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Weekly News for Sunday, March 18, 2018

Good News for All People

Acts 11:19-30

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.


SERMON NOTES

“Psalm 96:3–4 connects the evangelizing of the peoples with the quality of praise that God deserves. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.” Notice the word “for.” The extraordinary greatness of the praise that the Lord should receive is the ground and impetus of our mission to the nations.
I infer from this that the beauty and power of praise that will come to the Lord from the diversity of the nations are greater than the beauty and power that would come to him if the chorus of the redeemed were culturally uniform.
The reason for this can be seen in the analogy of a choir. More depth of beauty is felt from a choir that sings in parts than from a choir that sings only in unison. Unity in diversity is more beautiful and more powerful than the unity of uniformity. This carries over to the untold differences that exist between the peoples of the world. When their diversity unites in worship to God, the beauty of their praise will echo the depth and greatness of God’s beauty far more than if the redeemed were from only a few different people groups. -John Piper

  •  Why is unity in the midst of diversity so difficult to achieve?
  • How can we better build bridges to others outside of our social, economical, ethnic and generational difference?

  • How can we do a better job reaching all people?

Scriptures to Consider

1. Revelation 7:9
2. James 2:1-26
3. Matthew 28:19,20


THIS WEEK

MONDAY,  March 19
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 20
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Studies

WEDNESDAY, March 21
9:45 am Keenagers Study
4:00 and 6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm The Truth Project
6:40 pm Soul Care
6:40 pm Financial Peace
6:40 pm Worship & Prayer

THURSDAY,March 22
7:00 pm Evening Edition for Women
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey

FRIDAY, March 23
NO YOUTH

SATURDAY , March 24
         

SUNDAY, March 25
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services


JOURNEY UPDATES

SGAC House of Prayer Sunday, March 18 at 6:00 pm. Join us for an evening of unbroken worship, baptisms, praise and prayer.

Deeper Life School of Theology is offering the course “Training for Reigning II” on March 22 – 24. Register with Pastor Coreen.

EASTER CHOIR - If you’d like to participate in the Easter Sunday Services, please contact the church office. Rehearsal takes place Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm.

Good Friday Services March 30 at 9:15 and 11:15 am. No childcare available for this day.

Good Friday Movie at 6:30 pm March 30 we will be showing the Jesus Film (family friendly). This is open to all ages and an excellent time to invite neighbors and friends.

Easter Sunday Services 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 am. Nursery and Sunday School will be provided for each service.

Young Adult Terminal Velocity & Pizza Saturday April 7 at 2:30- 6:00pm. Cost is $10 per person. For more information visit our Facebook page .

KEENAGERS SPRING BRUNCH Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 am with Musical Guests ‘The Martens Family.’ Sign up at the Welcome Centre on Sunday.

Women’s Retreat April 20-22. Register online now or in the foyer after service. Earlybird cost is $160/person until April 8.

‘Alien Intrusion’ April 16 at 7:00 pm Spruce Grove Landmark Theater. Advance tickets only $20 each-must be purchased in advance online by April 6. This movie gives answers to the highly debated topics of space time travel, time dilation, and Extra-terrestrial’s from both a biblical and scientific platform. For further questions, please contact Bryan.


FINANCIAL UPDATE

 Financial Update March 18, 2018


PRAYER

  • Our International Workers: Tim & Brenda Tjosvold, Jon & Angie Coutts, Ric & Kareen Strangway.

  • 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 Administrative Team Staff Member: Karen Lapp. Karen is married to Jon and they have 2 children ages 18 & 15.

  • Our Elders Team Member: Dante Vinuya. Dante is married to Joyce and they have 2 children ages 18 & 14.


  • Family Matters

  • 40 Days for Life Spring campaign is on.  Please consider praying across the street from the abortion clinic (12400 - 109 A Ave. Edm)

  • The Elder’s Progress Report from the 2016-2019 strategic plan along with the updated strategic plan for 2018-2021 is now available at the Welcome Center or online.

  • BOOK GIVEAWAY tables are in the hallway towards the Nursery.  Please take what you can use. 

  • Congratulations to those who are being baptized this weekend: Elizabeth Goerzen, Josh Thiessen, Steve Medeiros, and Dawn Janssen