Weekly Update – February 5th, 2026
As the first day of February came and went, we quickly find ourselves over a month into the New Year. Many of us set goals and in our minds, we perhaps proclaimed that this was going to be the best year yet. But maybe you are like me as I look back at the last few weeks, and you notice that the goals you set for this year are not really being accomplished. Personally, I have already found myself behind on my Bible reading plan, behind on my workout plan and behind in other areas as well. Even bigger though, this concept might expand beyond the New Year. It is easy to look back on our lives and have a goal as to where we would like to be and as we evaluate, we see that we are far from it. This type of introspection can cause a minor degree of disappointment if you think of it only in terms of goals set for the New Year. But it can cause a major degree of anxiety and despair if we continue to evaluate ourselves and see that we have fallen short of life expectations that either we have set or others have set before us.
About 10 years ago, a man named Matt Perman wrote a book titled, What’s Best Next. This is primarily a book on productivity, but he says something on page 119 that is insightful about how we view our lives in terms of how much we can accomplish. He says,
“The ultimate solution to the dilemma I faced is basing our ultimate peace of mind on something other than our own efforts. Making our peace of mind dependent on what we do is ultimately a law-based approach to the Christian life, just as basing our acceptance by God on our good works is a law-based approach to justification.”
For someone like me who finds a lot of peace based upon being productive and accomplishing tasks, this was extremely enlightening. Like our faith, our peace of mind should not be based upon anything we do but based upon Jesus Christ and what he has already done for us.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” To experience peace, we are called to lift up our hearts to God in prayer. Then in Philippians 4:8, Paul continues, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” So lift your requests, your fears, your despair, your unfulfilled desires and your anxiety to the Lord, but then, fill your mind with truth and excellence based upon Jesus Christ and his gospel.
When we are unable to keep up with the tasks and events of the week, when we fail to reach the short-term goals that we have set before us, or even the long-term goals of life, we can still take heart. We can take heart through seeking the Lord because we know that our identity is not defined before God in what we do or accomplish, but through what Jesus did for us. It is true that we should have a sense of satisfaction from our work and in achieving goals, but our peace of mind should never be determined by what we do or even where we are in life. Our peace of mind should always be found outside of ourselves. And when it is, that is when we truly find ourselves free to serve God and others the way that God created us to.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
- Romans 12:1-2
Announcements:
New – Sunday Evening Service: Our next Sunday evening service will be on Sunday, February 8th at 6:00pm. On this evening we will pray together and hear from Kamto Eze as he preaches from 1 John 5:1-5
Valentine’s Fundraising Dinner: On Saturday, February 7th at 6:00pm the youth will be hosting their 3rd annual Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner in the Faith Center Gym. The suggested cost is $10 per person. Sign up in the hallway to join us! If you will miss the dinner but still like to donate to the youth, you can do so HERE. Make sure to select, “youth camp fund” when you do.
Conn-West Elementary: Conn-West Elementary is in need of winter coats for upper elementary aged children. If you can help, feel free to drop off coats in the library.
Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA, HERE and for our Youth, HERE.
Women’s Bible Study: This will be a 10-week study of Joshua by Jen Wilkin. Morning and evening sessions will be held on Tuesdays, beginning on February 17th. Details are on the bulletin board.
New Equip Class: Starting on January 11th at 9:15am, there will be a new class called Habits of the Household beginning. In Habits of the Household, we will discover simple practices that we can implement around our daily routines and seemingly mundane moments that will lead to a lifetime of growing closer to God—both for parents and their children. Go HERE for more information about this study.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, the church hosts a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Habits of the Household” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-2nd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 3rd-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.