Actions AND Words

As we begin the new year, it is a good idea to remember who we are, where we stand, and what we believe.  We can do lots of good things - great things, even, but unless we remember that we serve a living God, our actions will be confusing at best, misleading at worst.  I Timothy 3:16 is a statement of what we believe - a creed. We'll profess this creed on January 1, and take it with us into 2017.  Worship with us, New Year's Day at 10 a.m.

The best of times, the worst of times

What was 2016 like for you, was it the best of times or the worst of times?  As we look back on the past year, we also look forward.  Endings and beginnings. At the end of the bible we find an epilogue (Revelation 22: 12-21).  That epilogue shows us what happens in the story after the final chapter of the bible has been written.  Those who have been washed by Jesus "live happily ever after." Come out for our church service at 7pm on Dec 31 as part of your New Year's Eve activities.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  What if Jesus had never been born?  How different would things look?  In the Christmas special, It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey wishes that he had never existed.  Sometimes we need to see the bigger picture to understand that all of us need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior.  Join us for a beautiful morning, 10 am, Christmas Day.

Away for a baptism

I will be in Cambridge on Sunday, baptizing our newest grandchild, Madeleine.  Pastor Adam leads the services at Ancaster CRC - Prep and Landing is the Christmas Special for tomorrow. Have a blessed Sunday, wherever  you worship!

Giving Everything

There's a story in bible about a woman who made a gift of two very small coins.  Watching her, Jesus says that she gave "everything." (Mark 12:44).  Her sacrificial gift points us to the gift Jesus would give to us - in coming to earth he gave everything for us.  Our gratitude arises from this discovery.  The Little Drummer Boy's gift reminds us that we worship a King who deserves, well, everything. Sunday, Dec 11, 8:30 a.m. at WilsonHub and 10 a.m. at the church.

How the Grinch tried to steal Christmas

He couldn't do it, of course.  The Grinch could never steal Christmas. That's because nothing and no one could thwart God's plan to save his people.  The Grinch's heart eventually grew 3 sizes.  But it's the heart of God that goes out to us (Luke 7: 11-17), and that changes everything. Sunday, Dec 4, 8:30 a.m. (at WilsonHub) and 10:00 a.m. at the church.

24/7

They'll serve anyone, at any time, day or night.  Jesus wants us to be a bit more like Tim Hortons.  His command to us to love our enemies requires total commitment- total commitment to Jesus because there is no way we can pull this one off without God's help. Sunday, Nov 6, 8:30 at WilsonHub, 10 a.m. at the church on Garner Road.

Slapped

Ashley Wilkes. Prissy. Sue Ellen. Rhett Butler.  Scarlet slaps a lot of people in the movie, Gone with the Wind.  None of them hit her back. To hit back is our most immediate reaction when someone has hurt us.  But Jesus has another strategy in mind.  Join us on Sunday, Oct 30 as we continue our sermon series from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  8:30 at Wilson Hub, 10:00 at the church.

Aria Klazina Steenbeek

On Sunday, October 23, 2016, we celebrated the baptism of Aria Klazina Steenbeek, baby daughter of Jenn.  The sacrament reminds us again, that it's all grace!  Congratulations, Jenn!

Is there a difference?

Remember those ABC detergent commercials?  "Is there a difference?  I can't see a difference."  (Ya, I'm dating myself here.) We can ask the same question about us Christians.  Do we look any different from people who do not follow Jesus?  When Jesus forbids oath taking in his sermon on the mount, he is giving us permission to be different.  Matthew 5:33-37, Sunday, October 23.  We gather at 8:30 for our First Light service at Wilson Hub, and then at 10:00 a.m.  During the 10 a.m. service, we will witness that sacrament of baptism.

Stay-cation

Adam Veenstra leads worship this Sunday, Oct 16.  His message, "Stay-cation," is from Mark 1:32-45.

Blessed to be a blessing

It's Thanksgiving weekend.  Many of us have so many blessings, we almost feel guilty.  Sometimes we do feel guilty.  But our abundant blessings aren't simply handed out to us for our pleasure and enjoyment.  God blesses us so that....______. You fill in the blank.  That's what we discover in the passage of Scripture that we'll be reading this Monday at our Thanksgiving Day service. "God is able to bless you abundantly, SO THAT (emphasis added!) in all things at all times, ... you will abound in every good work" (II Corinthians 9:8).  So this weekend, add a "so that" to the list of things for which you are giving thanks.  We gather for worship on Monday, at 10 a.m.

