the vine - uniserveclubweb.interbaun.com/~fcog/summer newsletter 2012.pdf · the vine first church...
TRANSCRIPT
The VINE
First Church of God 9224 - 82 Street, Edmonton, AB T6C 2X3
Phone: 780.469.2404 Fax: 780.469.4416 Email: [email protected] Website: www.firstchog.ca
Summer 2012
Stu’s Views
A Monthly Column
Keep Looking Forward!
fine young fellow who has thus far
rebuilt half of our house. Allie
graduated from the hallowed halls
of W.P. Wagner High School. She
is immensely relieved and more
than ready to move on.
I turned 55 this year. Mr. Double
Nickels. I asked a relative if this
means that I could finally qualify
to become a “cheap senior.” She
remarked that the senior’s menus
can be cheaper, but the portions
are smaller too. (Now that’s
depressing!)
To top it all off, we now have a
grand-doggie. An Australian Blue
Heeler named Kai, which in Kiwi
means “brat.”
Time. It waits for no one. The
clock is always ticking, and its for-
ward momentum is relentless. It
always ticks by at the same pace,
but as I reflect on past memories,
the journey thus far seems to have
been a swift one.
The memories come flooding
back with the intensity of a garlic
milkshake. A nervous young man
on his wedding day, watching his
beautiful bride coming down the
aisle.
Later, three baby daughters with
three sets of cloth diapers to
change. Honestly, Stephanie, I
only remember pinning you twice
instead of the diaper!
Its 5:20 a.m., and I’ve parked my
blue and silver coach next to the
beacon that beckons me to draw
near – the sign of the local 711.
Indeed, it is that time. It is time for
a cup of the good stuff, a medium
French vanilla cappuccino. (Take
that, Terry.)
As I saunter through the gas pump
islands toward my morning siren
song, I think about the number of
significant milestones that have
occurred this year in the story of
the Combs clan.
Pauline and I celebrated our 25th
wedding anniversary, a true testa-
ment to her tenacity and remark-
able staying power. Stephanie has
recently become engaged to Rob, a
Continued….
First Church
Financial Report
Page 2 The VINE Page 2 The VINE
Keep Looking Forward Continued...
The financial report to May 31, 2012 is as
follows:
Budget for May ...................... $12,683
Received .................... $15,159
Expenses ................... $13,559
Income - expense....... $ 1,602
Budget Year-to-Date.............. $63,417
Received .................... $60,477
Short ......................... $ 2,940
Expenses ................... $62,652
Income - expense....... -$ 2,175
In Philippians 3:13b-14, Paul
writes: “But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind
and straining forward to
what is ahead, I press on to-
ward the goal to win the
prize for which God has
called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus.”
And so, with that in mind, I’ve
come to the conclusion that as
good as many of those past memo-
ries were, the future is much more
exciting to contemplate. I’d much
rather live towards the future than
be stuck in the past.
God has promised in His word
that our future is bright and excit-
ing as we invite him into our lives
to walk alongside us.
We don’t know what the future
holds for us, but we do know who
will be with us to guide and direct,
if we allow Him to. And His prom-
ise is an eternal one. He has great
opportunities for us to do eternal
Kingdom work, and in doing so to
live totally fulfilled lives. As a re-
sult, we can be confident, assured,
and focused in this present time
and in the time to come. For me,
these are “the good old days.”
Speaking of moving forward: it’s
coffee time! 711, here I come!
Trips to the Wiebe Hotel in
Nipawin SK in my dad’s ’77 Dodge
Maxivan, which used enough
fuel to keep OPEC happy and
prosperous.
Many years of great memories at
First Church and the congrega-
tional family with whom I shared
those memories.
Observing family members moving
through the various stages of their
lives. Sometimes feeling a little sad
as I thought about how swiftly life
was progressing, but at the same
time very excited as they grew in
their faith journey and maturity as
they handled the various chal-
lenges of life that came their way.
Reuse Fair
September 15 The annual Re-use Fair is just around the corner!
We hope you can help out on Saturday, Septem-
ber 15, for this important ministry.
There will be lots to do and we need your help!
Watch for sign-up sheets in the church foyer com-
ing out soon!
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248.86 Wa “God Loves Bro-
ken People” by Sheila Walsh.
In twelve insightful chapters, the
author shows how personal bro-
kenness can open doors that might
never open otherwise, and a new
wholeness in Jesus emerges.
227.206 Co “The 180° Chris-
tian” by Carter Conlon. This
study, loosely based on I Corin-
thians, asks followers of Christ to
take a close look at themselves,
and to see if we (as the Church, or
individuals) are making a differ-
ence in the culture of excess in
which we live.
253.5 An “Discipleship Coun-
seling” by Neil T. Anderson. A
guide to helping others walk free
in Christ – free of emotional pain
and spiritual conflicts, but also
more complete in understanding
who they are in Christ.
