Paul: A Servant of the Gospel - Colossians 1:24-29. Though Paul was an apostle, he saw himself as a servant of the gospel and the church in a stewardship entrusted to him by God. Because of that he was able to rejoice even in the midst of suffering. God has revealed the mystery of salvation by faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though the gospel is openly proclaimed, only the saints will respond because the unrighteous refuse to believe it.

The Preeminence of Christ Over the Church - Colossians 1:18-23.   In this sermon Pastor Harris examines the Jesus' supremacy in the church by virtue of His person, nature and work of reconciliation. He also discusses the ramifications of Jesus being the head of the church and not any man or group of men.

The Preeminence of Jesus Over Creation - Colossians 1:15-17.  This passage demonstrates the deity of Jesus as the image of God and the architect, builder and possessor of all Creation. In examining this passage Pastor Harris will also point out the specific reasons the Jehovah Witnesses are absolutely wrong to continue to teach the ancient Arian heresy that Jesus was a created being.

The Prayer for the Colossians, Pt. 2 - Colossians 1:12-14.  In this sermon Pastor Harris finishes his examination of the prayer for the Colossian believers with emphasis on the four reasons they should give thanks to God. All of these reasons are related to God's saving them from their sin and its consequences. God qualified them, delivered them, transferred them and redeemed them so they could be forgiven and receive an inheritance as part of His kingdom. 

The Prayer for the Colossians, Pt. 2 - Colossians 1:12-14.  In this sermon Pastor Harris finishes his examination of the prayer for the Colossian believers with emphasis on the four reasons they should give thanks to God. All of these reasons are related to God's saving them from their sin and its consequences. God qualified them, delivered them, transferred them and redeemed them so they could be forgiven and receive an inheritance as part of His kingdom. 

Date	Description

The Prayer for the Colossians, Pt. 1 Colossians 1:9-12. In this sermon Pastor Harris examines Paul's prayer as a model for how we can and should pray for other Christians. He looks at the reason for the prayer, the nature of the prayer, its request, means of fulfillment, the desired outcome and the four characteristics of walking worthy of the Lord.

Paul’s Thankfulness
- Colossians 1:3-8. In this sermon Pastor Harris examines the thanksgiving Paul gives for the Colossian believes. They had responded properly to the word of truth, the gospel resulting in their hope of heaven and love for all the saints.

Introduction to Colossians - In this sermon Pastor Harris gives the background and theme of Paul's letter to the Colossians. It includes a brief biography of Paul and Timothy and discussion of the heresies the ascetic and mystical heresies that had arisen in Colossae.

Jesus' Warnings About False Teachers - Matthew 7:13-27.  As a conclusion to the series warning about false religions, philosophies, cults and aberrant Christianity, Pastor Harris examines Jesus' stern warnings at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Your righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees in order to enter heaven, but false teachers only offer the same self-righteousness which God condemns. There is hope in Jesus Christ and Him alone.

Philosophical Foolishiness - The Errors of Philosophical Based Theology.   In this sermon Pastor Harris explains some of Scriptures warnings about vain philosophies and the fool as described in Psalm 14. Topics he addresses includes the types of atheists and agnostics, empiricism, rationalism and theological liberalism. He concludes with our hope in teh rock of God's word. 

What’s Emerging? The Errors of Post-Modern Theology.  In this sermon Pastor Harris discusses the Emerging Church Movement, Modernism, Postmodernism and the Biblical incompatibility of the gospel and postmodernism. While commendable in its desire to reach the postmodern, the emerging church movement fails because the gospel and a postmodern mindset are contradictory. Either the postmodern changes to believe in the Bible's absolute propositional truths, or the gospel must be distorted and will become heretical

Luann Nappi's Testimony

I was not raised in church environment. I was baptized Episcopalian at the age of 4 months and I thought I was Christian because I was not a Muslim or a Jew. My family did celebrate Christmas and Easter, but of course it was for Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny. I knew these holidays had something to do with Jesus and I knew He took away the sin of the world, but I did not know what that meant.

