Church In Real Life
Impossible Unity
This past Sunday, pastor Tim preached his way through Ephesians 4:1-16, a passage saturated with unity. We have just turned a corner in our study through the book of Ephesians - from what God has done, to what we now do in response. The Apostle Paul reminds the church in Ephesus of our calling to pursue unity. And this calling is just as true for the local church today as it was back in Ephesus.
Why does unity in the local church often feel impossible? Is unity an unrealistic expectation, or something confined to fantasy? Questions like these can often prompt tears and great agony. Disunity in local churches can lead to splits, member departures, and loud cries to God in response to this deep pain we feel.
Disunity in the local church that we know and love - between Christians we know and love - is an unfortunate reality we all sadly know too well.
Impossible Unity is Possible with Christ
Frequently this is not a disunity produced by disagreements over primary Christian doctrines. This is a far more common kind of disunity fueled by the endless variety of conflicts that break apart relationships, and even whole churches, because Christians fail to humbly, gently, and patiently “bear with one another in love” and cease being “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3).
You can listen to Pastor Tim’s sermon on unity from Ephesians 4:1-16
Perhaps you are lamenting the fact that you’ve seen too much of this, and you wonder, sometimes with tears, “Why is unity in the church so difficult?”
The truth is, apart from Christ, unity is impossible. Unity is something, by the Spirit of truth, we are equipped to pursue our whole lives. And we need the grace of Jesus to sustain us to the end. Unity is not something we give up on because it is hard, rather its something we pursue and maintain for the glory of Jesus and our good.
Popcorn & ByLaws
Come spend Sunday evening at Grace Hill. Sit back, relax, snack on some popcorn, and enjoy a night of polity as we carefully review an important document in the life of our church. As mentioned at our last member meeting, we hope that all of you will take time to read through the draft of the proposed bylaws and come ready to ask questions and engage in a helpful discussion. Nothing is off-limits.
Documents That Matter
Church polity matters; perhaps more than we will ever know. Therefore we endeavor to continue carefully working through a few documents that will ultimately shape the way Grace Hill functions as a local church as we desire to make much of the good name of Jesus in Merton and beyond.
February 23, 6pm - ByLaws
Come ready to ask questions and engage in a healthy discussion about this document and learn how it will help shape and guide our ministry, for our good and for Christ’s glory. We value your presence and your input. Together we can make polity discussions a joyful experience!
10AM
We love Sundays! One thing we observe throughout the New Testament, both from example (Acts 2:41ff.) and from command (Hebrews 10:25), is that we are to meet together regularly as a local church. Since the first century, Christians have made it their priority to meet weekly on “the first day of the week” (1 Corinthians 16:2), also called “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10). This was not done out of obligation, but out of joy and reverence, as men and women eagerly anticipated their meeting with fellow brothers and sisters on the first day of the week.
Sundays | 10am
Beginning Easter | April 20th
Though the day of the week is clearly laid out in Scripture and church history, the timing for when each local church gathering occured would vary. There are occasions when any given local church has the freedom and flexibility to shift their worship time to accommodate the needs of their local body. This such occasion has become a recent reality for Grace Hill Church. Therefore, beginning Easter Sunday, April 20th, our worship start time will be moved to 10am for the foreseeable future.
School of Theology
We have the ambition to see the good news of Jesus spread throughout Lake Country, Wisconsin. We recognize the significant limitations for one small local church to take on this burden alone. Thus, we desire to raise up men and women who will serve the next generation of Christians in Lake Country, Wisconsin.
Lake Country School of Theology
We offer a number of opportunities for supervised theological training, ministry experience, and formal evaluation. It's a part of our church culture and a practical way we equip the saints for discipleship and deployment.
Theological Training For Everyday Life
Have you ever wanted to be mentored by a fellow brother or sister in-Christ? Do you desire to receive helpful feedback and evaluation while participating in an intentional and focused internship? Do you aspire to be a pastor or deacon in your local church? Are you regularly approached by hurting, needy people and wish you were more equipped to counsel and teach them the truths of Scripture?
