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Weekly News Sunday January 16, 2022

The Father’s Plan

Matthew 6:5-15 

Prayer is a spiritual communication between man and God, a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him. Prayer to God is like a child’s conversation with his father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things he needs. 

In verses 9-13 we have what is generally called “The Lord’s Prayer.” The Lord’s Prayer is Jesus’ model prayer given to the disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. A succinct and powerful expression of how to pray in light of the gospel and the kingdom of God. In Matthew, the teaching occurs during the Sermon on the Mount with the disciples and the crowds around Jesus. Following a six counter cultural commands in Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus offers three examples of what it is to do righteousness and offers practical steps for those tempted to give in religious performance to win the applause of others (Matthew 6:1). The section on prayer in Matthew 6:5-15 forms the second of three instructions on godliness. You will notice that each of the instructions in Matthew 6:1-16 begins with the same phrase --- “when you” --- followed by an action “give to the needy.” And when you pray, or when you “fast”, Jesus instructs the disciples not to carry that action out like “the hypocrites”, and then provides an alternative method. 

Believer’s Bible Commentary said that Matthew 5-7 is the constitution of the Kingdom of God. In it, Jesus our King, summarizes the character and conduct expected of His subjects. This sermon is not a presentation of the plan of salvation; nor is its teaching intended for unsaved people. It was addressed to the disciples according to 5:1-2 and was intended to be the constitution, or the system of laws and principles, which was to govern the King’s subjects during His reign.  It was meant for all---past---present, or future --- who acknowledge Christ as King. 

The Father’s Plan is for his beloved children to spend eternity with Him in heaven. God the Father sent His son Jesus who paid the penalties of our sin and restored that broken relationship between God and man. And God is calling all of us and giving all of us this wonderful privilege to represent Him. To be the hands and feet of Jesus.


THIS WEEK


Monday, January 17
9:30 am   Men’s & Women’s Prayer 

Tuesday, January 18
 7:00 pm   Youth Studies
7:00 pm  Board Meeting 

Wednesday, January 19
4:00 pm  AWANA
7:30 pm  Young  Adults 

Thursday, January 20 

Friday, January 21 

Saturday, January 22              

Sunday, January 23
9:15 and 11:15 am  Worship Services with  Sunday School
6:30 pm   Women as Elders Scripture Study


JOURNEY UPDATES


 The Worship Service will also be on Facebook and YouTube at 9:15am Sunday mornings.   For more information please visit our website or watch for your bi-weekly newsletter. If you do not receive our weekly newsletter you can download it here from our website.

FAITH ON FIRE is postponed this month.  We look forward to Worshiping Corporately on February 20.

WOMEN AS ELDERS STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES  January 23 at 6:30 pm  Join us for one last opportunity to study what the Scriptures say about women as elders before the Semi Annual Meeting on January 30. This meeting will be hosted by Pastor Steve and Paul Friesen. Registration is appreciated. Click here to register. 

SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  Sunday, January 30 at 2:00 pm. Everyone is encouraged to join us for an update on the status of the transition work, the anticipated Pastoral Selection Process and of course the vote on the issue of Women as Elders, among other business.

WOMEN’S DAYBREAK SMALL GROUPS:  Choose from one of three in-person studies being offered on Tuesday mornings starting January 25 – The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How We Read the Bible (facilitated by Marlyse Trufyn),  The Book of Hebrews (a Right Now Media study facilitated by Pastor Karen) OR The Jesus I Don’t Get (facilitated by Pastor Steve).  Early bird deadline to register is January 16.  Go to our website for more details on these studies and to register.  Note that registration is limited to 15 people per study.  Childcare is available with pre-registration. 

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING: The safety or our children, youth and volunteers is important to us. All volunteers working with children and youth are required to take Safety and Risk Management training annually. Join us at 9:30 am on January 29 as we learn together in a fun and interactive way. If you currently volunteer with children and youth and haven't had training in the last 12 months or you are interested in volunteering in our children or youth ministries please join us. Please RSVP to Debbie if you are able to come so that we can adequately prepare for you. 

GRADE 5/6 COMMUNITY NIGHT
   February 4  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm  Grade 5 and 6, come and enjoy an evening of fun, games and learning. More details will be forthcoming.

HYBRID KAIROS COURSE Starting January 30:  Kairos is an exciting 9-session interactive study on the purpose & plan of God for His people and His world from Genesis to Revelation.  Participate online for six weeks on Sunday nights, then come for two in-person sessions on March 11 & 12 hosted by SGAC.  Cost is $99 and registration is done directly through Kairos.  Go to our website event calendar for more information & the link to register.  Contact Pastor Joel if you have any questions.

MONDAY NIGHT MEN STUDY – A Man & His Fatherhood:  Have you made a new year’s resolution to be a better dad in 2022?  Join Pastor Joel as he facilitates this six-week video course full of practical insights, biblical wisdom & helpful resources, preparing dads to launch healthy sons & daughters into the world.  Starts February 7 at 7:00 pm – Click here to register.

Update from the Future Development Construction Team--
With the start of the new year there is a renewed sense of anticipation as we prepare our site and building for the start of construction of the 20,000 sq ft addition. This week the snow was cleared from the roof of the existing building and the construction site, and bracing of the north gymnasium wall prior to removal of the remaining portion of the existing building. This work was in preparation for installation of the structural steel for the new building. Arrival of that steel is now only one week away with the first shipment expected on January 24!
The steel structure is expected to be fully erected in about four weeks and construction will continue from that until the building is complete and ready for occupancy. The majority of the work will be done by qualified contractors or trades, however we anticipate opportunities for involvement by those willing to participate. If that is of interest to you we encourage you to contact the church office or attend the Semi-Annual Meeting.

WE ARE ON INSTAGRAM! Follow us at sga.church!


Giving Update

Giving Week of  January 9, 2022                
General Fund Giving                              $  15,387                          
Weekly Budget Required                       $  22,606  


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: Tracey Flynn is the Area Director for Young Life south Edmonton.  SGAC is her home church.
  • Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor of Outreach, Men & Missions – Pastor Joel Marquez. Joel is married to Lolet.
  • Our Support Staff Team Member: Corina Langdon.  Corina is married to Boyde and they have three adult children.
  • Our Elders Team Member: Orv Perry. Orv is married to Peggi and they have three married sons.

FAMILY MATTERS


  • PRAYER:If you would like personal prayer please join our Pastors in the Sanctuary following the service. If you are joining us online please send your prayer request to us by clicking here. We want to pray for you.
  • GIVEAWAY -- There is one desk and assorted Nursery items for free set out in the Nursery Hallway.  If you have a need for these, please take these away as we have no storage space available for them here anymore.