Good morning to you... and soon a very Happy New Year!! :)

Here's a recap from Sunday's service:

Spencer's - Something to Think About (Christmas Story)

- Sheppards... why Sheppards?

- They were the lowest of society.

- Magi... why Magi?

- They were well educated.

- They lived far away.

- And how did they know the Jewish prophesies?!

- Jewish People... why not?

- High Priests.

- King Herod.

- How did they not hear the angels... or see the star??

- There was commotion but no one else came to see what was going on at the stable.

- The Sheppards... They listened.

- The Magi... saw the star and followed.

- The Jewish people... were just too busy.

- If we considered the Bible as an allegory, here we can understand that ALL can come to Christ, if they listen and obey. No matter education, religion, race... providing you have to watch for the signs.

( WOW!!)

Sara Whiney brought the Message:

- There are two things you can count on... Trouble and God.

- 2 Corinthians 9:15

- If Jesus is indescribable... how do you describe Him??

(then she spoke on her hearts cry... Women and their self-worth).

- Where do we get our image? What a woman has to look like?

- We need to look at God for our image!

- The world destroys our image

- Even ladies in the church buy into these lies.

- You're a Princess!! You're a child of the Most High God!!

- We Spiritually need to put on that crown every day!

(then she told she story of marrying her US husband)

- 2005 she married her US husband.

- after being stopped at the border being told she needed appropriate forms, she had to stay in Canada while saying 'good-bye' to her new husband and his 3 children.

- For something that was originally said to take 6months... took 6 years battling with immigration.

- Trouble or the Presence of God??

- In all trouble... God is present!!

- Sara was well away of God's presence through this LONG 6 year process.

Job 13:15

Job 19:25

Hebrews 4:15

Psalm 1:12

Ephesians 3:20

2 Corinthians 4:18

2 Corinthians 9:15

- This Jesus... we can't describe Him... we can only live it!!

Another night where I just wanted to sit and listen to the speaker, as she told of her heart and her story, but some things were to much to keep to myself.

You are blessed!!

Merry Christmas to all who are reading this message. 

I pray Jesus will be the centre of your Christmas as He truly is the reason for the season. 

As each of you receive Jesus in your heart, please know He is the perfect gift and give this perfect gift to all you meet. 

May love, joy and peace be yours today and always and may you all live in the abundance of the Lord. 

Blessings, Pastor Caroline

Merry Christmas!! 

I trust you have peace during this hustle and bustle time of year! I hope you know the most precious gift... the gift of Christ!

We had an enjoyable night together in church Sunday... complete with some humor!! haha  There was no message, except a little something to think about from our Spencer.

- Advent: Hope, Love, Joy (if you understand the love of God, you will have joy) and Peace.

- Peace... you don't see much of it in the world today, do you?!

- each one of us have a gift... the gift of Christ! Understanding the hope Christ gives us; understanding his love, which gives you joy; and with Joy comes a peace.

- We are given a gift... up to each of us to choose to open it.

- The center of it all, the center candle of advent, is Christ.

Have a blessed Christmas with family and loved ones!!

Cheers

Hi All. Oh how the season is busy! Here's a quick recap of Sunday past...

Spencer spoke on Advent during his 'Something to think about'.

- There are four themes in the Bible (advent)... Third being Joy.

- "Behold I bring you good tidings of great Joy" spoken by the Angels announcing Jesus' birth.

- Hard to imagine 'joy' when looking at our world today. Even in Jesus day there was lack of Joy. There was taxation, sentences, Roman Soldiers...

- Why have joy? Why should we have Joy in hard times.

- HOPE - Jewish people always had hope! They stood on the promises God made

- Abraham was told that he would be the father of many, but this only came true after he almost sacrificed his son.

- 1 Peter 3:15 'But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

- In Bible times, there was a thin line between hope and faith! One goes with the other.

- Deuteronomy 7:9 'Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.' Have faith in a god that will keep you!