248.4 Sp “The Peace God
Promises” by Ann Spangler. The
author explores what we can learn
from scripture, Jewish tradition,
the Amish, and others, about rest,
simplicity, healing, and peace.
F Ki “The Maid of Fairbourne
Hall” by Julie Klassen. Brimming
with romance and danger, this
novel takes readers inside the
downstairs world of a 19th century
English manor, where appearances
can be deceiving.
F St “The Ambition” by Les
Strobel. Strobel weaves some edgy
characters together in a story set in
part within a mega church, a big
city newspaper, as well as a few
corridors of politics… a thriller!
Now for real fun reading, there are
three new picture story books:
• “Ducks Vocation” by Sandi
Sellen. Read all about Wee-
dooly and McGimpsey and
their wonderful summer in
Canada!
• “If I Were a Mouse” by Karma
Wilson. A child imagines the
fantastic adventures if he or
she were one of God’s other
creations.
• “The Legend of the Sand
Dollar” by Chris Aver. A classic
story for children ages 4-7,
about a small ocean treasure,
with lots of great illustrations.
Finally, there are three new books
for children who can read by
themselves:
• JF Mac “Backyard Horses” by
Dandi D. Mackall.
• JF SC “Meghan Rose Takes the
Cake” by Lori Z. Scott.
• JF Ri “In Grandma’s Attic” by
Arleta Richardson.
Sylvia VanHaitsma
Librarian
New Books in Our Church Library
Page 4 The VINE Page 4 The VINE
when we study the Bible and seek
to understand what it means and
how it applies to our lives. “In this
exercise you’re invited to under-
take an exegesis—a critical inter-
pretation—of your neighbourhood.
Through careful, sensitive, and
critical observation, your task is to
discern the truth of God’s presence
where you live. Quite simply, it’s
about reading your neighbourhood
as one of the primary texts of daily
life—one through which God
speaks.” (Simon Carey Holt, God
Next Door: Spirituality and Mission
in the Neighbourhood, 103).
As we exegete, we will also pray,
talking with God about what we’re
seeing, hearing, learning, and
interceding on behalf of those
whom we ‘encounter.’
Sketch It Out
Before you go anywhere, draw
(or obtain) a map of your
neighbourhood/missional
context with your home/you
in it. Include the homes on
your street, with the names of
the residents if possible, the
street patterns, landmarks
such as parks, shops,
churches, schools and other
community buildings. Be sure
to include those boundary
markers or natural borders
that give your neighbourhood
definition. In this way you will
be setting the parameters of
your neighbourhood, which
has to be walkable.
Other boundaries might be
main streets, a ravine, or
community league divisions...
it’s up to you/your neighbour-
hood network to determine
what your target area is; what
feels like the neighbourhood/
missional context to you.
Some will be larger than oth-
ers; some may expand in the
future. You may want to
sketch out your route (but be
flexible as once you are on
your way…it may change!)
If we are to be on God’s mission in
our neighbourhood, we need to
learn the practice of being-there:
we need to be intentional about
spending time in our front yard
and out on our street. Going for a
prayer walk can help us to slow
down, to be attentive, and discern
more of what God might be up to
and what God might desire in our
‘hood.
I have included below an exegeti-
cal prayer walk that equips us to
love: to understand and pray for
our neighbourhood. Because this
is an exercise that requires explor-
ing your context on foot, you will
need to set aside about two hours
(more or less, depending on the
size of the neighbourhood) so that
you can take your time: to pause,
discern, converse, and pray.
The term “exegete” means “to
critically interpret.” We do this
Much precious Gospel seed,
time, energy, and finances are
wasted because we have not
prayed sufficiently, asking God
to go before us to prepare
hearts.
—Evelyn Christenson
Prayer Walk — Guest Column by Karen Wilk
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Prayer Walk Continued...
swers and follow Your lead-
ing... Equip and empower us
to engage in this place, to
move in and live among as
You did, Lord Jesus, giving it
all...We want to be like You…
our Lord and Saviour, the
Kingdom come near.
Amen.
Dress for the weather with
good walking shoes and you’re
off!
Step out
As you stand just outside your
house or apartment—by the
front gate or on the footpath—
(or in the entrance way of the
gym or Student Union Build-
ing) what do you see as you
look in each direction? What
do you hear, smell, sense?
What activity/ies do you
notice?
Proceed, and as You Go, Consider and Make Note Of...
The architecture of the houses
or apartment complexes...
How old are they on average?
How much renovation or re-
building is going on?
The landscaping... Do the gar-
dens, yards look well cared
for? What do you notice about
the front entrances?
Signage... are there many
places for sale or rent... What
evidence is there of transience
or permanence or transition?
