Update on Fall Ministries and Sunday Services

Fall has always been a time when we kick-off several annual ministries at GBC, and this year, despite the inconveniences and challenges that the health and safety guidelines have created, we remain committed to fulfilling our call to minister the word of God so as to make disciples. We thought it best to provide a clear written summation of all the fall ministries in one place.

Student Ministries

By God’s grace, the current California health and safety guidelines actually has provisions for childcare programs and youth groups to operate at this time. In light of this, we are able to resume indoor student ministries at our facilities. In late August, the State put out guidelines for what they are calling “cohorts” which are geared toward all type of non-profit agencies that serve children in a variety of ways (including “youth groups”) that involve, among other things, teaching. Though there are some limitations, this will allow for our Jr and Sr High Ministries to meet indoors, while still wearing masks and some less strict social distancing guidelines. The Youth Group meets 7-9pm on Wednesdays. Please contact Luke Shelnutt or Chris Kiiskinen if you need any further information.

Children’s Ministries

Similar to what we are doing in Student Ministries, the “cohort” guidelines provide for us a way to begin to have CE classes again on Sunday! Classes will be limited to 14 students and, for now, there will only be 2 teachers in each class, but we are excited to be able to offer this to our children. We are finalizing details for opening and hope to hold our first classes on Sunday, October 4^th. Starting this Fall, class are being restructured into the following:

Preschool - Room 106

K-1st Grade - Room 201

2nd-3rd Grade - Room 202

4th-5th Grade - Room 107

Unfortunately, cohorts will not cover our little ones in the Nursery, but we hope to be able to open those doors at some point in the near future also. Please contact Mariam Denny or Chris Kiiskinen if you need any further information.

Community Groups

Our Community Groups have resumed meeting in some form or another.  We have some groups that are meeting in-person, some that are using a hybrid of meeting in person and virtual, and some that are meeting exclusively through Zoom or some other medium.   Our Community Groups meet throughout Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano Counties from Tuesday through Sunday.  If you have yet to join a community group and would like to do so, please feel free to email Scott Denny at scottdenny@graceforus.org.

DTP – Discipleship Training Program

The first unit of our DTP program began online through our streaming service on Thursday, Sept 17, with 27 men and women. The first unit will run for 11 consecutive weeks on Thursdays at 7PM. DTP is open to all members of Grace Bible Church, and if you’d like to participate there is still one week left to sign up. Simply call the church office about your interest in joining by calling 925-676-1584.

Women’s Ministries

The Women's Bible Study for the fall is underway. There are three options:

1.    Thursday Mornings (9:45 - 11:15 AM) In-person meeting at the Humphrey's in Pleasant Hill (outside)       
2.    Thursday Afternoon (1:30 - 2:30 PM) - Zoom Meeting 
3.    Saturday Mornings (8:00 - 9:00 AM) In-person when we can meet at church         

The women will be studying Zeal - A Study of Titus for Women by Keri Folmar. The study will begin September 17th and run until November 19th. Contact the church office at gbc@graceforus.org for more information, get a copy of the book or to register.

Sunday Services

Though still not yet able to hold indoor services, we are currently offering for up to 100 people to gather in the courtyard and worship there together with other members of the body. Currently we are only having one service at 9:00am, but that will likely increase to 2 services soon. Masks are still required and we ask that you still maintain social distancing between families and social bubbles. CE for grades Pre-K through 5^th grade will be available for families. Children will be in the courtyard through the singing time and then head off to their classrooms.

In addition, we will continue to hold afternoon services on Sunday’s at 4:00 over at Fair Oaks, until further notice. All are welcome there, just bring your own chair!