Distracted: Acts 6:1-7
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
SERMON NOTES
Your call will become clear as your mind is transformed by the reading of Scripture and the internal work of God’s Spirit. The Lord never hides His will from us. In time, as you obey the call first to follow, your destiny will unfold before you. The difficulty will lie in keeping other concerns from diverting your attention.”Your call will become clear as your mind is transformed by the reading of Scripture and the internal work of God’s Spirit. The Lord never hides His will from us. In time, as you obey the call first to follow, your destiny will unfold before you. The difficulty will lie in keeping other concerns from diverting your attention.” - Charles Swindoll
- As the Church in Jerusalem grew, so to did its complexity. With complexity came the need to care for the needs of the marginalized. What is our responsibility to widows (or other marginalized people)? What scriptures come to mind that speak specifically to widows or orphans?
- What call has God placed on your life? What are your Spiritual gifts and how are you developing the spiritual gifts that God has given you? Do you have a mentor, a community of people to strengthen your walk with the Lord?
- The Apostles looked to the body of believers to find solutions. They easily could have been distracted from their ‘calling’ by doing good things. In what ways do we get distracted from our calling?
- How do you respond to conflict or opposition? The Apostles rejoiced (Acts 5:40).
Scriptures to Consider
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Ephesians 4:1-12
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1 Corinthians 12:4-12,28
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Romans 12:6-8
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, January 8
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men
TUESDAY, January 9
7:00 pm Youth Studies
WEDNESDAY, January 10
9:45 am Keenagers Study
4:00 and 6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm Worship & Prayer
THURSDAY, January 11
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
FRIDAY, January 12
7:30 pm Sr. High Youth - at Paul Friesen’s
SATURDAY , January 13
SUNDAY, January 14
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services (Ministry Fair Follows in the Gym)
1:00 pm Safety & Risk Management
3:00 pm Youth Parent's Meeting
JOURNEY UPDATE
PROGRAMS RESUME this week: Young Adults and Monday Night Men on Monday night, Youth Studies on Tuesday night, AWANA and Worship & Prayer meeting on Wednesday night.
Safety and Risk Management Training Jan 13 at 9:30 am or Jan 14 at 1:00 pm. All volunteers working with children are required to take Safety and Risk Management once per year. If you have not taken training since last January you are due to renew your training. If you are unsure please contact Debbie in the office. All new volunteers should plan to attend. Food will be served at each meeting. RSVP to Debbie Funk.
Ministry Fair: Join us in the gym January 14 after both services to discover what we have to offer for weekly study programs. You will also register for a mid-week program. Check the Journey to get more information before time and come to the Ministry Fair with any questions you might have.
Wednesday Night Small Groups will begin Jan, 24. with the studies “The Truth Project”, “The Case for Christ” and “Soul Care”. “Financial Peace” will begin on Jan. 31. For information please check the Journey. Register Sunday morning at the Welcome Center.
YOUTH this Friday night is for Sr. High. Directions to Paul Friesen’s Acreage see Merge Youth Facebook or call the office.
Young Adults resumes with a potluck supper Jan. 8 at 6:00 pm Study to follow at 7:00 pm. Held at the home of Mike and Bonny Piska 13 Linksview Close. For more information call or text Corisa at 780-996-8687.
BAPTISM CLASSES with Pastor Art Today and Jan.14 at 9:30 and 11:30 am. If you have had this on your heart, or want questions answered please contact Pastor Art.
Deeper Life School of Theology invites you to join us for our 8th course on January 18 – 20. Pastor Coreen is excited about offering a counseling course, “ Resolving Conflict and Anger God’s way” with Dr. Willaim Graybill. Conflict is unavoidable, and this course will alleviate the fear and give biblical skills to manage conflict and anger. Register today with Pastor Coreen.
Women’s Daybreak registration is now open online www.sgac.net/eventregistration. or at the Welcome Centre today. Classes begin Jan 30. Evening Edition begins Feb. 01. Both groups are studying 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilken. Register online now!
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Weekly Update - December 31, 2017
General Fund giving Dec. 24 $46,429
27 week average $26,030
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327
Future Dev. Fund giving Dec. 31 $ 48,155
--Balance as of Dec.31, 2017 $661,641
Monthly Update July1 to Dec. 31, 2017
General Fund:
-- Budget Shortfall $ 45,986
-- Year to date Surplus $ 124,241
Global Advance giving $ 73,223
Canadian Ministries giving $ 15,091
PRAYER
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Our International Workers: Rae-Anna & Gordon Schutz, Matthew & Charity Quick, Shaun & Iris Kelly.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Andrew Bugiera. Andrew is our Pastor of Worship, Arts & Prayer. He is married to Amy and they have three children ages 7, 3 & 2.
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Our AdministrativeTeam Staff Member: Kim Friesen. Kim is married to Paul and they have 3 children ages 19, 16 and 12.
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Our Elders Team Member: Dante Vinuya. Dante is married to Joyce and they have 2 children ages 18 & 14.
Family Matters
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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.