1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Volume 3
Issue 7
July 2015
Growing in Grace
12 Questions for a Six-Month Spiritual Checkup
By Chuck Lawless
If you are like me, I set goals at the beginning of every year so that I aim at a target
of spiritual growth. I was challenged by these questions this week to evaluate my
walk with God as we approach the halfway mark of 2015, making sure I am always
moving in the right direction. Please take a few moments and ask these questions
with a desire to commit to experiencing life change as we strive to grow closer to
Christ.
Do you need to forgive someone? Jesus is clear that if we don’t forgive others, the Father does not forgive us (Matt. 6:14-15). So, while we may
think our anger is justified, it only hurts us to stay bitter. The cost, in
fact, is serious as it harms our relationship with God.
Does your daily talk reflect godliness? It’s hard to read Ephesians 5:4 (“Nor
should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving”) without evaluating our daily conversations. If other believers heard everything you said last week, would your
witness be strengthened or harmed?
Does your budget reflect a commitment to God’s work? I know it sounds
trite, but what we give toward God’s work really does have eternal dividends. Any sacrifice so others may know Jesus is no sacrifice at all.
Would your checkbook show you prioritize God’s kingdom?
Cont. on page 5
Inside this issue
From the Pastor..................... 1
Grace Kids ............................ 2
Grace Youth .......................... 2
Ben Franklin Bible Club ......... 3
Birthday’s/Calendar ............... 4
Missionary Updates ............... 5
Upcoming Events
 September 4-7— Family
Weekend @ Bethany Camp
Check out the work
from the recent Work
Day last month. The
front of the church is
looking great!
play a part in an amazing story. It
doesn’t take some super power to
stand up and start acting like a superhero
That’s why we’re taking the months
of June and July to discover what it
means to Stand Up: Get in the Story as we learn more about conviction.
Conviction is standing for what’s
right, even when others don’t.
Yay, it's Summer! Though we do
not meet on Wednesdays through
the summer, we still have plenty
going on Sunday mornings. Take
the opportunity to attend one of the
adult Equipping Classes as kids
spend some time learning verses,
looking at scripture and talking with
their leaders about what Scripture
means for their lives.
1-6 Grades
Almost all kids want to be superheroes and dream of being cast in the
pages of their own comic books. I
wonder if that’s because most kids
don’t know that they can already
Let’s take Jesus for example. Even
for Jesus, the Son of God, it wasn’t
always popular to do the right thing.
Sometimes doing the right thing
meant hanging out with tax collectors, blessing the little children or
even forgiving someone who had
done something wrong. No matter
what it was that Jesus needed to
do, He did it because it was the
right thing to do.
We will continue to look at the life
of Daniel, in the Old Testament.
Then we will end the month in Acts,
looking at Peter and John and how
they handled some tough situations.
Birth-Kindergarten
In July, preschoolers will hear all
about Moses. They will learn how
God had an amazing plan to save
him by having his mother place him
in a basket in the reeds. Then, they
will hear how God led Moses to
part the Red Sea by holding up his
staff. Finally, they’ll hear how Moses used that same staff to hit a
rock and provide His people with
water.
Do you see what is going on here?
Lots more water stories. We are
continuing Camp Splish Splash
after all!
The preschoolers will end the
month by learning the story of
Naaman and how they can do what
God says even when it’s hard. Why
should they do what God says?
Because God’s way is perfect!
If you have any questions or would
like to be involved in Grace Kids,
please contact me!
Chrissy Reid
Upcoming Events-
Teen Leadership Conference-July 27-Aug. 1
Please be at the church by 8:30 am on Monday.
Pool Party-Sunday July 12 from 1-8pm, at the
The leaders hope to return by 3 pm on SaturT’s house. 3 Hemlock Lane, Lancaster.
day.
