The Gospel Can't Be Stopped
Acts 12:1-25
James Killed and Peter Imprisoned
12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Peter Is Rescued
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
The Death of Herod
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
SERMON NOTES
"Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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How can the Church prepare for persecution? What are some practical steps we can take?
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The prayer meeting was the gathering of many people and intergenerational.
What do we learn about the value of prayer from Acts 12:1-25? -
How can we teach our children the value of prayer and how to pray?
Scriptures to Consider
1. Matthew 10
2. 1 Peter 3
3. James 1
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, March 26
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 27
6:45 pm Live Free
WEDNESDAY, March 28
9:45 am Keenagers Study
7:00 pm Senegal Information Dessert Night
7:00 pm Easter Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY,March 29
7:00 pm Evening Edition for Women
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
GOOD FRIDAY, March 30
9:15 & 11:15 am - Good Friday Services
6:30 pm "Jesus Film" in the Sanctuary - Free admission & Popcorn!
SATURDAY , March 31
EASTER SUNDAY, April 1
8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 am Easter Morning Worship Services
6:00 pm House of Prayer
JOURNEY UPDATES
EASTER WEEKEND: Please plan to join us for 1or more services and consider inviting someone to the “Jesus Film”.
GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 30
9:15 am
11:15 am
6:30 pm- Family Friendly “Jesus Film” -
All Welcome! Free admission & popcorn for everyone.
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 1
8:30 am
10:00 am
11:30 am
Full children’s programming will be offered at all 3 Easter Sunday services!
SOME of our REGULAR WEEKLY PROGRAMS will be CANCELED this week, due to Spring Break. Programs affected are:
- Daybreak
- Youth Small Groups (Tuesday)
- Awana
- Wednesday Evening Studies
- Friday Night Youth Activities
If your program is not listed above and you are unsure, please contact the church office.
KEENAGERS SPRING BRUNCH Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 am with Musical Guests ‘The Martens Family.’ Sign up at the Welcome Centre today.
YOUTH PARENT Prayer and discussion meeting night with Pastor Josh. Tuesday, April 10 at 7:05 pm until 8:40 pm.
HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL Evangelism Training April 12 at 7:30 pm. God calls us to share our faith with those around us. Pastor Scott will teach how to share in every setting including door to door.
‘ALIEN INTRUSION’ MOVIE April 16 at 7:00 pm Spruce Grove Landmark Theater. Advance tickets only $20 each-must be purchased 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 email Bryan .
WOMEN'S RETREAT April 20-22. Registration is now open online at or in the foyer after service. Earlybird cost is $160/person until April 8.
Save the date GRANDPARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE June 22-23. Visit our website for details or to register.
SENEGAL INFORMATION DESSERT NIGHT Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm. Jerry and Lois Dorn have been approved to serve as International Workers in Senegal Africa. Come to the Fireside Room and hear their story.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Weekly Update -March 18, 2018
General Fund giving Mar. 18 $31,814
38 week average $24,140
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327
Future Dev. Fund giving Mar. 18 $7,765
--Balance as of Mar. 18, 2018 $828,635
Monthly Update July1 to Feb. 28, 2018
General Fund:
-- Budget Surplus $ 9,613
-- Year to date Surplus $ 79,074
Global Advance giving $ 101,887
Canadian Ministries giving $ 32,920
PRAYER
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Our International Workers: Stephen & Marilyn Rigby, Ray & Cindy Perry, Roy & Joyce Hewko.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Josh Palsky - Pastor of Youth and Young Adults. Josh is married to Beth and they have one child.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Janet Sawatzky. Janet is married to Richard and they have 3 adult children.
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Our Elders Team Member: John Olsen. John is married to Arlene and they have 4 children ages 15, 13, 7 and 5.
Family Matters
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CONTROLLING THE FIRE Anger Management from a Christian Perspective. Course at Immanuel Lutheran Church April 19 - May 17 (Thursdays) 7:00 pm to 9:30pm. Call 780-690-2375 to register. $175.00 per person or $300.00 per couple.
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Neighbour Link Fundraising Dinner, April 7 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Doors open at 5:30 pm and tickets are $50 each. Neighbour Link is a non-profit ministry, giving practical help to those in crisis through financial assistance, vouchers, medical aid and much more. Tickets can be purchased by calling 780-960-9669.
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The church office will be closed Good Friday March 30 and Easter Monday April 2.