From a very early age I was looking for truth, I was what you would call a "truth seeker." My search brought me to some crazy places: I had Bible studies with Jehovah's Witnesses and I was a card carrying member of the New Age Movement. That in itself brought me some pretty crazy experiences!!

My Testimony - E. Christian Grossman

Before receiving Christ as my personal savior, I was living according to the truth - The truth, the laws and the regulations as they were presented to me by man. I was living my life within guidelines that are legalistic and in many cases immoral, corrupt or at the least, questionable. The world I was living in was a world full of fear, confusion, suspicion and hostility. My life, as a result of living within the bounds of what men deem as being sensible, acceptable or reasonable was too often consumed with feelings of disappointment, disillusion and hopelessness. Unfortunately, that same world exists today just as it did on Feb. 28, 2006 when I met with Pastor Scott Harris for the first time.

My Testimony . . . by Karyn Lynne Jordan

My testimony and walk with Christ, like that of many others, is an illustration of God's grace. My family attended church when I was growing up and we were involved in many church activities. Although I accepted Christ in my youth, I never learned how to have an intimate relationship with Him and never knew how much He loved me. Unfortunately, there wasn't any discussion of Jesus or much sharing in of Jesus outside of church and in our home. It was taught at church but never a part of our daily home life. Nothing spiritual was ever discussed that I recall.

This testimony was presented by Bob Jordan at the Men's Prayer Breakfast in September.

When I was asked to speak today, my first reaction was trepidation, there was a certain level of privacy that I was not sure I wished to part with. But after asking God I was reminded that he had brought me to this place in my life, and it was his desire that I share my story today. I trust the Lord will use these words to His glory.

My earliest recollections revolved around the church. I was born into a spiritual family and began a journey with the Lord that in retrospect affirms that God's grace is too great to be fathomed by human efforts. During those formative years, my parents diligently laid the foundations for a Godly life. I was seen as a good kid with a bright future. Their future and my future however were vastly different. As a preteen I was questioning the need for Godly standards and I began to drift. By 18 a full scale rebellion against God was brewing in my soul. It was my life and it would be lived my way as far from God as I could muster. Realizing the path I was on, my father told me words that would later haunt me, he told me that "You can walk away and reject God, but he will bring you back, and God's correction will be exacting and severe." He also told me that he would never stop praying for me and hoped that God's intervention would not be necessary.

Testimony of Rawtee Dianne Deokie

Growing up, our family was not religious, but we had a simple rule - "respect other people’s religions, just don’t change yours."

I grew up in a Hindu home and attended a Muslim elementary school since it was the closest school to our some and religion was not taught at the school. I learned to pray in both Hindi and Arabic at a young age and even through I didn’t speak the languages, it was the only way I knew how to pray. When I received the Book of Psalm at this school I started reading the psalms at prayer time because it was easier to understand. May years later I realized those books were dropped off by missionaries.

    I was raised Catholic, went through catechism and first communion, but like many Catholics I was not a regular attendee. What I saw when I did go was that church was a fashion show. After First Communion I pretty much quit going to church and got deeper & deeper into partying. At my worse, when I was earning $2 -$3000.00 / month in construction in the late 70's, I couldn't pay my HALF of $150.00 / month rent. Not a good direction to be going.
    I had known my wife as a friend for a few years, and knew some of the struggles she was going through. I also realized that I wanted her as more than a friend; I wanted her to be my wife. So . . . I had a plan. Funny thing about those plans though; You think you came up with this brilliant idea, and that YOU had the ability to carry it out. I knew Linda didn't want or need another drinker or drugee in her life, so I would just quit both. Now, I just told you I was spending $2 - $3000.00 a month on drinking & drugs, and that's not a habit you can just quit,  but I did. What I didn't realize until later is that there is NO WAY it was me who quit, but the LORD delivered me from it in preparation for meeting HIM.

