Ambassador
Newsletter - February 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
Gazing on the Flashing Chimes of Freedom
by Ken Miller
In Matthew 25: 31-46, Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats. What was the criteria he used to separate them from one another? The answer can be found twice. Once in verse 40 and again in verse 45. He used this phrase both times; the least of these. Turning to the sheep, “’The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25;40)
Turning to the goat, “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’” (Matthew 25;45) Clearly, Jesus had been observing how we have related to the least of these. In verse 34 He sends the sheep to a good place and in verse 46 He sends the goats to a bad place. This is not a “works trip”, but rather an expression of our salvation. (Philippians 2;12-15)
Was this soft spot He had for the least of these something new since He came to earth? I think not. God is love. He’s always been for the marginalized, forgotten and the underdog. Check these out from the book of Leviticus.
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and alien: I am the Lord your God.“(Leviticus 19:9,10)
"When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien that resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:33-34
“ Far between sundown's finish and midnight's broken toll we ducked inside the doorways, thunder went crashing. Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight. Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight. And for each and every underdog soldier in the night. And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing. -Bob Dylan
I’ve never had to huddle in a doorway at midnight with thunder crashing, nor have I been a homeless refugee in flight. But wouldn’t it be great if GRAC ILLUMINATED THE PATH SO ONE REFUGEE family COULD SEE THE CHIMES OF FREEDOM FLASHING!
Amen, let it be so! Let freedom ring!
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Grand Rapids Alliance Church
1705 SE 7th Avenue
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Operation Christmas Child
Praising God for a record-breaking collection of shoebox gifts!
The numbers are in! Your incredible efforts in 2024 yielded 11,927,439 Gospel Opportunities that were packed, collected, and prayed over, including 10,574,805 in the U.S., an all-time high. Praise God! This milestone would not have been possible without the collective sacrifice and dedication of our Connect Volunteers.
Because of your commitment 11,927,439 children will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and know Jesus. Millions of these boys and girls will go on to complete The Greatest Journey discipleship program, learning from faithful Ministry Partners in their communities about how to follow Christ and share the Gospel with friends and family.
We praise God for providing an army of Connect Volunteers who serve with extraordinary faith and dedication. Think back to every phone call, every Area Team meeting, every hour labored during National Collection Week, your many prayers, and everything else you and your Area Team accomplished in 2024. It was all worth it! God is using your passion, dedication, and faith to plant millions of seeds in over 100 countries this year, and we are grateful for your partnership in ministry.
Please continue to pray with us. Pray that God would prepare the heart of each shoebox recipient to respond to the Gospel in faith, embrace discipleship, and become a disciple-maker. Pray also for the safe delivery of shoebox gifts and the ministry of our National Leadership Teams and Regional Leadership Teams.
We eagerly anticipate seeing how God will advance His Kingdom through shoebox gifts this year. It is an honor to serve alongside you!
“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27, ESV
Sunday School Classes - 9:00am - 10:00am
Children (ages) Location Teacher
2-3 years old & Kindergarten PreK Rm 1 upstairs Mike W
1st, 2nd & 3rd grades Accordion door rm upstairs Frances K
4th, 5th & 6th grades SS rm by upstairs door Jody S
Youth Class – 7-12th Youth Room Youth Leaders
Adult Classes
Chronological Trip - Bible following the Jews Conference Room Eric M
Revelations Library Bernie W
Churches of Welcome Class Rm by Kitchen Erik, Chad, Frank
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 luncheons right after morning service (noon) the first Sunday of each month in the youth room. All are welcome to join us in sharing good food and fellowship.
Come to the Table gathers every Sunday at 6:30pm for prayer, testimonies, and worship. Please come and join us in this special time!
Staying Connected
Wed Activities
Women’s Prayer Group 9:30a - Library
Bible Quizzing 3:00-5:30p
Soup Dinner 5:30p-6:00p – Fellowship Hall
Awana 6:00-7:30p
Youth Group 6:30p – 8:30p – Youth Room
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Bible Studies
Single Ladies Bible Study – Mon 10a-12p - conf rm. Pauline Wirtz
Women’s Bible Study - Tues 10a-12p – (Hill City – Barb Kempainen) 218-360-2061
Faith Over Fear Small Group - Mon 5:45pm at Hager’s. Dinner & childcare provided. Call Mike at 303-895-9929
Young Adult Bible Study – Mon 7p in Youth Room Sunday School Classes @ 9:00am
Mom’s Group. Join us for a fall 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.
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.
Missions Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Tues,
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!
Summer of 2025 – BIG SANDY YOUTH CAMPS – Register on – line and signup for a 30% Scholarship for your youth and any friends that come with your child. Use code GRACS25.
Mon Feb 10th Hospitality Dinner. Signup for a dinner as a host or a guest. Childcare provided if needed at church. There are still openings if you want to sign up. See Pastor Erik with questions.
Thurs Feb 13th 9a-11a – Food Bank Ministry – See Jim Marshall. Volunteers welcome and needed.
Sat Feb 15th 4-8p Downhill skiing at Giants Ridge. Lift ticket & rentals $35 per person. Meet up there or car-
pool from church at 2:15p. Questions-call Bart Johnson.
Sun Feb 16th – Youth Fundraiser for LIFE Conference 2025 – after service.
Sat Feb 22nd Keep Bible Quizzers in your prayers as they travel for a competition.
Sat Feb 22 – Cross Country Skiing – 3p at MN Power Trail. Signup at Connection Center (need to know how much food) See Mike Weedman
Mon Feb 24th – Newsletter articles due for March Ambassador.
Tues Mar 4th NO MISSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
Sun Mar 23rd Baptism Sunday during the service. If you want to be baptized, please see Pastor Erik.
Sat Mar 29th – 11a Ladies Spring Luncheon – Please sign up at Connection Center
Save the dates: VBS June 2nd – 6th. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
July 30th-Aug 3rd – Annual Church Campout – sign up at connection center and more information.