest form. Or, contact Pastor Kevin (pastorkevin@gburgnaz.org)
4. Pray for one another. A Particular Request: Pray for the family of Sandy Wehr. If you’ve been around GCN a long time, you know that Sandy Wehr is the wife of former pastor, Paul Wehr. A week ago – last Wednesday, May 6th – Sandy passed into the arms of Jesus. She had battled Alzheimer’s for some time, and now she is no longer struggling. Let’s be lifting her family up in prayer these days. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Much Love,
Pastor Brian
This past Sunday, we talked about suffering. How is a disciple of Jesus supposed to handle grief, disappointment, difficult seasons, and the suffering of the world?
The story of Stephen, from Acts 6 and 7, has always amazed me. Stephen is the first post-resurrection martyr recorded in scripture. We know that he is “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) and “full of God’s grace and power.” (Acts 6:8)
After Stephen boldly preaches the gospel of Jesus to the religious leaders, and any who are listening, they begin to stone him. Here’s what’s amazing: Stephen’s response to their stoning is to say, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59) This sounds a lot like Jesus, from the cross, saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
Then, Stephen says, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) This sounds a lot like Jesus, from the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
There is so much that we can glean from the testimony of Stephen, but here’s at least one thing: The more that we are being filled with the Holy Spirit, the more we will look and live and speak and love like Jesus. Further, this will be most revealed during times of most intense testing.
Our Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us. Help us to look and live and speak and love like Jesus, especially with difficult people and in our difficult situations. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
A FEW OTHER THINGS:
1. Membership Lunch. Sunday, May 17th. CLICK HERE to register. It's a free lunch for anyone who is intersted in learning more about GCN. This is especially designed for those who are interested in taking a next step and becoming a member of GCN. (However, there is no requirement or expectation of membership just becasue you take the class).
2. Summer Ministry Intern, Sydney Cochran, has arrived! She’ll be with us on Sunday. Sydney is finishing up her sophmore year at Regent University, and we are so gald she's joining us again this summer!
3. Mission Trip to Puerto Cortes, Honduras. September 14-23, 2026. We have been partnering with Cocal Gracias ministry in Honduras for many years. If you are interseted in being a part of our next mission trip this fall CLICK HERE to submit the interest form. Or, contact Pastor Kevin (pastorkevin@gburgnaz.org)
4. Pray for one another. A Particular Request: Pray for the family of Sandy Wehr. If you’ve been around GCN a long time, you know that Sandy Wehr is the wife of former pastor, Paul Wehr. A week ago – last Wednesday, May 6th – Sandy passed into the arms of Jesus. She had battled Alzheimer’s for some time, and now she is no longer struggling. Let’s be lifting her family up in prayer these days. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Much Love,
Pastor Brian
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