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Our society has had a sometimes confusing, often complicated relationship with the fourth commandment of the Ten: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Across the nation, there was a body of laws called “blue laws” that defined how Sunday was to be observed as a Sabbath day. These laws banned certain business and recreational activities, restricted retail sales, and put limits on travel, hunting, sports, theaters and more, all in an attempt to protect Sunday as a day for rest and worship. All in an attempt to legislate obedience to the fourth commandment, but the attempt failed! Most of the legislation was eventually overturned. And from experience, we should have learned that obedience to God's Word cannot be mandated in state houses and supreme courts. Pastor Paul captured God's design of the Ten Commandments well when, in his sermon two weeks ago, he reminded us that the commandments are directed at the human heart. They are designed to force us to ask hard questions rather than create hard lines of “dos and don'ts.” They are designed to cause us to pause and think.

The 10th Commandment

The Ten Commandments serve as God's blueprint for relationships, both with Him and others. The final six commandments specifically address human relationships, starting with honoring parents and extending to how we treat neighbors, handle marriages, respect property, and maintain truthfulness. These commands are intentionally brief to encourage deep reflection and personal application. Rather than being mere external rules, they target our hearts and attitudes, revealing our need for both boundaries and a mediator with God.Like, comment, & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! CONNECT WITH US:► Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gccws_gram► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gccws ► Website: http://www.gccws.netOUR RESOURCES:►Recharge Devotional: http://www.gccws.net/recharge ►Online Church: http://live.gccws.net ►Online Bulletin: http://www.gccws.net/bulletin ►Discipleship Classes: http://www.gccws.net/adults ►Events Coming Up: http://www.gccws.net/events

God's law encompasses three distinct categories: ritual laws fulfilled through Christ's sacrifice, civil laws that governed ancient Israel, and moral laws that remain relevant for believers today. These laws serve as spiritual guardrails, establishing clear standards for holy living and revealing humanity's inherent sinfulness and need for salvation. Just as traffic laws protect drivers, God's law provides protective boundaries for life.While no human except Jesus could perfectly keep God's law, this reality points to our need for salvation through Christ rather than through rule-following. The law was never intended as a means of salvation but as a guide to understanding God's character and our need for a Savior. Modern Christians are called to study these laws not as burdensome restrictions but as loving guidance, applying moral principles while understanding that ritual requirements have been fulfilled through Jesus's sacrifice.Like, comment, & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! CONNECT WITH US:► Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gccws_gram► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gccws ► Website: http://www.gccws.netOUR RESOURCES:►Recharge Devotional: http://www.gccws.net/recharge ►Online Church: http://live.gccws.net ►Online Bulletin: http://www.gccws.net/bulletin ►Discipleship Classes: http://www.gccws.net/adults ►Events Coming Up: http://www.gccws.net/events

Join us for Easter Sunday as we discuss dealing with doubt!

Join us for Good Friday 2025

This weekend marks Palm Sunday, a significant event recorded in all four Gospels. It commemorates the moment when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey just days before His crucifixion. As He entered the city, the crowds laid down palm branches and praised Him, which is why we call it Palm Sunday. However, the significance of Palm Sunday goes beyond the event itself; it proclaims that Jesus is King. Join us this weekend as we explore why some people praise Jesus while others reject Him as their King.

I have two questions for you as you prepare for this week's sermon: ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER? and WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT JESUS' TRANSFIGURATION? Don't feel badly if you don't know a lot or even anything at all about the transfiguration. When we generally talk about the events of Jesus' life, we talk about his birth, his ministry, his death, his resurrection, and his second coming. His transfiguration hardly ever makes it into the top tier events of his life, but we aim to change that this weekend.

Our God is a Life Changer

Achieving freedom requires more than just a single crossing. Join us this weekend as we dive deep into Exodus 17, which details the months following Israel's crossing of the Red Sea after 430 years of slavery in Egypt. However, crossing the Red Sea does not automatically guarantee that they live in true freedom. To become the people God intended, Israel must let go of the remnants of their past and embrace God's transformative process.

The story of the Israelites at the Red Sea demonstrates God's power to rescue His people from impossible situations. When trapped between Pharaoh's army and the sea, the Israelites initially panicked, but Moses encouraged them to stand firm in faith. God dramatically demonstrated His power by parting the waters, providing safe passage, and defeating their enemies. This powerful account reveals God's faithfulness, His authority over creation, and His ability to make a way forward when all paths seem blocked.

God's rescue plan often takes unexpected paths, as demonstrated through the Exodus story. While He could lead us on shorter routes, God sometimes chooses longer paths for our protection and growth. Through the Israelites' journey, we learn that God's presence never leaves His people, and His wisdom exceeds our understanding. The key to navigating difficult times lies in maintaining focus on God through prayer and Scripture, choosing to become better rather than bitter through our challenges.