I was born in Saugus, Massachusetts to a young, unhappy couple. At 17, my mother had eloped with my father to escape from her controlling mother. Grammy wanted my mom to be a debutante; someone who would marry into high society. My mother was a tom-boy, who was far happier helping her father, the plumber, turn wrenches. My dad was in the Navy, and absent from our home most of the time. When he was home, he spent most of his money on alcohol and was out drinking with his friends. My father didn't want children, but my mother thought it would settle him down. My sister Laurie's birth & mine did nothing to change him, and he gave my mom little to care for two growing girls.

Tickets to Heaven: The Errors of Market Based Theology    As long as the purpose of the church remains making disciples of Jesus Christ and its focus with unbelievers is proclaiming the gospel, there are many things that can be very helpful that have come from the Church Growth Movement. However, when attracting numbers crowds becomes the purpose and the gospel is toned down to avoid offense of the unbeliever, those same principles are detrimental. The change from being God centered to man centered changes the church into just a religious social organization.

The purpose of the softball ministry is multifaceted blending opportunities for discipleship, fellowship and evangelism. First and foremost is to honor our Lord Jesus with our character. Displaying a godly character in a competitive environment is a powerful witness to the unsaved and immature. Athletic ministries provide a unique opportunity to correct those whose character is lacking in living by Biblical standards. It also creates a non-threatening environment to invite people from the community. Once invited, relationships build as do witnessing opportunities. Softball also provides an opportunity for fellowship, building comradery, and meeting Christians from other churches (and even being witnesses to them as some of these churches lack in maturity). Softball is competitive by nature, has inherent risks and is finite in the size of the team. Therefore, it is not open to everyone nor would everyone want to play, but it does provide a ministry to those who are athletic. Softball is also a spectator sport, and many come out to support the team and provide a similar ministerial environment on the sidelines for those who choose not to play. 

BABY DEDICATION - EXPLANATION & APPLICATION

 

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD;

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

Secretarial Ministry Guidelines

Developed for a Part Time Secretary

1) General care and maintenance of the Office/library. This includes keeping everything in order, keeping track of office supplies and ordering them when appropriate.

2) Bulletin: Design, Format, Print, (copy & fold & insert). The bulletin deadline will be Friday morning at 10 a.m.

January 25, 1995 / Revised November 27, 1998

SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHILDREN'S & YOUTH TEACHER POLICY -

GRACE BIBLE CHURCH, WAPPINGERS, NEW YORK

Youth Ministry Worker Policy   (9/8/2006)

Grace Bible Church, Wappingers Falls, NY

1) Each worker involved in Youth Ministry will be knowledgeable with and follow the Children’s / Youth Worker Policies and will complete and sign the Participation Covenant and be approved by the Youth Ministry Director prior to beginning any work with the youth.

Vacation Bible School Worker Policies  (7/20/2006)

Grace Bible Church, Wappingers Falls, NY

1) Each VBS worker will be knowledgeable with and follow the GBC Children’s / Youth Worker Policies and will complete and sign the Participation Covenant and be approved by the VBS Director prior to beginning any work with the children. (Those who are not members of GBC must also agree to and abide by General Non-Member Policies for Children’s & Youth Workers).

 Family Bible Hour (Sunday School) Worker Policies  (7/11/2006)

Grace Bible Church, Wappingers Falls, NY

Our Sunday Morning Christian Education Program is officially titled as Family Bible Hour, but is more popularly known as Sunday School (S.S.). If there is not a "Sunday School Director" then the program is under the direct supervision of the Christian Education Director (C.E.D.)

General Non-Member Policies for Children’s & Youth Workers   (7/20/2006)

Grace Bible Church, Wappingers Falls, NY

1) Non- members of Grace Bible Church may assist as workers with various ministries, but they may not hold a teaching position in any ministry. Each non-member worker will be knowledgeable with and follow the GBC Children’s / Youth Worker Policies and will complete and sign the Participation Covenant and be approved by the Director of the particular ministry prior to beginning any work with the children. They will knowledgeable of and agree to follow any particular polices of the ministry in which they are involved. They must also agree to and abide by the Abbreviated Doctrinal Statement attached below.

