By now many of you have been hearing the phrase “discipleship communities” tossed around at Grace as the new name for what was once called our “care groups”. We anticipated a bit of questioning as to why it is necessary to change what we call our small groups at Grace, and our expectations have been met as many members of our church family have been asking why the need to change. “What’s the point”, many have asked along with “does it really matter what we call them”? And why “discipleship communities”? After all, eight syllables doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue like “care groups”.

A little history of our church replant here at Grace is helpful. About eight years ago as the replant at Grace was underway, we were a small community of about 30 somewhat “seasoned” followers of Jesus, and by the Spirit’s direction we felt the need to break up this small community of believers into even smaller communities that would meet in homes for the purpose of deeper fellowship and growth. At that time they were simply called “community groups”. Over time, as Grace continued to grow, we realized that we needed to narrow the focus of these groups to target certain spiritual disciplines that sought to give and receive care for each other’s souls. We also wanted the name of the groups to reflect what was going on in those groups so anyone coming to Grace would be able to discern what those groups were all about just by what they were called. Hence the name “care groups”.

God has continued to be kind to Grace in allowing us to continue to grow as a church family, both in numbers and maturity. We are not that community of about 30 somewhat “seasoned” followers of Jesus anymore. To the contrary we are an ever growing community of over 300 people who are at every stage of the “discipleship journey”. Currently, some of you at Grace are in the process of finding out more about who Jesus is and have not yet turned from your sin to trust in the good news of his life death, and resurrection for sinners. Some of you have just started to follow Jesus and are learning the ropes of discipleship. We have also been delighted to see some of you who have become disciples in recent years and have grown and continue to grow. Finally, some of you have been following Jesus for decades and continue to serve him faithfully. We believe that in order for us to be obedient to both the Great Command (Matthew 22:34-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) it is our call and mission to help each other, no matter where we are in our own personal journey, to continue to grow in our discipleship through loving God, loving others, and making disciples together.

As we felt several years ago that we needed to narrow our focus in our care groups to meet the needs of the spectrum of people that are a part of the Grace community, we now feel the need to broaden our focus to meet the broad spectrum of people that are a part of the Grace community today. Our Discipleship Communities have a focus and a flavor to them that we hope will be helpful to anyone attending them who is seeking to grow in their walk with Jesus for the foreseeable future.

So what’s in a name? Not much, really. At the end of the day what we call our groups doesn’t matter as much as what we do in them. We hope and pray that our Discipleship Communities will be laboratories in which every person will be encouraged and exhorted to love God, love others, and make disciples. Our desire is that everyone who attends Grace Bible Church will embrace this vision with us and plug into one of these communities in their neighborhood and play a key and vital role in them, both for their good and others, and most of all for the glory of God. Is one of these groups for you? We think so, and hope that you will come and see.

Grace and peace to you,

Tom Horton

Pastor for Family Life

Worship Theme

We gather to worship our God and King now and forever because of the great things he has done for us!

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music

Nothing But the Blood (Traditional) …what can wash away my sin?

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Psalm 145:1-9, 21

(Leader) I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

(Congregation) One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

(Leader) The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

(Congregation) My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music

Glorious & Mighty (Sovereign Grace) Joyful songs we raise…greatly to be praised!

10,000 Reasons (Redman) …for all your goodness I will keep on singing

Stronger (Hillsong) Sin is broken you have saved me…

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Grace Community Church, Pastor Allen Snapp, serving in Corning, New York and is a part of our family of churches with Sovereign Grace.

Abroad— Hunfeld Church, Lead Pastor Dale Sigafoos, church planting in Hunfeld, Germany. Grace has been partnering with the Sigafoos’ for many years by supporting their mission in Germany.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: IDENTIFY-with who we are becoming in Jesus

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

I Stand Amazed (Traditional) …You took my sins and my sorrows

Celebration of the Gospel through the Lord’s Table

Benediction Prayer

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music

Worship Theme

We gather together to rejoice in God, our exceeding joy!

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Traditional) I sing the goodness of the Lord…

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

Psalm 16

(Leader) Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

(Congregation) As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

(Leader) The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

(Congregation) The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

(Leader) I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

(Congregation) Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Bolognone) Jesus our only joy, be Thou…

Always (Stanfill) I lift my eyes up; my help comes from the Lord.

Behold Our God (Sovereign Grace) Behold our King / Nothing can compare!

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Renewal Presbyterian Church, Pastor Paul Kim, serving Philadelphia in University City.

