The End

It was Spring 2011.  I was browsing through reading plans on my phone's Bible app when I noticed something called 'Essential 100.'  This is right from the plan's description:  "The Essential 100 Challenge (E100) helps you get an overview of the Bible...without getting bogged down.  The Plan guides you through 50 Old Testament passages and 50 New Testament passages - The Essential 100 - so you can see the big picture of God's Word, and form a daily Bible reading habit in the process."

So even though E100 was created as a personal reading plan, I wondered what might happen if we used it to form our weekend teaching schedule.  What if we taught all 100 passages over 25 months?  I floated the idea to staff leaders and Elders and after much prayer and consideration, the idea seemed good to the Spirit and to us, so we took the plunge. 

What a ride it's been!  Studying the full width and breadth of Bible has had a profound impact on me and many others, and it's shaped the culture of our church.  I can't believe it's over.  The journey we began on September 10/11, 2011 ends this weekend with a message from the last chapter of the Bible - Revelation 22.

I hope you'll be with us on Saturday or Sunday as we wrap it up.  It doesn't matter how much of the series you've participated in.  Unlike a popular television show that broadcast its series finale last Sunday, what you'll experience this weekend doesn't depend on being current.  It's quite okay to jump in for the finale, because as we come to the end of God's story I'm confident it will all make sense and you'll be able find your place in it.

I don't think I've ever looked forward to a weekend of teaching this much.  If you're willing, would you pray for me as I prepare?  And pray that God would be glorified as we bring this series to a close and get ready for Thanksgiving and 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Greg

Keeper of My Dreams

This past month has brought a whirlwind of changes for me. For one, I will be studying at the Peace River Bible Institute in Sexsmith for this next year, and I was nervous about the move. I have gone to SPAC my whole life and have been involved in various ministries and grown close to many people. My biggest fear about this move was losing the family and “at home” feeling I have at SPAC. But God shows up in ways I had never dreamed!

Here’s a quick run down of my first two weeks: I auditioned (and was accepted) for the school choir, drama tour team, school chapel worship team, and the Grande Prairie Alliance (GPAC) worship team. Not only that, but I have been asked to sing in Spanish for both the Missions weekend here at school and at GPAC. Also, our global partners and my good friends Ruth and Stan Nilsson “just happen” to live here in Sexsmith! And God has graciously brought an amazing new friend into my life. We fit together so well that it can only be explained by God’s handiwork.

Can you see the pattern here? God has gone before me and is with me every step of the way; I am greatly encouraged. What I’ve found out is when God leads me somewhere, He will not dump me off and leave me stranded and alone. He will provide opportunities to use the gifts He’s given to me. He will bring people into my life to encourage, and to also be encouraged. And all the while, He is right there with me.

You are never alone. So rest and be at peace knowing that God’s got it!
Be at peace, come rest in Me, I am all you need, Keeper of your dreams.

Love,
Your sister in Christ, Amber Giesbrecht

Overwhelmed with Awe

Sometimes I become complacent.  I go about my daily life: taking kids to school, driving to sports, doing the grocery shopping, housekeeping...I could go on. I move about my life here jumping from one task to the next. But when I stop doing all the "things" I feel I need to do, and I sit in the presence of God for just a few minutes, I am always left with an intense feeling of awe. 

Have you ever stood in awe of a summer storm as it rolls its way across the prairies? Or seen the strength of ocean waves as they crash against rocks? Have you ever thought, “Where does all that power or energy come from?”

You don't have to read far into Scripture to sense God's power, love and ultimately His sacrifice for us.  I want to constantly be in awe that the God of all heavens and earth sacrificed His only Son so that I could be reconciled to Him.  That's powerful!

Mark 9:15 says, "When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him."

Learning more about Revelation over the past two weekends has revived in me the realization that one day, I too will stand before Jesus and just like the crowd that Mark wrote about, I will be overwhelmed with awe just by the sight of Him…that is exciting!

God, help me to not be complacent but to be constantly in awe of Your power, love and sacrifice everyday.

In Christ,
Fiona Hilkewich

Sympathy or Empathy?

This week a verse in Hebrews has been on my mind.  It reads:

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:1, 3)

There’s a big difference between having sympathy for someone versus having empathy. The difference is made clear in this verse when it says to remember the imprisoned and mistreated, as if you yourself were imprisoned and mistreated. Feeling the pain of others rather than feeling sorry for them is the dividing line between empathy and sympathy.

When I read this passage, it prompted me to spend time praying for and feeling the pain of my imprisoned, mistreated, and persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. As I pondered current events and news headlines, it was not difficult to find situations or people groups to pray for, but it was difficult to enter into their fear and pain in a manner that moved me beyond sympathy. For most of us, thinking of our persecuted brothers and sisters serves mostly as a reminder of how good we have it. This is not entirely wrong, but it’s not the kind of love that is encouraged in Hebrews.

Take time in your day to be grateful for how fortunate we are to live in North America, for sure! Ask God for the grace to continue to remember and love our imprisoned and mistreated brothers and sisters.

- Pastor Kevin

Pacelines and the Church

Being married to a cycling enthusiast, the conversation this week has turned quite often to the Tour of Alberta.  Although I'm no expert, I'm learning that the rider at the front of the team's paceline has the job of "pulling." It takes about 20% less energy to be carried in the paceline than to battle and buffet the winds on your own.  Each person takes a turn at the front of the paceline in an effort to "pull" their team members to victory.  This takes incredible unity and discipline.  Watching this process unfold is truly remarkable.

It brings to my mind God's dream for how the Body of Christ, the Church, should flow together towards our goal. "He handed out gifts....to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son." (Ephesians 4:14-15 MSG)

On another note, as unbelievable as it is this weekend we dive into our last series of E100.  We start five weeks in one of the most challenging, confusing and amazing books of the Bible - Revelation. I hope you can be at all five, but if you can't, you can always listen to previous sermons on our website.

Blessings,
Rita