We’re so glad you’re connecting with us! In this issue, you’ll find updates on announcements, upcoming events and ways to get involved in serving others. We hope this newsletter helps you stay connected and inspired as we walk together in faith.
THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, Joel Owen continues our new series "This is Our King" as we study the book of Mark. Please prepare by reading Mark 7 & 8.
The Prayer Team and Elders are available for prayer after each service.
This Week In Worship
This week our worship leader will be Chris Skierra-Vaughn.
As we worship together this week, may we continued to be reminded of who our King is and how amazing it is that, through Jesus, we can come to Him with confidence and hope.
- Ryan McCullough, Director of Worship & Creative Arts
This Sunday:
9 AM: Parent Information Meeting for the upcoming Christmas play in the den! Questions? Contact Susan Dooley: 423-429-6476.
9 AM and 10:45 AM: Join us for our annual Harvest Party! We will have a special gospel message presentation, costume contest, and play Bingo! It’ll be a fun morning! Kids are welcome to wear their church friendly costumes!
We need your help! We want to offer opportunities for kids ages birth to 5th grade to learn about God, love God, and live for God each week! In order for us to do that well, we need YOU! Whether you enjoy teaching, helping with activities or welcoming families, there’s a place for you to serve! Please contact Ashley if you're willing to serve in Grace Kids Ministry.
Youth group is Wednesdays from 6:30pm-8pm.
GS has a fun-filled year planned. Stay in the loop with the BAND APP or TEXT STUDENT.
"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for all believers for what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
Follow us on Social Media
Facebook: Grace Fellowship Student Ministry
Instagram: @grace_students_kingsport
Youth Schedule:
- October 28 - Youth Group
- November 4 - Youth Group
- November 11 - Youth Group
- November 18 - Friendsgiving
- November 25 - No Grace Students - Happy Thanksgiving!
Grace Student Summer Missions:
World Changers June 28-July 3, 2027
Cost: $314 per student
Deposit: $50
Every World Changers project is built around one goal — creating an environment where students encounter Jesus through serving others. The construction is the vehicle. Life change is the destination. Each day your students will show up at a real home in the Franklin area and do real work for a real family. By the end of the week, they won't just have painted walls and built ramps. They'll have a story they'll tell for the rest of their lives.
To register for World Changers Summer Missions, Click Here.
Pray for our Youth:
We ask that you join us in praying for our youth. Our youth today have so many obstacles to traverse and we ask that you take even just a minute a day to pray for them.
Click here for the Fall 2026 Teaching and Event Calendar.
Click here for more information about our mentorship program.
What's Happening
office News
The GFC Elders and Staff want to welcome Lindsey Tabolt into an extended role on our Staff Team as the Student Ministry Assistant. For the past couple years, Lindsey has served as the Preschool Coordinator, a role she will continue as she adds this new role and helps bridge our Kids and Student Ministries. Lindsey will work with Tim Blankenship and will help with administrative duties for all Student Ministry events, activities and services. We are excited to announce Lindsey in this new role and look forward to seeing how God will use her and grow her as she serves with both our Kids and Student Ministries!
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
Each October, we invite our GFC family to thank God for our pastors and ministry directors. We’re grateful for who they are, the gifts they bring, and the ways they help us grow as Jesus followers. Our full-time pastors and ministry staff include: Lead Pastor Joel Owen, Associate Pastor Andy Malcolm, Director of Worship & Creative Arts Ryan McCullough, Director of Grace Students Tim Blankenship and Director of Grace Kids Ashley Masten.
Pray for them throughout the month.
We should stay in a posture of prayer and fasting for our servant-leaders all year. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you pray for them. Here are some ideas:
- Their walk with Jesus: Pray that they would find joy and sufficiency in Christ alone, wisdom to lead, and continual renewal by the Holy Spirit.
- Their families and relationships: Pray for their loved ones, for meaningful time together as families endure a lot of sacrifice in this calling. Pray for each family member by name.
- Their wisdom and leadership: Ask God to give them discernment, humility, courage, and unity as they lead and serve.
- Their rest and encouragement: Pray for refreshing rest, trusted friendships, and reminders that their service is so appreciated.
- Their ministry: Pray that God would use their teaching, service, and everyday conversations to help people know Jesus and grow as disciples who disciple others.
Share a personal word of thanks.
Have they helped you take a step of faith, cared for your family, or encouraged you through a hard season? Tell them! A specific memory or heartfelt note can be a meaningful reminder of how God is working through the ministry He has called them to.
Sunday, October 11, we recognized Pastor Appreciation Sunday and prayed for our ministry staff in both services. A table will be set up in the hallway through Sunday, October 25 for notes of encouragement and appreciation.
Let’s use this month to grow in a habit we can carry throughout the year: praying for, encouraging, and caring for those who serve our church family.
Our vision at Grace Fellowship is to make disciples and reach the unreached with the gospel. That is why we partner with Operation Christmas Child each year. This year our goal is to pack 1,000 shoeboxes! There are many ways to help:
1. Fill a Box: There are shoeboxes in the hallway for you to take home. Pick up a “How to Pack a Shoebox” brochure for instructions. Fill the box with fun toys, personal care items, and school supplies. Pray for the child who will receive the gift. Then return to GFC.
2. Build A Shoebox Online: Of the 1,000 boxes, we would like 150 of them to be online. These online boxes go to the hardest to reach places on earth. For us to track them, you must use this link: Click Here to Build A Shoebox Online or scan the QR code below, which is also located in the church hallway.