- Book of Job mostly talks about joy; even through the experiences Job had.

- Philippians was written by Paul while in prison.

- Joy is an emotion of great pleasure or happiness.

- When you really know Christ, you know Joy.

Pastor Caroline brought the message Sunday night. After a bit of 'letting go and letting God' her message went from 'advent' to Merry Christmas :)

- MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Can you say this joyfully?! 

- As you hear of jobs being lost, people looking for work, a mother dying, parents struggling to feed the family... where is the joy?!

- Joy comes from deep inside... that's how some can have a 'Merry Christmas' despite their circumstances.

- One man said... I don't believe in Christmas. It's based on religion, and I don't believe in religion. So I guess I don't believe in Christmas.'

- This is what James 1:27, 28 says "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

- It's Christmas, and God didn't send His son for religion. No, He sent His son for relationship!

- Redeeming Love... for every man, colour, creed

- Redeeming from the bondage of sin... freedom!

- This is a gift from God. There's nothing you can do to get it... it's a gift!

- Luke 2:8-20 is the Christmas story. Pastor Caroline could have stayed here and broke down the story, but she wanted to go beyond.

- John 3:16 "For God so loved the world,^[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

- NOW you understand how big this gift is!!

- Your loved ones, give them an empty box for Christmas and tell them your your gift does not live in this box. Your gift is for them to know Jesus.

- Is Jesus the perfect gift? Yes... when He hung on that tree.  Redeeming love was made available through the cross... Our forever gift from Christ.

- Let's not focus on the gifts under the tree, let's focus on this gift... Redeeming Love through Jesus.

- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!... and Happy Birthday Jesus! :)

Through all the hustle and bustle the season brings, may you have a peace in your heart, a joy in your step, and Jesus on your mind.

Cheers

Was it 'Just Another Manic Monday'?? :D  Hope the busyness of the season hasn't captured you into it's grips!! :)  There is PEACE, which Fred Jeffery spoke on last night.

PEACE... achievable or illusive?!

- Fred first said how calm the atmosphere was when he walked into MHM, and how friendly the people are. What a great compliment!!

- He reminded us of something John Spicer said earlier in the night... 'Are you redeemed?... Well tell your face!' :D :D

- Peace- freedom of disturbance

- Is it illusive? We sing the songs, but do we actually experience this peace?!

- Luke 2:8-14 (The Angels appear to the Shepherds telling them of Jesus' birth)

- Do you think the shepherds were at peace/calm when the angels showed up?

- John Legion's 'Imagine'

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

- The way our world is today, seems peace is illusive! ... BUT that's not what the scripture says!
- Do you know this Prince of Peace? Does he walk through your life?
- 'My Peace I leave with you'... it's NOT illusive.
- What's it worth to you, to have this peace from Christ?
- You CAN experience this peace in troubled times!:
1. Aquant yourself with God.
- one Bible version says 'submit to Christ'... are you ready to submit?
2. Fully trust Him.
- Isaiah 26:3 - 'You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.'
3. Live like Him.
- Galatians 5 - fruit of the spirit!
- as we live in the Spirit, live in step with the Spirit.

- Luke 2:14 '... peace to those on whom his favor rests'.. Those who KNOW Him, those who TRUST Him, and those who live like Him!


I hope you are encouraged, and reminded that peace is not just something we sing about!! This is an actually thing; an attainable thing... through Christ!! :)


Merry Christmas!

Happy Monday! :)  Hope you have a few extra bucks in your pockets after all the 'Red Thursdays', 'Black Fridays', and 'Cyber Monday' deals! As yesterday was the first Sunday in advent, we are reminded of the Hope and prophecy of Jesus... the utmost gift! Of which no physically, purchased gift can compare.

If you haven't been to church in a while, we certainly miss you, and hope all is well. Make sure to come out and visit during our 'It was no ordinary night' on Saturday, December 6th... OR out to our Christmas Dinner Friday, December 12th.

