Monday, December 20, 2010
14 Christmas Hampers
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Joy
December 12-18, 2010
Advent: Week 3
KNOW | Study
Read Luke 2:8-11; John 15 & 16; Hebrews 12:1-2. Take time to read these portions of Scripture. Observe each time you see the word joy/rejoice and reflect on the cause and effect of joy in the life of a Christ follower.
GROW | Discussion Option #1
What makes good news, good? What is it about a news story that makes it good or bad? What good news have you had in your life? What emotions did it evoke? Did your good news ever overshadow the bad things in your life?
GROW | Discussion Option #2
How can a Christian rejoice in all sufferings endured for the sake of the cross even when it seems unnatural (in a worldly sense) to do so? Read Romans 5:2-5 and Hebrews 12:2 to get greater perspective on this question.
SOW | Application
Rediscover the Good News of Jesus. Take time this week to come before Jesus and invite Him into your life. Repent of the damage you have done in your life and caused in others. Ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive you. Ask Him to baptize you in His Spirit. Begin to sing personal songs of praise to Him rejoicing not only in the good work He has done in your life (i.e. forgiveness), but also in expectation of His return and our eternity with Him. Ask Him to lead you and follow where He guides.
Advent: Week 3
KNOW | Study
Read Luke 2:8-11; John 15 & 16; Hebrews 12:1-2. Take time to read these portions of Scripture. Observe each time you see the word joy/rejoice and reflect on the cause and effect of joy in the life of a Christ follower.
GROW | Discussion Option #1
What makes good news, good? What is it about a news story that makes it good or bad? What good news have you had in your life? What emotions did it evoke? Did your good news ever overshadow the bad things in your life?
GROW | Discussion Option #2
How can a Christian rejoice in all sufferings endured for the sake of the cross even when it seems unnatural (in a worldly sense) to do so? Read Romans 5:2-5 and Hebrews 12:2 to get greater perspective on this question.
SOW | Application
Rediscover the Good News of Jesus. Take time this week to come before Jesus and invite Him into your life. Repent of the damage you have done in your life and caused in others. Ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive you. Ask Him to baptize you in His Spirit. Begin to sing personal songs of praise to Him rejoicing not only in the good work He has done in your life (i.e. forgiveness), but also in expectation of His return and our eternity with Him. Ask Him to lead you and follow where He guides.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Couple Win $11.2M Lottery, Then Give It All Away
I thought this was a pretty cool story...
By Mara Gay (http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/couple-win-11-2m-lottery-then-give-it-all-away/19702898?test=latestnews)
So when the Canadian couple hit it big in the lottery this year, they decided to give it away -- all of it. Since their July win, the elderly couple has donated nearly every cent of their $11.2 million winnings to charity. Call it the Larges' largess.
"What you've never had, you never miss," Violet Large, 78, told The Chronicle Herald in Canada. She and her 74-year-old husband, who live in Nova Scotia, said they first made sure their family was taken care of. But then, she said, they decided the money was "a big headache."
So in a matter of just four months, they gave away the rest of their millions to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and local churches, according to The Chronicle Herald. They also donated money to the hospitals where Violet Large was fighting cancer this year. [READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE]...
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Christmas 2010
Advent: Week 3 (Joy)
Join us at 10:00am for our Sunday gathering! Our kid's will be signing a number of Christmas songs. Pastor Clint will be reflecting on the unique nature of Christian Joy.
Saturday, December 18
Benefit Concert
Join us at 7:00pm for an evening of music (Willy & the Wannabees, Karin Olsen, Tony O'Hara, and Isaac & Catherine Dagneau will be performing). Please bring non-perishable items. All proceeds will go towards our Christmas Hampers and Mission Christmas Bureau (City Hamper program).
Sunday, December 19
Advent: Week 4 (Peace)
Join us at 10:00am for music and a message by Catherine Dagneau on peace!
