Ambassador
June 2025
“Pray also for me whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an AMBASSADOR…” Ephesians 6:19, 20
What’s In Your Tube of Toothpaste?
by Ken Miller
My clock said I was late. I better hurry. All was ready, but I still needed to brush my teeth. Unscrewing the tube and applying, what I thought was minimal pressure, I managed to squirt toothpaste all over the sink. None was on my brush. So, I mumbled, a few of what Jesus would call careless and useless words, “But I tell you, on the day of judgement people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.” Matthew 12:36 (Amplified). I applied some gentleness and was awarded with paste on my bristles and conviction in my heart.
Thinking about the mess in the sink, I realized that once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it is impossible to return it. The same is true of the words that come out of our mouths. They cannot be returned and may be an infection for other ears. “See to it that no one fails to obtain the Grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15) So one root of bitterness can result in the defilement of many? That’s what it says. Plus, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire…” (James 3.5b-6) Aside for useless words and bitter roots there is another form of communication present in the church: Gossip. In his 1972 seminar on Basic Youth Conflicts, evangelist Bill Gothard defines gossip as, “Sharing information with someone who is neither part of the problem, or part of the solution.” Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” Have you ever been around one of those folks who seemed to speak “minty fresh?“ Their tube is full of what I like to call life. Those are the words of grace Paul spoke of. Then there are the folks who speak fluent “gloom and doom.” Their words minister mud.
Jesus taught in Luke 6:45. “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.
Hundreds of years before Jesus spoke of the heart, in Proverbs 4:23 we read “Guard over your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. The heart is powerful and telling.
ay our God who is rich in grace help us transform our tongues into His instruments of His grace.
Amen!
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Grand Rapids Alliance Church
1705 SE 7th Avenue
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Prayer Chain – Grand Rapids Alliance Church
Melissa Monroe -------- 218-256-6498
Diane Major --------- 612-860-3806
Pastor Erik Kling-------- 218-256-5992
If you have a prayer request, please contact one of the above prayer team members and they will get the word out.
JUNE SERMON SCHEDULE
June 1st
· Luke 9:51-10:23 The Cost of following Jesus
June 8th
· Luke 10:25-42 The Good Samaritan
June 15th
· Father’s Day
· Luke 11:1-13 Jesus Teaching on Prayer
June 22nd
· Luke 11:14-36 Jesus Driving out demons
June 29th
· Luke 11:37-54 Woe to the Pharisees
Operation Christmas Child
Tania & the School Supplies
Through a shoebox, I learned that there are people who love Jesus enough to give special gifts to children they haven’t even met.
I grew up during the communist regime in Romania. There was a cloud of gloom and sadness in the country. The atmosphere was very cold and unwelcoming. People focused all their energy on their jobs and sometimes overlooked their children.
Sometimes my dad worked two jobs. He worked hard, and our basic needs were met, but we didn’t have anything extra. My sister and I didn’t usually receive gifts, even at birthdays or Christmas.
Even though it was forbidden to talk about God, I grew up in a family that loved Jesus and went to church. Bue I was looked down upon for my faith. At school I was often ridiculed and bullied – it wasn’t easy for me.
When I was 10 years old, I participated in a Christmas Eve program at church. After the program, the children were surprised with shoebox gifts. We were thrilled to receive the boxes. I saw so much joy and excitement in the room. I was deeply appreciative of the gift. We had to wait and open the shoeboxes when we got home. Our house was a 30-minute walk from the church, and we had to walk in the snow. When I opened my shoebox, I saw an explosion of color – plastic jewelry, a new hat and scarves. My favorite items were school supplies. I received colorful pens, a notebook, and colored pencils.
As a child, I really loved going to school. I loved reading and writing. But school supplies were not readily available at that time. We only received a few pencils and they needed to last a long time. So, anything extra, or anything colorful really meant a lot to me.
