Walking in Blessing
Matthew 5:1-12
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
SERMON NOTES
The blessing of a Rabbi was a huge matter to people of Jesus’ day.
Mark records, “The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
- Mark 10:13-16 (MSG)
Many places in scripture address the topic of blessing. The heads of families, passed on their patriarchal blessing to their sons. Such blessing, not only gave them a ‘warm feeling’ of family togetherness, but it also invoked the blessing of God, the Almighty leader of the family. As well a passing of family inheritance was communicated.
God wants us to be blessed – enriched, contented, fulfilled. His blessing, as laid out in Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching, gives us a unique ‘formula’ for understanding and applying God’s plan of His blessing.
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, July 10
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women's Prayertime
TUESDAY, July 11
WEDNESDAY, July 12
9:45 am Keenager’s Study
10:30 am Park Play Days at Ecole Broxton Park School
7:00 pm Future Development Meeting
7:00 pm Young Adults Study at Vanderveen’s
THURSDAY, July 6
FRIDAY, July 7
SATURDAY , July 8
SUNDAY, July 9
10:00 am Worship Service
JOURNEY UPDATE
FAMILY FRIENDLY SERVICES - There will be no child care on today (due to building maintenance) and only Nursery infant/toddler care July 9 & 16. Our summer Sunday School program is volunteer run - giving our regular teachers a break. Please sign up at the Check-In kiosk to indicate the Sunday you prefer to supervise during the summer.
PARK PLAY DAYS Women, we will meet at Ecole` Boxton School from 10:30 am to noon, Wednesday, July 12. Check out our Facebook page, Spruce Grove Alliance Women for details and dates.
Hymn Sing tonight at 6:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Join us for a time of praising God with old fashioned hymns. Open to all ages. Bring finger food for sharing after the event.
VBS (Vacation Bible School) August 14 - 18. Maker Fun Factory for ages 3 to 12. Registration is now open online!
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT TEAM will be hosting a meeting July 12 at 7:00 pm. Continue to provide pledges if you haven’t already. This is open to all who call SGAC their church home.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help with summer Discovery Island and VBS, Talk to a Children’s Ministry worker at the Check-In station, or contact the church and sign up online.
SINGIN’ THE GOSPEL July 16 at 6:00 pm. The Pilkey Sisters, from Abbotsford, BC, have been singing Gospel Music since the tender age of 5. These three young women bring to their audiences a unique blend of “family harmony” with a tightly-knit sound. A freewill offering will be taken.
MISSIONS: Pastor Coreen will be taking a team to Antigua again this January 2018 to provide Discipleship Curriculum in the public schools and present the Gospel in a creative way. An info meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 18 at 7:00 pm. (Ages 8 - 80) Please call or text Catarina Van Neck at 780 - 667-4601 or Kathy Duncan at 780-722-3211 if you have any questions.
Safety and Risk Management Training, July 26 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and Aug 9 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. All volunteers working with children are required to take this training once per year. If you are new to volunteering or need to update please let Debbie or Janet know when you will attend. A VBS training will follow for all VBS volunteers on Aug 9 at 7:00 pm.
THE PURPOSE OF TITHING
The Scripture says someting very interesting. It says that the reason for the tithe is to teach us to fear God and to place Him first. We are to somehow express that He is our greatest treasure of all. Where we put or invest our money, by choice, will help our heart move that way.
In other words, if you want God to bless your marriage, put God first in your marriage. If you want God to bless your job, put Him first in your job. If you want God to bless your decisions about your future, then place Him first in your decisions about your future. If you want God to bless your finances, then put Him first in your finances.
Tithe means “tenth” or the “first tenth”. It’s the heart of God’s people to reach others with the gospel who may have never heard it any other way. It is our contribution. So we give with all our hearts and all our love because we know that God will somehow convert it to life.
Prayer
Please pray for:
- Our International Workers: Rae-Anna & Gordon Schutz, Larry & Trixie Nanninga, Matthew & Charity Quick.
- Our Pastoral Staff: Josh Palsky - Pastor or Youth and Young Adults. JoSh is married to Beth.
- Our Administrative Staff: Joanna Halliday. Joanna is married to Joel and they have 2 children ages 10 & 6.
- Our Elders: Mike Boldt. Mike is married to Natalie and they have three children ages 10, 8 and 6
- The Jespersen families in the passing of Esther. A memorial service was held on Friday July 7.
Family Matters
- Congratulations to Nic Cooper who took a step of obedience and was baptized last weekend.
- You are invited to Shelby’s Dessert Night Fundraiser Thursday July 27 at 7 pm. Come bid on silent auction items and hear about her experience in missions. Discover how you can become a part of it! For more information contact Shelby here.