Sunday March 29, 2015

Here's an update on Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning... and what a great morning it is!!! The sun is shining bright here in Stellarton. With no clouds in the sky!! ... Great day for a flight to Cuba, I'd say!! ;)

 

Here's a quick excerpt from last night...

 Something to think About:

 

- "I Desire Jesus" (song)

- Who actually 'desires' Jesus?

- Signs are important! Like 'Bridge out 500m'

- If you're traveling, you are dependent on signs

- Signs are like prophesies... they tell you what gonna happen in the near future.

- Most of the Bible is prophesy

- Without these prophesies (ex: Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelations) it's like reading a novel without the final chapter

- Signs tell us of Jesus return.

- There are more prophesies about His second coming than there was of His first

- Prophesy gives you the chance/opportunity to change now for what's ahead.

- We can rationalize, and philosophize about them... but it's definitely something to think about! ;)

 

Pastor Todd and Pastor Caroline joined together and spoke on Palm Sunday:

- 'Trust in God'.. the perfect creator of all things

- Zachariah 9:9 prophesized about the coming of Christ

- Mathew 21:1-11 tells of Christ coming into town on Palm Sunday, fulfilling the prophesy MANY years before.

- The Cross... do you wear if as just a piece of jewelry?! do you wear it as a resemblance of Christ?!

- The Cross is a sign of hope to billions of people

- We are separated from Christ because of our sins... but the Cross allows us a way to God through Christ.

- Romans 5:12

- Romans 6:23

- We inherited that sin... And Jesus came to be that bridge to God

- Ephesians 2:8, 9

- Old Testament: sins are purified by blood of an innocent sacrifice... a lamb. Christ became our lamb!

- John 1:29.

- This week let our hearts remember the betrayal, the arrest, the death and the burial of our Christ.

- ... Then let's rejoice next Sunday, Easter Sunday!!

- "Cherish the old Rugged Cross" (song)

- He stretched out his hands and said "I love you THIS much!"

 

Cheers

Sunday March 8, 2015

Some of the highlights of Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Jean)

If you would like to hear Rev. Dave MacLean's sermon, and Something to Think About, go to Master's Hand YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrUaNS-N8LPEpsbWiJDYloQ/feed

Dr. Barclay's Something to Think About:

Mark 1:21-28

There are Demons all around us, inside and outside the church. Jesus cast out Demons out of the Synagogue on the Sabbath day.

The Demons recognized Christ's  Lordship and  authority  immediately and knew exactly who was rebuking them.

There is strong evidence that supports attending church regularly may prolong your life on earth. People with strong religious faith, who attend church regularly, read their Bible and pray  are less likely to suffer depression. They have a stronger immune systems and live healthier lifestyles. They have more resilience in life's hard situations and a continued reliance upon God.

Leviticus 26:14-16

God has warned us many times disobedience and disrespect for God has severe and tragic consequences.

Living a wholesome and Godly lifestyle is rewarded in this life and the next.

Pastor Dave  Mac Lean

God wants us to have abundant life.

We need to renovate and update our spiritual minds and attitudes the way we update and renovate our homes.

1 Timothy 4:1-11

The enemy wants to sneak in false doctrine into the church to deceive Christians.

We can hold fast and believe in the Apostles creed, but still not have abundant life.

We must not just believe, but we need to also obey God.

It is not enough just to be saved. We must  live holy lives abandoning lusts of the flesh.

It is the job of Christians to pray for their neighbor , not to gossip about them.

We can not let the troubles of this life dictate our lives. We are to let Jesus dictate our lives.

Colossians 2:20

When Jesus lives inside us our actions will reflect his presence.

When we are in God's presence depression and bad attitudes have to flee.

The more we study God's word the greater he can dwell in our lives.

1 Corinthians 2:9

 Christ has such wonderful things prepared for us the Christian journey is worth every step of the way.

Sunday March 1, 2015

Hello!! :)  Hope you're all home and cozy by this time of the night. It's another snowy and slippery night out there.

Here are some notes from last night.

Spencer's 'Something to think about'

- Remember the Pepsi vs Coca-cola commercials?! They told you what you wanted, but not much about the product.

- $600 Billion dollars is used to convince you of what you think you want.

- Do we as Christians/the church do the same?! Do we tell the whole truth?!

- Mark 8: Jesus fed the multitude, performed healings... but finished saying if they followed Him, they will have to carry death and persecution.

- Why did Jesus only have a small number of followers?! ... The Truth hurts!

- Santa's a myth, the Easter Bunny's a myth... Jesus too?! (people might ask themselves)

- We need to get back to the Truth, and build churches again... and not shut them down.

Pastor Caroline is feeling much better from last week, and brought the Word.

- She confessed to be a sound sleeper... However, when God wakes you, its with a little whisper; as what happened to her.

- She was awaken with a child-like version of the Easter Story; simple and understandable.

- The Easter Story reminds us of the penalty Jesus was given for taking our sins.

- She was given this story, and printed it as bookmarks, which she gave out during church (please see image attached)

- All lines but one has 3 words... which represents Father, Son, Holy Spirit... Beginning, Middle, End... Love, Mercy, and Grace'

- The first six lines of the bookmark gives us the invitation; the next three tell us of the promise; the remaining lines tell us of Truth.

- Pastor Caroline expressed her thankfulness that God speaks to her in a simple way to be understood (as are we).

- The Last Supper represents the covenant with God for the sins past, present, and future.

- ... We WILL live again.

- John 3:16, 17 Good News: 'For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.'

During communion we sang 'How Deep the Father's Love for Me'; oh how fitting!

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

I hope your heart sings this week... 'His wounds have paid my ransom.'

Good night!!