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Explaining the Unexplainable
It is one of the oldest objections to belief in God, and on the surface it sounds devastatingly simple:
“If God created everything, then who created God?”
Perhaps you have heard it asked by a skeptic. Perhaps you have wondered about it yourself. Perhaps you asked it in Sunday School when you were eight years old and caused your teacher to suddenly become very interested in refocusing your attention to the flannelgraph.
It is a fair question.
After all, Christians regularly say that everything must have a cause—in other words, be caused by something else. We point to the universe and argue that it could not simply have appeared from nowhere. We look at the staggering order, complexity, and intelligibility of creation and conclude that something or someone must be behind it all.
Then someone responds:
“Well, if everything needs a creator, then God must need one too.”
Gotcha!
Or at least it feels like a gotcha moment.
Except it isn't.
TO READ MORE CLICK HERE.
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Each September, GBC joins WPEO in holding a special collection for Love Packages, a ministry that sends donated Bibles and Christian literature to missionaries and Christian workers around the world.
Materials we can use include: Bibles, Reference materials, Christian books, Magazines, daily devotionals, and tracts, Sunday school materials, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays, Puppets, nativity sets, and similar ministry materials.
Please place your donated items in the closet with the sliding doors in the sanctuary. If you have questions, please contact Dave & Marsha Markas. | | | |
🏕️ GBC FAMILY NIGHT AT CAMP GOOD NEWS! 🌲🔥 Grab your camp spirit and join your GBC family for an evening of food, fellowship, faith, and plenty of camp fun!
📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ Starting at 4:00 PM
📍 Camp Good News
26010 Liberty Ln, Washington, IL 61571
We’ve got a whole evening of camp-style fun planned! Take a ride down the zipline, bounce into the new bouncy house, spend time fellowshipping with your GBC family, and come hungry for Jeff Collins' famous fire-roasted beef hotdogs! 🌭🔥 Hotdogs will be provided, but we need the rest of the GBC crew to help round out the meal. CLICK HERE to sign up to bring food. As the sun goes down, we’ll gather around the campfire, slow things down, enjoy one another’s company, and—of course—break out the s’mores! 🍫🔥 Whether you’re ready to fly through the trees or would rather pull up a camp chair and visit, there’s something for everyone. Come make some camp memories with your GBC family!🌲 | | | |
Help Us Bless Women Children & Families Through the Empower Life Center (Formerly called The Pregnancy Center)
During the Sunday School Hour at 9:30 AM on September 13, we will hear a ministry update from Allison Roseboom, Center Manager, Empower Life Center, 1825 North Knoxville Ave, Peoria, an outreach of Pathways Ministries. We are having a BABY SHOWER to donate needed items for the Center. - Pick up a Baby Shower flyer in the church entryway or foyer (Missions board)
- Choose one or two items
- Bring the items unwrapped on Sunday, September 13 OR items may be dropped off in the BLUE TUB in the entryway any day before the 13th. (Everyone is welcome to participate, even if you are unable to attend the September 9:30 AM update.)
Thank you for helping us bless the mothers, children and families served through this important ministry!
Questions? Please contact Marsha Markas or Lisa Collins. | | | |
The Mission 3G Committee met last Sunday, and we are excited to begin serving our community! This year’s team is led by Ray and Lee Anne Cheek, Lisa Koski, Cheri Muller, and Jason Zobrist.
The goal of Mission 3G is to graciously meet the needs of others in our community by giving our time, talents, and finances—all while living out the Gospel and shining the light of Christ.
We will begin serving our first family in October, so now is the time to send in your nominations! If you know an individual or family who could use some extra support and encouragement, please CLICK HERE to nominate them for Mission 3G.
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Join us for Church Workday Thursdays beginning September 3 from 12:30–3:30 PM! We’ll shampoo carpets, weed flower beds, wash windows, and tackle other projects around the church. Everyone is welcome—come and go as you please!
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Everyone is welcome to join us for our Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 20, in the sanctuary following the morning worship service. You do not need to be a member to attend, but only members may vote. This meeting is an opportunity to hear important updates, learn more about what is happening at Grace Bible Church, and stay connected to the life and direction of our church. We encourage everyone who considers GBC their church home to join us.
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David and Lisa Nuest faithfully lead our youth on Sunday evenings and during the Sunday School hour. We are looking for someone to serve alongside them by teaching Youth Sunday School on Sunday mornings from 9:30–10:15 AM. If you have a heart for helping young people grow in their faith, please speak with Dave Nuest or Pastor Jeff.
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Ladies, let’s get together! Join us at The Blend on Saturday, September 26, at 9:00 AM for a relaxed morning of warm drinks, sweet fellowship, and good conversation. Come for the coffee, stay for the company—and feel free to invite a friend!
The Blend
1130 Peoria St., Washington, IL 61571
BYOC (Buy Your Own Coffee/Tea) | | | |
Interested in Becoming a Member of GBC?
Membership in a local church body is as old as the Old Testament. Members of Grace Bible Church are members of a family, not names on a list. We answer God's call to worship together, pray together, grow together, serve our community and one another together, and carry the responsibility as a family member to support the church and its people using the resources God has placed in our care. Membership classes will begin Sunday, September 27, at 9:00 AM and continue for four Sundays through October 18. These classes are a great opportunity to learn more about Grace Bible Church, what we believe, and what church membership means. Going through the classes doesn't obligate you to apply for membership. So come and see how God is using GBC in Washington and the world. If you are interested in attending, please SIGN UP HERE, on the bulletin board in the foyer at church, or contact us at gbc@gbcwa.org or 309-444-4147. | | | |
This Is My StoryGod has been faithful in each of our lives, and every story of His faithfulness is worth sharing. As you read each other's stories under this banner headline, we hope it causes you to think about your own story. Where have you seen God's provision, faithfulness, mercy, or grace along your journey? And please don't let the thought of writing intimidate you! Your story doesn't need to be long, polished, or perfectly worded. It simply needs to be yours. We have volunteers who will help you edit and craft the perfect story, if you would like. Remember, even Paul and Peter had others do the actual writing of their letters. If God has done something in your life that could encourage someone else, we would love to help you put it into words. Have a story to share? Simply reply to this email. We would be honored to help you share what God has done.
