21 Day Spiritual Emphasis

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42

Looking for a fresh start?

Longing to go deeper in your walk with God?

This January we are entering a time of Spiritual Emphasis, following the pattern God gives us in Numbers 29-a season set apart to seek God with intention, prayer, and obedience.

This is an invitation-not to add pressure, but to make room. Let's start the year together, fixing our hearts on God and believing for all He wants to do in us and through us.

Participate in Spiritual Emphasis

Numbers 29

NYE Celebration Service 12/31

“…on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy assembly; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets.” Numbers 29:1

Join us Wednesday, December 31, from 5:00–6:00 PM for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve service with worship and communion as we thank God for the past year and step into the new one with gratitude and hope.

Teens: Grace Youth New Year’s Eve Party follows from 6:00–10:00 PM in the Activity Center.

Come celebrate, worship, and ring in the new year together!

Wednesday Prayer 7PM

Church prayer is a vital part of our Spiritual Emphasis because it centers our hearts on God and aligns us with His will. Prayer lays the foundation for every ministry and every Sunday—it invites God’s presence, power, and direction into all that we do, reminding us that lasting fruit comes from Him, not our own efforts. As Scripture encourages us, “Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

As we begin the new year, we invite you to slow down, reflect, and pray intentionally with renewed faith and expectation. Our January 14th and 21st prayer services are bilingual services with Grace en Español.

24 HR Fasting 1/9-1/10

"On the tenth day of this seventh month hold a sacred assembly. You must deny yourselves[a] and do no work."- Numbers 29:7

24 Hr Fasting begins on sunset 1/9 until sunset 1/10 (food, activity, technology)

Fasting is about drawing near to God, removing distractions, and making space for spiritual renewal. See additional resources about fasting below.

Open Day of Prayer 1/10

Numbers 29:7-11

Our church will be open for prayer on Saturday, January 10th from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. 1-3PM is an extra teen/kid friendly prayer time.

This is a come-and-go opportunity to spend time with God in a quiet, welcoming space. There is no structured service—simply come anytime during the day to pray, reflect, or sit in God’s presence. Stay as long as you’d like. Everyone is welcome and it is for all ages.

7 Day Activity Challenge 1/14-21

Number 29:12-38 | Pick one challenge for each day of the January 14-21 week

 Participate in our January 14th & 21st bilingual prayer services w/Grace en Espanol.

 Practice Sabbath (see details below)

 Watch a faith-based Movie/Show

 Prayer Activity (30 minute Prayer Walk, Pray for someone—and then let them know you did, Pray through scripture -Psalm 23)

 Scripture reading: Book of Philippians

 Fellowship Game Night

 Invite someone to church, or coffee/lunch and share about your faith journey.

Water Baptism 1/18

Baptism is a powerful step of obedience and a public declaration of faith, symbolizing new life in Christ and a fresh start as we commit ourselves fully to Him.

During this season of prayer, fasting, and spiritual renewal, water baptism aligns beautifully with our focus on drawing closer to God and walking in wholehearted surrender. If you’re ready to take this next step in your faith journey, we invite you to be baptized and begin this new year grounded in purpose and devotion.

Sign-ups are open, let’s celebrate life change together! Sign-up here.

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WORSHIP PLAYLIST

Praise Report

Prayer Request

Resources

The goal of fasting is to draw near to God.

It hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out.

What is fasting?

Fasting enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God. It prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.

When deciding on a fast, we encourage you to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

Scripture References About Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9: 14-15, Luke 18:9-14, Acts 27:33-37, Nehemiah 9:1-3

Fasting Resources

7 Steps to Prayer & Fasting by Dr. Bill Bright

Guide to Fasting & Prayer by Dr. Bill Bright

Types of Fasts:

Selective Fasts

This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.

Partial Fast

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.

Complete Fast

In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.

Soul Fast

This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance.

For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

The timing of your fast is not as important as the strength of your focus on God as you fast.

What is Sabbath?

Sabbath is a gift from God, not a rule to stress about.

It’s a regular time to stop, rest, and delight in God.

God modeled Sabbath in creation (He rested on the 7th day), and Jesus reminded us that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

How to Practice Sabbath

Think of Sabbath as doing three things on purpose:

1. Stop. Pause from your normal work and responsibilities.

-No work emails.

-No errands you have to run.

-No productivity pressure.

This is you saying: “God, the world keeps going even when I stop.”

2. Rest. Rest looks different for everyone.

-Take a nap

-Go for a walk

-Read

-Spend quiet time with God

-Be with people who refresh you

Biblical rest isn’t just sleep—it’s anything that restores your soul.

3. Delight. Do things that bring joy and gratitude.

-Share a meal
-Laugh
-Worship
-Enjoy creation
-Celebrate what God has done

Sabbath should feel like relief, not restriction.

What Sabbath Is Not

Not about strict rules

Not about earning God’s approval

Not about doing nothing all day

Not about perfection

If it becomes stressful, you’ve missed the heart of it.

How to Start (Practically)

Pick one consistent day or block of time each week

Start small (even a few hours)

Protect it gently, not legalistically

Ask: Does this help me stop, rest, and delight?

The Heart of Sabbath

Sabbath reminds us:

-We are human, not machines.

-God is in control.

-Our worth is not in our work.

 2303 E. Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21015