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Weekly News for Sunday, November 22, 2020

 Fully Engaged in Spiritual Warfare

 

SERMON NOTES

“That’s not the way I see it!” ……. “Yes, that’s the way it is and you need to understand that my way is the right way!” …….. “No, you’re not right this time!  I know the circumstances better than you and I know what has to happen here!” …… “I don’t like your decision!”  ……. “But I’m right!”

Does this sound familiar?  I’d say these two are having an argument. 

James writes ( chapter 4:1-2 ) to matters that may not be much different than this.  The Message version puts it this way:   “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.  You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.”

That certainly seems to be VERY strong.  But obviously this was written in circumstances that required a firm response. The bottom line isn’t that this is merely a human argument, rather it is the work of the enemy, Satan to create division.  This is spiritual warfare.

It is interesting that this follows James’ writing about the purpose of tests, the source of temptations and two-and-one-half chapters on the subject of faith.

The Apostle John wrote: (3 John 1:2) “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

I believe that it is God’s will for us to live life in a happy, cooperative way with each other. A large part of this depends upon our ‘soul health’ – our day-to-day walk with Jesus.

For further study - Read the little book of James.  The average reader can read the entire book of James in about 18 minutes.


This Week


Monday, Nov. 23  
9:30 am   Men’s Prayer
9:30 am  Women’s Prayer
7:00 pm   Monday Night Men Study

Tuesday, Nov. 24
9:00 am   Daybreak
7:00 pm   Youth Studies

Wednesday, Nov. 25
4:00 pm AWANA
7:30 pm   Young Adults Study

Thursday, Nov. 26
7:00 pm   Evening Edition 

Friday, Nov. 27 

Saturday, Nov. 28 

 Sunday, Nov. 29
 9:30 am   Online  Sunday School
10:00 am   Online Worship Service
10:00am   Worship Service (Must be pre-registered)


JOURNEY UPDATES


CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: Sunday School is back for children ages 3 to grade 6. Pre-registration is recommended weekly between Wednesday morning and Saturday evening as we have limited space available. You may also call the office to register.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING WILL BE HAPPENING SOON   We are looking for NEW mitts and socks to decorate our Christmas trees this year. Please bring these into the church by Dec. 6. The mitts and socks will then be donated to those in need in our community.

KEENAGERS (55+):  We begin a new study on November 25.  “Christ is Superior – a Study in Hebrews”. Join us on Wednesday  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. 

PASTORS CHRISTMAS BLESSING TREE will run from November 22 through December 13.  Choose a tag or two, purchase gift cards and return the cards by December 15 to the box at the Welcome Centre.  Thank you for the wonderful response to the Pastor’s Christmas tree over the past eight years.  It is truly a blessing to our Pastors. 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES   December 24 at 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 pm.  Pre-registration for these services will take place after December 21.

 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


Giving - Week of Nov. 9– Nov. 15, 2020

General Fund giving                      $11,313
General Fund budget                     $22,602
Future Development Fund             $3,415


Please note the following options for giving: 

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: Ric & Kareen Strangway live in Calgary where Ric is the Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University. Kareen’s parents attend SGAC.
  • Pastoral Team Staff Member: Interim Lead Pastor --Pastor Art Quist. Art is married to Betty and they have 3 married children.
  • Our Support Staff Team Member: Candice Terney. Candice is married to Mike and they have 5 children.
  • Our Elders Team Member: Orv Perry. Orv is married to Peggi and they have 3 married children.

Family Matters

  • Our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Al Bell in his passing November 19. The family have chosen to not hold a service at this time.  There will be a Memorial Service held at a later date.
  • We thank everyone who participated in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Project. This year we are handing over 317 shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse.  We want to thank the Jeff Jespersen family for creating 154 of these boxes.  Also thanks to Joanne and Bruce Fehr for their hard work for making this project possible in our church.
  • We want to pray for you. Please send your requests toprayer@sgac.net