Ken Hayden came and brought the Word last night. Here is a little of what you missed OR a gentle reminder of what was taught :)

KINGDOM OF GOD...

- Romans 14:17 NLT- "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

1. Righteousness

- Jesus was the plan; no Plan B. To cleanse our sin; to redeem us to God!

- The gift of Christ wasn't 'opened' until he was crucified.

- He died for sins once and for all, for all!

- 2 Corinthians 5:21

- Matthew 27:50,51

- Because of this righteousness, God sees you as perfect! Yes we have 'issues', but the Holy Spirit is working on them.

2. Peace

- Freedom of turmoil

- Isaiah 9:6

- Isaiah 32:17

- Ephesians 2:14

- Philippians 4:6,7

3. Joy

- Delighted, contentment

- Galatians 5:22

- Get into His presence! He will remind you of the TRUTH and NOT the lies the devil tells you, or when the devil reminds you of your past.

4. Holy Spirit

In my own thoughts, the Kingdom of God is not so much a destination, it's a journey; and we are all on our own journey. Be encouraged by that!!

Have a super week!

November 16, 2014

Here are some thoughts for you from last  Sunday’s meeting.

One of the songs sang during worship was ‘More Than Anything’ which you would know if I added the lyrics ‘God loves people more than anything’. The last part to the songs goes like this, ‘More than anything, He wants us to go, and show the world so they will know that God loves people more than anything’. Just felt to share that part.

Spencer brought Psalm 59, talking about vengeance. Vs 5 “… Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors”. Now, what vengeance did we see from Christ?! As he was on the cross, He said “Forgive them, for they know not what they do”. While we were sinners, he begged for our forgiveness. Is it easy to forgive our enemies? Is it easy to love them? How is it that God can love us through our sin? Maybe it’s because he can see the future! That’s why scripture says to love your enemies, do good to those who abuse you… you will be blessed! You do not know what’s to come.

I will apologize for my lack of notes this time around. I love it when I’m enthralled by a speaker, who captivates with his speaking, stories, and analogies. But this is what I can share with you from Rev Glen Matheson…

-      Everyone has skills and abilities. Technology is not one of Rev. Glen’s. So when he’s in a computer store he is welcomed by some ‘computer-geek’ who’s trying to make him understand the issue or solution. Rev. Glen humbly prides himself as a ‘church geek’ :D

-      The Bible is not like a novel that can be read from beginning chapter to end chapter. The Old Testament helps to understand the New Testament

-      Exodus 33, when Moses was setting up a village, he would situate one tent away from the village to be designated as the ‘tent of gathering’, or church, or sanctuary.

-      God spoke to Moses face to face; as a friend speaks to a friend.

-      Moses brought his worries to God; wondering where his helper was.

-      Everyday people are used in the right place, for the right reason, for a certain period.

-      We can live each day as we choose; we are in control. Like a pendulum, on one side we can be crabby Cathy, or on the other side we can be pleasant Patsy. We can get the right amount of sleep, or not; we can eat the right foods or not; we can over-work, or under-work. We have to choose for ourselves.

-      Rev. Glen encouraged us, as Ehab did last week, about our perspective on speaking to God and sensing His presence. He is alive and present!

Well if you haven’t been out to church, you are missed. Come for a visit. And bring a friend out to our Christmas night, Saturday December 6^th as we celebrate the reason for the season!

Blessings

Master's Hand Ministry in the Sunday 16th, 2014 Christmas Parade!

November 9, 2014

Some highlights from this week's service:

First off, hope you took a couple minutes this week to respectfully remember those who've fought and who are still fighting for our Country!