Prior plans… does the area
back onto a major highway or
commercial, industrial, or
business area? What was here
before this neighbourhood...
what has been gained, what
has been lost over the years?
The community and civic
buildings... What are they for?
How do they appear (well-
used, unkempt)? How do they
feel (friendly, inviting, scary)?
The public spaces... how are
they being used? By whom?
Are they adequate?
The shopping area/corner
store or other commercial
spaces... who is the clientele-
locals (your neighbours)? Is
there space to relax, chat,
pause?
The local park/playground/
green space... what do you
notice about it? Does it feel
like an inviting place? Who is
there? How is it used? What is
missing?
Other thoughts, feelings, ob-
servations?
This is real love—not that we
loved God, but that He loved
us and sent His Son as a sacri-
Note: The scope of this exer-
cise is likely larger than your
immediate context/block.
This helps you to get a bigger
picture of your neighbour-
hood. If possible, invite other
followers of Jesus on nearby
streets to participate. This can
expand and enrich your un-
derstanding and appreciation
of the neighbourhood where
God has placed you.
Pray and Prepare for Your Mission
Gather your journal or a note-
book, a pen, a photocopy of (or
your own notes from) the out-
line that follows, some cash or
a coffee card (for one of those
pauses or unexpected opportu-
nities for further conversation
with a neighbour) and an open
mind, gracious heart, and
attentive spirit.
Pray...
Breathe on me/us, Breath of
God, breathe on me/us. Give
us Your eyes to see this com-
munity, these people as You
do... Give us Your ears to lis-
ten to their hearts as You hear
them... Give us open and at-
tentive spirits to recognize
where You are already at
work... Fill us with courage
that we might ask the right
questions, accept the true an-
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At storm sewers, thanks for
clean, plentiful water...
At mailboxes and newsstands,
for mail carriers, reporters-
integrity...
For the people who pass by...
You get the idea....
As the Spirit leads!
Stop and sit...
At a cafe, on a tree-lined street
and/or a park bench...
What are the sights, sounds
and smells of your neighbour-
hood/missional context?
Chat with those around you. If
you’re really brave, ask them if
they live in the area and what
fice to take away our sins. Dear
friends, since God loved us
that much, we surely ought to
love each other. 1 John 4:10,11
Pause and Pray…
At the end of streets, ask God’s
blessing on the residents....(if
you know them by name, all
the better).
At fire hydrants, pray for fire-
fighters...
At schools, pray for students
and teachers...
At churches, pray for their
presence, ministry, staff, mis-
sion...
At businesses, pray for integ-
rity and fair, honest business
practices, success, community
awareness and engagement…
At street lights, for police
officers and the safety of the
neighbourhood...
At electric poles, thanks for the
wonder and convenience of
electricity!
At stop signs, for law abiding
citizens, drivers, cyclists, walk-
ers, safe streets...
At bus stops, pray for city
workers and commuters....
At a busy intersection, for the
people in a hurry...
they think are the strengths
and struggles of it...
Reflect &Discern...
Are there places that feel un-
safe, where you wouldn’t/don’t
go?
Places of hope, beauty, com-
munity...
What it would be like to live
here if you were housebound,
without a vehicle, very young
or very old; single, disadvan-
taged...
Is there evidence of struggle,
despair, neglect, alienation...
What’s your sense of connec-
tion and identification with the
neighbourhood...
Your sense of the community’s
state of mind... fear and anxi-
ety, longing and hopefulness,
joy and contentment, friendli-
ness and security...
Your sense of God’s presence
and activity....
Your sense of calling and com-
passion...
What have you learned, dis-
cerned?
How will you respond?
Share your experiences with
your group.... especially your
reflections.
Prayer Walk Continued...
“The neighbourhood remains a
fundamentally important context of
urban life and deserves to be taken
seriously by those who live in one. I
believe that in ignoring the health and
wellbeing of our local neighbourhood,
we’re ignoring the glue that binds the
wider city together and makes it a
genuinely human environment. And
perhaps most importantly, I believe a
spirituality that does not nurture our
connections with the daily places of
life fails to reflect the life-
transforming nature of the Christian
faith.”
(Simon Carey Holt, God Next Door:
Spirituality and Mission in the
Neighbourhood, 14)
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Prayer Walk Continued...
the exegetical exploration
every six months (or so) and
then see how your perceptions
have changed; what else you
discover; how more specifically
you can pray.
Karen is a National Team Member for
Forge Canada and a Missional Leader
Developer for the Christian Reformed
Make a Plan to Try It Again
Some do a weekly prayer walk.
Try the whole experience again
with a partner or two from
your neighbourhood network/
context.