We were told that the shoeboxes were packed by other Christians, I learned that there are people who love Jesus Christ enough to give special gifts to children they haven’t even met. I felt valued and loved and this helped me to have a deeper walk with the Lord.
I moved to the United States in 2003 and I am now a special education teacher at a high school. Every year I pack shoeboxes with my husband and children. Packing shoeboxes has become a treasured family tradition. I want my children to understand that many children around the world do not have as much as they do. I want to reach my children to be cheerful givers. We much give abundantly in order to bless others in the way we have been blessed.
NO Children’s & Youth Sunday School Classes until fall
Children _____________ Location Teacher
Adult Classes
Women of the Bible Library Bernie W
Churches of Welcome Class rm by Kitchen Frank L & Pastor Erik
Global Refugee crisis – what is our responsibility to those who are displaced and have no home. What is a Biblically informed opinion concerning refugees and forced immigration.
Prime Timers Potluck Luncheon - after the church service. 1st Sun every month – everyone welcome. Good food & fellowship.
Come to the Table – Sun 6:30 – Fellowship, prayer & support!
Missions Report - Jim Marshall
Mission Article for June 2025---Love your Neighbor Outreach
Our denomination, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, was founded by a Canadian, A.B. Simpson, who was at one time a Presbyterian minister serving in New York City. During an era of massive European immigration, Simpson spent hours every week down at the docks, meeting and ministering to Italian newcomers. But when the rich, established New Yorkers of the 13th Street Presbyterian Church made it clear they didn’t accept these unwashed newcomers, Simpson began some new ways of ministering to these new Christians, and ultimately resigned his well-paid pastorate. Convinced that Jesus’ great sacrifice and redemptive message was for all races, ethnicities, and classes of people, Simpson believed God was calling him to leave his congregation and the life he was comfortable with. Stepping out in faith to take on “radical, aggressive measures,” he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to begin a global mission’s movement.
While we continue to value and support the international mission’s movement through our giving to the Great Commission Fund, weekly mission reports, and occasional mission events, we have begun to look around at the local mission field as well. Perhaps we don’t need to spend time and money to board a plane in search of unreached people groups and non-believers in Jesus.
Thus, was born a kind of subset of the missions committee—termed Jerusalem/Judea, a reference to Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
One of our adult Sunday School classes has been going through a book by Stephen Viars, Loving Your Community-- Proven practices for community-based outreach ministry. We are starting to gel with the idea that some of our attention to mission’s work can legitimately be aimed at local populations of those who are new to the Lord, or don’t know Him yet. In fact, we are devoting one of our monthly mission reports to these local outreach efforts.
If you have wanted to work in missions, but lack the resources or skills to jump into foreign service, come try out a more local kind of mission’s work, join the class, and dip your toe into the waters of outreach. We still want to develop disciples with strong faith and growing Bible knowledge, but also know that sooner or later, we need to go outside the church walls and engage with our neighbors.
Church LIBRARY NEWS - Jessica Johnson
Hello from the LIBRARY!
WHEN was the last time you actually went into the library to look for a good book or to just search to see all the fascinating books that are here? FOR EVERYONE – there are books for Children, Teens, Young Adults, Middle-age Adults and well, elderly Adults. Jessica has books for all of us, so let’s go see her and let her know how much we appreciate her hard work.
Just me Vicki, overstepping my boundaries, but since Jessica didn’t say I couldn’t write something – WELL…….
I am doing some spring cleaning and inventory, so if you get a slip in your box regarding a missing library book, please look at home and see if you have it!
We have added several new books in the last few weeks including:
Guilty Until Innocent
by Robert Whitlow
As Sure as the Sea
by Jamie Ogle (from Deer River!)
Never Fall Again and Break My Fall, #1 and #2 in the new Gossamer Falls series
by Lynn H. Blackburn
The Paradigm
by Jonathan Cahn
Also, several very nice Bible studies (books with study guides) have been donated. If you're looking to do a book study, check out the shelf behind the library desk!
