Last week's grade 7 & 8 retreat

Last weekend 16 students gathered at Crieff Hills for our "Thinking About your Faith" retreat.  We had some great discussions, excellent meals, amazing weather... and very little sleep!  These students are at the point in their lives when they will decide if the faith of their parents and teachers and leaders and pastor is their faith. May God bless them on this journey as they open themselves to hearing and seeing God at work in their lives.  For more pics of the weekend, see the slide show to the right.

Ascension Day

Yesterday was Ascension Day.  For 40 days after he rose from the dead, Jesus walked this earth.  And then, right before their eyes, Jesus was taken up into heaven.  The disciples, and we too, may feel short-changed by this development. Why couldn't Jesus just stay with us here on terra firma?
He couldn't stay because he had work to do.  He does not sit idly at the Father's side in heaven. Rather, he is working hard on our behalf.  In heaven Jesus pleads our case, prepares a place, and equips us for the race.
Hear more this Sunday evening, June 1, at 6:00 pm.  Our morning service is led by Rev Breedveld while I am on retreat with our grade 7 and 8 students.

"If you declare with your mouth...

...'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that Gopd raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).  And that's exactly what Hannah, Tom, Julia and Esther did yesterday-- they stood before their church family and publicly professed their faith in Jesus.  It was a wonderful morning to celebrate God's grace and his love!

You're richer than you think

It's a catchy line for an ad campaign, but before the bankers claimed it, Jesus used it.  He told the church in Smyrna, and us, that we are RICH! (Revelation 2:8-11). This Sunday, at Ancaster Christian Reformed Church, four people will stand up and declare that they are rich; they will be making public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ.  Sunday, May 25, 10 a.m.  You are welcome to join us.

Leeanne's & Matthew's baptisms

Last Sunday, May 4, we witnessed the baptism of Leeanne Voorberg and her and Mark's baby boy, Matthew.  It was a wonderful celebration where we saw at the same time, evidence of God's unearned grace (baptizing a baby) and of God's irresistible grace (baptism of an adult).  Leeanne and Matthew are God's children - as is Mark, and everyone else who was reminded of his or her baptism.  May God bless Leeanne and baby Matthew as they live into God's promises.
The message from May 4 is posted below.

Last week's 3D picture- looking for the image of Christ...

End of an era - Farewell to CAST

Our Sunday evening service (May 4, 6 pm) will be our last CAST-led service.  We are sad to see them go for they have blessed us with their musical gifts and leadership and God has been honoured.  At this service we will explore the mystery of our God in that indecipherable equation called the Trinity. Additionally, Julia Steenbeek will share with us some highlights of her time in Uganda.