Serving for Him

By Angie Fogle

When I heard the questions asked last Sunday, “What can you do to serve God?” I immediately started to ask myself these questions. When would I fit “serving” into my already hectic schedule? What if I don’t know exactly what to say or do? What if I am not as effective as someone who might have more experience or be more knowledgeable in God’s word? Satan was truly working to make me believe that I am not good enough to serve.

I turned my thoughts to a time when others blessed me by serving my family and I. We had just brought a newborn home from the hospital and our small group and family organized meals to be served to us. The last thing on my mind after coming home from the hospital was what I would be making for dinner. I just wanted a little sleep! What a blessing it was to eat a hot meal that I did not have to prepare.

In last Sunday’s message, Pastor Mike reminded me that God will equip us to serve. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” ~Ephesians 4:11-13. God never intended for us to serve out of perfection. I don’t need to be perfect; I just need to be willing and available. My prayer is simply this, “Lord, show me where I can use my gifts, talents and even brokenness to serve others and bring glory to you”.

A Life Submissive

By Susan Greeves

There is a difference between someone who just simply chooses to do things for Christ and one who submits their life to Christ - dies to self - so that He can live through them --doing what He would have them do --and that "doing" comes naturally. Corrie Ten Boom says "If you want to be used, we needn't rely on ourselves, because it is the Holy Spirit who does it". Oswald Chambers states: "The one marvelous secret of a holy life is not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh. Sanctification is "Christ in you". In fact Oswald Chambers in his book My Utmost for His Highest has a lot to say about letting Him live through us. He says this too: "How often we forget that our lives are not our own-but God's gift to us. We muddle our lives with OUR intentions--we need to remember to leave it to God. We are His servants. Isaiah 49:5 "And now saith the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be His servant."

Everywhere I look, it points me back to surrendering MY will to God, allowing Jesus to live through me--not me choosing to do things FOR HIM; separately from Him, but to let Him LIVE through me so He's the one doing things. It's the work God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. "Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Psalm 5:8"Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn". Isaiah 61:3 says "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting OF the Lord FOR the display of his splendor" it says that we are planted here BY Him to show His splendor through us, not to plant us then say 'ok, glorify me', He does the glorifying too, THROUGH us- His way, not ours. How awesome is that? All I need to do is to continually abide in Him and Him in me, to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."2 Corinthians 10:5b.

Look at 2 Corinthians 5:15 "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again". How much clearer can it get! I'm so excited by this, it took a huge weight off my shoulders. I just have to let Him and He will glorify Himself through me--the way He intends. Wow!!! How freeing.

When we wake up in the morning, and breath, we've missed the mark-so how can any of my efforts on my own be pleasing or righteous to Him? Plus I don't have to earn my salvation, He did it for me because He made me (just like everything in creation- to glorify Him), and wants me to come back to Him, to live eternally with Him-and to tell others how much He loves them before I do come home. Why would I be so arrogant to think that what I want to do for Him is what He wants from me?

What He wants is for us to obey Him; to show love to Him for His mercy and grace He gives us; to surrender our will; to choose to be submissive to Jesus is the only answer. Everything else will follow. Praise God!

(Just a side note, I do realize how sinful I still am and always will be in this world, and I do pull back my submissiveness, sometimes taking the reigns myself, and thankfully God will still work it for the good-- Romans 8:28. I am so grateful for His mercy and grace. "What a pang will go through us when we suddenly realize that we might have produced downright joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, no matter what was ahead." another quote from Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest.)

Preparing for South Africa

By Lisa Catania

My family and I are now officially leaving in less than a month on a mission’s trip to South Africa. We have never done a missions trip before. However, when we heard about this opportunity both my husband and I looked at each other and said, ” We need to do this!” Matthew 28:19 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This past year we have been planning, organizing, praying, and raising support. What a journey! I must admit we have wrestled with questions of….what were we thinking?...this is crazy!....we are endangering our kids….are we going to be eaten by a lion?.... I am taking a live virus to keep me from getting it? Am I nuts? Honestly, those thoughts crossed my mind. However, God has carefully calmed our spirits with peace through the Psalms. Psalms 37:23 “The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.” Ok….God is guiding us. Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”  Ok…God will protect us.

This journey has really taught our whole family to surrender. We can’t plan for everything. We won’t fully know what we will face. We just know God is in control and we need to surrender our lives to whatever He has planned for us. Philipppians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”

So we ask for your prayers for our family and the entire team heading to South Africa. Please pray for peace, safety, and that we may glorify God in all that we do. (…and not get eaten by a lion!)

Letter to GCC from the Disciples Of Christ Outreach Church

Praise the Lord, this is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!

It’s an honor to give a testimony of thanksgiving about a church such as Grace Community of Frederick. As the Pastor of Disciples of Christ Outreach Ministry it has been my joy and burden to serve the inner city communities of Washington D.C. and Suitland Md. Thanks to your support we are able to work with and reach out to our community with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Bible says “Let everything that hath Breath Praise the Lord.”  Today we praise and thank God for your friendship and support.

Over the years Grace Community Church has placed its arms around our ministry and has aided us in our spiritual acts of service such as; our annual food drive and basket giveaways, our annual coat drive and give away, our back to school community outreach and our, We care community mission focus.

I also thank God for the leaders and members of Grace Community, because of their kindness we have been able to develop wonderful relationships and engage in awesome times of fellowship. I especially recall the time Pastor R Greene and other leaders came to D.C. to support one of our many outreaches throughout the year. They aided us by going door to door inviting people to come out to our ministry and share in a special service we were planning the next day. The group came in with such an awesome energy and they had gifts for everyone they would come in contact with that day. They brought beautiful flowers with them and on the flower pots was a scripture verse and message which stated “We Care.” 

This really blessed our hearts and the hearts of many throughout our community.  Days later it was such an encouragement to walk the community and see many homes blessed by the gift of flowers and scripture reminding us all that God cares. This is just one of the many acts of kindness we’ve experienced from our wonderful church family in Fredrick.

In our absence this year we pray that the Lord will continue to bless and keep you as a ministry, full of light. We pray that you will continue to walk in the power of His might knowing that all things work together for good for them that love the Lord and are called to His purpose.

Disciples Of Christ Outreach Church or as Pastor R calls us “DOCOC” pray that you will continue to support our wonderful work. That our ministries will unite as one to continue the work of the Great Commission. Your sacrifice of giving has enabled this ministry full of struggle to not walk alone. Your generosity has placed hope into many men women and children as we’ve shared the gospel message of salvation together.

Special thanks and blessings to Pastor Greene, Pastor Brubaker, Pastor Miller, Pastor Kyle and all those who make Grace Community a special church.  

Last, special thanks to the one who planted the seed for our ministry to blossom the late Pastor Dr. James Dixon and family.  A true inspiration of faithfulness, whose legacy lives on throughout the many churches and missions throughout our fellowship.


In His Service,

Pastor Kevin and the D.O.C. Church Family