Abroad— We will also be praying for Covenant Life Church in Ethiopia, led by Mo Tegene, and is a part of our family of churches in Sovereign Grace.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: IDENTIFY-with Who We Are in Jesus

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

Before the Throne (Sovereign Grace) …one with himself I cannot die

Benediction Prayer

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

Worship Theme

We gather to sing God’s praise because of his wonderful and merciful deeds toward those who trust in Him!

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music

Come Praise & Glorify (Sovereign Grace) You are the God who saves!

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life

Psalm 9:1-2, 9-11

(Leader) I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

(Congregation) I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

(Leader) The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

(Congregation) Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music

Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Praise & Worship) Counselor, Comforter, Keeper, Spirit we long to embrace…

He is Exalted (Praise & Worship) …he is the Lord, forever his truth shall reign

Mighty to Save (Hillsong) Everyone needs compassion…

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Crossway Church in Lancaster, PA, led by pastor Pete Privatera, and is a part of our family of churches in Sovereign Grace.

Abroad— We will also be praying for Jim and Fran Lines who are missionaries in Italy supported for many years by Grace.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: IDENTIFY-with Jesus in Community

Text: Matthew 22:36-40, 28:18-20

Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

Take My Life (Traditional) …take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Benediction Prayer

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music

Worship Theme

We gather to look to the Lord because we are weak and all our help comes from Him!

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music and Biblical Education

Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners (Bolognone) He, my strength, my victory wins.

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

Psalm 121

(Leader) I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

(Congregation) He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

(Leader) The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

(Congregation) The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

Your Great Name (Nordhoff) All the weak find their strength…

Always (Stanfill) Oh My God, He will not delay / My refuge and strength always…

Let Your Kingdom Come (Sovereign Grace) Give us Your strength, O God, and courage to speak.

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Seven Mile Road Church in the Far Northeast section of Philly, led by pastor Ajay Thomas.

Abroad— We will also be praying for John Ofumbi who is lead pastor at the Nagongera Gospel Centre in Uganda which is a partner church in our family of churches with Sovereign Grace.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: IDENTIFY

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

There is a Fountain (Traditional) And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains…

Benediction Prayer

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

This Saturday from 11am-1pm we are getting together around God’s Word—Prayer—Grilled Meat—Whiffle ball. Need we say more? Come. Bring your friends and neighbors. It’s free but you must let us know you’re coming. Email grace4richie@gbcphilly.com with a number by Friday.

grace & peace,

Ian

Like I said on Sunday, it was very sentimental for me to be preaching the final sermon in the Mark series. That sermon marked the 58th sermon from Mark—WOW! I feel like I’m saying goodbye to my Mark commentaries like they are real people who’ve been hanging out with me in my study. It’s been so good for us to just slow down and watch Jesus display his glory and grace as he is calling, changing, and commissioning his disciples. Whether you’ve been following Jesus for years, you’ve just started following him, or you’ve still got questions—this gospel has been exactly what we’ve all needed! Even though we are moving on from this teaching series we are not moving on from the gospel! We never do that. We need Jesus yesterday, today, and forever. And the good news is that he graciously offers himself to rescue, rule, and restore us yesterday, today, and forever. What a Savior!

Another thing I mentioned on Sunday was that I figured some of you might have been wondering why I wasn’t finishing the series by preaching through Mark 16:9-20. Great question. The short answer is that it is doubtful that those verses were originally a part of Mark’s gospel. Most modern translations of the Bible will include the section in brackets with a note of explanation because even though there are ancient manuscripts that include v.9-20, these verses are missing from older and very reliable ones. This is a complex topic in an area of study called textual criticism. If you want to read up on this topic here is a good place to start. But for this short article I thought it would be helpful to quote an excerpt from the ESV Study Bible that discusses what has been traditionally referred to as the Longer Ending of Mark. I hope this helps.