This Might Hurt

Jesus tells us that we might have to take drastic measures to save our lives - things like gouging out an eye, or cutting off a hand.  He couldn't have been serious, could he?  Aron Ralson knows what it means to cut off your arm to save our life.  Jesus' commands about adultery and lust and divorce are to be taken seriously.  It might hurt, but it really is for our own good - including our eternal good.  Join us this Sunday, 8:30 am at Wilson Hub, or 10 am at the church on Garner Road.

Baby Leah

Last Sunday, October 2, we celebrated the baptism of Leah Kimberley Zorn, new daughter of Ryan and Lauryn. This little one is part of God's covenant family.  She even looks like her fathers - her earthly father, but also her heavenly Father, being made in his image.  Congratulations Lauryn & Ryan!

More Acts [of] 40

With this being the year in which Ancaster Christian Reformed Church celebrates our 40th anniversary, we have been taking on various projects - Acts of 40, on our way to 40 Acts.  We have collected 40 bags of rice, we have gone on a prayer walk, we have picked 40 baskets of beans from our community garden.  Most recently, we collected back packs, water bottles and school supplies to give to kids as they start the school year.  Watch for more Acts 40 adventures, and join in!

This Sunday Adam Veentra leads both the 8:30 a.m. First Light Service and the 10 a.m. service. I'll be in the pew!

Where to start?

When Jesus walked on earth, he gained a reputation for being somewhat unconventional.  Lots of talk of love and mercy and peacemaking.  Some thought that he had done away with the Bible altogether.  But teaching his disciples, that day on the mountainside, Jesus made one thing very clear - you HAVE to start with the Bible (for Jesus, the Bible was the Old Testament).  Only then can you go on to tackle the big issues of life.  Join us this Sunday, September 18, at either 8:30 a.m. (First Light services resume this week) or at 10:00 a.m.

A little salt

A little salt goes a  long way.  Jesus says, "You are salt."  When we are sprinkled throughout society- in our schools, offices, restaurants, factories, job sites- we will have a positive impact on the people we meet.  That's because through Jesus, we can change the world.

But we've got to get "out there" to do that.  This Sunday we do exactly that - our worship service will be held outdoors as a reminder that we need to move beyond the walls of our church.  So, bring a lawn chair, bring along some friends, and join us.  A bbq lunch follows the service and there will even be a bouncy castle (for the kids!).  Sunday, September 11, 2016.

Elaine's reaffirmation of faith

Here's that picture of Elaine Bentnall.  Elaine made public reaffirmation of her faith on Sunday, August 14.  We celebrate with her how God has never left her, through both good times and difficult times.  Welcome, Elaine, to the family that is Ancaster Christian Reformed Church!

Ready, set, go!

It's September, and things are picking up around Ancaster Christian Reformed Church.  Adam Veenstra is preaching this Sunday, Sept 4, and I'm back "in the pulpit" on Sept 11.  Except, there won't be a pulpit.  We'll be worshiping outside, on the lawn of ACRC.  So bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and then stay for lunch after the service.

Teen Challenge

This Sunday the Teen Challenge Women will be leading us in worship, sharing their stories of God's faithfulness even in the darkest times.  Join us, at 10 a.m., August 28.

I will be preaching in Cambridge this Sunday morning, but look forward to catching the service later, on line on our church's website:
http://www.ancastercrc.org/

I believe...

Last Sunday three people stated that they believe that Jesus is their Lord and their Saviour and that they want to live for him.  Danial Glasbergen made public profession of his faith and Edie Stowe and Cindy Stowe reaffirmed their faith. The Sunday before, Elaine Brentall reaffirmed her faith.  We praise God for working in the lives of each of these, his children.

Less of me

This Sunday, August 21, three people will stand up before the congregation and say that they want to follow Jesus.  Matthew 5:11 says, "Blessed are you when people insult you... because of me." That's what we can look forward to when we follow Jesus! But there's more of course.  Join us as we listen to Jesus' teachings, some of which are rather hard to hear.  10:00 a.m.

More than memory work

We can memorize Jesus' beatitudes, like I did in elementary school, or we can live them, as Jesus intended. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matt 5:7). The test of one's relation with God is one's relation with other people (to quote Bruner). That's a pretty important test; we make the grade only by the grace of God.  Join us, Sunday, Aug 14, at 10:00 a.m.

