A Church Shaped by Scripture
Dear Friends,
As Newark Grace takes shape, I want to share the five values that I pray will shape us as a church The first is Scripture.
Acts 2:42 tells us that the early believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching." They listened together to the message of the risen Christ, and what they heard shaped their worship and their lives together. I want us to be a people who listen that way.
Why We're Planting
Jesus commanded his church to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey all he commanded (Matthew 28:18-20). In Acts, we see the gospel preached, disciples strengthened, and elders appointed to care for the local church (Acts 14:21-23). That patten helps explain why we're planting in Newark. We want our neighbors to hear the good news of Jesus, trust him, be baptized, and grow within a congregation where they are taught and cared for. We thank God for the faithful churches already serving this city, and we pray Newark Grace will serve alongside them.
When We Gather
On an ordinary Sunday, Scripture should be heard throughout the service. We'll look at scripture as a Call to Worship. We will read the Bible aloud, pray in light of what God has said, and sing truths his Word teaches us. When I preach, I want to explain the passage in its context, show how it brings us to Christ, and help us see what trusting and obeying him looks like this week. When we baptize or share the Lord's Supper, we will open Scripture to understand what Jesus has given his church.
With Our Neighbors
God's Word gives us the message we carry. At a community event, over coffee, or in a conversation on The Square, we can learn someone's name and listen to their story. As a relationship grows, we can invite them to read a Gospel with us, speak plainly about Jesus' death and resurrection, and welcome them to worship with us. I want us to pray for particular folks by name and keep showing up in their lives with patience and love.
As We Make Disciples
After a sermon, we can ask what we heard and where we need help putting it into practice. Our small groups will look at scripture together and help each other understand what it means. Mature believers can read scripture with new believers. A parent can talk through a passage with a child, even helping them to memorize scripture. A friend can pray through God's promises with someone who is grieving or struggling with sin. We want people to learn to read the Bible for themselves and to have others walk beside them as they follow Jesus.
Scripture will also shape how we handle hard things together: speaking truth, confessing sin, forgiving one another, and bearing burdens. It should guide our leaders as we decide how to use our time and resources. In all of this, my prayer is that Newark Grace will be a church eager to hear God's Word and willing to live by it.
Would you pray for that with me? We long to help people place Jesus as the center of everything. Week after week, scripture brings us to Him.
Josh
As Newark Grace takes shape, I want to share the five values that I pray will shape us as a church The first is Scripture.
Acts 2:42 tells us that the early believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching." They listened together to the message of the risen Christ, and what they heard shaped their worship and their lives together. I want us to be a people who listen that way.
Why We're Planting
Jesus commanded his church to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey all he commanded (Matthew 28:18-20). In Acts, we see the gospel preached, disciples strengthened, and elders appointed to care for the local church (Acts 14:21-23). That patten helps explain why we're planting in Newark. We want our neighbors to hear the good news of Jesus, trust him, be baptized, and grow within a congregation where they are taught and cared for. We thank God for the faithful churches already serving this city, and we pray Newark Grace will serve alongside them.
When We Gather
On an ordinary Sunday, Scripture should be heard throughout the service. We'll look at scripture as a Call to Worship. We will read the Bible aloud, pray in light of what God has said, and sing truths his Word teaches us. When I preach, I want to explain the passage in its context, show how it brings us to Christ, and help us see what trusting and obeying him looks like this week. When we baptize or share the Lord's Supper, we will open Scripture to understand what Jesus has given his church.
With Our Neighbors
God's Word gives us the message we carry. At a community event, over coffee, or in a conversation on The Square, we can learn someone's name and listen to their story. As a relationship grows, we can invite them to read a Gospel with us, speak plainly about Jesus' death and resurrection, and welcome them to worship with us. I want us to pray for particular folks by name and keep showing up in their lives with patience and love.
As We Make Disciples
After a sermon, we can ask what we heard and where we need help putting it into practice. Our small groups will look at scripture together and help each other understand what it means. Mature believers can read scripture with new believers. A parent can talk through a passage with a child, even helping them to memorize scripture. A friend can pray through God's promises with someone who is grieving or struggling with sin. We want people to learn to read the Bible for themselves and to have others walk beside them as they follow Jesus.
Scripture will also shape how we handle hard things together: speaking truth, confessing sin, forgiving one another, and bearing burdens. It should guide our leaders as we decide how to use our time and resources. In all of this, my prayer is that Newark Grace will be a church eager to hear God's Word and willing to live by it.
