Third Sunday of Advent
Candle of Joy
Sermon Notes
JOY! That seemingly illusive thing that everyone wants but some find it very hard to reach and hold on to. Is it actually real or is it just something that people talk about and cannot actually attain?
The reality is that there are many who would like to have a deep inner ‘something’ that may be called joy, but many are seeking to make this happen through a myriad of ‘things’, relationships with other humans or activities that would lend the idea that bring this thing called joy.
Joy is a blessing and gift from God Himself.
Joy is something that is hard to explain. Let me try.
In the building world, a concrete foundation is laid down before a building is built. It is so critical that the foundation be set right, the concrete mixed right and poured right and cured right. Then the building can be built.
May I say that the building is like those happy experiences that are built upon that foundation of deep, rooted, God-provided joy.
The best place to have an understanding of joy is from the Giver of joy and the Word He has provided for us.
The angel of God came to the shepherd on the Bethlehem hills and pronounced, “I bring you good tidings of great joy…” (Luke 2:10). The wise men who came to worship the Christ child ‘saw the star and rejoiced with exceedingly great joy’. (Matthew 2:10)
Joy can only be found in a deep relationship to Jesus Christ.
There are many things that occur in life that bring us happiness. They can certainly be ‘building materials’ on that solid foundation of joy.
Scriptures to Consider
For further study
John 15:11
Romans 14:17
Galatians 5:22
Colossians 1:11
Hebrews 12:2
This Week
Monday, Dec. 14
9:30 am Men’s Prayer Online
Tuesday, Dec. 15
7:00 pm Elder’s Meeting
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Thursday, Dec. 17
Friday, Dec. 18
Saturday, Dec. 19
Sunday, Dec. 20
9:30 am Online Sunday School
10:00 am Online Worship Service
JOURNEY UPDATES
WORSHIP SERVICE UPDATE We have decided to host services exclusively online for at least the next 4 Sundays. We will continue to stream live on Facebook and YouTube at 10 am Sunday mornings. Please join us, invite your friends and neighbours and let us know you are there. Don't forget this Sunday is Communion Sunday, please have your bread and juice ready to partake with us.
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 Please return the cards by December 15 to the church office. 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 SERVICE will now be on Youtube or Facebook for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home. Watch our website for the exact time to be announced.
THE CHURCH OFFICE: office hours are Monday – Friday from 9 am -4 pm. We are closed for lunch daily from noon- 1pm. Christmas office hours are listed below.
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 Update
Giving – Week of November 30 – December 6 2020
General Fund giving $ 25,826
General Fund Budget $ 22,602
Future Dev. Fund $ 3,550
Giving – July 1 to November, 2020
General Fund
General Fund giving - YTD $ 416,412
Budgeted Need $ 497,244
Global Advance Giving $ 53,367
Canadian Ministries Giving $ 9,954
Future Dev Fund $ 171,078
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: Afonso & Becky Chinhama work with SIM in Angola. They attend SGAC when visiting their family, the Loewens. They have 3 children.
- Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor of Apologetics--Pastor Steve Kim. Steve is married to Sharina and they have 2 children.
- Our Support Staff Team Member: Joanne Fehr. Joanne is married to Bruce and they have 2 adult children.
- Our Elders Team Member: Paul Friesen. Paul is married to Kim and they have 3 children.
FAMILY MATTERS
2020 Tax Receipts All giving must be in the church office or completed online by December 31. This applies to all mail in donations as well. Please ensure that the church office has your current address especially if you have moved in 2020.
CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS The church office will be open by appointment only. Reduced hours Dec. 24 9:00 am to noon
Dec. 25 closed Dec. 31 9:00 am to noon
Jan 01 closed.
- We want to pray for you. Please send your requests to prayer@sgac.net