Carpool from church after the morning service. Pray with your students before you get to TLC
Parents will need to pick up from the T’s.
and ask God to do something unbelievably
Please bring $5 for food, a modest swimsuit
amazing in their hearts this week.
and towel.
This is a week to focus on God, His Word and
leadership development for us ALL!
As I serve in Honduras in a totally new setting, it is
neat to have those moments where I realize that
counseling at TLC has equipped and prepared me to
do this now. It helped form me into the person I am
today who, believe me, is far different than the person I was a few years ago. I recently found myself
sitting and talking with two girls for almost two hours.
I hadn't met them until just then. The confidence I
had to go sit and talk with them, the conversational
skills, the fact that I was comfortable speaking with
them, and the way I was able to keep the conversa-
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tion going and get to know so much about them so
quickly, all of this I attribute to God's work in me
through counseling at TLC. And it is so cool to see
that. The skills and mindset I have gained through
serving in the ministry of TLC are invaluable. I praise
God and thank both Him and TLC for the influence
in my life!!!
Jocelyn Mantz, TLC Counselor
Ben Franklin Elementary Bible Club, and
Middle School Extension Bible Study
I am very excited to share with you this month, testimonies of children, parents, and those that have
served in The Ben Franklin Bible club for the 20142015 school year.
why they come to club, and one of the girls boldly stood
up and said, "My parents don't take me to church, so
this club is all I have to learn about Jesus." Also, Karen
has started Prayer Groups this year and, at the end of
each Tuesday meeting the Adults & kids break into
small groups to share good things & difficult things that
**I like Bible club because of prayer group time. One
are going on in their lives/home...this way we (leaders)
thing I really enjoyed was the woman who wrote my
can model how to give your thankfulness / worries to a
name in braille. It’s fun to learn about the Bible.
loving caring God. It’s been an awesome experience!
-Aluna (5 yrs. old)
Ben Franklin has definitely affected many kids to seek
after Jesus. Karen does a great job organizing & com**I am very grateful for Bible club. It has helped my
municating with the parents. This outreach truly does
daughter understand that God has a plan for all of us.
reach into these families as well as the students. Karen
Aluna is excited every Tuesday for Bible Club, and she has a couple of summer activities planned to try and
learns so much through the songs, lessons, verses,
stay connected to the kids! Looking forward to that and
crafts, and fellowship of Bible club. It has helped her
being a part of this God - focused ministry again in the
meet new friends and be more outgoing in a group set- fall.
ting. The women who take time from their lives to vol-Because of Him, Cindy Mineo
unteer with the children are truly a blessing and enrich
many young lives!
**Volunteering for the Franklin School bible Club this
-Ruth Luczak
past year has been a wonderful experience for
me. Although my motivation for volunteering was to
help the children there to come to know God’s word
and to love Jesus, I realize that I have learned right
along with them. It amazes me to see them memorize
the books of the Bible and Bible verses with ease while
I have to work really hard at it just to keep up. The Bible stories, especially, that Rhonda Bilson enthusiastically acted out, have helped me have to have a better
and deeper understanding of God’s word. I believe the
Bible Club is a blessing to the children as well as to the
teachers there. It is a special place where children can
come together to learn and love God’s word as well as
**This was my first year back at Ben Franklin since
to enjoy the fellowship of other children.
2009, and a lot of new things have happened. First how -Dora Graziano
great is it that we're meeting in a public school! One of
the many changes I've noticed is how hungry the kids
are to learn. At the closing program a few kids shared
**My child Adrianna Carbonell attended Bible study first
grade through sixth what a great experience it was for
her she enjoyed it and learned a lot about God. Also
the staff was wonderful to the children and made themselves available to the children for any questions that
they needed answered. This was a wonderful program
for my daughter to learn about God and make new
friends. I would personally like to thank the staff for
helping my daughter to learn about God more.