A face in the crowd

Where's Waldo?  I was never very good at these things, and no, I haven't found him in this pic. Many of us aren't very good at seeing the faces in the crowd. Jesus saw the crowds, and when he saw them, he sat down to teach his disciples. That's what we read at the beginning of the sermon on the mount. Jesus saw the crowds, and he saw the people in the crowd.
This Sunday, August 7, 10 a.m., we begin a series from Matthew where we meet the Teaching Jesus.

Summer conferences

I'm not preaching this Sunday-- Pastor Adam is. I attending a conference this week and could take it in without having to think about preparing for Sunday.  What a gift!  The conference was a thoughtful and pastoral study of our times. The heaviness of recent events weighs on us and is felt even more deeply by our brothers and sisters in the US.  May God give wisdom, peace, discernment, healing--- may he teach us how to love our neighbour today.

Breakfast on the Beach

This Sunday, July 17, our worship service celebrates last week's Vacation Bible School. The message, Breakfast on the Beach, is from John 21 and is the story we heard on the final day of VBS.  Hope you can join us!  10 a.m.

SERVE & VBS week

This Sunday, July 10, Ancaster CRC and Meadowlands CRC worship together at Meadowlands Church on Stonehenge Drive in Ancaster.  Our churches together sponsor a SERVE team that will be working in downtown Hamilton.  This service commissions them.  It will be a great week coming up - both SERVE and Vacation Bible School are happening.

Cooper Dale Numan

Last Sunday, July 3, 2016, we celebrated the baptism of Cooper Dale Numan, son of James and Jessica Desjardins Numan.  It was a wonderful service, recognizing that this baby is a child of God and is also part of a huge covenant family.  Congratulations, James & Jessica!

Acts 40 Verse 1

Acts (of) 40, verse 1:  40 bags of rice collected and donated to Neighbour to Neighbour!

Come and see!

This weekend we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ancaster Christian Reformed Church.  Our worship on Sunday will include a paraphrase of Psalm 66-- "Come and see" what the Lord has done.  All welcome to both the worship service and the lunch that will follow.  Bring a lawn chair!  June 26, 2016, 10 a.m.

Congrats to Derek & Jillian Ellens

Congratulations to Jillian Prinsen and Derek Ellens who were married on Saturday, June 18, 2016.  May God bless you both with a marriage that is as beautiful as you wedding day was!

Kingdoms and Castles

"Kingdoms and Castles" - that's the title of this Sunday's message. Adam Veenstra, our Director of Faith Formation, leads us in worship.  June 19, 10 a.m.

Irresistible!

We’re moving from the bad stuff to the really good stuff in our series following the Canons of Dort.  From a place where we found ourselves dead in our sins, we now find God romancing us with his irresistible grace.  When God sets his heart on us, we find ourselves unable to resist his love.  Three people will be announcing that they have been unable to resist that love:  Lauren Dam and Kayla Kerssies will be professing their faith and Shonna Gauthier will be reaffirming her faith.  Sunday, June 12, 10 a.m.

Heaven and Hell

We love the idea of heaven; not so sure about hell. None of us can fully understand God’s divine will.  But there are some things we know for sure.  For example, we know that while God is just he is also loving and patient.  Our hope is in God, and that’s a better bet than crossing our fingers that maybe God might choose us as his own.  This is our third message from the Canons of Dort, focusing on the teaching “Limited Atonement.”  Sunday, June 5, 10 a.m.

Viewer Discretion Advised

It isn’t something that a bunch of stiff theologians dreamed up-- the doctrine of election comes straight from the bible.  “God chose us in him before the creation of the world. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ.”  Some view this teaching as cold, and hard.  But it arises out of God’s love, his warm and deep love.  Warning:  this doctrine is to be “handled with care.”  We are doing a sermon series that follows the Canons of Dort.  Join us this Sunday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m.

Breaking Bad

Breaking bad - it's a euphemism for causing trouble, or for the more common term, "raising hell."  It's easy to condemn the "breaking bad" crowd.  But the Bible says that that crowd includes all of us. None of us can claim to be without sin. We discover that harsh reality when we read the bible (Romans 3:10).  We also discover that reality when we look honestly into our own hearts.  We all need Jesus. Join us this Sunday, May 22 at 10:00 as we consider the bad news... and the good news.

