More than charity

You've probably seen the you tube video by now, the one where West Jet passengers are surprised to find their gift wishes come true.  That kind of gift giving depicts charity as it was intended - as a joyous surprise that gives just as much happiness to the giver as it does to the receiver.
John the Baptist instructed the people in how they should act in preparation for Jesus' coming (Luke 3).  We too, should prepare the way of the Lord, because Jesus is coming back. May our acts of charity and compassion reflect the joy that comes from sharing God's love to everyone and anyone!  Join us this Sunday, Dec 15 at 10 a.m.

Holiness

"Holiness is not perfection.  We do not by some act of divine fiat become sinless creatures incapable of all wrong doing.... Even so, holiness is progress in purity and sanctity... We are ever in the process of becoming holy" (Richard Foster). On this second Sunday of advent, we embrace the holiness tradition, as exemplified by Joseph.  Rev. Joel Bootsma preaches the message, this Sunday, Dec 8 at 10 a.m.

Lost!

One wrong turn is all it takes.  The human race took a wrong turn in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God.  The poison of sin now infects us all.  How did we got lost? Whom can blame? Questions like that consume us.  But really, those things don't matter. What matters, is how we are going to get back to where we belong.

This Sunday evening, Dec 1, 6pm, we look at Q&As 6-8 of the Heidelberg Catechism.  Our worship will be led by CAST - Community Actively Seeking Transformation.  Join us!

Hang on for the ride!

This Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent.  Christmas is coming!  There is always so much to do in preparation for the day, we hardly have time to think.  In contrast, Mary exemplifies the contemplative stream of Christian devotion.  She "pondered [all these things] in her heart."  Take some time, daily, to enjoy the "gaze of the soul upon the God who loves us" (Streams of Living Water, Foster, 49). Dec 1, 10 a.m.

The next three Sundays...

The next three Sundays will see guest pastors at Ancaster Christian Reformed Church.  It feels as though I just started as pastor here, and now I'm going on vacation! It has been a joy to get to know the people of this church and to welcome new people.  God is good!
See you when I get back!

Sin & misery

Hollywood knows all about sin and misery.  While we like to think that most people aren't really so bad, Hollywood and the Bible agree that sin and misery define us. One reviewer has said that the movie Prisoners is one of the most contemplative films of the year. In that movie we confront the sin and misery that lie within the hearts of the even God-fearing, honest people.  This Sunday, at 6pm, we consider the question:  How do I come to know my sin and misery? The message will be from Romans 7 along with Lord's Day 2 of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Six months ago

Six months ago Tim Bosma was murdered.  There is no way to escape the pain and suffering of his tragic death.  Martha's Trouble captured some of that pain in their tribute to Tim's widow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcddDP4HlR8

The problem of evil plagues all people, including (or especially) Christians.  This Sunday's 10 a.m. service will speak into this issue (Habakkuk 1:1-4, 12-17, 2:1-3). We remember Tim's death as we hold tight to God's promises to save us from all suffering.