Know, And Be Known
Come know and be known. A local church is where you know your pastors, and your pastors know you. One relational mark of our Chief Shepherd, Jesus, was that his sheep not only knew his voice but that their shepherd knew them. We expect nothing less for our local church, than to follow the model of Jesus.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
The local church is a place where men and women know one another, exhort one another, care for one another, and love one another. Many of the commands given throughout Scripture are nearly impossible to fulfill if we simply do not know one another. So we make it our ambition to know and be known.
Come Know and Be Known
The local church: A place where your pastors are more than just a voice you hear from a distant stage. A place where you can call or text your pastors at any hour. A place where you can share meals in member’s homes and engage in life-changing living room discussions. A place were everyone knows your name. A place to know Christ and to be known by Him.
We’re Growing
This Sunday we’ll welcome new members to Grace Hill Church! God has been faithful to build His church and continues to remind us of His goodness and kindness in the lives of those He leads through our doors. Come ready to celebrate as we affirm and welcome our new members during the service.
Christ Is Building His Local Church
Paul says in Ephesians 4:25 that we are “members one of another”. Church membership is more than a membership in a club. It’s an expression of our commitment to the people around us. The Scriptures are full of “one another” commands that show believers how to act in godliness toward other people. What Scripture makes clear is that these “others” refer to a specific group of people, not all people generally. These “others” are the men and women identified in a particular local church.
We Are Members One Of Another
As members of Grace Hill, we have the privilege of living out our lives with one another. We celebrate and grieve with one another. We build deep relationship with one another. We advance the joy of Jesus together. We help one another pursue holiness. We remind one another of the beauty of the gospel.
Youth Game Night
Our next youth night will be Saturday, February 8th from 4-8pm at the Lindmark home. We will plan on playing games, splashing around their pool (please pack swimsuits and towels) and continuing our study through the Sermon on the Mount.
Saturday, February 8th | 4-8pm
We currently meet once a month to learn and grow. Every meeting is different. Sometimes it's a party. Sometimes it's a service project. Often we have deep theological conversations. 7th-12th graders from inside and outside the church are welcome to join.
Popcorn Polity - ByLaws
Who needs popcorn and a movie when we’ve got popcorn and polity?! Come spend a Sunday evening at Grace Hill. Just sit back, relax, snack on some popcorn, and enjoy a night of polity as we carefully review an important document in the life of our church.
Documents That Matter
Church polity matters; perhaps more than we will ever know. Therefore we endeavor to continue carefully working through a few documents that will ultimately shape the way Grace Hill functions as a local church as we desire to make much of the good name of Jesus in Merton and beyond.
February 23, 6pm - ByLaws
The set of three proposed documents are: (1) the Trinity Fellowship Book of Church Order, (2) Grace Hill ByLaws, and (3) the Grace Hill Book of Church Life. On February 23rd we will survey our proposed ByLaws (copies will be distributed at the member meeting on February 9th). Come ready to ask questions and engage in a healthy discussion about this document and learn how it will help shape and guide our ministry, for our good and for Christ’s glory.
Deacons Among Us
Deacons are integral members of the church, supporting the ministries of GHC under the leadership of the Elders and promoting unity within the body. These men serve faithfully behind the scenes, often with little to no recognition. When needs arise, they are quick to respond and settle the matter. They often anticipate needs before they become significant issues and handle them with great grace and care. They are indeed a blessing to our church.
Deacons Serve As Christ First Served Us
Please pray for these men and their families as they regularly sacrifice their time and skills to serve our church body. Pray for God to raise up more deacons among us. Who have you noticed in our church that exhibit the qualities of a Biblical Deacon? Who serves faithfully to meet a variety of needs, often without being asked? Who is filled with the Spirit, engaging in service to care for the church and glorify Christ? Pray for our deacons, present and future.
1 Timothy 3:13
For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.