Gratia Church hosted a graceful campus evangelism. Ministers and students are actively participated in the evangelism. In particular, Luke, in his first-ever evangelism attempt, boldly initiated outreach to students after observing others in action a couple of times. The evangelism became even more graceful and joyful as more members joined in. It was a great time testifying God’s grace and love to others and we pray that only His name can be praised. Amen!
On Easter Sunday, Gratia members gathered for the final day of the retreat in the mountains of Santa Cruz with a focus on the resurrected Lord. Members received abundant grace through the retreat meditating on the cross and focusing on the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The day started with Pastor Julia concluding John 19 with a Bible Study about the Lord’s work completely finishing on this earth, fully revealing God’s love and redemption for our sins. Pastor Walker delivered the Easter Sunday Service message on John 20 explaining the true love of Jesus where he rose again and becoming life for all of us who accept him by faith. The Sunday service also featured a communion. For the closing service, Pastor Walker finished with John 21 with the scene at the Sea of Tiberias, exhorting members to live the life of Christ with the Word, the Church, and evangelism as our focus.
The day also featured a small group Bible Study led by young leaders Dany, Larry, and Ruth who focused on Doubting Thomas. Also, Gratia members were able to have fellowship by walking in the mountains, having meals together, praise, and prayer. At the conclusion of the retreat, multiple Gratia members testified to the grace and peace they received during the retreat, as well as learning deeply the cross and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please pray that Gratia members can hold onto the grace they received during the mountain retreat, and take back the grace into the city of San Francisco, being the light for God’s Kingdom in the city.
Gratia members experience the fullness of grace on March 22. Gratia members conducted campus evangelism at the state university and met several good people who want to join the Bible study. They are committed to continuing evangelism regardless of the season, without ceasing.
Following a graceful lunch, there were Bible teacher training session, reviewing Genesis 22. They deepened their understanding of faith, transcending mere rationale, coming to understand deeply that everything originates from God and belongs to God without any separation. May God’s blessings and grace fill the hearts of all ministers and members.
Gratia members gathered on Friday at 5 pm and had a time of prayer meeting. It was a time when the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of every single member.
Gratia members gathered on Friday at 5 pm and had a time of prayer meeting. It was a time when the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of every single member. They were encouraged and comforted through each other’s prayers. Members prayed for various topics, especially for the revival of the city of San Francisco and the nation. We prayed for God’s mercy and grace to overflow within us at all times.
Gratia Church held a gracious Bible study on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Members meditated on John 13, emphasizing that the suffering of Jesus Christ is love. The study delved into the message of the true humility of Jesus Christ, who washed the disciples’ feet. It emphasized that in the Kingdom of God, the greatest is the one who serves out of love.
During the session, attendees reflected on their lives, sharing about whether they follow worldly knowledge or embrace the life of Jesus Christ. Some Gratia members are observing half-day fasting as a way to participate in the suffering of Jesus Christ, seeking to draw closer to Him and understand His love. We pray that Gratia members get deeper in faith during the time of Lent.
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Gratia student leaders have initiated fellowship and Bible studies, kicking off the new semester with a student fellowship and a group Bible study. Larry and Ruth are the main leaders for this activity, and they have great passion to bring more people to the Words of God and salvation and their participation bringings a dynamic atmosphere to Gratia. We pray that the passion of these young leaders can be ignited by the Holy Spirit.
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.