AGM In Jerusalem
Acts 15:1-35
The Jerusalem Council
15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
SERMON NOTES
Christianity seems at first to be all about morality, all about duties and rules and guilt and virtue, yet it leads you on, out of all that, into something beyond. One has a glimpse of a country where they do not talk of those things, except perhaps as a joke. Every one there is filled full with what we should call goodness as a mirror is filled with light. But they do not call it goodness. They do not call it anything. They are not thinking of it. They are too busy looking at the source from which it comes. -C S Lewis -- Mere Christianity
- How do you understand Law versus Grace? Why was it important that the early Church got this right?
- What was the purpose of the Law? What is the purpose of the Law today?
- How can we better keep Jesus the center of our Christian faith?
Scriptures to Consider
1. Galatians 1:8-10, 3:11, 5:22-23
2. John 4:21
3. James 4:8
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, April 30
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:00 pm Family Badminton
7:30 pm Young Adults at Piska’s
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men
TUESDAY, May 1
9:00 am Daybreak
6:45 pm Live Free
7:00 pm Youth Small Groups
WEDNESDAY, May 2
6:30 pm AWANA Awards Night
THURSDAY, May 3
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
FRIDAY, May 4
7:30 pm Youth - Grades 7-12 event "Worship & Word"
SATURDAY , May 5
9:00 am - 1:00 pm 2 Little 4 Me Toy & Clothing Sale
SUNDAY, May 6
9:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services
JOURNEY UPDATES
FAMILY BADMINTON runs every Monday night at 7:00 pm. This is open to anyone age 13 and over. For more information contact Deneen at 780 960 0500.
DEEP DISH Women building Connections, Community, and Conversation. A casual time for all women to come together and get connected. Drop in to the Fireside room from 7:00-8:45 pm, this Tuesday evening, May 1 for a time of building friendship with other women. Enjoy some coffee and dessert as we dig deeper into life and faith.
2 Little 4 Me Toy & Clothing Sale Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Bring your friends and neighbors as there will great bargains, great food and a vibrant community atmosphere. Proceeds from the table sales for the spring sale, will be split between C&MA’s initiative to raise money to purchase midwifery kits for women in Papua, and the Parkland Food Bank. A concession will also be available on the day of the sale, proceeds from that will go towards the AWANA program at SGAC.
What’s Your Emoji FREE FAMILY EVENT May 9 at 6:30 pm. Ventriloquism, puppets, blacklight and more with Donna and Laurie Boone. Please pick up your free ticket at the Check In kiosk or at the church office. Bring your loonies and toonies for snacks after the show.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER May 15 at 6:00 pm. If you have volunteered with a ministry group in the 2017/2018 year, you are invited. Contact the Church Office to sign up!
FLOWER BASKET FUNDRAISER for Future Development. We are partnering with Aspen Grove Nurseries to order 10” or 12” hanging baskets. Orders will be taken at the Welcome Centre until May 6. For more information contact the church office.
DEEPER LIFE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY is offering the course by Dr. Fuchsia Pickett, Holy Spirit I on May 24-26. Learn about the seven personalities, seven powers and seven offices of the Holy Spirit. Come and grow in the Lord as we study God’s word or earn your Theology degree. To register contact Pastor Coreen today.
SGAC is pleased to announce the formation of the SGAC Visitation Team, an Elder led initiative with the desire to serve, build, and strengthen our community within the body of Christ. They are seeking to do this by getting to know those who attend, or are newly attending, our church! If you have any questions, please contact the church office or any member of the Board of Elders.
GRANDPARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE June 22-23. Visit our website for details or to register.
LOST AND FOUND Please check the tables in the Nursery hallway for items you are missing. These will only be here until Friday May 4 - then will be taken to a local Thrift Shop.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Weekly Update April 22, 2018
General Fund giving Apr. 22 $ 16,415
43 week average $ 24,010
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327
Future Dev. Fund giving Apr. 22 $ 9,619
--Balance as of Apr. 22, 2018 $ 891,278
Monthly Update July1 to Mar. 31, 2018
-- Budget Shortfall $ 12,210
-- Year to date Surplus $ 87,838
Global Advance giving $109,488
Canadian Ministries giving $ 34,794
PRAYER
Please pray for:
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Our International Workers: David & Annette Faszer, Cori Ibsen, Dan & Melodie Ibsen.
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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, 14 and 11.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Kim Friesen. Kim is married to Paul and they have 3 children ages 19, 17 and 13.
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Our Elders Team Member: Russell Mueller. Russell is married to Virgie and they have 3 married children.
Family Matters
- Kyle and Maggie Ibsen and their two children Hayley(7) and Barrett(4) have been living and serving in Leogane Haiti for two years with the Amoveo Group. Their desire is to see the Kingdom come as Christ pours out on their neighbors. To learn more about their ministry check out their Facebook page. If you have questions about their ministry, financially partnering with them, or joining with them on a short term team or internship contact Kyle.