Retreat-ing

I left for vacation when my dad was already in the hospital, knowing that his time on this earth was coming to an end.  We said our good-byes.  Dad died two weeks later and as my final gift to him, I conducted his funeral.  From there I attended the annual meetings of World Renew, recognized a birthday, and then was blessed with a few days at Muskoka Bible Centre at our Pastors' and Spouses Retreat.

I am looking forward to going back to work.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, a day on which we are reminded that we minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.  In that power, we can expect to do great things for God, no matter how tired or strained we are.

Join us this Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. as we gather to worship.

Choose Truth!

This Sunday, April 10, is GEMS Sunday.  Our girls' club will be participating in the service and our message will focus on their theme verse: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105). With that verse as our guide, we, and the GEMS, seek to "choose truth" every day.  The GEMS participate at 10 a.m.; the same message is preached at 8:30 a.m.

More Awake

Many of our young people will be attending the All Ontario Youth Convention later in May. Leading up to that event, we will be having a few messages which will use the same themes that they will be following. This morning’s message is titled “More Awake.” It is a reminder that the Holy Spirit uses us and speaks through us. We gather at 8:30 a.m. and at 10:00 a.m.

Easter is coming!

Join the celebration on Sunday morning, either at 8:30 a.m. or at 10:00 a.m.!

Good Friday

We gather for worship on Friday morning, 10 a.m. At 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Jesus finished his work. "It is finished," he said.  We understand that not as "The End,"  but as, "To be continued..."

Baptism of Owen Beishuizen

Yesterday, March 20, 2016, we celebrated the baptism of Owen John Beishuizen, baby boy of Roy and Laura.  It was a wonderful worship service and lots of friends and family were present to witness the sacrament. Congratulations, Roy & Laura!

So many uses for nails

We pause at another of the stations of the cross:  Jesus is nailed to the cross.  In his life, Jesus used nails to build and create. 

In his death, he used nails to re-build and re-create.  Seminarian Derek Ellens preaches the message. This Sunday is Palm Sunday where we acknowledge that wonderful mix of sadness and joy, of contemplation and celebration.  Adding to our celebration this Sunday is the baptism of Owen John Beishuizen, baby boy of Roy and Laura.  Join us at either 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. (The baptism happens at the 10 a.m. service).  Sunday, March 20.

For all the world to see

Jesus is stripped of his clothing, naked, exposed, for all the world to see. He approaches his death with nothing standing between him and the wrath of God. Join us as we journey toward the cross.  Sunday, March 13, 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
 

Prayers for the Bosma family

http://www.100huntley.com/watch?id=223115&title=praying-for-the-bosma-family#.VtoRuSnyrNI.facebook

The face of love

The women of Jerusalem mourned and wailed over Jesus.  They pitied him and his mother, but Jesus tells them to stop it.  He wants them to look into his face and see the face of love.  Jesus was not a victim.  He is the victor.  On this fourth Sunday of Lent we listen in as Jesus addresses the women of Jerusalem.  Sunday, March 6, 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Watch, witness, wait

The season of Lent is about lengthening - the lengthening hours of daylight. During this season of Lent we are "lengthening" the hours of Jesus' final day on earth before his death and resurrection.  We are slowing things down in order to watch and witness the events of Good Friday, and then to wait for what is to come after.  This Sunday, Feb 28, we watch as Simon carries the cross for Jesus.  8:30 a.m. (First Light) and 10:00 a.m.

Heavy Lifting

The second station of the cross we visit this Sunday morning is the scene where Jesus carries his cross.  In speaking with his disciples earlier in his ministry, Jesus cautioned his followers that we would have to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow him.  Our crosses will be too heavy for us to carry unless we accept Jesus' help, knowing that when he carried his cross, he also shouldered the weight of our crosses.  Second Sunday of Lent, Feb 21, 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  We share the communion meal at both services.

Which "Jesus" - Power or Love?

This Sunday we begin our Lenten journey. Each week, as we approach Good Friday and Easter, we will pause at one of the Stations of the Cross - those scenes of what Jesus endured on his final day on earth before his death and resurrection.  We begin this Sunday, in the court house, where two men are condemned to die- Jesus Barabbas and Jesus the Christ. Sunday, Feb 14, 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Movie Night

This was our "popcorn team" at our movie night.  They raised money for their upcoming trip to Haiti.

The most magnificent tree

The sequoia is a very amazing tree.  But the most magnificent tree of all is the tree we re-discover in the final book of the Bible:  the Tree of Life.  When we read about that tree, we are invited to let our imaginations go to a place where everything is, well, good. Sunday, Feb 7, 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.