Child Abuse Prevention Policy

Grace Bible Church, Wappingers Falls, NY

Approved 7/11/2006

Introduction & Purpose

Children are extremely precious to God and to us. Jesus welcomed them to Himself (Matthew 18:1,2) and used them as an example of the humility and trust that one must have in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3,4). He also gave stern warning about causing "one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble. . .".

Children’s / Youth Worker

Statement of Policies

Approved July 11, 2006

The congregation of Grace Bible Church is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, youth, and volunteers who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by the church. The following policy statements reflect our congregation’s commitment to preserving this church as a holy place of safety and protection for all who would enter and as a place in which all people can experience the love of God through relationships with others.

1. All people using church equipment on the property are to return it to where it belongs before leaving.

2. If the Sound Equipment is used, all settings are to be returned to the positions they were in prior to use before leaving.  

3. Inside and Outside lights are to be turned OFF by the last person leaving.

4. Loaning of church property / equipment s will be only allowed to regular attendees of GBC with permission obtained from the appropriate Elder, Deacons, Deaconess or head of the particular ministry overseeing that equipment.

Women's Ministries - Grace Bible Church

December 27, 1998

General Purpose of Grace Bible Church

The purpose of Grace Bible Church is to Communicate new life in Christ through evangelism, cultivate new life in Christ through edification, Care for one another in Christ through fellowship and celebrate new life in Christ through worship.

    Policy on Women in Ministry
    Approved 2/1/2005

    God has gifted all believers, including women, with spiritual gifts with which they can serve Him (Rom. 12, I Cor. 12, Eph. 4). Men and women are equal in their standing before God (Gal. 3:26-29). Both sexes are seen in Scripture as doing many of the same spiritual ministries including praying (1 Sam. 1:10; 1 Tim. 5:5), receiving and delivering the word of God (2 Kings 22:14; Acts 21:9), consecrating themselves fully to God (Num. 6:2; 1 Cor. 7:34), and standing equally with the father before the children (Exod. 20:12; Eph. 6:2). However, God has also set up an order of authority between men and women both in their relationships at home and in the church.

Wedding Policy of Grace Bible Church

Congratulations! We rejoice with you in your desire to be married and glad that you are interested in using our facilities to exchange your vows. Below is the policy set forth by the Elders of Grace Bible Church for the use of our facilities for weddings. Please read through this policy carefully, sign and date it at the bottom, and then return the signed church copy to the church office. Keep the "Engaged Couples Copy" for your own use. Should you have any questions, please call the church office (298-8481).

Nursery Policy

Amended July 18, 2006

 

I. Purpose

A. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for nursery workers, and consistency of care for children cared for in the nursery.

THE MISSIONS POLICY OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH,

Wappingers, New York

December 8, 1996 - Updated November 27, 1998 to conform to the new Constitution

SECTION A. - PURPOSE

HTML clipboardMusic & Worship Policy

May 15, 2007
Grace Bible Church,  Wappingers Falls, NY

PREFACE

This document contains the beliefs, thoughts and convictions of the Elders of
Grace Bible Church on the topic of music and worship and our church. We trust
that the reader will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as he reads and
deliberates on the material presented in this paper.

HTML clipboardPolicy on Ministry Involvement of Members &
Non-Members

(Approved 7/15/2001 Amended 10/12/2004
& 1/3/06)
Though our society is becoming increasingly resistant to making commitments
which has resulted in many that view formal
membership as an unnecessary legalistic burden, we believe that the following
three Biblical principles make membership important.

January 25, 1995

Funeral Policy

If sensitivity and genuine concern are present, a death can become a wonderful opportunity to present the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in both proclamation and in application (James 1:22). The following policy is being set in order to help Grace Bible Church minister to those who are grieving over the death of a loved one.