The Passover story demonstrates God's power to transform our moments of fear into experiences of divine wonder. Through the perfect lamb's sacrifice, God established a system of redemption that foreshadowed Jesus Christ. The blood of the lamb provided protection through faith, teaching us that God often works through seemingly inadequate means to display His power. This ancient celebration points to Jesus as both the Bread of Life and the True Passover Lamb, establishing an eternal covenant of salvation.

Explore the profound connection between God's perfect justice and boundless mercy through the lens of the Passover narrative. Learn how God responds to oppression, suffering, and evil while providing a way of salvation. Discover the parallels between the Passover lamb and Jesus Christ, and understand how this ancient story applies to modern life. This message delves into themes of divine justice, mercy, salvation, faith, trust, and personal relationship with God. Perfect for those seeking to understand God's character, dealing with suffering, or questioning divine justice in today's world.

Understanding the distinction between coincidence and providence reveals the depth of God's involvement in our lives. While coincidences are unplanned events that appear arranged, providence represents God's intentional guidance and planning. The life of Moses serves as a powerful example of divine providence, from his miraculous preservation as an infant to his preparation for leadership in Midian. God's providence operates through both major life events and subtle daily occurrences, working even when we least expect or deserve it - a demonstration of His grace. This can be seen in life transitions, seemingly random encounters, precise timing, and protection from harm. By recognizing these moments of providence, we can better appreciate God's active role in shaping our circumstances and leading us toward His purposes. His providence extends beyond individual lives to impact families and generations, showing the far-reaching nature of His divine plan.

The Lord's Supper represents a profound spiritual connection between believers and Christ, rooted in the historical context of Jesus' last Passover meal. It calls for approaching with humility, gratitude, joy, and expectancy, recognizing both Christ's sacrifice and the unity of believers. This sacred meal serves as both a reminder of salvation and a forward-looking celebration of the eternal feast to come. The practice demands self-examination and reconciliation within the Christian community, emphasizing the deep significance beyond mere ritual.

What does it mean to be the 'light of the world'? As we look at the introduction to The Sermon on The Mount, learn how Christians are called to live their faith visibly and attractively, guiding others towards a relationship with Christ. This message explores key points such as our identity as a city on a hill, the importance of engaging with the world, performing attractive deeds, and guiding others to Jesus. Reflect on how you can be a visible light in your community and share your faith authentically.

During this Christmas season, we reflect on the story of Jesus' birth and the important role of shepherds in the Bible. Shepherds, such as David and Moses, were not just caretakers of sheep but leaders and protectors of God's people. The Christmas story highlights shepherds as the first to hear of Jesus' birth, emphasizing their significance in the divine narrative. Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, prompted by a decree from Caesar Augustus, fulfilled God's prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus, born in a humble stable, is revealed as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. This reflection challenges us to deepen our relationship with Jesus, considering His goodness, ownership, intimacy, and sacrifice. As we celebrate Christmas, let us embrace the transformative power of the Good Shepherd in our lives.

In John 10:7, Jesus declares, 'I am the door of the sheep,' symbolizing profound spiritual truths. He is the door to salvation, offering safety and security. He provides freedom, allowing us to live confidently under His watchful eye. Jesus also promises an abundant life filled with peace, joy, and goodness. His claim is exclusive, emphasizing that He is the only way to eternal life. Reflect on your relationship with Jesus and share this life-changing truth with others.

Have you ever wondered if people can tell that you are a follower of Jesus just by observing your life? In John 15:1-8, Jesus declares, 'I am the true vine,' a statement that underscores His role as the only way to God. As branches, we are called to abide in Him, allowing His life to flow through us and produce fruit. This fruit, which includes good works and godly character, makes it evident to others that we follow Jesus. God prunes us through His Word and life's challenges, removing dead or dying parts of our lives to make us more fruitful. Abiding in Jesus not only changes our prayers but also proves our faith, bringing glory to God and drawing others to Him. This week, reflect on your life and ask yourself: Is it obvious to others that I know and follow Jesus? Focus on abiding in Christ, spending time in His Word, seeking His guidance in prayer, and being open to His pruning.

Today, we continue in our series on the seven "I Am" statements made by Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of John. As we turn the pages to John 6, we discover that "many" left Jesus. You might ask, "What did Jesus say caused so many to go?" After all those miracles and multiple sermons, thousands are reduced to dozens because Jesus said one thing.

This week, we continue our series in the I AM statements of Jesus as we explore what a life surrendered to Jesus requires of us.

