Gabriel ... Sent By God
3rd Sunday of Advent
LUKE 1:26 - 33
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; [a]blessed are you among women!”
29 But [b]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Sermon Notes
Proclamations are powerful statements....
“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.”
George Washington
That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any state or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thence forward, and forever free.
Abraham Lincoln
Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
Gabriel, God’s Messenger
Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.
Jesus
It is finished.
Jesus
- God’s proclamations are ALWAYS powerful and passion-filled.
- God’s proclamations ALWAYS dispel fear and give power to those receiving them.
- God’s proclamations ALWAYS bring joy.
Financial Update
SGAC GENERAL FUND GIVING UPDATE
As of November 30, 2019 our General Fund is short $43,800 (GF giving less actual expenses). Would you prayerfully consider giving to offset this shortfall as God enables? We would like to finish the year in a positive position so we can continue the good work we do here in our church and our community. May God richly bless you as you continue to be faithful to Him.
Regarding 2019 Tax Receipts, all giving must
be in the church office or completed online by December 31. Please ensure
that the church office has your current address, especially if you have moved in 2019.
This Week
Monday, December 16
9:30 am Women's Prayer
9:30 am Men's Prayer
Tuesday, December 17
Wednesday, December 18
9:45 am Keenager’s Christmas Party
Thursday, December 19
Friday, December 20
Saturday, December 21
Sunday, December 22
9:15 &11:15 am Worship Services
1:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
JOURNEY UPDATES
Christmas Carol HYMN SING Join us Sunday at 6:00 pm in the Fireside Room as we sing some old fashined Christmas Carols. Coffee will be served afterwards so please bring finger foods to share. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!
CHRISTMAS CAROLING will take place in neighbourhoods nearby on Monday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 18. Please meet at the church at 6:00 pm on those nights and instructions will be given as to where you can go.
We are putting together a choir for Christmas Eve this year & are looking for singers. Christmas Eve Services take place on Tuesday, December 24 at 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm. There will be one rehearsal at 1:00 pm Sunday December 22. Please contact Karen Lapp in the office, karen.lapp@sgac.net, if this would be of interest to you or if you would like more information.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE TIMES Tuesday December 24 3:30, 5:00 and 6:30 pm. Come prepared to worship our King!
ALPHA is coming to SGAC! Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone’s welcome. Who will you invite? Come explore together. Sundays, beginning January 12 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Oasis Room. Space is limited. Sign up today by contacting Pastor Steve at steve.kim@sgac.net. Please indicate the number of guests upon sign up.
Brendan Evjen has been serving with us for the past several months as our Worship Arts and Prayer Intern. We have appreciated having him on our staff. He will be finishing this term at the end of December and, as we stated when he started, we would like to give him a love offering. He has not been on payroll. If you would like to give him a gift please note: Use the BROWN envelopes at the Welcome Centre. Gifts can be ONLY BE cash or cheque (made payable to Brendan Evjen, NOT SGAC). No receipts can be issued for these gifts. A donation box will be made available on Sunday, December 22 and 29 at the Welcome Centre.
PRAYER
Please pray for:
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Our International Workers: Shaun & Iris Kelly, Charles & Angela Ibsen, Daryl & Birgit Sam.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Coreen Frey. Pastor Coreen is married to Dave and they have 3 married children.
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Our Support Staff Team Member: Karen Lapp. Karen is married to Jon and they have 3 children ages 21, 20 & 17.
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Our Elders Team Member: Orv Perry. Orv is married to Peggi and they have three married children.
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Our Students: Sarah Shentaler at Ambrose University.
Family Matters
Thank You for all the Love and Care (meals and prayers) that were given to us. We have felt blessed and cared for in this time of Walter’s passing. Even the extended family sensed a caring atmosphere here at SGAC.
-Betty Loewen
- A HUGE job well done to all of our kids last Sunday. You all worked so hard and did a fantastic job. Thank you to all of the parents, Discovery Island volunteers and of course all of the production behind the scenes. None of this would happen without your time and commitment.