49 YEARS AT GCC

Dear Friends,

Boy, have we been hit with all the home goings this year!

This year will have marked 49 years since my husband and I first walked through the doors of Grace Community Church – a journey that began in the San Fernando Valley, a very special valley. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet the memories remain as vivid as yesterday.

I recall the electrifying energy of those early services held in the crowded gym, the rhythmic rustle of pages as everyone eagerly followed Pastor John’s fervent expository teachings, a young man then, full of passion and zeal.

We, too, were young, and the intensity of those services, the camaraderie of furiously scribbling notes, the excitement of absorbing new spiritual insights—these were formative years.

Sometimes, finding a seat meant ascending to the choir loft after the service began, or even joining our fellow congregants seated on the floor. It was a testament to our shared spiritual hunger.

How things have changed! We've watched our church grow, evolving from that bustling gym to the expansive sanctuary and welcoming patio where we can now choose our seating with ease. I remember the anticipation as the new worship center rose from the ground, a tangible representation of our community’s growth. The seminary, once merely a dream, was now a reality, and even the bookstore has blossomed from its humble beginnings as a "Book Shack" (a former chicken shed) nestled in the parking lot.

Grace Community Church has become more than just a place of worship; it's a sanctuary, a source of comfort and encouragement, a true family. While keeping pace with everything can be challenging these days, it was a blessing to see Pastor John’s pace adjust as well. The slower rhythm of his last years allowed me to reflect more deeply on his messages.

And the uplifting music, performed by such incredibly talented individuals, continues to nourish my soul, even with my unmusical ears.

This week's events serve as a potent reminder of the unpredictable nature of life, and in those times, I feel an even deeper gratitude for the steadfast support of my church family. Their unwavering love and presence have sustained me through past trials, and I know I can count on them for years to come.

My heart overflows with thankfulness for Grace Community Church and our dear Shepherd who is now rejoicing in Gods presence, the enduring love that binds us together. It's a community that has enriched my life immeasurably over these past forty nine years, and I look forward to more years of shared faith and fellowship without Pastor John and without my husband.

Warmly,

A sinner saved by grace.