Thursday, January 1 - New Year’s Day
Office Closed
Saturday, January 3
Men’s Breakfast - 8:00am
Sunday, January 4
Church Council Meeting: NOON
Wednesday, January 7 - NO Supper
Business Meeting: 7:00pm
Friday-Saturday, January 9-10
Winter Bible Study w/ Dr. Steeger
Tuesday, January 13
Outreach - 6:30pm
Wednesday, January 14 - Supper: 6:00pm
Saturday, January 17
Stephanie Burgess Baby Shower - 2:00pm
Saturday-Monday, January 17-19
Youth Winter Retreat
Sunday, January 18 - Baby Bottle Campaign
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
Sunday School Meeting - 5:00pm
Tuesday, January 20
Ladies Ministry @ Darlene’s - 6:30pm
Sunday, January 25 - Lord’s Supper: PM
Youth Committee Meeting - NOON
Deacons’ Meeting - 4:30pm

Dear Church Family,

Rick Warren has been invited by president-elect Barack Obama to offer the prayer at his inauguration this month. Warren is well-known as the founder and leader of Saddleback Church, a mega-church in California, and for his best-selling books on purpose-driven living. Warren is also well-known for his preaching and teaching of the Bible. His interpretation and understanding of God’s Word is a matter of record.

During Obama’s campaign for the presidency we learned a little about the man who was his pastor for 20 years, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Wright’s interpretation and understanding of God’s Word was a matter of much debate and controversy in the months before the election. Jeremiah Wright and Rick Warren do not interpret the Bible in the same way. As a result, they present somewhat different views of how to live in a manner pleasing to God.

Wright’s method of understanding Scripture, which our new president listened to for two decades, is known as liberation theology. Liberation theology appeared in Latin America some 40 years ago. Since then it has moved to other continents, cultures, and countries, including the U.S.A. Liberation theology represents a particular way of understanding and applying Scripture.

What is liberation theology and does it have anything to offer us in our efforts to understand and apply God’s Word? We will answer these questions in our Sunday evening Bible studies in January. One of the cornerstone Bible passages for liberation theology is the Exodus in the Old Testament. Dr. Steeger will be teaching from the Book of Exodus in our Winter Bible Study in January.

Please make plans to take advantage of the opportunities for learning, worshiping, and serving at Grace Baptist in 2009. I look forward to worshiping and serving with you this year.

May God’s Holy Spirit do a mighty work in us and through us in 2009,

Brother Richard Foster

December was a busy, but fun filled month. The New Year is about to begin with all kinds of fun and excitement. Wednesday January 7^th will be our first outreach event of the year called DUEL. This night will be a duel between the guys and girls, first of all to see who can bring the most friends, and secondly as they compete in games and other competitions. This night will also be a very special surprise.

January 17-19 we will be heading up to Camp Spring Lake near Hot Springs for our annual Winter Retreat. Daren Neely, our speaker, is funny but intense communicators who will make us laugh but will challenge us to evaluate our walk with God and go further in it. The cost for the retreat is $40 and if you would like to sponsor a kid let me know.

There will be lots of other things this spring and summer to be a part of. In February we have the valentine banquet and in March our spring break Destination Unknown trip. We are also planning more MERGE services. Lots of fun stuff to do, but I look forward to what God is going to do in teenagers lives in 2009 through the youth ministry here at Grace.