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Sunday Reflections and This Week at CATGrove

Big Idea:
Good deeds form a bridge over which good news can travel.  The door to salvation is often opened through acts of service.

Scripture memory:
Matthew 5:13-14 (ESV)
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Action Step:
In what way can you change your perspective and thinking about what makes a church a “high impact” church?  What will you do to increase your “saltiness”–to become more distinctively like Jesus in your values and actions?  This week answer these questions for yourself and decide what you will change in your life to be an active part of an externally focused church.

Random Thoughts:

• What an incredible Sunday morning at CATGrove!  What a weekend of great ministry with “Shop With a Hero”!  I love it!
• We were able to minister to 53 children (I think).  It is the most by far we have ever been able to influence. 
• Check out the Shop with a Hero video here!
• I could not believe the number of volunteers!  You guys rock!  What a turnout to demonstrate God’s love in a practical way!  Thank you to everyone who made this happen.  Thank you to all of you who sponsored a child.
• I am so grateful for Mike McHugh and the wonderful guys at the Loganville Police Dept.  They are awesome and we could not do this without them.  Thank you to all the officers from other agencies.  Walton County Sheriffs, Dekalb, DEA, Monroe PD and maybe some other agencies were represented. 
• Thank you to the Firefighters!  A special thanks to Chief Roberts and the Loganville FD for their help in raising the money for this year. Those guys are awesome!  Thank you to Rockdale, Gwinnett, Walton County an probably other agencies for serving. 
• Thanks to Dave at Resurrecting Hope and Gwinnett Rental for their help with the tent and heaters.
• Thank you to Cindy Boyd and Sandy Terrell for putting so much work into making Shop with a Hero a success.
• I am so convinced that we must stay focused on being an “Externally Focused Church”. 
• Good deeds form a bridge over which good news can travel.  The doors to salvation are often opened through service.
• Our church was started with a vision to touch the community and make a difference.  We must continue with that vision!
• Question of the Day:  Would anyone miss Church at the Grove if we were gone?
• ACCESS prayer gathering this Tuesday night at Nathan and Katelyn Boyd’s house! 7pm.
• Please help Resurrecting Hope and Church at the Grove on Saturday Dec 19 make a difference in the lives of Women and children at the Atlanta Union Mission.  We need lots of support to make their Christmas special.
• The next two Sundays we will be in a series called “The Decree”.  We will take a fresh look at the Christmas Story.
• Christmas Eve Service at Walnut Grove High School on Dec 24 at 5pm!  You will not want to miss this!
• We will be having our last Sunday morning Gathering at Youth Middle School on Sunday Dec. 20!  Let’s make this a special day as we conclude our Sunday gatherings at YMS.  Join us for worship and let’s have a huge celebration.

Keep praying, keep investing, keep inviting! 

See you Sunday!