September 2013
Friends,
For those that came to Community Night on September 7, THANK YOU for coming to celebrate with us. We hope that you
enjoyed the night as much as we did. For those that couldn’t make it, we would like to share some of the beautiful things we
saw…
Lots of laughter: our kids area outside was amazing. Our volunteers worked very hard to set up lots of fun games, service
projects, a drum circle, pedicab rides, cake walk and a photo booth. Both kids and adults had a lot of fun being silly together,
working on projects to share with others, winning lots of yummy desserts and dressing up in crazy costumes. The word I have
heard most when people describe the night is “fun.”
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
Hard-working, energetic, generous volunteers: we had around 160 volunteers that helped us pull off Community Night. They
worked before, during, and late into the night afterward. We had so much fun working together as a team with each and
every volunteer and made some wonderful new connections in the Body of Christ. All the encouraging signs that greeted you
when you arrived to the explanations tied to the t-shirt you may have purchased were covered in love.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured
into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38
Amazing entertainers and speakers: during our worship time, we were blessed to experience the Brothers In Christ step
group, the Liberty Church youth group, a band from the Atlanta area, and several friends who shared their hearts. The step
group reminded us in a very powerful way that when we have God’s Word in our hearts, we can have so much more impact
for Him. These impressive young men have memorized amazing amounts of scripture and truly understand the power of the
Word.
Our friend Catie shared what it means to her to be a partner ministry that works with Grace Klein Community. One of our
goals is to work with as many ministries as we can instead of trying to do the same things that are already being done well.
relationships with their kids. The point is Jesus, we are broken fragile people and we need Him to heal us and refine us and
teach us how to look like Him. Our privilege is to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to be those hands and feet together as
the body of Christ.
Catie and her husband run a foster care ministry with the purpose of helping birth parents improve their situations and their
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely
humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through
the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:1-5
Service projects that will make an impact: in our kid’s area, we had several service projects that, by the grace of God, will
have a far-reaching impact on our community. One of our projects was making homemade laundry detergent. This is a simple
way to save money and share with others because it is cheap to make and makes a LOT. Two of our friends that participated
are excited to motivate their small groups to start making detergent together to share with others. Many friends were blessed
with the over 200 jugs of detergent that were made that night.
We also asked people to help paint slats for survivors of natural disasters. We did this back in the spring for Oklahoma tornado
victims and the people loved these little reminders of hope that they could put in their new homes. Both kids and adults made
beautiful works of art out of scraps of wood with words like “unshaken,” “hope,” and “love.”
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Abundant amounts of great food: we aren’t telling you this to rub it in, but to share that we had enough food for hundreds of
people and didn’t spend a dime. We simply asked for help and many businesses, individuals and churches shared what they
had. It was more than we needed, just like last year. Food came for weeks ahead and all day long the day of the event. It was a
beautiful picture of the body of Christ sharing what they had so that no one would have need.
Share What You Have chalkboard: a friend made giant chalkboards that asked the question, “what do you have to share?”
That chalkboard is now full of things that people share… home, family, food, time, money, socks, love, a listening ear, Jesus,
hope, encouragement, life, toys, laughter, talents, stuff. What we have to share is endless. Share something of yourself this
week to pass on the love of Christ.
“And he answered them, Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do
likewise.” – Luke 3:11
Vendors: we had 25 amazing vendors that came to share either their gifts and abilities. We made some new connections and
encouraged some existing ones. The body of Christ is more effective together than apart.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” – 1 Peter 3:8
Wonderful presence of our Heavenly Father: community friends provided prayer support all over the world, praying over the
night, praying that God would be exalted, praying for changed hearts, praying for revival. And God moved. He touched the
hearts of people and Jesus was worshipped and glorified and lifted higher and higher.
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” – Psalm 139: 7
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
The Liberty Church pastor, Bruce Terry, reminded everyone to keep Christ in the center of our lives. He explained that
knowing Jesus and walking with Jesus is giving up being the center of our world and receiving the truth of the Gospel that
Jesus is the center, the sweet spot, the everything we can never be for ourselves. Oh how we need Jesus.
Thank you for being a part of Grace Klein Community and loving your neighbors as yourself. Continue to press in to know
Jesus and allow Him to transform you. We look forward to Jesus infiltrating more of every moment of every day of our lives.
We are family,