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Weekly News for Sunday, December 17, 2017

Highest Esteem
Acts 5:17-42

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

SERMON NOTES

"How did Jesus expect His disciples to react under persecution? (In Matthew 5:12 He said), "Rejoice and be glad!" We are not to retaliate like an unbeliever, nor sulk like a child, nor lick our wound in self-pity like a dog, nor just grin a bear it like a stoic, still less pretend we enjoy it like a masochist. What then? We are to rejoice as a Christian should and even "leap for joy" (Luke 6:23)." - John Stott

"Therefore, I bind these lies and slanderous accusations to my person as an
ornament; it belongs to my Christian profession to be vilified, slandered,
reproached and reviled, and since all this is nothing but that, as God and my conscience testify, I rejoice in being reproached for Christ's sake."
                                                                       - John Bunyan


  • The religious leaders where jealous of the Apostles and all that was happening (Acts 5:17).  Their response was to violently try to stop the work.  What is The religious leaders where jealous of the Apostles and all that was happening (Acts 5:17).  Their response was to violently try to stop the work.  What is jealousy?  How do you struggle with jealousy?  How can we resist jealousy? How should we respond to jealous people?

  • The disciple chose to disobey the orders of the Sadducees in Acts 4:18.  Was it right to disobey?  Why or Why not?

  • How do you respond to conflict or opposition?  The Apostles rejoiced (Acts 5:40).

Scriptures to Consider

  •  James 3
  • Matthew 10
  • Romans 8

THIS WEEK

MONDAY,  December 18
9:30 am Outreach Men’s Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men

TUESDAY, December 19
The Church Office Will Be Closed from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

WEDNESDAY, December 20

THURSDAY, December 21
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey

FRIDAY, December 22

   
SATURDAY , December 23
5:00 pm Paskhuhan Filipino Christmas Party

SUNDAY, December 24
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services
3:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Services


JOURNEY UPDATE

DECEMBER 24 WORSHIP SERVICES 9:15 and 11:15am. There is nursery care for the morning services only. Kids age 3 to Grade 6 join your family in the service. Later that day, we will host 3 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES at 3:30, 5:00 and 6:30 pm. All services are family friendly.

ALL OFFERINGS to be counted for 2017 must be in the church by Dec. 31. If you have moved during this past year, please let the church office know of your new mailing address so the charitable donation receipts can be mailed in January.

MEN'S COFFEE BREAK The Maintenance Team invites all guys to a coffee time Saturday, January 6 at 9:00 am in the Fireside Room. We want to share how maintenance work in the church is being done and how you can be a part of it. Drop by for a cinnamon bun, coffee and conversation.

CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Dec, 25 and Dec. 26. Open Dec. 27 - 29. Closed Jan. 1, re-opening on  Jan. 02.

PASKUHAN 2017 Filipino MInistry invites you to a Christmas Party. Dec. 23 at 5:00 pm Call Emeline at 780-716-3499 for more information.

ANTIGUA's Last Fundraiser -For the person who has everything; Why not purchase a backpack filled with school supplies and bible for $30. You will receive a gift card to give. Contact Pastor Coreen  for details.

ATTENTION AWANA FAMILIES. We are now taking a break for Christmas and will return Jan 10. Please continue to help your kids learn and understand their verses. They may see a Children’s Ministry worker on Sundays if they would like to say verses over the break. Enjoy your time off.

WORSHIP & PRAYER will resume Jan. 10. Watch for our Ministry Fair Jan. 14.

BAPTISM CLASSES with Pastor Art Jan 7 and 14 at 9:30 and 11:30 am. If you have had this on your heart, or want questions answered please contact Pastor Art.

GRANDPARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE  Gift Certificates are available to purchase after Sunday's services at the Welcome Center. $89/each. For more information, email the GP Matters Conference Team.


FINANCIAL UPDATE

 Weekly Update - December 10, 2017 
General Fund giving Dec. 26 $ 58,640 
24 week average $ 24,056 
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327 

Future Dev. Fund giving Dec. 10 $ 2,283
--Balance as of Dec.10, 2017 $591,270

Monthly Update July1 to Nov. 30, 2017
General Fund:
-- Budget Shortfall $ 50,821
-- Year to date Surplus $ 913

Global Advance giving $ 41,264

Canadian Ministries giving $ 11,672


PRAYER

Please pray for:

  • Our International Workers: Roy & Joyce Hewko, Tracey Flynn, Roy & Miriam Taylor.

  • Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Art Quist. Art is married to Betty and they have 3 married children.

  • Our AdministrativeTeam Staff Member: Joanne Fehr. Joanne is married to Bruce and they have 2 adult children.

  • Our Elders Team Member: Graham Jespersen. Graham is married to Laresa and they have three children, ages 10, 9 & 6.


Family Matters

  • Thank you to all the staff and friends for their prayer support from my recent surgery. May God bless you abundantly as He has blessed me - Helen Knopp

  • Please check your mail box located by the Nursery hallway. If you have been coming here for awhile there is a chance someone has put a Christmas greeting card in your mail box. They are alphabetical according to you last name.