November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Candle of Hope
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
SERMON NOTES
Hope is the birthplace of Christian self-sacrificing love.
This gift of life, this gift of hope, is a full realization that God will take care of us and we don’t need to be preoccupied with taking care of ourselves.
Without this hope in Christ and His love, care and provision for us we will find ourselves engaged in self-preservation and self-enhancement.
Hope can make a tough situation more bearable and can also improve our lives because envisioning a better future motivates you to take the steps to make it happen.
Scriptures to Consider:
1 Peter 1:13
Romans 15:13
1 Thessalonions 2:19
This Week
Monday, Nov. 30
9:30 am Men’s Prayer
9:30 am Women’s Prayer
Tuesday, Dec. 01
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Studies
7:00 pm Deep Dish
Wednesday, Dec. 02
4:00 pm AWANA
Thursday, Dec. 03
Friday, Dec. 04
Saturday, Dec. 05
Sunday, Dec. 06
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.
DEEP DISH –Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Come for a casual time of women building connection, community & conversation. This month Melanie Sharratt will be sharing & we will be making paper stars. Space is limited & registration is required. Click here to register.
CHRISTMAS DECORATING We are looking for NEW mitts and socks to decorate our Christmas trees this year. Please bring these into the church and drop them in the Large Gift box provided. The mitts and socks will then be donated to those in need in our community.
KEENAGERS (55+): “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.
PASTOR’S CHRISTMAS BLESSING TREE will run until 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 16 – Nov 22, 2020
General Fund giving $15,721
General Fund budget $22,602
Future Development Fund $2,550
Giving - July 1 to Oct 31, 2020
General Fund giving - YTD $332,547
Budgeted need - YTD $384,234
Global Advance $37,357
Canadian Ministries $7,650
Future Development Fund $151,053
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: Jon & Andrea Bauer live in St. Albert where Jon is a Canadian Contemporary Christian Music artist and song writer. His parents attend SGAC.
- Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor of Women’s Ministries --Pastor Karen Houcher. Karen is married to Dan and they have 5 children.
- Our Support Staff Team Member: Kim Friesen. Kim is married to Paul and they have 3 children.
- Our Elders Team Member: Fred Zelensky. Fred is married to Darlene and they have 3 married children.
Family Matters
SGAC Family
On behalf of my wife and the boys we want to convey our deepest gratitude for your generosity. Thank you for sending us off with such kindness and honour. We were overwhelmed by all the gifts that we received. This will help with our transition. Blessings to you as you continue to serve the Lord with faithfulness. We will continue to pray for you in the days ahead.
Love the Buck Family
- We want to pray for you. Please send your requests to prayer@sgac.net