God Takes Pity
Jonah 4:6-11
6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
SERMON NOTES
“Why do some persons 'find' God in a way that others do not? Why does God manifest His Presence to some and let multitudes of others struggle along in the half-light of imperfect Christian experience? Of course the will of God is the same for all. He has no favorites within His household. All He has ever done for any of His children He will do for all of His children. The difference lies not with God but with us.”
-- A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine
- God pursues Jonah because He wants to make him Holy. How have you resisted the pursuit of God?
- Jonah knows, expects and wants “....for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” (Jonah 4:2) for himself. But he does not want it for others especially his enemies. How does this attitude affect Jonah negatively?
- How is God pursuing you? What areas of your life are you refusing to yield?
Scriptures to Consider
- Psalm 139
- Roman 5:12
- Ecclesiastes 12:12-14
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, August 27
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
7:30 pm Young Adults at Mike & Bonny Piska's
TUESDAY, August 28
WEDNESDAY, August 29
THURSDAY, August 30
FRIDAY, August 31
SATURDAY , September 1
SUNDAY, September 2
9:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services
JOURNEY UPDATES
RUN FOR RECOVERY 12K: August 30th, 2018 @ 6:00 pm, Chickakoo Lake Rec Area. Join “Holy Trails” in supporting Our House Addiction Recovery Centre as we help bring awareness to the impact of addictions and substance abuse and celebrate those in recovery. There are 12K Run & 6K Run/Walk events and a 1.2K Kid’s Fun Run. Find us on Facebook or online. E-mail Trevor for more information.
We are in need of YOUTH LEADERS for Tuesday Nights or Friday Nights. If this is an area you are interested in being involved in, please contact Pastor Josh .
On Tuesday, September 4 Women’s Ministries is hosting a BACK-TO-SCHOOL Prayer Time from 8:30 – 11:00 am in the prayer room. Drop in for one on one prayer for the students in your life as the new school year begins. We would love to pray with you for your children, grandchildren, their schools & teachers and for homeschooling families too.
WOMEN’S DAY BREAK studies will start Oct. 2 Online registration will open on Sept. 4.
MINISTRY FAIR: coming Sept. 9 following both services. Discover what mid-week studies will be offered. Wednesday evening studies include, Small Group Leadership, Old Testament Word of God, Spiritual Gifts,; Thursday evening studies include, Old Testament Word of God, Case for Christ, Truth Project. Coming in January 2019, Alpha. Come see where you can grow and be involved for the fall season.
LOVE THE GROVE Free Family Festival, Sunday, September 16 at 10:00 am. Start thinking about who you can invite. Stay tuned for more details.
DEEPER LIFE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY – Next course Sept. 20 -22 The Believer’s Authority –Study the origin of Satan, his motivation for attacking God’s creation and Jesus victory over him. Find out the authority we have in Jesus name. If you’ve always wanted to go to Bible School but couldn’t make it happen, join ours. It’s affordable, flexible and deep teaching. Earn your degree or come for your own spiritual growth. Full time, part- time or only once. Contact to Pastor Coreen for more information.
YOUTH PARENTING MEETING - Sept. 9 at 1:00 pm Come and hear Pastor Josh’s plan for this year in Youth Ministry.
Financial Update
Weekly Update Aug. 19, 2018
General Fund giving Aug. 19 $ 13,079
7 week average $ 19,706
-- Budget requirement $ 24,942
Future Dev. Fund giving Aug. 19 $ 3,535
--Balance as of Aug. 19, 2018 $1,167,399
Monthly Update July1 to July 31, 2018
General Fund Budget Revenue amount to Date: $124,710
General Revnue to Date: $ 99,177
-Budget Shortfall $ 25,533
Expenses to Date $ 96,272
-Year to date Surplus $ 2,905
Global Advance Giving $ 10,341
Canadian Ministries Giving $ 2,482
PRAYER
Please pray for:
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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: Pastor Art Quist. Art is married to Betty and they have 3 grown children.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Janet Sawatzky. Janet is married to Richard and they have 3 grown children.
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Our Elders Team Member: Del Dyck. Del is married to Carol and they have two married children
Family Matters
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ANTIGUA MISSIONS will travel to many schools in Antigua January 2019. If you would like to be a part of this week long trip, please contact Catarina VanNeck or Ryan Nixon by Sept. 9.
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Pray for A & J because of recent natural disasters that are affecting their area.
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Keenagers - We invite you to join us for a new season of fellowship. Wednesday, September 5 at 9:45 am begins our new study season. We will be studying The Epistles of John. Plus-- It’s $5.00 meal time together.
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September 9 – Membership Classes during both services.
September 23 – Baptism Classes during both services.
Contact Pastor Art for more details.