Fully Engaged in Missions
1 Peter 3:8-9
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing
SERMON NOTES
Part of being fully engaged, includes knowing that we are all engaged in the call. God has given each of us a unique role to fulfill. I must be careful not to give into the temptation of thinking that someone does not have a role in God’s world. And that includes wondering if I have a part to play as well. What better way to immobilize the church than to tell its members that they have nothing to contribute?
God tells us in 1 Peter 2 that all of us who follow Jesus are chosen, we are royal priests. We are God’s people. All who believe in Jesus are chosen. We are all called by God for a purpose. Each and every one of us. We are called to be and not to be.
Peter writes: “Be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble. Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult.” Peter is calling us to engage our whole beings with the righteous thoughts, loving heart, and gracious Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit shall not make you think much of yourself, nor so much of Himself, but He will make you think a great deal of Jesus.
A.B. Simpson
Instead of listening to the influences of the world, the Holy Spirit helps us stay centered on Christ. And the Holy Spirit doesn’t force Himself into our lives, rather He lovingly waits until we’re ready to willingly give Him space in our lives. As we surrender ourselves completely to the Spirit, from our deepest desires to our smallest actions, we become a little bit more like Jesus. So we are called to be like Christ.
We are called to give a blessing. Love is unconditional. Favoritism is not.
God not only calls us to bless people we like, but we are called to bless without favoritism, people in every nation who fear and obey God.
The great thing is that God doesn’t leave us to do this through our own willpower. This is not just self-help advice. The Holy Spirit is ready to show us our Father’s mind, His heart, His compassion. By surrendering ourselves to the Holy Spirit daily, He empowers us to live out our calling as individuals and as a church.
As the body of Christ, who is God calling us to give a blessing to? Who is God calling me to bless?
This Week
Monday, Nov. 02
8:00 am Pastoral Devotions (online)
9:30 am Men’s Prayer
9:30 am Women’s Prayer
7:00 pm Monday Night Men
Tuesday, Nov. 03
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Small Groups
7:00 pm Deep Dish
Wednesday, Nov. 04
8:00 am Pastoral Devotions (online)
10:00 am Keenagers (55+) Bible Study
(on Pastor Art’s personal Facebook Page…will be posted to SGAC Keenagers Facebook group by 1:00 pm)
4:00 pm AWANA
7:30 pm Young Adults Study
Thursday, Nov. 05
7:00 pm Evening Edition
Friday, Nov. 06
8:00 am Pastoral Devotions (online)
7:30 pm Mission Impossible for Youth
Saturday, Nov. 07
Sunday, Nov. 08
COMMUNION SUNDAY
9:30 am Online Sunday School
10:00 am Online Worship Service
10:00am Worship Service (Must be pre-registered)
8:30 pm Filipino Catch-Up (online)
JOURNEY UPDATES
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – Building A Spiritual Home: As of November 1 we have raised $3.9 million to support the redevelopment of SGAC which will meet the needs of today & enable us to support our growing communities in the future. If you have already given or made a pledge – thank you! If you have not, please prayerfully consider giving as you are able to the future of SGAC. We are now only $100,000 away from achieving our fundraising goals! For more information visit https://www.sgac.net/phase1.
PASTORAL DEVOTIONS TO THE CONGREGATION: Join us online Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for a devotional message from one of our Pastors. We will air these messages on our YouTube Channel at 8:00 am. (Don’t worry, if you miss it, you can watch it later.)
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: Grades 1 – 6, join us for Sunday School. We now also offer preschool childcare (ages 3-4). If you are able please pre-register between Wednesday morning and Saturday evening on the website or by calling the office.
KEENAGERS (55+): We are now meeting online to study “The Story of a King”. Join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 am on Pastor Art’s personal Facebook page or at 1:00 pm on our Keenagers Facebook Group as we stay connected through the Word of God.
DEEP DISH: Tuesday, November 3 A casual time for women of all ages to come together and get connected. Drop in to the Fireside room between 7:00 - 8:30 pm for a time of building friendship with other women as we dig deeper into life and faith. Pre-registration is appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Click here to register. For more information contact Pastor Karen (karen.houcher@sgac.net).
YOUTH FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT: Mission Impossible Friday, November 5, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm. All youth (Grades 7-12) join us at Quentin and Karin Jespersen's. Bring warm outdoor wear and good footwear for this outdoor event. Check our Facebook Page for more details when they become available.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Shoeboxes are now available. Will you partner with us to share that glorious hope with boys and girls around the world – many who have never heard the Name of Jesus. Deadline is November 15. Click here to find out more information about Samaritans Purse and what you can pack into your shoebox.
A NIGHT WITH A&J – November 21 at 6:30pm: Come & hear the story of our International Workers A&J, learn about their future plans & become fully engaged with missions. This is a family event. Pre-registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Click here to register. For more information contact Pastor Joel.
THE CHURCH OFFICE: office hours are Monday – Friday from 9 am -4 pm. We are closed for lunch daily from noon- 1pm.
Please keep your eye out for weekly updates. Sign up for the newsletter if you haven’t already at https://www.sgac.net/newsletter
WE ARE ON INSTAGRAM! Follow us at sga.church
ONLINE GIVING
Whether it is a one-time gift or you would like to schedule a recurring donation, you can give online to Spruce Grove Alliance Church. This option allows you to give using a Visa debit card or the traditional Visa or MasterCard credit cards.
PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING
Pick up a pre-authorized debit agreement form from our church office or download one here. You can fill it out and then with a voided cheque - you can either scan it and email it to the office, or drop it off during regular office hours.
INTERAC/DEBIT
During office hours, you can drop by and use the INTERAC/DEBIT machine at the Welcome Centre, then fill out your donation envelope as normal including your name, address, giving number and insert your debit receipt so we can disburse funds as directed in the Box on the counter.
E-TRANSFER
Use E-Transfer to give at SGAC, using www.sgac/Give . Please include your offering envelope number and contact information. The money is deposited directly into the church account and does not require a security question. Please also include your envelope # if you have one and your phone number in the note section.
IN PERSON
During office hours, you can stop by the church office and drop off your donation in a sealed envelope. Mark it Finance / Confidential
By MAIL / CHEQUE
Mail your donation to:
Spruce Grove Alliance Church
Attn: Finance
250 Century Road
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 1W6
Thank you for your generosity in giving to SGAC.
Questions: Please contact the church office at 780 962 4700 or by email corina.langdon@sgac.net. You may also visit our website at www.sgac/Give
PRAYER
Please pray for:
- Our Christian Workers: Darren & Naomi serve as part of the C&MA Gateway Ministry and are part of SGAC’s cluster group.
- Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor of Worship & Prayer – Pastor Andrew Bugiera. Andrew is married to Amy and they have 3 children.
- Our Support Staff Team Member: Kari Gehlert. Kari is married to Lorne and they have 5 children.
- Our Elders Team Member: Tim Wiebe. Tim is married to Julie and they have 3 children.
·
Family Matters
- We want to pray for you. Please send your requests toprayer@sgac.net