News from August 2011
Read the Bible for Life
Posted on August 30, 2011 by Pastor Tom
Hello and welcome back! I hope many of you have enjoyed some refreshing times this summer. I love it when we come back together. It’s good to see you. I am really pumped about the Read the Bible for Life initiative. Many of you have questions about how it is going to work. So here’s some answers to frequently asked questions. There will be more info as we get closer to launch – Sept. 18th! I look forward to all of us drawing closer to God through His Word.
• WHAT is it? – RBL is a 9 session small group study with a workbook that teaches how to read the Bible. It talks about the different translations, types of literature and important keys to understanding the Bible. The workbook also contains 5 daily studies that participants do on their own. Participants then gather with a small group to discuss the daily studies, watch a session on DVD (30 minutes) and then follow that up with more discussion and prayer.
• WHY are we doing it? – I sense we need to connect more deeply with God through His Word. As I have listened and talked with people over the years, I’ve heard about the obstacles some face in understanding the Bible. I believe RBL will help us connect with God more deeply through His Word.
• WHO is doing RBL? Some small groups, the College/Career, Youth on Wednesday nights and one Ladies Morning Out study. Individual small groups can decide if they want to participate in this.
• WHERE is this happening?
o At the church – Sunday and Wednesday – Small groups can choose to meet at the church. They will meet initially as a small group at a room somewhere within the church. Then the groups will come together for the showing of the DVD in the sanctuary or fireside room. Then the groups will reassemble to debrief from the DVD.
o In homes – We have several copies of the DVD and leader’s kit available for small groups to do in homes if they choose to
• WHEN is this happening? We start the week of September 18th.
o Sunday – 7 PM at the church. Small groups meet. Then join for DVD. Then break off into their groups again.
o Wednesdays – 6:30 PM – Small Groups/ Youth Meet. Then join for DVD. Then they break off to debrief.
o Thursday AM – Ladies Morning Out.
o Thursday PM – College/Career
o Other times – with individual small groups in homes.
• HOW LONG will each session be? – Approximately 90 minutes. (But some groups may choose to go longer).
• HOW MUCH does the workbook cost? $13.
• What if I’m not part of a small group? We will be surveying current small groups to find space for new participants. We will also be forming some new small groups that you can join.
• How do I sign up? Please add your name to the sign up lists in the foyer. Also indicate if you are part of a small group. Workbooks will be available starting this Wednesday and next Sunday. Please pay with cash or cheque.
Who is like God?
Posted on August 2, 2011 by Pastor Tom
Do you ever think you’ve figured out God? Do you ever think you’ve got Him nailed down?
Psalm 77:19 states “Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you?”
Joni Eareckson has this to say in today’s thought:
“One of the definitions of “rare” might be valuable. Like two-carat diamonds. Or black pearls. Or a blue moon. Or Bengal tigers, dinosaur fossils, double rainbows, snow leopards, or rain on the Sahara. “Rare” speaks of that which is utterly unusual. Never to be replaced. One of a kind.
This is good to remember when we speak of the holiness of God. When we say he is holy, we mean that he is one of a kind. There is none like him. He is in a class by himself. Our God is holy in his absolute uniqueness. Dr. John Piper puts it this way: “Everything else besides God belongs to a class. We are human. Rover is a dog. The oak is a tree. The earth is a planet. The Milky Way is one of a million galaxies. Gabriel is an angel, Satan is a demon. But only God is God.” The holiness of God is synonymous with his infinite value. God is infinitely valuable because he is the rarest of all beings and cannot be made, duplicated, or even imagined in our wildest dreams. And-wonder of all wonders-he has moved heaven and earth to find a way to pay for our sins, forgive us, redeem us, and adopt us into his very family circle!
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Many of us try to put our God in a box, or convince ourselves we’ve got him figured out, imagining in our arrogance that he should see things and do things “our way.” Take a moment today, to remember that God is infinitely beyond our every conception of him. Let that thought lead you into awe and worship.
Holy, holy, holy…I worship you, Triune God. Truly there is no one like you. And I am in awe that because of Jesus, I now have the privilege to declare your praises along with the saints of all ages and the holy angels of heaven.”