1580 N Claremont Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711  ·   (909) 625-4455  ·         Give

Granite Creek Community Church
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Jesus is the Very Best Gift

Do you have a favorite or memorable Christmas gift that you received as a kid? I remember hours of fun with a toy called “Showboat Theater.” It had 4 scripts, backgrounds, and actor pieces so that you could put on the whole play of Heidi, Cinderella, Pinocchio, or the Wizard of Oz. It was a thoughtful gift, chosen for me, and I loved it.

The Process of Gift Giving


“If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?” – Matthew 7:11

There are many steps that go into the process of gift-giving. God was thoughtful and creative as He brought the best gift, Jesus, into our lives.


1) The Giver Thinks About The Recipient

God the Father created an amazing world and presented it to Adam and Eve, whom He loved. He was pleased to give gifts and meaningful work and purpose to them and pleased to be their God. God gave them free will, and they violated the only rule that the gift came with, and lost their close relationship with the giver, God the Father.

2) The Giver Picks Out the Best Gift

God was thinking about how to make a way, a bridge, for people to make a good choice and be connected back to the Creator who loved them.

3) The Giver Wraps the Gift

God gave hints and predicted that He would send a Savior. God the Father found a way to reconnect with us. He sent Jesus, an unlikely gift that arrived as a vulnerable baby.

God the Father was proud of His Son, and Jesus learned to listen and to speak everything that the Father told Jesus to say and do. Then Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice and submitted to the punishment for our sin, which was separating us from God the Father.

The punishment was death, being ultimately separated from a relationship with God, and going to Hell. Jesus took the punishment, but Hell had no right to keep him because Jesus was without sin.

4) The Gift is Offered to All

After three days in Hell, Jesus returned to earth to let us know that the bridge back to God was now available to all who believed in Jesus. And to let people know that God was going to send another gift, the Holy Spirit.

5) The Giver Rejoices When Someone Opens the Gift

Did you know that the angels rejoice when someone becomes a believer?

Jesus said, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” - Luke 15:10

God the Father is happy, Jesus is happy, and the Holy Spirit then joins us in our walk on this earth.

6) We Each Have To Open Our Own Gift

It’s a gift to each of us, but we can’t open it for someone else. It is a personal gift to us, that we must make a conscious decision to open it, and to say, “Lord, here I am.”

I heard about Jesus in church, Sunday school, and in high school Bible studies. But it wasn’t until I chose to open that gift in September of 1977, that I met Jesus and gave my heart to him. Opening the gift of a relationship to Jesus began a new life for me.

7) Don’t Forget To Say Thank You


Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! - 2 Corinthians 9:15


Have you opened your gift of relationship with Jesus yet?

If you have already received the gift of Jesus as Lord of your life, I encourage you to get to know Him better. Give thanks, pray, read, and discuss with others.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. - Philippians 4:6

If you have not begun your Jesus story yet, all you need to do is turn your heart to the Lord and say, “Here I am.” Then tell somebody.

By the way, I recently found the Showboat Theater toy used online, and asked for it for Christmas. I see a big eBay box under the tree… I can’t wait to open it!

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8,9


By Pastor Janie Sjogren


Pastor Janie Sjogren
Community Pastor
909 625-4455 

    Pastor Janie Sjogren

    Community Pastor
    909 625-4455 |

    For over 30 years, Pastor Janie Sjogren and her husband, Steve, have been involved with church planting, training and encouraging outward-focused churches, with a strong emphasis on small groups, relationship building, and showing God’s love in practical ways to all kinds of people.

    Janie has a passion for every person stepping into all that God has for them, and sees life-giving churches such as Granite Creek to be a vital part of that process.

    Janie is a graduate of Sonoma State University (California). Janie and Steve are co-authors of 101 Ways to Help People in Need (NavPress). Janie and Steve have three grown children.

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    Granite Creek Community Church | 1580 N Claremont Blvd Claremont, CA 91711 | (909) 625-4455

    SUNDAY - 9AM - ONLINE 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM


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    Service Times

    Sundays

    • 9 AM - Drive-In Church in cars
    • 11 AM Online Facebook Only
    • 6:30 PM - Church on the Green outdoors

    Location

    Granite Creek Community Church
    1580 N Claremont Blvd
    Claremont, CA 91711

    Contact Us
    (909) 625-4455

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    Welcome Children Youth College Family / Adult

    Granite Creek Community Church (GCCC) is a Spirit-filled church in the college town of Claremont, CA where it's all about relationship, not religion. Come celebrate with us Sunday mornings at 9:00 am & 11:00 am and at Sunday Night 6:30 - 7:30 pm.

    In addition to three Sunday Services, we offer classes, small groups, training, youth opportunities, college groups, and various seasonal events throughout the year.

    Get to Know Us

    At Granite Creek, kids are a priority. One of our values is to see kids grow up to become everything God created them to be as they develop a personal faith and relationship with Christ in a safe and loving environment. We partner with parents to provide experiences that will meet their child's mental, emotional and spiritual needs, so that their children will become fully devoted followers of Christ.

    More About Children's Programs

    GCY is a ministry designed for 7th through 12th graders, to help students engage in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, to experience God in a true and relevant way, while in a relational, safe, and relaxed environment. To show every student that God loves them and has an amazing plan for their lives. We know youth have real struggles, and it is our desire that each student know our team is genuinely there to listen, pray and care for them.

    Granite Creek Youth

    FIDELIS is the college and young adult group at Granite Creek Community Church! We're excited to encourage leadership for the next generation! Statistics show that we are losing a generation in the church (18-30 year olds) and at FIDELIS we aim to strengthen and support this generation as they define their faith walk and work through issues unique to them.

    We are people-driven church, not program driven. Ministries exist to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological needs of people. But, they also provide opportunities for members to grow in maturity in Christ through giving to others. GCCC ministries provide opportunities for you to serve others and actively pursue fulfilling God's purposes for your life.

    Thank you for joining us in what God is doing at Granite Creek Community Church!

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