Would you pray for that with me? We long to help people place Jesus as the center of everything. Week after week, scripture brings us to Him.
Josh
We have a few specific ways you can pray with us this week:
Small groups. We hope to begin small groups in January. Please pray that God would raise up leaders who love his Word and love people—leaders ready to guide discussion, pray with others, and care for the people in their groups throughout the week. Pray also for a welcoming, reliable space in downtown Newark where these groups can gather.
Downtown Chocolate Walk. This Friday, Newark Grace will give out handmade chocolate-covered pretzels and invitation cards for our January 10 launch service. Pray for good conversations as we meet our neighbors, and for opportunities to follow up with those interested in learning more about the church.
Community partnership. We’re working with a local partner to host a community event in Newark this December. Please pray for trust and good communication as we plan together, and for us to listen well to what would serve our neighbors. We want to be present in the life of this city and eager to work alongside others for its good. Pray that the event will be welcoming and that this relationship will continue to grow.
A church bank account. Right now, our sending church, Pataskala Grace, processes all of our giving. We’re grateful for their help as we work through the paperwork to open a checking account for Newark Grace. Please pray for patience, accuracy, and a smooth process so we can steward every gift well.
Sound equipment. We’re working with a company to determine what equipment will help people hear clearly during worship, fit our budget, and be practical to transport and set up each week. I’m learning a great deal as we go. Pray that we ask good questions, receive wise counsel, and choose a system our team can use faithfully.
Small groups. We hope to begin small groups in January. Please pray that God would raise up leaders who love his Word and love people—leaders ready to guide discussion, pray with others, and care for the people in their groups throughout the week. Pray also for a welcoming, reliable space in downtown Newark where these groups can gather.
Downtown Chocolate Walk. This Friday, Newark Grace will give out handmade chocolate-covered pretzels and invitation cards for our January 10 launch service. Pray for good conversations as we meet our neighbors, and for opportunities to follow up with those interested in learning more about the church.
Community partnership. We’re working with a local partner to host a community event in Newark this December. Please pray for trust and good communication as we plan together, and for us to listen well to what would serve our neighbors. We want to be present in the life of this city and eager to work alongside others for its good. Pray that the event will be welcoming and that this relationship will continue to grow.
A church bank account. Right now, our sending church, Pataskala Grace, processes all of our giving. We’re grateful for their help as we work through the paperwork to open a checking account for Newark Grace. Please pray for patience, accuracy, and a smooth process so we can steward every gift well.
Sound equipment. We’re working with a company to determine what equipment will help people hear clearly during worship, fit our budget, and be practical to transport and set up each week. I’m learning a great deal as we go. Pray that we ask good questions, receive wise counsel, and choose a system our team can use faithfully.
We're excited for a full fall of gathering, serving, and connecting throughout Newark. Whether you're interested in learning more about Newark Grace or simply want to serve alongside us, we'd love to see you at one (or several!) of these events.
Downtown Newark Chocolate Walk
This Friday • 4:00–7:00 PM
We'll be participating in this Downtown Newark Association event, giving away chocolate and connecting with our community. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here: Downtown Newark Chocolate Walk Tickets.
Pastor Josh Preaching at Pataskala Grace
Sunday, October 18
Join us as Pastor Josh returns to preach at our sending church, Pataskala Grace, and share what God is continuing to do through Newark Grace.
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
Friday, October 30 • 5:00–6:30 PM
We'll once again have a booth in Downtown Newark, handing out treats to children and adults while serving our community during this family-friendly event.
Preview Services at Pataskala Grace
Sunday, November 8, 15, 29; December 6 • 5:00 PM
Preview Services in Downtown Newark
Sunday, December 13, 20, 27; January 3 • 10:00 AM
Downtown Newark Chocolate Walk
This Friday • 4:00–7:00 PM
We'll be participating in this Downtown Newark Association event, giving away chocolate and connecting with our community. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here: Downtown Newark Chocolate Walk Tickets.
Pastor Josh Preaching at Pataskala Grace
Sunday, October 18
Join us as Pastor Josh returns to preach at our sending church, Pataskala Grace, and share what God is continuing to do through Newark Grace.
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
Friday, October 30 • 5:00–6:30 PM
We'll once again have a booth in Downtown Newark, handing out treats to children and adults while serving our community during this family-friendly event.
Preview Services at Pataskala Grace
Sunday, November 8, 15, 29; December 6 • 5:00 PM
Preview Services in Downtown Newark
Sunday, December 13, 20, 27; January 3 • 10:00 AM
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