Everyone Has a Story

Hi church family,

What a night! Getting the whole family under one roof to sing together is one of my favorite things we do all year.

I'll confess something. While we were singing tonight, I was doing the thing you're not supposed to do at a worship night. I was watching everybody else. I couldn't help it. I looked around the room and saw the beauty of the local church. Our elder saints with hands lifted high. Our youngest kids dancing in the aisles. Single moms carrying more than most of us know, still showing up and still singing. Teenagers so moved they were in tears. It is a beautiful sight, the people of God doing the very thing we were created to do, worshiping our King.

Then a thought hit me. Every person in that room walked in with a story. Some came in carrying grief; some came in celebrating; some came in worn out, not sure you had much left to give. And God was meeting every single person right where they are. He knows exactly what you need and exactly when you need it, and tonight I got to watch Him move in the lives of our church family. So Powerful! So Grateful!

A Couple of New Additions to the Family

Speaking of family, we grew in two different ways this week.

Peter Faulknor is here. Jonah and Reese welcomed little Peter early Thursday morning. He is absolutely precious, and mom and baby are both doing great. If you would like to love on the family in this season, we have a meal train set up: Sign up to bring a meal.

Meet Kyle Moody. We announced at the worship night that Kyle is joining our staff. If you have been around the Grove for a while, you may recognize him, since he has led for us in the past. Kyle and his wife Haley have three kids (Sutton, Ridge, and Maeve). Kyle will serve as our part-time worship leader and will primarily lead at the Walnut Grove Campus. You will start seeing him on Sunday mornings in a few weeks. In the meantime, if you run into Kyle or the family around the community, give them a warm Grove welcome.

Upcoming Opportunities

New Community Group Leader Training, Saturday, August 22, 9:00–10:30 AM, Walnut Grove Campus (2016 Lobby). If you have ever wondered whether you could lead a group this coming semester, this is the place to find out. Come with your questions. RSVP to me at [nathan@churchatthegrove.com](mailto:nathan@churchatthegrove.com).

Serving Social Circle High School, Friday, September 4. We are providing the pregame meal for the football team and working the home concession stand that night, and we need volunteers for both. It is a fun, easy way to serve our community, and no experience is necessary. You can sign up to bring food and/or work the concession stand here: churchatthegrove.com/sign-ups.

Community Group Fall Semester Launch, Sunday, September 13. Put it on your calendar now and make sure you connect in one of our groups this fall. Groups are where life at the Grove actually happens, and there is a place for you. Take a look at what is available: churchatthegrove.com/groups.

A Resource to Consider

Tonight we introduced a new song that has been rattling around in my head for the last several weeks: "No One Like the Lord." It is a powerful declaration of the truth we find in Revelation 4 and 5, and it is worth a few minutes of your week. Listen here.

Grateful for each of you,

Nathan