Pray
Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
SERMON NOTES
Sometimes a failure to persist in prayer proves that we were not serious about our request in the first place. At other times God wants us to persist in prayer in order to strengthen our faith in Him. Faith would never grow if all prayers were answered immediately. Persistent prayer tends to develop deeper gratitude as well. As the joy of a baby’s birth is greater because of the months of anticipation, so is the joy of an answer to prayer after persistent praying. And as much as a generation that measures time in nanoseconds hates to admit its need for it, God crafts Christlike patience in us when He requires persistence in prayer. --Donald S. Whitney
Reference: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 1991, p. 81, Used by permission of NavPress – , All rights reserved.
- Why do you think that Jesus spoke in parables?
- Have you ever had a time (crisis) in your life that all you could do was to bow your knee and pray?
- How can you cultivate your prayer life?
Scriptures to Consider
1. Psalm 88:1-18
2. Deuteronomy 9:25-29
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, January 21
9:30 am Men’s Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:00 pm Monday Night Men
TUESDAY, January 22
7:00 pm Youth Studies
WEDNESDAY, January 23
9:45 am Keenager’s Study
4:00 & 6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm Corporate Prayer
6:40 pm Understanding OT
6:40 pm Spiritual Gifts Study
6:40 pm The Case for Christ
7:30 pm Young Adults at Piska’s
THURSDAY, January 24
7:00 pm Understanding NT
7:00 pm Soul Care
7:00 pm Evening Edition
7:00 pm DivorceCare
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
FRIDAY, January 25
7:00 pm The Big Story W/ TJ Syroteuk
NO YOUTH
SATURDAY , January 26
9:30 am The Big Story w/ TJ Syroteuk
SUNDAY, January 27
9:15 and 11:15 am Worship Services
JOURNEY UPDATES
SGAC House of Prayer Sunday, January 20 at 6:00 pm. Join us for an evening of unbroken worship, praise and prayer. Keep an eye out for the new Sunday Praise Party planned for February 3 at 6:00 pm as we go “Into His Presence”.
Mid Week Studies Understanding the Old Testament, Spiritual Gifts, and Case for Christ begin on Wednesday, January 23, 6:40 pm. Evening Edition, Soul Care and Understanding the New Testament begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 24.
Registration is now open at the Welcome Centre. See The Journey for more information.
The Big Story with TJ Syroteuk Friday,
January 25 (7 - 9 pm) & Saturday, January 26. (9:30 to 11:30 am) The Bible is a story. The Big Story. A story unlike any other. Spanning thousands of years and dozens of writers, it is the most fascinating, intricately-woven story ever written. Learn as TJ teaches us how it is all connected. There is no charge for this event. TJ will also be joining us at our regular Sunday services on January 27 for more teaching.
Invite friends and neighbors to Faith Family Hockey Night at the Saints game on Friday Feb. 8. After the game participate in the post game activities and hear a gospel message from US Olympian Noah Welch. Stop by the Kiosk for ticket info or contact Tim Wiebe.
Daybreak & Evening Edition “Beautiful Outlaw” by John Eldridge begins January 24 (EE) or January 29. (DB) Register online or at the Welcome Centre today. Today is the last chance to receive the Earlybird Rates.
Love Beyond Borders Women’s Banquet & Silent Auction on February 2 at 5:30 pm. With speaker Linda Driediger and a silent auction with fair trade items. Remaining proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Refugee sponsorship, and 100 % of funds raised at the Silent Auction will be donated to Refugee Sponsorship. Tickets are $25 at the Welcome Centre or at the church office during the week.
The church office requires your contact information. If you have moved in the past 12 months or are new to our church family, please make sure we have your current address as charitable receipts will be processed soon. Email us with the updated information.
Meet n Eat is a social group for families, couples, or individuals who would like to connect with others within our church community. Sign up today at the welcome center to be placed in a small group that will meet in each others homes. Each member will host one meal or dessert night, can be as casual as you like, with the soul purpose of getting to know one another and build community.
Financial Update
Weekly Update -Jan. 13, 2019
General Fund giving Jan. 13 $ 7,679
29 week average $ 23,828
-- Budget requirement $ 24,942
Future Dev. Fund giving Jan. 13 $ 5,468
- Balance as of Jan. 13 $1,330,597
Refugee Fund Dec. 1-Jan.13 $ 7,899
Monthly Update July 1 to Dec. 31, 2018
General Fund Budget Revenue Amount to Date: $ 673,434
General Revenue to Date: $ 660,989
-Budget Shortfall $ 12,445
Global Advance Giving $ 65,310
Canadian Ministries Giving $ 15,338
PRAYER
Please pray for:
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Our International Workers: Cori Ibsen, Dan & Melodie Ibsen, A & J.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Scott Buck. Pastor Scott is married to Lyn and they have 7 children, ages 11, 9, 8, 6, 3, 2, and 6 months.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Debbie Funk. Debbie is married to Rod and they have two children ages 15 and 13.
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Our Elders Team Member: Orv Perry. Orv is married to Peggi and they have three married children.
Family Matters
We will be commissioning the Antigua Missions Team this Sunday. They will be gone from Jan 22 to Feb. 4.
Team Members are:
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Kathy Duncan
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Ryan Nixon
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Crystel Nixon
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Job Nixon
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Ken Nixon
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George Barendregt
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Keagan Barendregt
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Jasmyn Barendregt
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Catarina VanNeck
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Dave Frey
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Lena Hildebrandt
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Blaine Weiss
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Delaney Weiss
Our Condolences to the family of Edith Biebrick. Edith was 99 years old when she passed away on January 15. Service will be held at Serenity Funeral Home 600 Calahoo Road on Saturday Jan. 26 at 1:30 pm.