You might also plan to repeat
Church in North America. She is pastor
at the River Community Church in Ed-
monton and has written several books,
including Don’t Invite Them to Church,
A Devotional Guide to Pursuing God’s
Mission Together in Your Neighbour-
hood.
The goal of the Missions Practicum Fund is to provide subsidies to
individuals of the First Church of God for the purposes of
traveling on mission trips.
Through its recipients, the Fund will develop within the church a
passion for missions, foster a lifelong commitment to missions, and
facilitate the spread of the gospel message.
Donations can be made to the Missions Practicum Fund at any time.
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International Youth Convention – Denver
of the United States – as well as in
three provinces in Canada.
In the late 1990s, the youth minis-
try team developed an overall pur-
pose statement for IYC: to create a
moment for life change. This pri-
mary purpose drives everything
that happens at the convention.
Because of IYC, thousands of
young men and women have made
life-changing decisions.
Over the past ten years at IYC,
thousands of teenagers have
pledged to remain sexually pure.
Thousands of youth have gone to
the prayer room to begin or renew
their relationship with God. Hun-
dreds of teenagers have indicated
a sense of call to full-time ministry
On Sunday, July 1, six people
from First Church will leave to
attend the International Youth
Convention of the Church of
God. The convention is held
from July 4–7, but our group is
leaving a few days earlier to
participate in a mission experi-
ence in the city of Denver prior
to the convention.
Please pray that the attendees
may have safe travels and open
hearts to meet God at work in
their lives.
What is IYC?
The International Youth Conven-
tion of the Church of God, better
known as IYC, was launched in the
early 1920's. In the years that fol-
lowed, international youth conven-
tions have been held in all regions
or missions. At IYC2010 alone,
more than five hundred students
came to the emerging leaders
gathering, which was focused on
those who felt called to full-time
ministry or missions. New church
plants and existing church plants
have been helped through IYC stu-
dents in the last three IYC host
cities.
Since 1992, participants have
given back to the host city with a
project day. It is estimated that
$500,000 worth of volunteer la-
bour has been given to the host
cities from IYC. An estimated
63,000 pounds of garbage was
picked up in one city alone.
The giving goes beyond the city
limits of the sites where IYC is
held. Since 1998, almost 4,200
persons have participated in
mission experiences in eleven
different countries.
IYC = Life Change
Leaders:
Sarah Chestnutt
Pastor Julian
Attendees:
Corina Zado
Allie Combs
Laura Rohac
William Yanke
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IYC Continued...
• Over 19,000 students & adults
were present for these life-
changing days.
• It is estimated that over 20,000
hours worth of volunteer labour
has been given to the host cities.
• Hundreds of teenagers have indi-
cated a sense of a call to full-time
ministry or missions.
This IYC, rather than having a sin-
gle theme verse, we are going to
dig deep into an entire theme
chapter.
IYC also helps to nurture a giving
heart and a lifetime focus on oth-
ers. Since 2002 convention partici-
pants have given almost $350,000
to "Spread the Word," a teen mis-
sion support opportunity designed
to help fund tools for evangelism
around the world. These funds are
now being used on six continents.
Over the past four youth con-
ventions:
• 44 states and 8 countries were
represented.
Romans 8 will be our foundation,
and our theme is:
LIVE!
LIVE…free,
LIVE…awakened,
LIVE…empowered,
LIVE…connected.
We have great anticipation of what
God is going to do at IYC2012 in
Denver, Colorado.
IYC Penny Jar — THANK YOU
We raised $240 from the Penny Jar!
Thank you for donating your loose change (and a few bills) to the IYC
Penny Jar. It certainly added up!
We thank you once again for your continued support of the youth of
First Church!
Page 10 The VINE
First Church Springs Cleans! Nearly 30 people worked together on Saturday, May 5, for the All
Church Spring Clean-Up Day!
Together we scrubbed and mowed and hammered and laughed
and polished and sorted and visited and vacuumed and dusted and
tidied… until the whole building sparkled. Thanks to everyone who
came out to lend a hand!
Page 11 The VINE
July 1–8: IYC in Denver
July 10–15: Western Canadian Campmeeting at Deer Valley Meadows
July 15: NO CHURCH SERVICE HERE
July 22–27: Alberta Youth Camp at Deer Valley Meadows
July 30–August 3: Children’s Camp at Deer Valley Meadows
September 14: Holyrood Block Party
September 15: Re-Use Fair
November 9–11: Couple’s Retreat
December 9: Christmas Banquet
Wednesdays — Ultimate Frisbee in the Holyrood Park. 7:00 p.m.
9224 - 82 Street
Edmonton AB T6C 2X3
Phone: 780-469-2404
Fax: 780-469-4416
E-mail: [email protected]
First Church of God
First Church Forecast
Son
Shine Showers of Blessings
Check our
website for
information
and updates!
www.firstchog.ca