We are also starting an evening study. It will commence this Tuesday May 1 and run from 7:00 – 9:00 pm here at the church in the youth room. The study is for women of all ages, and even if you have never attended before you are very welcome to join us.

This study-session will start earlier than the next semester of small groups, so if you plan to attend please respond either on a communication card or via email to Sharon Baerg (sharon [at] friendshipcommunity [dot] ca)

We are traveling back to experience the sights and sounds of Babylon. Check out our display table in the main foyer for more information!

We are also in need of items to be donated or loaned for our camp. Take a brick from our wall display if you are able to help! Please make sure to put your name and phone number on the item if you would like it returned!

There will be popcorn, a big screen and kids are welcome to come in snuggly jammies, slippers, or bring a blanket or pillow to enjoy the film. (Movie TBA)

However, what did trouble me was the amount of money that vacations tend to eat up and how much those funds could have benefited someone in need. In our desire to indulge ourselves and enjoy all of the comforts of life, it is easy to lose sight of the primary commandment both in the Old and New Testament to help the poor or suffering above and beyond the regular tithe (Deuteronomy 26:12). It is easy to find reasons why Jesus’ call to all of his followers to sell their possessions in order to give to charity does not apply to us personally (Luke 12:33-34). But those excuses should ring hollow when we know what Jesus taught about being part of God’s kingdom in the here and now. When a religious leader wanted to justify his inaction when it came to demonstrating love in practical ways, Jesus responded by telling the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

Which brings me to the conclusion that I need to increasingly find ways to give while at the same time taking much needed breaks. For me that means two things. I try to find ways to keep my vacation costs low while at the same time giving more to charity. I’ve made the decision that as much money as I’m spending on vacations I will give to our orphanage in Nigeria. Trying to find the right balance in all of this is not easy for any of us. My hope and prayer is that you and I will find that balance in a way that demonstrates our faith and honours God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7

Today the lead singer of the Monkees, Davy Jones, died at age 66. Only two seasons (58 episodes) of the TV show was filmed (1966-1968), and I clearly remember watching the reruns in 1972 and 1973, along with “All in the Family,” “Show Boat,” and “M*A*S*H.” Looking back, these two years seemed like a simpler or more innocent time in my life, but the reality is that the world was as messed up as it is today.

It was the time of the Watergate scandal, the disastrous end to the Vietnam War, the Hutu genocide in Rwanda, the Yom Kippur war in Israel, the deadly bombings in Europe by the Red Army faction, a flurry of plane hijackings, the killing of Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics, the mass murder of 23 boys by 3 men in Houston, the development of nuclear weapons by Pakistan and India, ongoing violence in Northern Ireland including the Bloody Friday incident, the ongoing threat of nuclear war, and the rule of despots like Idi Amin and Augusto Pinochet.

You would think that when it came to church, that things were better 40 years ago. At least church attendance was up and many people went to church twice on Sundays. The charismatic movement, which gathered steam in the late 1960’s, was in full swing – with an emphasis away from traditional hymns and on experiencing the gifts of the Spirit.

However, charismatic churches had to deal with the danger of emotionalism – a continual chasing after a spiritual high that could end up in some emotionally unstable individuals being given a platform during church services. There was animosity and acrimony based on denominational distinctives, and, in many churches a form of legalism was in place, based on certain outward behavioural models so rigid that it now reminds me of a Pharisaic model that did little to make believers more charitable or loving. In some mainline denominations the slide toward the rejection of orthodox Christian beliefs and biblical morals was endemic in the church leadership. This was also still part of the era when a veil of silence about the sexual abuse of children by some members of the clergy was in place and abusers were quietly shuffled from church to church only to reoffend.

While mourning the loss of Davy Jones and a time when life seemed simpler, on closer reflection I have to admit that nostalgia can cloud my vision. The “good old days” weren’t really any better than today – in some ways, much worse. While I don’t want to ignore the problems in the world today, it is a good reminder to look for what is good and right today and to rejoice and thank God for these things on an ongoing basis throughout my day. So my challenge is to live in the moment and to go through my day grateful for every blessing that I have. May this be your challenge also.

If someone who is new to a church is to fit in and connect, he or she will need an opportunity to plug into a small group within a relatively short time of attending the Sunday morning service. If that does not take place, newcomers will never feel that they are a part of the church. The difficulty is for them to “break into” existing groups. Some groups are full. Others are simply “closed to newcomers”.  They do not want others to attend with the rare exception of personally inviting a handpicked individual. And it is intimidating to come to a home filled with strangers who already know each other very well.

Another difficulty is that some groups never take a break. They are in danger of burning out leaders, taking advantage of host homes, and make it hard for those who attend to switch groups in order to extend their circle of friends. These are just some of the reasons why we are hoping to move into a “semester based” small group program with set times when everyone signs up for the groups, making them much more accessible to newcomers, giving leaders a break and allowing people to switch small groups if they so wish.

The next sign-up Sundays will be coming up in May for the summer semester and we hope that if you’re part of an existing small group you will “buy into” this system, if nothing else than to make your group available to newcomers who will otherwise not be able to experience what we call “Christian fellowship”.  This is perhaps the most important ministry of the church – even more important than the Sunday morning service. Prayerfully consider your part in it!

In the past I’ve often given up drinking coffee for those days but, after the three days of withdrawal headache, it really wasn’t enough to make a spiritual difference. Yesterday I heard about a different kind of fast for Lent that my wife and I are planning to take together: a “fast” from criticism combined with a “feast” on joy and trying to see the positive in others and the world around us. Perhaps no one will notice, except maybe our children, but I believe it will make a profound difference in our hearts as we look toward the Easter season.

Perhaps you can join us, or think of some other meaningful “fast” during Lent.

May God guide you into his will.

Pastor Spencer.

More information coming your way soon.  If you would like to register or volunteer – visit this site.

Every summer at Vacation Bible Camp we participate in a service project to help others in our community. This year we are collecting supplies for the Queen Alexandra Centre’s craft room. Check out this list of items that you can donate during camp! Donation Suggestions for Queen Alexandra Centre

The Children’s Ministry Director will be responsible for the administration of all of the church’s children programs for children aged 3 through to Grade 5, including organizing the volunteers necessary to help to manage and teach these programs.