Mark 16:9–20 “Longer Ending of Mark.” Some ancient manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel contain these verses and others do not, which presents a puzzle for scholars who specialize in the history of such manuscripts. This longer ending is missing from various old and reliable Greek manuscripts (esp. Sinaiticus and Vaticanus), as well as numerous early Latin, Syriac, Armenian, and Georgian manuscripts. Early church fathers (e.g., Origen and Clement of Alexandria) did not appear to know of these verses. Eusebius and Jerome state that this section is missing in most manuscripts available at their time. And some manuscripts that contain vv. 9–20 indicate that older manuscripts lack the section. On the other hand, some early and many later manuscripts (such as the manuscripts known as A, C, and D) contain vv. 9–20, and many church fathers (such as Irenaeus) evidently knew of these verses. As for the verses themselves, they contain various Greek words and expressions uncommon to Mark, and there are stylistic differences as well. Many think this shows vv. 9–20 to be a later addition. In summary, vv. 9–20 should be read with caution. As in many translations, the editors of the ESV have placed the section within brackets, showing their doubts as to whether it was originally part of what Mark wrote, but also recognizing its long history of acceptance by many in the church. The content of vv. 9–20 is best explained by reference to other passages in the Gospels and the rest of the NT. (Most of its content is found elsewhere, and no point of doctrine is affected by the absence or presence of vv. 9–20.) With particular reference to v. 18, there is no command to pick up serpents or to drink deadly poison; there is merely a promise of protection as found in other parts of the NT (see Acts 28:3–4; James 5:13–16).

This shouldn’t shake our confidence in the Bible. Like the note above mentions, “no point of doctrine is affected by the absence or presence of vv. 9–20.” God promises to preserve his Word and the fact that there are those who have studied and compared New Testament manuscripts and deal with this subject with faith and skill is a means through which God is keeping that promise. We can trust that our Bible is the very Word of God. If you have any questions about this please feel free to set up a time to talk with me or one of the other pastors!

grace & peace,

Ian

Here are a few helpful articles that discuss the reliability of New Testament Manuscripts:

http://carm.org/manuscript-evidence

http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6068

Worship Theme

We gather to celebrate the greatness of Jesus, our Savior, God, and King who has given us peace with God through the blood of his cross.

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team

Beautiful One (Camp) …You’ve opened our eyes

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life

Colossians 1:15-22

(Leader) Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

(Congregation) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

(Leader) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

(Congregation) And we, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present us holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team

Once Again (Redman) …now you are exalted to the highest place

This is Love (Vineyard) I bow down to the lamb…

My Hope is in You (Shust) My hope is in You alone…

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Sovereign Grace Church of Central PA in Altoona, PA, led by pastor Tom Kurtz.

Abroad— We will also be praying for Jeremy Farmer who is serving as a missionary in Cambodia.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: Repent and Believe the Gospel

Text: Mark 1:15

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

You Alone Can Rescue (Redman) You came down to find us…

Benediction Prayer

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team

Worship Theme

We will live because Jesus lives!

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education, Directs Music Team

Come Christians, Join to Sing (Traditional) On that triumphant day He took our sins away! Death could not bid Him stay, Alleluia, Amen!

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

1 Corinthians 15:19-26, 55-57

(Leader) If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

(Congregation) But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

(Leader) But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

(Congregation) “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education, Directs Music Team

In Christ Alone (Getty) Then bursting forth in glorious day / Up from the grave He rose again!

Christ is Risen (Maher) Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death…

Jesus Lives (Sovereign Grace) Jesus lives, and so shall I…

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Sovereign Grace Church, Lead Pastor Mark Altrogge, serving in Indiana, PA.

Abroad— The Neza Church in Mexico City, missionary Jim Dowdy, whom Grace has partnered with for many years.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: Jesus is Buried & Raised (for us)

Text: Mark 15:40-16:8

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

Saving One (Starfield) …anyone who calls upon his name, they will be saved

Benediction Prayer

Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education

Worship Theme

We gather to pour out our hearts in gratitude and praise to the Father who sent Jesus to die in our place for our sin in order to bring us to God.

A Call to Celebrate the Gospel

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team

Beautiful One (Camp) …You’ve opened our eyes

Celebration of the Gospel through Word & Prayer

Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry

Romans 5:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18

(Leader) For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die

(Congregation) But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Leader) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(Congregation) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.

Celebration of the Gospel through Song

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team

What a Savior (Kauflin) When He comes our glorious King…

Once Again (Redman) …now you are exalted to the highest place

My Hope is in You (Shust) My hope is in You alone…

Celebration of the Gospel through Offering & Announcements

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:

U.S.— Real Life Church, Lead Pastor Rob Burns, serving here in Philadelphia in the neighborhood of Port Richmond.

Abroad— Sovereign Grace Church of Sydney, Lead Pastor Dave Taylor, which is a part of our family of churches in Sovereign Grace.

(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids

Celebration of the Gospel through Submission to God’s Word

Message: Jesus is Crucified (for us)

Text: Mark 15:16-47

Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Celebration of the Gospel through Reflection and Response

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Townend) Behold the man upon the cross…

Benediction Prayer

Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team