A member of the group shared Sunday night of a revelation he had regarding worship and prayer. 
"Please let me try to explain. Imagine sitting, looking at a picture of Obama. You tell the picture over and over how great he is; what a great leader he is; how awesome he is. Will you feel closer to him? NOW, if you said these same things to your wife, you would get a response, and feel close to her. This may be the same with our worship and prayers to God. We can tell Him how great He is; what a great leader He is; how awesome He is without feeling close to Him. We need to realize that we are talking to a real, alive God, who listens and responds."

Pastor Caroline began her message singing a song:
"Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes"

Hey, before you abuse, criticize and accuse
"Walk a mile in my shoes"

 (http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/joe_south/walk_a_mile_in_my_shoes.html)

- Shoes... sneakers, work-boots, army boots, sandels
- The song above is asking for tolerance, a bit of patience and understanding towards others... reminds us that we all hurt, are broken, negative words spoken to us, sickness to our body, even to death.
- We put on a happy face, thinking no one is aware, and move on.
- Are we living, or are we just getting by?!
- Sometimes all we feel we can do for another person is to pray; especially if we haven't experienced that individuals pain personally.
- When you have raised your children on the right path, and they seem to make some train-wreck decisions, you pray and vow to be there to pick up the pieces.
- How do people cope? To hold on? How do people show love to you when you're going through tough times?
- Answer: PRAY! Stay in the Word of God. Hold onto His promises. Romans 5:5
- Offer rides to friends in need of a ride; take a minute to sit with someone; make a meal for someone. Romans 12:15
- Pray, ask for direction.
- Bringing and showing the WORD is how we bring people comfort; Christ through us
- Joy is not given by the world. Happiness is given by the world. Joy is knowing everything is going to be well no matter what the outcome!
- May our words be compassionate enough to draw them to Jesus, to put sin away and the debt of sin.
- When Jesus went to the cross, it wasn't because he was compassionate for the people... NO , He was being obedient. (the same with our soldiers)
- Don't let sin keep you from Jesus. Let his gift, his forgiveness of sin, draw you near.
- As soldiers wear the gear, we need to equip ourselves as Christians.
- God brings change! Exodus 33:14, Exodus 33:18, Psalm 23:1, Psalm 29:11, Hebrews 5:5. Read these and insert your won name into each verse.
- Prayer... preparing the ground before you walk on it. :)
- Pick ONE promise a day, speaking it in and over every situation during your day.
- The Words gives! It gives strength, wisdom, shows us His love, gives understanding
- Just imagine walking a mile in a soldiers shoes. Just imagine walking a mile in Jesus' sandals.
- Do you feel sometimes Faith is all you have?! Well then, thank God for Faith!
- Romans 8:28
- Before you 'accuse', come to Christ and ask for direction... and you will see His glory!


Hope I've given you something to think about!! Have a great week!

Heather


'The Creed' was our communion song on Sunday night....

This I Believe (The Creed) [Lyrics] - Hillsong Worship

November 2, 2014

Some highlights from this week's service:

Something to Think About - Spencer added "PRAY-WAIT-BELIEVE" onto this talk a couple weeks ago "STOP-WAIT-LISTEN".
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Psalms 27:14
- Matthew 9:29
- Sometimes God waits to the end of waiting before He intervenes.
- God said He will never tempt; He didn't say he'd never 'test'.
- Are you standing on your Faith??