3. Pray: There are prayer guide bookmarks available at OCC table.
4. Volunteer for National Collection Week: We also collect shoeboxes from all over Sullivan County during Collection Week, November 16-23. We need volunteers to help with a variety of jobs throughout the week. Sign-up sheets will be located on the OCC table soon in the Gathering Area. Contact Jamie Grove at 860-965-4522 for additional information.
5. Hospitality: During National Collection Week we love to provide snacks for volunteers. If you are willing to help in this area, a sign-up sheet will be on the OCC table soon.
6. Volunteer at the Processing Center in Boone on Thursday, December 3 from 1am-5pm or Wednesday, December 9th from 9am-2pm. Volunteers must be 13 or older and will be responsible for their own transportation. Contact Melissa Pitts at 870-384-4021 for additional information.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the ministry of OCC and to be part of the next step in the journey of a shoebox. You must be signed up to attend and space is limited! For more information, or to sign up by email or text, contact Melissa Pitts at: pittsfamily8@gmail.com or 870-384-4021.
Oikos Church Update:
We sent out our church plant, Oikos Church, in July. They had their first public service Sunday, October 4 at Warrior’s Path Park! It was a great time of worship. Oikos gathers in house churches three weeks each month and holds a public worship service on the first Sunday of the month. We’re excited to celebrate this new beginning with them!
Thank you to those of you who served that day so the Oikos team could connect with guests. If you’re willing to serve the first Sunday of each month – helping with setup, greeting people etc – let Kyle or a staff member know.
You can contact Kyle McHolland directly at k.mcholland@oikoskpt.com. To follow Oikos Church, Click Here and follow Oikos Church to stay connected. For those who would like to support Oikos financially, Click Here.
prayer Teams
Would you like to serve with our prayer team? There are a couple of different ways to serve at GFC.
UPDATE: The Intercessory Prayer Group meets Thursdays at 12:30pm in Kingsport. Anyone is welcome to come and join in and pray.
Also, the Prayer Team serve Sundays after each service as they meet and pray with members or visitors who are in need of prayer after each service. There are currently openings to serve.
If interested in serving on our prayer team or if you have any questions, please reach out to Ruth Jordan at 202-680-8963 and she will look forward to talking with you.
ladies bible studies
Book Study on "Remembering the Forgotten God" by Francis Chan
This study began on September 14 and meets on Monday evenings at the church at 6:30pm. Francis Chan issues a compelling invitation to understand, embrace and follow the Spirit of the living God. Barb Vellenga will be leading this study and you can contact her at bjvellenga@aol.com for additional information.
Upcoming Precept Study on Judges
Ladies, join us for a Monday morning Bible study on Judges which started on October 19 from 10 - 11:30 am in the Gathering area. Nothing has changed from the days of the Judges - people still do what is right in their own eyes. Absolutes are shoved aside and the result is bondage to sin. Only God's truths and moral principles bring peace and freedom from bondage. Join us as we study the book of Judges! Sign up in the hallway. Contact Cindy Stremel for additional info at 240-377-7527.
Click here to purchase the book.
Rhythm & Movement Worship
exercise class
Come join us! This is a great time to join in!
We meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays at the church from 10-10:45am and you can also join in by Zoom.
Come and enjoy a great customized workout, worshipful music, along with having a lot of fun getting healthier with other ladies just like you.
Contact Debbie Bennett at 423-360-0498 with any questions if you plan to come or join in by zoom.
GFC Men's Ministry
Stay tuned for additional events, Bible Studies and other ways to connect, disciple and grow deeper in your faith.
Men's BetterMan Study on "Loving God's Woman, God's Way"
You are invited to join us for another BetterMan Study on “Loving God’s Woman, God’s Way.”
We will discuss the Biblical principles that guide men to protect, honor, and care for the women God has placed in their lives—whether wives, daughters, or sisters in Christ. We will discover that protecting and serving God’s woman is not simply a masculine instinct, but a God-given responsibility modeled after Christ Himself.
This five-week study runs each Sunday, from October 4 – November 1. The class meets at GFC from 9:00 – 10:15 am each Sunday in the Gathering Area. All materials will be provided. Please feel free to invite other men that might be interested. Contact Keith Bennett if you have any questions at keithb106@gmail.com or423-292-2621. Sign up will be in the hallway at church and on the online app church calendar. Hope you can join us!
Monthly Events
1st Friday Car Cruise - Contact Joe Pedroza 219-242-4368
4th Saturday Motorcycle Ride - Contact Riley Carter 502-294-8714
LET'S REMEMBER
A few other important things to keep in mind this week.
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You can sign up by texting “GraceKingsport” to 49775.
RightNow Media is the world’s largest customizable library of Biblical video resources. Our church is providing this amazing resource to you free of charge. This site contains media of Bible Studies, Christian resources for children through adults and thousands of resources from Louie Giglio, Jennie Allen, Chip Ingram, Tim Tebow and countless others.
Click here to set up your free account. The link works well through Google. Contact Joy Martin with any questions.
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You may put checks/cash in the giving boxes, mail in checks to PO Box 3369, Kingsport, TN 37664, or use our website or app to make contributions. When giving on our app, you can choose to pay the fees associated with your gift, which allows gifts to go further and do more in the ministries we support. Please do not mail checks to the physical Fellowship Point address.
Thank you for continuing to give and support GFC through your time, talents, & resources.
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Budget Update
Budget vs Actual
as of October 21, 2026
October 2026
Budget Need $79,758.10
Budget Giving $56,350.40
Year-to-Date
Budget Need $220,868.59
Budget Giving $205,849.94
YTD Difference ($15,018.65)
Fiscal Year from Aug 1, 2026 - Jul 31, 2027
Budget this fiscal year $953,408