-Mrs. Carbonell
Pi² Next Door Connection BAR B QUE
July 26th—Purpose is to thank our neighbors on Eggert Road and Briarhurst Drive and
make them feel appreciated for their tolerance of Sunday traffic. To ensure they know we
are here, willing to help, live life together with them.
You have been praying for people on your Pi² list. Here is a great opportunity for YOU to invite them. Buy
them dinner. No strings attached. Get to know them; build a relationship. Invest.
Tickets will be available in the Fireside Room starting July 12th.
Cost is $6 per person. Kids 5 yrs. and under are free. Meal deal includes a half chicken, plus salads, roll, beverage and dessert. It will be an outdoor picnic buffet. Everyone must have a ticket.
PRAY, INVITE, INVEST
Bring a
lawn chair
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1—6:30 pm
Grace Youth
Life Groups-Teal Couple’s,
Tirone
7 pm Trustee Meeting
Birthdays this Month
7/2-Jeff Fadale
7/3-Nathaniel Edwards
7/7-Kristen Monroe
7/8-Sue McNess
Riley Meyer
Bette Strom
7/10-Dora Graziano
7/12-Lukas Monroe
7/13-Tom Sweet
7/15-Ken Knight
Matt LaDuca
7/16-Gerry Moore
Rob Rodriguez
7/17-Delaney Reid
7/18-Rob Wilde
7/19-Dave Monroe
7/20-Helen Mazur
7/14-James Hayes
7/22-Melissa Mazur
7/23-Job Fahmer
7/25-Jennifer Cooper
Dewey Kennedy
Maddie Moore
7/26-Kathy McQuown
Christine Pereny
7/28-John Strom
7/29-Jason Fahmer
7/31-Peter Lanier
4—Independence Day
5—9 am Quarterly Report
10:30 am Worship Service
6 pm Life Groups—Mazur,
Mineo
7 pm-C2
6—6:45pm Twardowski LG
19—9 am New Equipping Classes
10:30 Worship Service
2:30 pm Tonawanda Manor
Ministry
6 pm LG Mazur, Mineo
*7 pm C2
20—12 pm King’s Daughters Picnic
6:45pm Twardowski LG
7 pm City Mission Min.
21—9 am Men’s BKFT @ Athena’s
22—6:30 pm
Grace Youth
LG Teal Men’s,
23—6:30 pm Ladies Praise LG
7—9 am Men’s BKFT @ Athena’s
8—6:30 pm
Grace Youth
Life Groups-Teal Men’s,
9—6:30 pm Ladies Praise LG
Shower
7 pm Deacon
26—9 am Equipping Classes
10:30 Worship Service
12 pm Pi2 Neighborhood
Connection
6 pm Life Groups-Mineo,
Fadale, Longwell
*7 pm C2
27– Aug. 1—Grace Youth to TLC
11—9 am-Expressions of the Heart
28—9 am Men’s BKFT @ Athena’s
12— 9 am Missions Emphasis
10:30 Worship Service
1 pm GY Pool Party
3 PM-Schofield Residence Min.
6 pm LG Mineo, Longwell,
Fadale
*7 pm C2
29—6:30 pm Grace Youth
*C2 meets in various homes on
Sunday evenings during the summer. Please contact Del or Chrissy
Reid for more information.
14—9 am Men’s BKFT @ Athena’s
15—6:30 pm
Grace Youth
LG—Teal Couples, Tirone
7 pm—LG Roberts
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Please join us on July 12 for
our Missions Emphasis Sunday.
We are pleased to have Justin
Kennedy as our guest speaker.