We have the great privilege of hearing again from Pastor Bill Annis from Moncton FCF church. Here are some thoughts from his message:
- Today is the greatest manifestation of God the world has even known.
- Who wants to please God?
- Proverbs 16:7
- Bible says it's impossible to please God... that is, without Faith!
- You can have the wrong 'concept' of Faith. That would be unpleasing to God.
- Who formed the way you view God? Who influenced you?
- John 1:18. No one has ever seen God, BUT Jesus is the image of God. Jesus has made Him known.
- Between people who worship Buddha, or worship spirit gods... there's a definite awareness of a 'higher being'.
- You are the inspiration of His creation!
- We think there's something between us and God... guilt, sin.
- Before we could come to Christ, Christ had to do something!!
- As we look at the heap of 'things' between us and Christ, He steps around it & DID something about our 'issues'. He became our sacrifice!
- We need to function on our righteousness!!!
- If you took DNA from a caterpillar to a scientist, they would says it's the DNA from a butterfly!!
- So it is with us. We are redeemed; Christ's kids.
- Done crawl/walk another day... fly!
- Some struggle with being a bad person trying to be a very very good person.
- Take your attention off the temporariness of a caterpillar! Get focused on the glorious emerging New Life!
- The problem with some churches, what's being preached is speaking to our behaviour. I they can make us feel guilty, we will be dependent on them.
- Preachers need to preach God's never-ending, all-powerful LOVE that casts our fears! That the devil has no hold on them!!
- Let's say you were to talk about Spencer. His kids would say "that's my Dad". His wife calls him "husband". His clients call him "Dr. Barclay".  Which is first? Which is last? Therefore God is father, spirit, and Son.
- You can't stop believing, when you KNOW the reason!! He is your Dad.
- Sin grows in the broken places in our life. When the brokenness is fixed... wow!
- To take your sin seriously, you need to take it to God! You can not be healed if you conceal it!
- Would you go to the Doctor and ask him to fix you, and not tell him what's wrong, where the pain is?
- You need to come to Jesus with ALL!
- No one gets fixed when they're hiding!
- Christ DID something to get in us, so to manifest Himself through us.
- When you trust in what Jesus has done on and through the cross... this is pleasing to Him!

Sunday October 26, 2014

This Sunday we were presented with a few inspirational/educational videos regarding Operation Christmas Child boxes. WOW... we have soooo much and we could be put to share by how thankful these kids are who have nothing!! I encourage you to think about being a part of this awesome ministry!! What a great way to even teach our own kids about selflessly giving loving; on some child far away who has so little.

In one of the short videos, there was a lady who received a box as a child and it totally changed her life. She couldn't get over how someone so far away would send a gift. Why?? Then she found a picture with a note on it with John 3:16. As a young child this is what she got out of that one verse... 'God loved... God gave. Therefore if you love, then you give'. Like last week's bulletin cover said 'you will never know the effects of an act of kindness; how far and how wide the effects are felt!'

Pastor Todd came with the message. We welcome and love his unique way of bringing Word!!

He opened with a video (which I've attached) called 'A Pittance of Time' honoring and remembering our soldiers and all men and women who wear a uniform!

- They chose to be soldiers, officers, nurses. They weren't forced. They chose to be accountable to their country. Men and women who would give their lives for the health and welfare of their country; willing to GO.

- Not everyone is willing to lay down their lives. 

- Are you willing to lay down your life for your fellow man?! (see Pastor Todd's writing in the bulletin 'Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a nice MLT; a mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich'

- TIME can be given away

- Are you willing to 'replace' some of your time and give it to others?

- Time to listen to a friend in need?!... to give hope?!

- Time to fill an operation Christmas Child box... smiles that can't be replaced; those in need of the message. They don't need the stuffies, the barbies, the socks... they need the message of HOPE and LOVE

- Although we didn't shake God's hand or meet Him face to face, He gave not just His time; He gave us His life.

- What are we willing to give up?? What are we willing to give up to save someone's life... eternal life?!

- After the introduction (hand shake, 'hello', OCC box), that's when the love of Jesus is shared!!

- Life is not about the life we see on tv or the violence we see in our video games.

- Let's get radical in LOVE and COMPASSION!! 

- We can show others what love can do for them.

- Take some time to radicalize someone's life, sharing love, time, compassion, sharing WHY you do it... sharing the love of Christ!

Pastor Todd finished with encouraging us to take some time over Remembrance and stand by someone who's fought; remembering what's been done in our past, in our present, and time to come.

We finished the night singing "Loving God, Loving each other"... that's what the Message is all about!