Right in front of us!

This Sunday we worship outdoors at the Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster.  It's going to be a great service where we see that God's good things have been revealed to us, already now (I Corinthians 2:9,10).  It's like a scavenger hunt - finding those things that are right in front of us!

After the service everyone is invited to stay for a picnic lunch.  The weather forecast says it will be sunny but cool.  If that changes and it's rainy on Sunday, the service will move indoors at the church.  Sunday, Sept 14, 10 a.m.

What is our salvation for?

That's our Ed Glasbergen accepting the ice bucket challenge!  It's been great to see "our people," that is, Christians, getting into this.  Too often our salvation is reduced to an exercise in piety and patience - we try to live good lives and wait patiently for the day we leave this world and live with Jesus.  But our salvation is bigger than that.  This Sunday we begin a series that takes us beyond a narrow view of salvation and draws us into God's "oikonomia," his economy for all of creation - "For the Life of the World." I will be drawing on the video series by that name for these messages.  Sunday, September 7, 10 a.m.

Celebrating! (audio included)

This weekend we celebrate Labour Day.  Sorta.  Yes, we might enjoy the day off, and we might be happy that school is starting (maybe), but to say this is a celebration, sounds a little over the top.  There's isn't much that really excites us.  In this final message of our Esther series, we discover that the book ends with a celebration.  It's a reminder to us that yes, God redeems us, and yes, he justifies us, but he doesn't stop there. He then glorifies us!  Good, better, best! Sunday, August 31, 2014, 10 a.m.  Hear the message here:  https://soundcloud.com/pastor-rita/esther-922-good-better-best

North of 60

About 40 people enjoyed the beautiful weather, excellent company, and great food at our North of 60 picnic.  This year's venue was the Kinsmen Park in Caledonia.  We expect to return next year!

Grant me my life, and the audio

It's the most basic of human (and animal!) instincts:  the will to live. The deepest desire we have is to be granted life (Esther 7:3).  That was Esther's request to King Xerxes when he encouraged her to ask for whatever it was that she wanted.  God knows that life is precious.  And so he gives us life, eternal life, in Jesus.  Join us this Sunday, August 24, for the next message in our Esther series.  We will also be sharing the communion meal.
https://soundcloud.com/pastor-rita/esther-7-pt-3-my-one-request

Teen Challenge guests

This Sunday, August 17, we welcome the men from Teen Challenge to lead us in worship.  They will share their stories of healing and restoration through the ministry of this amazing organization.  We praise God with them!

Congratulations to Ivo & Jeanine!

Congratulations to Ivo Tamm and Jeanine Velez, who were married last weekend, August 9.  Ivo's mom from Ecuador was there for the celebration. Our entire church family wishes you, Ivo & Jeanine, along with JP and Elizabeth, God's amazing blessings upon this marriage.