GLB Monthly - February 2026

Hello GLB Church Family!

We made it through January- the longest month of the year! God is teaching us some great things and the Spirit is moving amongst us as we have entered 2026 with much faith and growing love for one another. On our Sunday gatherings in January, we learned about God’s “why”- to bless the nations AND God’s ‘how’- through the power of the Spirit, so that we could do ‘what’- practice the way of Jesus. We are on a journey together to learn what it is to be a ‘kingdom people’ who live out and embody God’s kingdom ‘on earth as it is in heaven’. We’ve been able to witness a few baptisms already and had a great time of prayer at our first GLB Church Prayer Night of 2026 in January. We also had our first ‘Open Hands’ themed Sunday with sharing from different life stage ministries in the church, sharing vision and hopes for this year. Our volunteer group leaders, deacons, Elders, and ministry coordinators all went on a great weekend retreat to be refreshed and equipped in continuing to serve the church in many ways. God is good.

As we come into February, a couple of things come to mind. Valentine’s Day is coming up- husbands and boyfriends be ready! The reality, though, is that this month where romantic connection is acknowledged and celebrated is also a time when people feel an aching sense of loneliness as well. Let’s make sure to be a church attentive to the needs of others and managing a healthy tension- celebrating love in marriages and dating relationships AND being formed into a community of love where everyone feels welcome at the table of hospitality and fellowship, those who feel a strong sense of loneliness are blessed by the church community, and also acknowledging that an intimate relationship with God is the ultimate goal, not just romantic love and connection.

In February, we also make space as a church to acknowledge and honor Black History Month. The Scriptures tell us that we are ‘one in Christ’ and that through Christ ‘the dividing wall of hostility has come down’ and also tell us that we are ‘one body with many parts’ that have ‘equal concern for each other.’ In other words, through Scripture we find another healthy tension- identity in Christ AND diversity in the body of Christ. It is good and healthy to acknowledge how our many different cultures influence our worldview and how we navigate the world. These cultures should not be our primary influences in comparison to Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom, but we cannot ignore the power that culture has in our own stories. As a church, part of our journey is learning about each others’ cultures and celebrating the cultural diversity of the GLB Church and becoming more ‘culturally competent’. On February 22nd, we will be having a special acknowledgment and celebration of Black History Month- some specific musical selections, poetry being read, stories being told, and guest speaker Marcel Hall from the Orange County Church. This is a small and intentional way for us to continue growing in our cultural competency and seeing God in the middle of others’ stories, celebrating diversity AND also oneness and unity in Jesus’ beloved community- the church.

Let’s continue praying for one another, loving one another, making daily decisions to live lives that are a blessing to the world as we are empowered by God’s Spirit to practice the way of Jesus, living out God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Have a great February!

Ruben and Marina.