On a scale of 1 to 10, HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW JESUS? Whatever we know about Jesus, we need to take it to the next level. We need to know Him better and deeper than we do at present. We need to embrace the truth about Him and allow that truth to change our lives. And that's where we are going over the next eight weeks of worship at GCC. We're going to take what we presently know about Jesus, and take it to the next level. We will do that by diving deep into what Jesus says about Himself each time he says, in the Gospel of John, “I AM…..” Every time Jesus tells us who He is, WHO HE IS has personal implications for WHO HE WANTS US TO BE. his weekend, we begin by exploring the threatening nature of Jesus Christ! Most of us would never even consider using Jesus' name in the same sentence with “threat” or “threatening” especially since the most common use of the word “threat” signals some type of danger. Join your GCC family as we discover this incredible truth by unpacking John 8:48-59.

The story of Joseph, as told in Genesis 37-50, can be summarized by three key words: pit, prison, and palace. Over recent weeks, we've explored Joseph's journey, from being thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery, to being imprisoned due to Potiphar's wife, and finally being restored from the prison to the palace as second-in-command. Joseph's story is a testament to God's providential hand, yet as we turn to Genesis 42 and 43, we wonder if God will bring total justice to Joseph for the wrongs done to him by his brothers. Suddenly, a widespread famine drives everyone to Egypt, including Joseph's brothers. Face-to-face with his own flesh and blood, Joseph tests them to examine their motives and prove their sincerity. Join us as we see how Joseph confronts his brothers in Genesis 42 and 43.

Are you feeling stuck in life's "pit moments," wondering if there's any hope for change? Join us this Sunday as we continue our “Meant for Good:The Life of Joseph" series with a message that will give you new perspective on life's ups and downs.Discover how Joseph's journey from prison to Pharaoh's right hand reveals God's unwavering presence in both our darkest valleys and highest peaks. Together, we will discover that God is with us and God is for us.

Waiting is often a difficult and frustrating experience, but the story of Joseph in Genesis 40 provides profound insights into how we can 'win the wait' by trusting in God's timing and faithfulness. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned due to false accusations, spent thirteen years in Egypt, much of it in prison. Despite these hardships, Joseph remained faithful to God, interpreting dreams for Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, even though the cupbearer forgot him for two more years. Joseph's unwavering faith teaches us several key lessons: trust in God's timing, maintain a close relationship with God through prayer and scripture, avoid bitterness and anger, and surrender our worries to God daily. By reflecting on these principles and applying them to our own periods of waiting, we can develop a deeper trust in God's perfect plan and timing for our lives.

We are two weeks in to our study of the life of Joseph as recorded in Genesis 37-50, and it certainly does have all the makings of a soap opera! This weekend, we turn the pages to Genesis 39. When we concluded last week, we left Jacob in a state of overwhelming grief, mourning and weeping over the loss of the son whom he loved more than any of his other sons. And we left Joseph in the hands of some Midianite merchants who, according to Genesis 37:36, “sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.” In Genesis 37, we learned about God's providence. We learned that GOD IS FOR US. Now, in Genesis 39, God's providence is seen in God's presence with Joseph. God is not only for us; GOD IS WITH US, and God was with Joseph, especially as he faced repeated temptation. Join your GCC family as we learn how Joseph (and every one of us!) can overcome temptation in our lives.

Last weekend, we launched this sermon series on the life of Joseph whose story is told in Genesis 37-50. He is best known for his coat of many colors, but there is so much more to his life than his coat. However, the hero of his story is not Joseph, but God and God alone. Joseph's story is a story of God's providence, and God's providence is best defined as GOD FOR US. God cares for us, provides for us and guides us through life. You will see God do this very work in Joseph's life as we continue our study in Genesis 37:12-36. What happens in the rest of this chapter will set the stage for the rest of Joseph's life. It will be a winding and troubled road – switchback after switchback – but you will see God plotting a course for Joseph. God will manage Joseph's troubles so much so that at the end of his story, Joseph will exclaim “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20).

This Fall, GCC will journey through Genesis 37-50 with the family of Jacob, a father, and his sons, as God's providential hand is vividly on display in the life of one of Jacob's younger sons, Joseph. We meet him as a 17-year-old young man quarreling with his brothers, but quickly, he is tossed into a pit and then thrown into prison. He ultimately enters the palace of Pharaoh. His position in the palace magnifies the power of divine intervention in Joseph's life. We learn what was meant for evil; God meant it for good! Join us this weekend as we launch a seven-part series on the life of Joseph: Meant for Good

This weekend, we are finishing the letter of Jude. Last week, Pastor Mike led us through the deep waters of Jude 1-16, where Jude filleted false teachers because false teachers often paint a beautiful picture. Still, the aftermath is one of division and devastation. The first half of Jude calls us to contend for the faith, and the second part gives us four steps to contend. Join us this weekend as we lean into Jude 17-25 and discover how to fight for the faith.

