Hello Everyone!

Well, instead of a Sunday recap, think of this as a mid-week refresher.
Better late than never.  It's been wonderful to let Sunday sink in over the
past couple of days.  Many memories were made both Sunday morning and
afternoon.  We had many firsts on Sunday, one being that we worshipped in
the lower cafeteria for the first time.  Everyone really seemed to enjoy
it.  The Praise Team had a great time leading worship in their new little
enclave.  The combination of Christmas carols and praise songs worked
well.

One highlight for me was having all of the new members come up.  Who will
forget seeing all of them standing up there?  We had almost a 25 % increase
in membership in one day.  As most of you know, I am about our spiritual
condition and not about numbers.  However, seeing so many people who want
to be at GCC because they feel loved and are hearing truth preached says
that our spiritual condition is moving in the right direction.  Praise
God!

Mark then preached one of the most powerful sermons I have heard him preach
in the time I have been around him.  I am sorry Robyn Bone was sick and
could not hear him because he preached from her life verse, Galatians 2:20
- "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but
Christ lives in me;and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."  The
title of his sermon was "Do You Have a Title or a Testimony?"

What does that mean - title or testimony?  Mark asked whether we have the
title of Christian or do we have a testimony in which our lives have been
changed by the gospel message and the Holy Spirit.  If so, then we follow
Jesus as our Lord.  He is the One who sets our priorities and guides our
life.  We will desire to be with Him in a personal relationship and we'll
want to be like Him (by the power of the Spirit).

But if we only have a title, then we still want to be in control of our
lives.  We want to get the glory for what we do.  We will know about Jesus,
but we will not know Jesus.  If we can't trust Jesus with our lives here on
earth, do we really think we have trusted Him with our lives for all of
eternity?  It makes you think.

It was a great Sunday morning, but that was only half of our day.  At 4:30,
the Praise Team kicked off another time of worship.  What a special time it
was!  So many members and visitors were blessed when Huiet and Maggie
England gave each of the non-communicant children a bible with his/her name
on it.  That was quite a line of children.  Then Jim Corbitt preached to us
asking if we would do church God's way.  I won't go into the sermon, but I
am confident that the people at GCC want to do church God's way.  Now we
must take up his challenge, follow the Good Shepherd and walk by faith.

The elders were then ordained and installed.  Mark was then officially made
our pastor and, for the record, we officially became GASTON COMMUNITY
CHURCH.  (Mark commemorated the announcement with a very dignified double
fist pump.)

To remember the special day, everyone was given a wooden cross made in
Jerusalem out of olive wood.  If you were absent or did not get one, please
talk to Doug Stover.  He is going to order 50 more.  (Doug, we are very
thankful for your work in getting these crosses.  They added a lot to the
occasion.)

So a new birth has come to Gaston County!  To God be the glory!  It was an
unforgettable day and I am sure that there was rejoicing in heaven.  Now we
can continue the work that we have begun until we grow up into maturity in
Christ Jesus.  What a blessing it is to walk with all of you in this
spiritual journey.

Here are pictures of this special day: www.gastoncommunitychurch.com/photos.php

Your brother in Christ,

Deric Smyre