2. As a courtesy, please turn your cell phones off.

4. We will be starting our Autumn/Winter Service Times next Sunday, September 8 th (after Labor Day). 1 st Service starts at 9:15 2 nd Service starts at 11:00

5. We will be having baptisms on Sunday, September 15 th Pick up a baptism packet at the Connection Center or contact Sarah Schmidt at sschmidt@gracegathering.com

6. We will be having baptisms on today after the message.

7. See table in foyer for more info!

8. CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Specific Needs First Service: One adult Bizzie/Bumble Bees One teenager Bizzie Bumble Bees Second Service: Two adults Bizzie/Bumble Bees One teenager Bizzie/Bumble Bees One adult nursery

11. Welcome to Grace Gathering Many of us do mission together in smaller gatherings throughout the New Haven/Fort Wayne area. We invite you to our website or the welcome center and find a mission-community that meets near you or has a similar focus to your passion. If you are visiting us today we would like to welcome you. Stop by our welcome center for a free drink at our Fireside Café.

24. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A. W. Tozer

25. Two kinds of anger: a)controlled anger as a reaction to sin b)uncontrolled anger stemming from a sinful response

26. Addressing sinful anger: a)Listen longer before speaking. b)Don’t let anger linger c)Focus on the heart, not just behavior.

28. Acts 6:1-7:2 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. … In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. …

29. Acts 6:1-7:2 …Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” …

30. Acts 6:1-7:2 … This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. …

31. Acts 6:1-7:2 … So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. … Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. …

32. Acts 6:1-7:2 …Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. …

33. Acts 6:1-7:2 … Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. … So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. …

34. Acts 6:1-7:2 …They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

35. Acts 6:1-7:2 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.

37. 1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us..

38. Acts 7:51-60 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” … “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” …

39. Acts 7:51-60 … When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” …

40. Acts 7:51-60 … At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. …

41. Acts 7:51-60... While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

43. Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:... Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:...

44. Romans 12:17-21 … “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

45. Proverbs 15:1-2 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.