Good morning church family…

I’m in my office, having just left a pretty phenomenal meeting. Each year at this time, we have a breakfast for the church and SCA staff. Near the end of our time, we spent a few minutes reflecting on Luke 5:1-11.
 
If you’re finished reading Ruth in preparation for the weekend message (see how I did that?!), spend a few minutes reading about Jesus’ call to some of his first disciples. Whenever I read this text, I’m convicted by Simon’s response when Jesus tells him to fish again after a fruitless night. Here’s this carpenter/teacher/rabbi who says to drop the nets again; most experienced fisherman would tell Jesus to pound sand. Simon doesn’t: “…because you say so, I will let down the nets.” That’s submission. That’s unquestioning obedience.

There’s plenty to think about in this, but if you take the text to the end, there’s another great challenge. Jesus tells Simon, James, and John, “From now on you will fish for people.” Our ministry team was reminded this morning that we’re in the people business. In the middle of a season of start-up, our challenge is to remember that we’re not activity coordinators; we are environmentalists. We create environments where you are known, loved, cared for, taught and served.

So where’s your head space on this Friday before Labour Day? Is your mind on a list? Is it on the Eskimos/Stamp’s game on Monday? Or is it on the people God has called you to know, love, care for and serve? Ask God to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart for the people around you.

Have a great day,

Greg

Hey Church,

Wow! The car show and outdoor services last weekend were fantastic! I’m told there were over 300 vehicles (cars and motorcycles) registered for the show. The quality of entries, creativeness, and artistic skill that we witnessed was truly unbelievable. But as much as I enjoy looking at this kind of talent and beauty, I had an experience on Saturday that trumped it all for me.

I found myself in the South Atrium and for a few minutes, I surveyed the parking lot. It was filled with people from our community: families, neighbours, and people who might never otherwise be compelled to step onto our grounds. As I took in this scene, I had an overwhelming sense of pride in our church. I’m so proud that we could open our facility and arms to our community.

Sure, we attracted some beautiful cars (and bikes), and our men’s and compassion teams executed an amazing event and raised funds for worthy charities. But more important even than this, we wove a thread of community and hospitality into the lives of everyone that showed up on the weekend.

When you get a minute, check out this encouraging letter someone from our community submitted to the Sherwood Park News. As a pastor and a brother, let me express to you my admiration of our church and for all of you who served long hours from Friday afternoon right through Sunday afternoon. Well done, family!

See you soon,
Pastor Kevin-

Hey Church Family,

I grew up in a tradition in which spontaneous, eloquent, and passion-filled prayers were an indicator that you were really doing well as a Christian. I would hear people comment about someone’s public prayer with accolades and praise for the beauty and obvious sincerity of their petition to God. Other traditions that used written prayers were, at times, seen as lacking some sort of spiritual sensitivity that required them to prepare a speech instead of just sharing their hearts with God.

Over the last few years, I have been discovering the richness and depth of also praying prayers that others have penned in different times, places, and situations. These can include the prayers found in scripture as well as many other sources. There are so many times that I don’t have the words to express my heart to God. Some of these prayers that I read give voice to the expression of my soul.

I have a prayer to share with you. It was written by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 1500’s. Maybe you can pray this with me:

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.

Amen.

Peace,

Wade