Several weeks ago, Pastor Erik did a series on hospitality. If this topic interests you, we have a recently donated book called “The Gospel Comes with a House Key” that you might want to check out in the inspirational/Christian living section.
Thanks, and happy reading!
Jessica Johnson, GRAC Librarian
Staying Connected
Wed Activities
Women’s Prayer Group 9:30a - Library
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Bible Studies
Single Ladies Bible Study – Mon 10a-12p - conf rm. Pauline Wirtz
Alpha Bible Study – Tue 7p in Youth Room
Staying Connected
Mom’s Group. Join us for a bible study Mon 6-7:30p in the Fellowship Classroom. This study will be open to the community as we want to welcome new moms to our church community. Childcare will be provided if needed. Please sign up at the connection center contact Erika Menzel or Frances Kling.
2024 GRAC Directories are now available. Books are $20, insert pages $5. Sign up at the connection center.
Community Outreach Opportunities: Circle of Support & North Homes Children & Family Services - in need of deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer & wipes, socks. Dollar Store is a good place to get them cheap. Drop off container is in GRAC foyer. Thank you!!
June 9-12th the East and youth parking lots will be sealed and striped. It will be closed off to traffic. The upper lot will remain open and the North door should be the access area for this time. Thanks
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to make coffee on Sunday morning – signup sheet at CC
Mon Jun 2nd SOFTBALL Schedule
8:00p Field 1 Alliance vs E-Free
9:00p Field 4 CL 2 vs Alliance
M-F Jun 2nd - 6th. VBS need daily snack donations & volunteers needed – see Barbara Kempainen
Thurs Jun 12th Food Bank 9-11a - come earlier if you are able to pack food. The Food Shelf is reorganizing in July, so until further notice our services are on hold after Jun 12th.
Mon Jun 23rd 9a-2p decorate for Summer Concert
Tues Jun 24th 9a-2p GRAC hosting 2025 Summer Concert featuring “An Afternoon in Vienna: Works from Viennese Classics & more.” Lunch following.
Jun 25th – July Newsletter articles due.
Sat Jun 28th 17th Annual 5K MN Adult & Teen Challenge at Breezy Point. Flyers at Connection Center (CC). Free walk/run/bike for all ages. Online registration.
Sun Jun 29th ANNUAL MEETING after service. Ballots for church officers are at the Connection Center (CC). Please make your recommendations for other nominees to the Nomination Committee (Renee Weedman, Vicki Aultman, Bart Johnson, Pastor Erik, Randy J) as soon as possible. Current outstanding positions - Treasurer & Assistant Treasurer (job descriptions are at the CC). Pick up a copy of the proposed budget 2025-2026 for your review. Thank you for your help.
Thurs Sept 18th Attention QUILTERS – 16th annual Itasca Community Connect Event - make a difference for the homeless or impoverished. Some of the most appreciated gifts received by families is new homemade quilts. Flyer (CC) Connection Center.
Community Outreach Opportunities: Circle of Support & North Homes Children & Family Services - need deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer & wipes, socks. NO ADULT DIAPERS. Drop off container is in GRAC foyer. Thank you! Coffee Servers needed - Sunday mornings. Don’t know how, no problem, Nancy Farris, Jody or Colleen Schussman will show you. Sign-up sheet at Connection Center.
Food Bank Second Harvest - Second Thurs each month - 9-11 am. Everyone invited to help in this ministry.
Diaconate Meeting - 3rd Thurs of every month
Kingdom Builders (MEN) - 1st Sat each month – BREAKFAST, Bible talk & prayer - 7:30am at Triumphant Life Church
Circle of Support – needs warm coats, hats, mittens and socks for homeless. Please ask friends and family to help! Drop off container in GRAC foyer. Thank you!
July 30th-Aug 3rd – Annual Church Campout – sign up at connection center and more information.