GET CONNECTED

Please ll out a Get Connected form and place it in the offering basket after the message. Thanks! Creekstone Church is on Facebook. Join the Creekstone Facebook page for up to date news feeds and special information. Check out Creekstones website, for comprehensive Creekstone info - www.creekstonechurch.com Creekstone teaching is on iTunes. Search Creekstone Church and subscribe for free.

CREEKSTONES MISSION
"Since grace changes everything, Creekstone Church exists to glorify God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the Gospel."

MEASURING THE MISSION: HOW CAN I KNOW THAT IM COMING ALIVE TO THE WONDER OF THE GOSPEL?
Personal Devotion. The more I embrace Gods devotion to me in Jesus through the cross, the more compelled I am to become a fully devoted follower, or disciple, of Jesus. I will nd myself spending time in devotional practices such as study, prayer, worship and meditation, not as a duty, but as a delight that ows from an overow of grace. This grace changes me. And others will notice the change, especially as I freely repent of my sins against others and offer them forgiveness full and free. Additionally, as I grow in grace, the fruit of the Spirit will become increasingly observable in my life. Practical Ministry. The more I embrace the ministry of Jesus for me in his life, death and resurrection, the more compelled I will be to use the gifts he has given me in practical ministry. I will nd myself joyfully sacricing time and energy to serve in a way that helps advance the impact of the gospel through the local church. In other words, as I am gripped by Gods grace, I will desire to be an agent of grace in the lives of others by using my spiritual gifts. Authentic Community. The more I embrace Gods grace to me and love for me in Jesus, the more compelled I will be to share my life with others in authentic community, not wearing a mask of religious moralism or worldly success, but being transparent and real about my true need for a Savior. Since I know that I am safe with Jesus, I will become safe for others. Enthusiastic Generosity. The more I embrace Gods generosity toward me in Jesus through the cross, the more compelled I am toward enthusiastic generosity for him, where giving is not a burden, but a joy. My giving to the mission of the kingdom grows in proportion to my embrace of the gospel and trust in Gods provision. Organic Outreach. As I come alive to the wonder of the gospel, I begin longing for others to enjoy and be set free by the life revolutionizing grace of God in Jesus. I do not share the good news because I have to, but because I cant help it. It is just too good to keep to myself. I nd myself looking for ways to either invite folks to hear the message, ways to share the message, and ways to support others who share the message. The propulsion of grace will begin to move me out of my comfort zone. For a summary of our theological orientation, check out our website. For a more in-depth explanation, please see the Westminster Confession of Faith & Catechisms.

Welcome to

Creekstone Church
Grace Changes Everything

TEAM LEADERS
McKay Caston, Pastor of Preaching & Leadership mckaycaston@gmail.com Andy Woznicki, Pastor of Community & Discipleship ajwoznicki@gmail.com Matt Stephenson, Pastoral/Administrative Assistant mbstep2055@gmail.com Jay Smorey, Coordinator of Music and Technology creekstonemusicandtech@gmail.com Graham Sibley, Coordinator of Youth Ministries gmsibl7262@northgeorgia.edu Dottie Smorey, Coordinator of Childrens Ministries creekstonechildrensministry@gmail.com Jim Keane, Greeter & Hospitality Team Leader jimandjanetkeane@windstream.net Colt Dyer, Set Up & Facilities Team Leader crdyer3648@northgeorgia.edu James Fitts, Usher Team Leader jctt9563@northgeorgia.edu Dean Legler, Logistics & Transportation Team Leader, dean.legler@gmail.com Larry Charles, Compassion in Action (CIA) Liaison larrycharlespt@yahoo.com Creekstone is a partner with Campus Outreach at UNG. For more information, contact Campus Director, Jeremy Moore at rjmo521@gmail.com. The Creekstone ofce is located on the Historic Square at 40-B Public Square South just above the Mass Bay Trading Company. The mailing address is PO Box 1234, Dahlonega, GA, 30533.

TODAYS MESSAGE: The Blessing of Spiritual Poverty Matthew 5:1-3

Message 1 of 8 The Blessing of Spiritual Poverty

Dr. McKay Caston, Pastor of Preaching and Leadership

SERIES: THE LIFE GOD BLESSES

STAY IN THE CURRENT

GET CONNECTED The Get Connected form in the bulletin is for you to ll out and place in the offering basket after the message. Let us know you were here! Our offering goes to support the ministry of the gospel locally through Creekstone, regionally through our church planting partnerships, and globally thorough the missionary families we support overseas in India and Africa. Your giving is making a difference! TWO SERVICE SUNDAYS Creekstone is offering two services through September 22, one at 9:00 a.m. and the other at 10:45 a.m. The services are identical, except that GraceKids will only meet during the second service. The Cafe will open at 10:00 a.m. for the fellowship and connection opportunity between services. A NEW 8-WEEK SERMON SERIES BEGINS TODAY: The Blessed Life In this 8-week sermon series in the Beatitudes of Jesus from Matthew 5, we will discover Gods design for the blessed life. Since Jesus description of blessing is so counterintuitive to our common, cultural way of thinking, what we will discover will surprise you, and may change you for the better in ways that you never imagined possible. You really can have a blessed life. STEWARDS OF CHILDREN TRAINING Creekstone will be hosting Stewards of Children training in the church ofces on two upcoming Saturdays, Sept. 7 and 14. Materials will be provided at no cost to Creekstone nursery and childrens ministry volunteers, who all are encouraged to attend one of the Saturday sessions. To register, please contact Kathy Christmas at pruefrock1951@yahoo.com. WELCOME BACK, NORTH GEORGIA STUDENTS! Creekstone is an enthusiastic partner with Campus Outreach at UNG. For more information and/or to get involved, please contact Campus Director, Jeremy Moore, at rjmo521@gmail.com. WOMENS MONDAY BIBLE STUDY The Womens Monday Morning Bible Study begins September 9, from 10:00 to 11:30 at the church ofce. We will be studying Tim Keller's book on Galatians. For more information and to register, contact Kathy Christmas at pruefrock1951@yahoo.com. CREEKSTONE YOUTH The Creekstone Youth Discipleship Back to School Party is this coming Friday, Aug. 23. For more information, please contact Graham Sibley, Coordinator of Youth Discipleship, at gmsibl7262@northgeorgia.edu. FACEBOOK: Creekstones Online Community Portal Our Facebook page is Creekstones online portal to the Creekstone community. If youd like to communicate with the church to ask a question, highlight a ministry opportunity, let folks know that you have a lost and found item fro Sunday, provide funeral arrangement information or just say, Hi!, just go to facebook.com/ creekstonechurch and post on the wall. Be sure to subscribe to notications so that you will not miss anything!

TODAYS KEY BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:1-3 1 Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (ESV) THE BIG IDEA: _________________________________________________.

MY NOTES:

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION:

1) In what ways do you pursue happiness? Why is lasting, true happiness so difcult to experience? 2) How do you handle life when true happiness eludes you? 3) Why are we so naturally resistant to charity? 4) What is signicant about the fact that grace ows downhill?

TRY OUT CREEKSTONES NEW MOBILE GIVING APP Now you can give to the work of the Kingdom through Creekstone using your phone! Either scan the QR code and be transferred to our mobile app, Givr, or download Givr at the App Store (or Google Play in a few weeks). You only have to register once to set up an acctount with Givr, whether you want to give weekly or prefer to set up a recurring giving account. However you give, please know how much we appreciate your participation in the gospel through nancial stewardship at Creekstone! Past Sunday messages are available on the Creekstone website and as podcasts on iTunes. For all Creekstone events and news, visit www.creekstonechurch.com.