Let's talk about fighting! There are laws against fighting, and there are punishments for fighting. Then, we open the Bible to the little New Testament letter of Jude, and Jude urges us to fight. He urges faithful, law-abiding, peace-loving followers of Jesus to fight for the faith. Join your GCC family this Labor Day weekend as we dive into Jude 1-16 and learn how to protect and preserve God's truth in this world. This is the first of a two sermon series in Jude. Be sure to livestream or tune in to the GCC You Tube channel to hear Jude's very relevant and very critical message for us

Explore the power of unity at Grace Community Church. Discover how, despite our differences, we are united as one body in Jesus Christ. Join us this weekend as we delve into Psalm 133 and grow together in the unity of faith.

Did you know that the Bible encourages us to imitate to become more like Jesus? Join us as reflect on 3 John.

As one scholar has said, “The truth makes true love possible.” Since the beginning of April, GCC has been in a series on the letters of John. We just wrapped up 1 John, and this weekend, we shift our attention to 2 John. 2 John is just 13 verses, less than 300 words, and yet do not let the brevity of 2 John deceive you. Sometimes less is more. 2 John powerfully helps avert a theological crisis – maintains unity – and upheld love. Join us this weekend, as we learn how to practice and protect the truth about Jesus. Because truth makes true love possible.

How do we stay true to our faith in a world where distractions abound? Join us as we reflect on the end of 1 John and consider what 1 John 5:16-21 tells us about prayer, community, and avoiding modern-day idols. Discover how to live an "eternal life" that stands out in today's culture and keep Jesus at the center of your life.

Learning how to pray with confidence will be the focus of our study this weekend as we begin to dig into the final verses of 1 John. 1 John 5:14-1514 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Do you know with absolute certainty that when your life on earth is over, you will live forever with Jesus Christ in Heaven? Last weekend, we learned how to be triumphant in life – how to overcome the troubles we face in this life. This weekend, we will learn how to be triumphant in death – how to overcome the fears and doubts we may have as we think about dying. The key to both is the same – faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We discuss overcoming challenges in this broken world by living a triumphant life in Jesus! 1 John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. CONNECT WITH US: ► Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gccws_gram ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gccws ► Website: http://www.gccws.net OUR RESOURCES: ►Recharge Devotional: http://www.gccws.net/recharge ►Online Church: http://live.gccws.net ►Online Bulletin: http://www.gccws.net/bulletin ►Discipleship Classes: http://www.gccws.net/adults ►Events Coming Up: http://www.gccws.net/events #gccanywhere #gracecommunitychurchofwillowstreet #YouTube #ChurchMinistry #LancasterCounty

Learn about how Jesus is the savior of the WHOLE WORLD and not just our little part of the world.

This powerful reflection on 1 John 4:7-21 shows us how we can love in a way that reflects Christ.

With so many different churches saying seemingly different things, how can we know what is true? Find out with us as we study 1 John 4:1-6. The church of John's day was facing a threat and it was the threat of false teaching. It is not unlike some of the threats facing the larger church today.

Have you ever had doubts about your relationship with God? You believe in and trust Jesus Christ, and you are striving to live out your faith in Christ, but doubts still ‘rear their ugly head.' How do you deal with those doubts? There is only one answer to those questions, and that answer: TRUST IN GOD. The path to assurance in times of self-doubt is trust in God. How that truth works itself out in our life, amidst your doubts, will be the focus of our attention this weekend as we study 1 John 3:19-24.

Actions speak louder than words! That's the truth, and that's the truth John drives home in 1 John 3:11-18. This catchy phrase can be, and has been, used to describe all kinds of behavior in life. It underscores the importance of living out what you believe rather than just talking about it. It encourages people to take action and, in our Scripture study this weekend, it encourages us to ACTIVELY LOVE others. How we do that will be the focus of study and God's challenge to our hearts.

Struggling with life's challenges? Join us as we dive into 1 John and find practical ways to live as God's child, confident and unashamed. Learn how to shift your perspective, embrace your identity in Christ, and hold on to the hope of His return. We are praying that you will be encouraged in your daily walk and leave church with a better understanding of God's perspective!

Who is the Antichrist? When will he come? What will he look like? Is he alive today? How do I know I will not follow him by mistake? According to the Apostle John, we are led astray by overthinking answers to questions we are not privileged to know. What matters most is for the believer to remain in Jesus – stay with Jesus – keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. All too often in our world, people are more concerned about the Antichrist than Christ – they want to point out every false teacher coming rather than praise the One who already came. This weekend, we continue our sermons series through the letters of the Apostle John by looking at 1 John 2:18-27. And, although there are false teachers – antichrists who oppose Jesus, John argues that if we remain in Jesus, we will not need to worry about being carried away from Jesus.