Going Abroad
Acts 10:1-48
Peter and Cornelius
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter's Vision
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, March 5
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:30 pm Young Adults at Piska’s
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men
TUESDAY, March 6
9:00 am Daybreak
2:00 pm Swan Memorial Service
7:00 pm One Body - Worship Volunteer Meeting
7:00 pm Youth Studies
7:00 pm Deep Dish for Women
WEDNESDAY, March 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,March 8
7:00 pm Evening Edition for Women
7:00 pm Congregational Meeting
FRIDAY, March 9
NO YOUTH
7:00 pm Holy Spirit Encounter
SATURDAY , March 10
9:00 am Holy Spirit Encounter
SUNDAY, March 11
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services
2:30 pm Holy Spirt Encounter
JOURNEY UPDATES
WOMEN join us March 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.
CONREGATIONAL MEETING March 8 at 7:00 pm. Updates on Finances, Strategic Plan and Future Development will be discussed. Everyone is welcome.
MEN’S RETREAT March 9 -11 at Camp Nakamun Cost: $175.00 Topic is Growing in Grace Personally, as a Husband and as a Family Man. Register online. Deadline cut off is Tuesday March 6.
HOLY SPIRIT ENCOUNTER March 9-11. Register Now! Deadline to register is midnight March 6. This event is run by our District office.
SPRING FORWARD Daylight Savings Time change happens this Saturday night March 10.
CHARITABLE DONATION RECEIPTS have been mailed. If you do not get yours within the next two weeks, check with the finance office to see if we have the correct address for your household.
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY? Contact Pastor Karen in the office and she will help you to connect with a small group that is starting up soon.
HYMN SING March 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.
AWANA GRAND PRIX March 17 First race is at 9:00 am. Hot Dog Lunch will be available to purchase. Come and cheer on our clubbers.
DEEPER LIFE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY is offering the course “Training for Reigning II” on March 22 – 24. This is part two of our favorite course on the Life of David. You don’t want to miss it. Anyone can register with Pastor Coreen for credit or just for personal development. (Observer)
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Weekly Update -Feruary 25, 2018
General Fund giving Feb. 25 $15,718
35 week average $24,052
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327
Future Dev. Fund giving Feb. 25 $1,550
--Balance as of Feb. 25, 2018 $805,982
Monthly Update July1 to Jan. 31, 2018
General Fund:
-- Budget Surplus $ 11,654
-- Year to date Surplus $ 81,739
Global Advance giving $ 93,867
Canadian Ministries giving $ 31,577
PRAYER
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Our International Workers: Shaun & Iris Kelly, Charles & Angela Ibsen, David & Annette Faszer.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Scott Buck - Scott is married to Lyn and they have 6 boys ages 10, 9, 7, 6, 3 and 2.
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Our Administrative Team 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: Fred Zelensky. Fred is married to Darlene and they have 3 married children.
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Men who will be attending the Men’s Retreat at Camp Nakamun next weekend
Family Matters
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Deepest Condolances to Nathaniel and Danyel Esposito in the recent passing of Danyel’s Mom Carol Swan. A memorial service will be held here March 6 at 2:00 pm.
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Young Life Fundraising Banquet will be held here Monday March 19. Contact Tracey Flynn for more information.