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Weekly News for Sunday, June 10, 2018

Constrained by the Spirit!

Acts 20:17-38

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.[ 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.


SERMON NOTES

“God speaks through a variety of means. In the present God primarily speaks by the Holy Spirit, through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church.”- Henry Blackaby

  • What dos it mean to be constrained by the Spirit?
  • How do you understand suffering for the Gospel? Why does God lead us into difficult situations?
  • How do we discern when to walk into difficult situations and when to walk in the other direction?

Scriptures to Consider

1. John 3:6-8

2. Romans 8:2-6

3. Acts 1:8


THIS WEEK

MONDAY,  June 11
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:00 pm Antigua Info Session
7:00 pm Family Badminton
7:30 pm Young Adults @ Piska’s

TUESDAY, June 12
Church office closed Due to Staff being off-site

6:45 pm Live Free
7:00 pm Youth Study

WEDNESDAY, June 13
9:45 am Keenagers: “Monumental Decisions-Estate and Will Planning” followed by farewell meal for Russell & Virgie 
10:00 am Park Play Days at Deerpark Park

THURSDAY, June 14

FRIDAY, June 15
7:30 pm  Youth Grades 7-127:30 pm  Youth Grades 7-12Meet and pick up at Jubilee Park

SATURDAY , June 16
9:00 am Young Life Garage Sale

SUNDAY, June 17 Father's Day
9:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services


JOURNEY UPDATES

MONUMENTAL DECISIONS - WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING Wednesday, June 13 at 9:45 am. Rev. Gordon Soreneson from Ellerslie Baptist Church will speak to the seniors followed by noon meal ($5) and farewell for Russell & Virgie Mueller who are moving. Please sign up for the meal at the Welcome Centre.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING, Wednesday, June 13 at 6:30 pm. All volunteers working with children and youth are required to be trained once a year. If you are wanting to work with children on Sunday mornings in the summer or fall or at VBS, please plan to attend. RSVP to Debbie if you will attend.

DEEPER LIFE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (DLST) June 21-23 course, “Foundations in Christian Counseling”. Learn counseling theories techniques as well as current trends in both secular and Christian Counseling . Contact Pastor Coreen to register.

VBS August 13-17 Registration is now open online.

The CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED JUNE 12 All staff will be off site at a meeting.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1– Our Sunday School kids raised $11,000 for the future development of their church. Now they are challenging “Big Church” to match their gifts 10-fold before summer...If every adult here gives $170, we’ll raise $110,000 by June 30! we have 3 weeks left in the challenge and have raised 54% of our goal! Make your gift today – and invest in the next 40 years of Spruce Grove Alliance Church!
Thank you to all who participated with us and purchased hanging flower baskets. We had a profit of $1798.50. We hope you are able to enjoy your flowers all summer!

YOUNG LIFE GARAGE SALE Saturday, June 16 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in the west parking lot. All proceeds go towards helping teens go camp this summer.  For more information contact Tracey.

ANTIGUA INFO SESSION 7:00 pm June 11 Come and ask questions about this trip, taking place in January 2019.

GRANDPARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE June 22-23. Registration and information online.


FINANCIAL UPDATE

Weekly Update June 3, 2018
General Fund giving June 3 $ 33,544
49 week average $ 23,820
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327

Future Dev. Fund giving June 3 $ 32,417
--Balance as of June 3, 2018 $967,981                         

Monthly Update July1 to May 31, 2018
General Fund
Budget Revenue amount to Date: $1,167,696
General Revnue to Date: $1,133,620
-Budget Shortfall $ 34,076
Expenses to Date $1,046,112
-Year to date Surplus $ 87,508
Global Advance Giving $ 128,336
Canadian Ministries Giving $ 39,812               

The difference between the budget shortfall and the amount between General Revenue and Expenses is due to ministries cutting back on spending because funds are not available to meet ministry objectives. As members of SGAC we need to focus on meeting budget amounts week by week so our ministries can function to their full capacities.


PRAYER

Please pray for:

  • Our International Workers: Rae-Anna & Gordon Schutz, Kyle & Maggie Ibsen, Matthew & Charity Quick.

  • 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 12.

  • Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Corina Langdon. Corina is married to Boyde and they have 3 children 21, 18 and 16.

  • Our Elders Team Member: Tim Wiebe. Tim is married to Julie. They have 3 children ages 16,13 & 12.

  • Congratulations to Anthony & Rosie Toornstra on the birth of Calvin Anthony.


Future Development Updates

Future Development Update June 10