A Message from Doug
"It's all about Jesus!"
I used to think along the lines of what advertisers have been programming us to think and feel for years... that it is all about me: my needs, my wants, my rights, me, me, me, me, me. I was told that I just needed to get more into myself-- to the core of who I am. I tried that and what I discovered is that getting more into myself is like peeling away the layers of an onion. When you finally get to the center you find that there is nothing.

We were all born separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23). It is not because of anything we have done or haven't done. It is simply the reality of being born into a fallen world in which everyone is naturally a sinner. This has been the reality for everyone born since Adam and Eve took the plunge into sin in the garden.

Now, I realize that it is all about Jesus. He became sin for me and paid the price that I could never pay. He did it all because of His love. I am so glad that His love and His plan depend on Who He Is and what He has done and not me. We did not choose Him; instead, He chose us. As 1 John 4:19 reads "We love because He first loved us."

Only Jesus can live the Christian life in us and through us. The first letter by John speaks to this process in depth. His letters are found just before Jude and Revelation at the end of the Bible.

It's not about you; it's not about me; it's ALL ABOUT JESUS!!!

1 John 4:7-21 (NIV)
God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Because Jesus first loved us, we can love Him, we can love ourselves, and we can love others.

I love you,
Doug

The Passing of a Dear Friend
Ken Hettinga, our dear old friend has gone home to be with the Lord. Ken was an employee of Green Bay Community Church for the past 10 years, but he was involved with the church since the beginning.

He touched many lives in different ways, from high fives to the kids in the nursery, to deep political discussions in relation to the Bible, to leading a men's study on Thursday mornings. You may not have known Ken personally, but what he did touched your life here at GBCC. He cleaned the bathroom you used and didn't notice because it was clean. That was Ken's work. He cleaned the carpet and fixed the door that wasn't working. That was Ken's work. The snow you didn't have to walk through to get into the building was Ken's work. Cabinets were built, tile was laid, garbage was taken out - it was all Ken’s work.  He served God faithfully by serving you. 

Memorial Service
Friday, March 13, 2009
3:00 p.m. Service in GBCC Chapel
No visitation, meal in gym afterwards

Volleyball
Volleyball is cancelled this Friday, March 13, 2009.

LifeStages
Congratulations to Luis and Amy Asibinac for the birth of their son, Lukas Andrew, born on February 26.

Our sympathy to Steve and Melissa Olson for the death of Melissa's father, Eugene VanEyck, on Saturday, February 28.

Our sympathy to Laverne Hettinga and family for the death of Laverne's husband, Ken Hettinga, on March 10.

Easter Weekend Service Times Set
April 10-12
Gym/Chapel
Good Friday: April 10, 1:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Easter: April 11, 5:00 p.m., April 12, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
(Added service in Chapel at 7:00 a.m.)

Watch for details in the next edition of eCommunity!

Feet to your Faith Local
Missionary Update
Click here for the latest updates from GBCC’s supported missionaries.


Help for the Homeless and The Giving Tree
Food and Hygiene Items Drive
March 7-31
You can drop off donated items in the collection boxes in the vestibules now through March 31. Click here for a list of needed items or pick up a list in one of the brochure racks. Click on these links for more information about Help for the Homeless and The Giving Tree.

Contact: Pat Jelen, 593-3490.


Feet to your Faith Local Spring Serve Day ‘09 is Set -
SCHOOL ZONE is Back!
Saturday, May 2
Serving all around the community
Mark your calendars to serve God by serving in the community during GBCC’s springtime churchwide serve day. We’ll be helping at area schools as well as the GBCC campus. Signups for Site Leaders begin March 21/22 after the services, with volunteer signups beginning March 28/29. Save this date and watch for more details as they become available!

Contact Shannon Kocourek, 464-0035.

Serving
Serve once in a while or on a regular basis. Check out GBCC's Serving Opportunities more>> 

Critical Serving Opportunites
VBS Game Coordinator (new)
VBS Craft Coordinator (new)
Church Cleaners
Elementary Small Group Leader
Welcome Center Volunteer
Snow Shovelers
Bankruptcy Professional
Funeral Assistant

Contact: Colleen Connors, 593-3485.

Building Operations
Time for Spring Cleaning!
Come in when it is convenient for you
GBCC Campus
Thanks to everyone who stepped forward to help around the building. The help was much needed and very much appreciated. Please continue coming in if you can - the chores are ongoing. As spring rolls around, the snow will be melting and there will be lots of debris to clean up in the lawn. The cleanup usually takes a couple of weeks, so come on in!

Contact: Patrick Jelen, or 593-3490.

Outdoor Connection
Men’s Spring Fishing Trip
May 15–19
Sunrise to Sunset!
The Aberdeen Lodge, Boulder Junction, WI
If you are like me, you're ready for spring and some open water fishing. Until the ice and snow melts all we can do is plan…so here is the plan. The OC will be hosting a fishing trip. The cost for the trip will be approximately $200 includes gas, bait, and lodging. We are limiting this to the first 12 people to sign up and pay in full. You don’t have a boat? No worries, we will pair you up with someone who does.

Sign up today, the spots will fill fast! For more information or to register, please contact Jeremy Kopke or 544-5455.

Golfing with the Guys: The Final Round
May 17-19
Treetops Resort, Treetops Village, MI
Hey guys - do you love to golf? Spend two days golfing with Joe Urcavich and other men from GBCC on five different courses at one of the nation's finest golf facilities.