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve Service
Join us at 6:30pm-7:15pm for a time of Christmas carols, Scripture reading, and reflection on the birth of Jesus.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Love
December 5-11, 2010
Advent: Week 2
KNOW | Personal Study
Read 1 John. Take time to read this awesome letter. 1 John reveals much of the truth of who God is and what God means to those that know Him. Read through it a few times this week and make notes as you go. Don't be afraid to stop on a phrase and ponder its meaning and application!
GROW | Discussion Option #1
Compare and contrast the differences between the world's definition of love and Christian love. When someone says, "I love McDonald's cheeseburgers" and then in the next sentence says, "I love you so much", how does that change your understanding of love?
GROW | Discussion Option #2
What is the Church known for in the world's eye? Does this view match what the God's purpose is for the Church? What does your spouse know you for? What do your kid's know you for? What does your neighbour know you for? What do your co-workers and boss know you for?
SOW | Application
Love someone this week in the same way you have experienced Christ's love. I suggest you start in your home. Take what and who you have in Christ and pour that same kind of love out on them. Exert patience, kindness, forgiveness (the mercy and grace kind), self-sacrifice, and generosity. If a week is too much of an onerous task, try it for just one day. Pick a day and love that person as much as Christ has loved you. See how it goes!
Advent: Week 2
KNOW | Personal Study
Read 1 John. Take time to read this awesome letter. 1 John reveals much of the truth of who God is and what God means to those that know Him. Read through it a few times this week and make notes as you go. Don't be afraid to stop on a phrase and ponder its meaning and application!
GROW | Discussion Option #1
Compare and contrast the differences between the world's definition of love and Christian love. When someone says, "I love McDonald's cheeseburgers" and then in the next sentence says, "I love you so much", how does that change your understanding of love?
GROW | Discussion Option #2
What is the Church known for in the world's eye? Does this view match what the God's purpose is for the Church? What does your spouse know you for? What do your kid's know you for? What does your neighbour know you for? What do your co-workers and boss know you for?
SOW | Application
Love someone this week in the same way you have experienced Christ's love. I suggest you start in your home. Take what and who you have in Christ and pour that same kind of love out on them. Exert patience, kindness, forgiveness (the mercy and grace kind), self-sacrifice, and generosity. If a week is too much of an onerous task, try it for just one day. Pick a day and love that person as much as Christ has loved you. See how it goes!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Hope
Advent: Week 1
November 28 - December 4, 2010
Personal Study
Read Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 6:13-19; Ephesians 2:12; Luke 2:8-11; 1 Tim. 6:17. Take time to read and reflect on these passages. Meditate on these words (focus, repeat, ponder, reflect, and apply).
Discussion - Option #1
If there was no God how would that change the way you see your life? If God wasn't good and loving, how would that change the way you see your life? What big questions of life does God answer?
Discussion - Option #2
How is Christian hope different from the world's definition of hope? What is it about Jesus' birth that defines those differences? What about His death and resurrection? What about His return?
Application
As we use the Advent calendar to help us to see and follow Jesus, where is He leading you this season? Take time to reflect on your calendar over the next four weeks and determine what things are for Jesus and what aren't. Do the things that fall on the Jesus side (and do them well) and leave behind those things that He isn't calling you to be/do.
November 28 - December 4, 2010
Personal Study
Read Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 6:13-19; Ephesians 2:12; Luke 2:8-11; 1 Tim. 6:17. Take time to read and reflect on these passages. Meditate on these words (focus, repeat, ponder, reflect, and apply).
Discussion - Option #1
If there was no God how would that change the way you see your life? If God wasn't good and loving, how would that change the way you see your life? What big questions of life does God answer?
Discussion - Option #2
How is Christian hope different from the world's definition of hope? What is it about Jesus' birth that defines those differences? What about His death and resurrection? What about His return?
Application
As we use the Advent calendar to help us to see and follow Jesus, where is He leading you this season? Take time to reflect on your calendar over the next four weeks and determine what things are for Jesus and what aren't. Do the things that fall on the Jesus side (and do them well) and leave behind those things that He isn't calling you to be/do.
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