Welcome new member-Mike Hamilton
Mike Hamilton was recently baptized and joined
Grace. He and his family currently live in the Town of
Tonawanda. Mike and his wife, Taria, have three
daughters. Nathiefa (19), Tashanique (15) and Michaela
(10). Mike is accustomed to being the only male in a
household of females. He grew up with four sisters and
his mom. Michael grew up in Jamaica and was saved
there. At 15 years old, he left Jamaica and also left the
Lord. He wandered spiritually throughout high school,
three years in the army and finally arrived in Tonawanda
where he was hired by Black Rock Roofing and has
been employed by Black Rock for 19 years.
more concerned about the
latest fashion than the
gospel. Michaela began
attending Ben Franklin
Bible Study. Somehow,
Mike received a mug from Grace Baptist and the family
decided to give Grace a try. Four Easter Sundays ago,
the family came to Sunday service and was immediately
made to feel welcome. The family sat briefly under Pastor Hamilton, but then Pastor Jon's teaching sealed the
deal. They have been faithfully attending since.
Mike's favorite thing about Grace is the people. He feels
Michael began to be prompted by the Holy Spirit several we are transparent and on the right track. We have, as a
years ago. He and his family attended several different family, the same goals...to make more and better discichurches including a predominately black church on Del- ples
aware, but soon realized that church was shallow and
From the Pastor
Cont. from front page
Do you know your neighbors and co-workers? It’s easy to be so “on the go” that we know our neighbors and coworkers on only a superficial basis, if we know them at all – which makes it difficult to share Christ with them.
Even our prayer for them is surface-level if we don’t know them.
Do you pray regularly for leaders? Regardless of our political positions, we are mandated to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Think about those for whom you might pray: school officials, bosses, mayors, governors,
the president. Obedience here is especially important in this election season.
Do you read more blog posts than you do the Bible? Obviously, I tread softly here, as I’m deeply grateful you’re
reading this post. On the other hand, what bloggers have to say is nothing compared to the Word of God.
Do you pray only when you have to? Many of us pray more reactively than proactively. Prayer is not in our DNA; it
is only our response when we face something we can’t handle. That kind of praying misses the point of being in
a relationship with God.
If you’re married, does your marriage reflect the love of Jesus for His church? Do you love your spouse sacrificially
(Eph. 5:25), to the point of being willing to die? Would your spouse agree with your response to that question?
Are you hiding anything? Hiddenness is usually a sign the enemy is winning in one’s life. Then, the anguish of such
sin is only deepened by the efforts we expend trying to keep it covered up.
Do you really love God’s church? Paul thanked God for the Corinthians at the beginning of his letter to them (1 Cor.
1:4-9) and expressed his love for them in his closing (1 Cor. 16:24). In between, though, he described them as a
mess. Only God can give us this kind of love for His bride, especially when the church is problematic.
Are you ready to quit? Maybe your church role has drained you to the point you wonder if it’s worth the effort. If
your faith is being stretched to its limit, I encourage you to gather prayer partners and talk with friends before
giving up.
Where do you most need to strengthen your walk with God for the rest of this year? Reading this article will make no
difference unless you make an intentional plan to change. By God’s grace and strength, let’s make a commitment to life
change so that every day we are not what we were yesterday as we become what Christ wants us to be today.
Enjoy your journey, PJon
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New classes begin July
19. Whether you are a
new believer or want to
grow in your faith, there is
a class for you.
Please sign up now for
Equipping Classes at the
Welcome Center.
Nurturing New Believers for the Faith
Journey. This class is a guide to the
whats, whys, and hows of faith in God.
Gain a better understanding of the
Bible and how to apply it to everyday
life.
Philippians-Christ, the Source of Joy
and Strength. As believers we can
have peace, joy, contentment and serenity no matter what our circumstances. Come join us as we study this
powerful letter from Paul and allow
the truths of God’s Word to penetrate
not only our minds but our hearts and
trans form our lives.
Grace-More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine by MaxLucado.
We talk as though we understand the
term. But do we really? Do we settle
for a wimpy grace or God’s wild one?
Grace is the voice that calls us to
change and then gives us the power to
pull it off. From afraid to die to ready
to fly!
PLEASE
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
2525 Eggert Road
Tonawanda, NY
Contact us at 716-836-1525
www.graceoneggert.com