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Weekly News for Sunday, February 4, 2018

Unbelief & Unrepentant: Acts 8:9-25

Simon the Magician Believes

But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.


SERMON NOTES

““Peter’s words to Simon were not merely harsh, they were full of mercy. The love of self-glory is an extremely dangerous cancer of the soul and is spiritually fatal if not addressed. This cancer requires a straightforward, serious diagnosis. Both Peter and John had been beneficiaries of the Great Physician’s graciously severe rebukes”“Peter’s words to Simon were not merely harsh, they were full of mercy. The love of self-glory is an extremely dangerous cancer of the soul and is spiritually fatal if not addressed. This cancer requires a straightforward, serious diagnosis. Both Peter and John had been beneficiaries of the Great Physician’s graciously severe rebukes”             - Simon the Magician: The Peril of Pursuing Greatness (Article by Jon Bloom)

 

  • Philip and Peter prioritize four things in their proclamation: Believe, Baptism, Repent, Be filled with the Holy Spirit. What is important about these four things? Why do you think Philip and Peter would emphasizes these four things?

  • Peter gives a strong warning to Simon. Why do you think Peter is so strong?

  • What can we learn from this text about the Person of Jesus and what it looks like to be on Mission with Jesus?

Scriptures to Consider

 

1. Isaiah 29:13

2. 1 John 3:8-10

3. Matthew 7:21-23


THIS WEEK

MONDAY,  February 5
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:30 pm Young Adults (meet at Piska's, 13 Linksview Close)
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men

TUESDAY, February 6
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Studies
7:00 pm Deep Dish for Women


WEDNESDAY, February 7
9:45 am Keenagers Study
4:00 and 6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm The Truth Project
6:40 pm The Case for Christ
6:40 pm Soul Care
6:40 pm Living in the Will of God
6:40 pm Financial Peace
6:40 pm Worship & Prayer

THURSDAY,February 8
7:00 pm Evening Edition for women
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey

FRIDAY, February 9
7:30 pm Youth - ALL YOUTH Grades 7-12 - "Building it Up"

SATURDAY , February 10


SUNDAY, February 11
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services
6:00 pm Hymn Sing


JOURNEY UPDATES

HYMN SING Sunday, February 11 at 6:00 pm. Join us for a good old fashioned Hymn Sing. This is open to all ages. Bring finger foods to share after the event.

Wednesday Night Small Groups have begun with the studies “The Truth Project”, “The Case for Christ” , “Soul Care”, “Living in the Will of God” and “Financial Peace” . For information please check the Journey. Register at the church office.

WOMEN join us February 6 at 7:00 pm for DEEP DISH. A time of connection, community, and conversation. We will meet in the Fireside Room and dessert and coffee will be served.  All women are welcome to attend this casual evening.

MEN’S RETREAT March 9 -11 at Camp Nakamun Cost: $160.00 until February 23/ $175.00 after February 23. Register online! . Contact Pastor Art for more detials.

FAITH FAMILY HOCKEY NIGHT on Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 pm Spruce Grove Saints VS Lloydminster Bobcats. Post Game Festivities include free pizza, prizes. testimony of faith and gospel presentation. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/youth. Contact Tim 780 970 4869 for information or tickets.

YOUNG ADULTS We will be doing Pizza and Escape Room Board Games on Sunday, February 18 immediately following the 11:15 service. Come to 13 Linksview Close. We will be ordering pizza for lunch so please register on Facebook and bring $7.

CONTROLLING THE FIRE Anger Management from a Christian Perspective Course offered by Mark Thompson & Dawn Rebke. Feb. 22 - March 22 at Immanuel Church of Rosenthal.  Email or call 780 690 2375 to register.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS- We are looking for people who enjoy reading and working with books; who are computer literate and able to serve Sunday mornings on a rotating schedule. Please contact Corina Langdon for more information.

CONGRATULATIONS to Karen Houcher who is now a licensed worker with Christian & Missionary Alliance.


FINANCIAL UPDATE

 Weekly Update -January 28, 2018 
General Fund giving Jan. 28 $11,859
31 week average $24,703
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327 

Future Dev. Fund giving Jan. 28 $ 1,286
--Balance as of Jan. 28, 2018 $787,042

Monthly Update July1 to Dec. 31, 2017
General Fund:
-- Budget Surplus $ 45,986
-- Year to date Surplus $ 124,241

Global Advance giving $ 73,223

Canadian Ministries giving $ 15,091


PRAYER

  • Our International Workers: Ray & Cindy Perry, Roy & Joyce Hewko, Tracey Flynn.

  • Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor of Women’s Ministries - Karen Houcher. Karen is married to Dan and they have 5 children ages 18, 16, 13 and 11.

  • Our AdministrativeTeam Staff Member: Debbie Funk. Debbie is married to Rod and they have two children ages 14 and 12.

  • Our Elders Team Member: Del Dyck. Del is married to Carol and they have two married children.