Antioch business and community leaders joined Pastor Shaun, Dianna Nepstad and daughters (with scissors) for the ribbon cutting of Fellowship Church’s new building on Lone Tree Way on Thursday, March 3rd, 2016.

By Allen Payton

Antioch business and community leaders joined Pastor Shaun and Dianna Nepstad on Thursday, March 3rd for a ribbon cutting at the new building for Fellowship Church in Antioch. Located in the former Orchard Supply Hardward building at 4873 Lone Tree Way, the church as grown from 22 people in a living room in 2003 to a weekly attendance of over 2,100 people.

Speaking of the new building, Pastor Nepstad shared some thoughts.

The slogan of Fellowship Church Hope & Healing on the wall inside the new church building.

“We started this whole process about two-and-a-half years ago,” he said. Our church really is about the community Our slogan is Hope and Healing. Hope for tomorrow and healing for their yesterday. We want to give honor back to the city and to one another.”

“This is not a business but we function with all of you,” Nepstad shared with the business owners in attendance. “We’re all in the same business of reaching people in some capacity. Let’s team up together to change the region.”

“I believe our best days are ahead of us for Antioch,” he added.

Then Dianna Nepstad spoke.

“I just want you to know we want to add value to the city,” she stated. “We want to elevate the city. Promotion of the people of God. That leads to a quality of life. Right now is the best time for us. Like my husband said, our best days are ahead of us.”

Representing the City of Antioch, Mayor Wade Harper offered his thoughts.

“This is a great ministry,” he said. “Come and visit. Come and join. The pastor is anointed. He’s funny. You’ll see his members out in the community.”

Speaking of the process for approval the church went through for the new building, Harper said “I made some calls and said I’m the mayor I want them here. What’s the problem?”

“We have a lot of people in Antioch who want to serve God,” he continued.“Anything we can do to serve you please let us know.”

Then Antioch Chamber of Commerce CEO Sean Wright said “I want to thank you for your investment in our community. But I would like you to say a prayer then cut the ribbon.”

Colleen Isenberg representing Congressman Jerry McNerney presented the Nepstads with a certificate of special Congresssional recognition. That was followed by Erica Rodriguez of State Assemblyman Jim Frazier’s office, who presented them with a certificate of recognition.

Then the ribbon was cut marking the official opening and those in attendance were treated to refreshments and a tour of the new building.

Fellowship Church services will be held in their new building for the first time, this Sunday, March 6 at 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.. For more information visit www.thefellowshipchurch.com.

By Pastor Kirkland Smith

We cordially invite you to support and participate in our 2^nd Annual Crab Feed, on Friday, March 4th, 7:00PM to 10:00PM at Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch, 3415 Oakley Road, Antioch, CA, 94509, in the McKinnon Hall. The cost is $45 per person or $30 for a plate to go.  Checks should be made payable to “Grace Kings”.

Grace Kings is a young men’s mentoring program that we started over a year ago.  Our mission is to work towards a holistic approach to nurturing and developing at-risk African American males between the ages of 9-17 years old, with the expectancy of producing confident, hard-working, intelligent, leaders that are driven to succeed.  This fundraiser will allow us to receive funding to continue to expand the program which includes starting a non-profit business.  We are now in the process of obtaining our business license.

We’re hoping you can attend this event and if not, please help us with a donated item for our Silent Auction (sport memorabilia, gift cards, fine art, electronics, etc.).  If you have an item(s) you’d like to donate, please contact Wanda Dunmore at wdunmore@gbfofantioch.org or by phone at (925) 206-0509 to make arrangements for pick-up. For a donation of $250.00 or more, will entitle you to receive 4 tickets to the Crab Feed and preferred seating.

We are under a 501(c) 3 organization and your donations are tax deductible. Our Federal Tax ID: 61-1440404.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Following its distribution of over 500 Christmas Gifts to local children and youth – The Church @ Antioch continues season of sharing with car giveaway.

With a commitment to impact the city, The Church at Antioch will celebrate their first anniversary with a vehicle giveaway Sunday, January 3, 2016.

One deserving mother will be selected from a pool of nominations that began pouring in over the fall. The drawing will take place following the 10 a.m. worship service, held at the Black Diamond Middle School Theater, 4730 Sterling Hill Drive in Antioch.

“I am thoroughly convinced that we are supposed to be in Antioch and by virtue of the fact that our Church name contains the name of the city, says Rev. Christopher Williams, Pastor and Founder. We can’t be satisfied with just being a church – we are here to be the Church, and the Church should make an impact on the City. We’re grateful to work alongside others throughout the city to make lasting impact on the lives of those that call Antioch home.”

The Anniversary Celebration will also include recording artist, Leon Timbo.

Since their January 2015 ministry launch, The Church at Antioch has made community service and engagement an integral part of its purpose. With an engaging combination of ministry and technology – the rapidly expanding congregation draws the diversity of its community.

For more information about The Church At Antioch, stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at http://twitter.com/ChurchAntiochCa and www.instagram.com/TheChurchAtAntioch.

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

From the Bible in the book of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-14, New International Version