Cost per person:
$274.00 - includes golf, two nights (double occupancy), 2 breakfasts
$348.00 - includes golf, two nights (single occupancy), 2 breakfasts
$100.00 nonrefundable deposit due to Treetops Resort by May 1

To reserve your spot:
1) Call James VanderVeer, (Treetops) 888-873-3867 or 989-732-6711 x4614, by noon Friday, May 1, to register.
2) Contact Cindy Mosch (GBCC) or 593-3471, with name, address, home & cell #'s, handicap, & if you can drive & how many riders you can take, by noon Friday, May 1.

KidsQuest
VBS
August 3-7
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
VBS Serving Opportunities brochures are located in the brochure racks and on the church website. Check it out and consider joining the VBS team!

*New this year: All volunteers must be in place by May 31 prior to Early Bird Registration kicking off on June 1.


KidsQuest Quarterly Calendars
Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary quarterly calendars are located in the KidsQuest section of the church website. Click on the link(s) to find out what your child is learning in their class each week. The Family Tree House schedule is also included in the calendars.


Family Tree House - GBCC’s Monthly Family Service
April 5, May 3, June 7
9:45-10:15 a.m.


FamilyTimes Vitue Packs
Virtue Packs include a set of activities designed for families to do together during the week and reinforce the lessons learned during KidsQuest Elementary weekend classes and Family Tree House. You can find more information concerning Virtue Packs at www.familytimes.org.


Contact: Cindy Vandermause, 593-3489.

Student Ministries
Expressway Middle Parent/Teen Class in March
March 17, 24, 31
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Youth Center
For four Tuesdays in March (starting March 10), there will be NO EXPRESSWAY MIDDLE as we know it. Instead, there will be a class designed for students and parents to share together including a video curriculum about families. We would love to have you attend all four, but you can come to any of them separately – each will be independent of the others. No sign up necessary – just show up!

Topics include: “The Myth of the Perfect Family,” “Living Up to Expectations,” “Authority and Rebellion,” and “Friend or Foe.” We are asking that at least one parent attends with their middle school student. Please make arrangements for other children.

Please contact Shelly, 593-3487 to tell us if you are coming (but come even if you don’t tell us!).


Student Ministries Colorado Trip
July 24-31
Winter Park, CO
Any students currently in grades 8-12 are invited to join us. The trip will include hiking and outdoor fun, teaching, and service projects. Brochures are available at Expressway and on our website.


Colorado Student Missions Trip Informational Meeting
Thursday, March 19
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Room 206
Please join us if you'd like more information about this student trip. The deadline for sign-up has been extended to Monday, March 23, and requires a $75 deposit and a completed registration form. 

Contact: Brian Martin or 593-3484.

Student Ministries Gala and Graduation
Wednesday, May 27
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gym
Mark your calendars for the biggest event of the year – the Student Ministries Gala and Graduation. Guests of honor include our leadership team and graduating seniors. All students, parents, and families are invited to attend, as well as any “friends of the ministry.” Save the date now!!

Additional information will be available closer to the event.

Contact: Brian Martin or 593-3484.

Crown Life Group Leader Training
Saturday, May 9
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Chapel Lounge
Crown Life Group Leader one-day training event is required if you would like to lead the 10-week Biblical Financial Study small group. Training kit is $88.

Click here for detailed information about becoming a Life Group Leader.

MoneyMap Coach Training
Wednesday evenings April 1-May 20
6:30-8:30 p.m.
First Assembly of God on Shawano Ave.
MoneyMap Coach training is a Crown Financial small group setting for 8 weeks. Graduates will be certified to provide budget counseling to individuals using Crown Financial materials. Training kit is $125.00.

Click here for more information.

Contact: John Emery or 499-7859.

Singles
Interest Group
If you’re single and would like to connect with other singles doing fun things such as dining at Victoria’s, FREE movie night at the Neville, Footloose Dance, dining at Nakashima’s of Japan, St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, bowling, movie nights, and more – check out the Singles Calendar in the brochure racks or click here for details.


Singles Snack Time & Game Night
Saturday, March 28
8:15 p.m.
Youth Center
Come join Debra and other singles for fellowship and fun by playing some games and/or cards. Cards will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Also bring a favorite hors-d'oeuvre, dessert, or snack for all to share. No RSVP required - just come! Soda, coffee, and water will be provided!

Contact: Debra Van Asten or 246-4439.

Group Life
One of the greatest longings of the human heart is to belong: to know others and be known by others; it's the way God intended us to live.

Group Life provides opportunities for individuals to experience a sense of belonging, to grow together on our spiritual journeys, and to serve others.

While each type of group (Interest, Care, Discovery, Life, and Serving) provides a different opportunity to connect, all are designed around our vision of attracting people to Christ and building community.

No matter where you choose to plug in, there is a place for you in Group Life.

Winter Discovery Group Classes
New and continuing Discovery Group Classes started in January. Please click on the links below to be directed to our website or pick up a Group Life Brochure for class details.
Care Groups
Co-ed
Men
Women
Singles
Seniors
Students
Children

Group Life Events and Activities
Click here to go to the GBCC Master Calendar, select a category in the drop down list, a month, then click "go" for a list of the events and activities scheduled.

Database
Please help us keep our database information accurate by notifying us when you change your phone number, email address, mailing address, family status/members, etc.  Contact Tracy, 593-3475 or click here.

Weekend Services
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.