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Sometimes a small project can make a big difference.
Maybe someone in our GBC family needs a hand with a repair, a household project, some yard work, or another task that would be easier with a little help. And maybe someone else has just the time, skills, or willing hands to help make it happen.
Everyone has something to give, and from time to time, everyone has something they need.
GBC Connected is a place where we can bring those two things together—using our time and skills to bless one another, meet practical needs, and strengthen the relationships within our church family.
Honor. Serve. Build Community.
If you have a small project you could use some help with—or if you have some spare time and would be willing to help someone else—CLICK HERE to let us know. Together, we can take care of one another and reflect the love of Christ in practical ways. | | | |
The GBC Official Board has approved sealing our church parking lot, a much-needed maintenance project that will help preserve our facilities and provide a safe, welcoming environment for our church family and guests.
The final cost for our parking lot sealing project is $15,670. To date, we have raised $1,550.00. We still need your help to fund this urgent project so that we don't have to use ministry funds to pay for it.
If the Lord has blessed you and you would like to help with this project, we invite you to prayerfully consider giving a special offering above and beyond your regular tithe. Every gift, regardless of size, will help us move toward completing this important improvement.
If you would like your gift designated specifically for the parking lot sealing project, please note "Parking Lot" on your check or giving envelope.
Thank you for your faithful generosity and for partnering together as we care for the resources God has entrusted to Grace Bible Church. | | | |
Join the Women of Grace for The Gospel on the Ground by Kristi McLelland! Choose the session that works best for you: Wednesdays from 6:30–8:00 PM beginning October 7, or Saturdays from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM beginning October 10; both going for 7 weeks. Both groups will meet in the GBC Timothy classroom.
The book costs $24.99. If the cost is a concern, the church will gladly cover it—please don’t let the cost keep you from joining us! CLICK HERE or sign up on the bulletin board by October 1 so we can order enough books. | | | |
The holiday season can be especially difficult when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Join us on Saturday, October 24, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Grace Bible Church Fellowship Hall, located at 1109 S. Main St., Washington, IL 61571, for GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays. This free, one-time event is open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one, whether the loss was recent or occurred some time ago.
Come receive practical guidance, encouragement, and hope in a caring environment while enjoying a dessert bar. Both GBC attendees and members of our community are warmly invited. CLICK HERE to sign up. Please contact Lisa Collins at 309-444-4147 with any questions. | | | |
We’re grateful for the many members continuing to serve on the Grace Kids Team and invite others to prayerfully consider joining the team. As our ministry grows, additional volunteers are needed. Membership commitments are for one year, with the option to renew.
If you'd like to learn more about serving, please review the Grace Kids Team Member details BY CLICKING HERE and reach out to Pastor Jeff or Maureen Isenberg with any questions. You can CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to all God will do through Grace Kids! | | | |
As God continues to grow Grace Bible Church, we're thankful for the opportunity to welcome new people into our church family. One way you can help us serve the congregation each week is by joining the Worship Team.
If you have a heart for worship and God has gifted you in singing or playing an instrument, we'd love to talk with you. Our desire is to lead others in worship with humility, excellence, and a heart that points people to Christ.
If you're interested in learning more, please speak with Pastor Jeff. We'd be glad to talk with you about the Worship Team—or help you discover another place where God has gifted you to serve. Every member of the body has an important role, and we'd love to help you find yours.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." — 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7 | | | |
Pastor Jeff is making the slides he has created for each sermon each week available to anyone. If you would like to receive a copy of those slides in your email the week after the service, simply click HERE and provide us with the email address where you would like for them to be sent. If you need copies of previous sermon slides, please let us know by sending us an email at gbc@gbwcwa.org.
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One of the great joys of being a child of God is that we get to manage his money. Whether you are tithing or giving an offering, Grace Bible Church online giving is now available multiple ways. - Through the Church website under the "GIVE" TAB (drop-down menu) on the HOME page.
- By simply CLICKING HERE and then choosing the fund you would like to give to.
- By activating the GBC QR code (below) by using your camera.
As always, you can give cash or check by placing it into the offering plates in the back of the sanctuary; or, by mailing it to: Grace Bible Church Attn: Treasurer, 1109 S. Main Street, Washington, IL. 61571. 
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Join the Elders for weekly prayer at Grace Bible Church every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM. This time together is the foundation of our ministry at GBC. All are welcome, and we hope you’ll come for this special service. | |
How would you like to read scripture for the congregation on Sunday morning? It is a small service with great empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword." The reader is supplied with the scripture in ESV. Please let Pastor Jeff Webb or Lisa Collins know if you are interested, or CLICK HERE to sign up! | | | |
The GBC elders are asking you to join them in praying for our pastor. Pastor Jeff often sends out a brief summary of his day's prayer needs by email. If you are willing to commit to praying for him, email Lisa at lcollins@gbcwa.org and let her know to put you on the email list. Thank you in advance for your sacrifice. | | | | | | | | | |
Our Website is: gbcwa.org
Our address is: Grace Bible Church 1109 S Main St Washington, IL 61571-2506
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