THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Matthew 5:14-16
The parables of Jesus make up a crucial part of the Bible. Jesus had the wisdom to simplify the profound spiritual truths he needed to share with humanity in the form of relatable stories that are easy to understand. Again, a parable is a tale about a simple, common subject to illustrate a deeper, valuable moral lesson.
Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7 are called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus, after spending a night in solemn meditation and prayer in the lonely mountain range west of the Lake of Galilee (Luke 6:12) on the following morning, our Lord called to him his disciples, and from among them chose twelve, who were to be trained to be his apostles (Mark 3:14). After this solemn consecration of the twelve, he descended the mountain peak in a more level spot (Luke 6:17). And there Jesus sat down and delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49).
The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most essential principles for living a genuine Christian life. But John R. W. Stott in his book “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount” said that “the Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguably it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed.”
The Sermon on the Mount is by far Jesus' longest explanation of what it looks like to live as His follower. In many ways, Jesus' teachings during the Sermon on the Mount represent the major ideals of the Christian life. Why is it the least understood and least obeyed?
How then should we live as “salt” and “light”?
THIS WEEK
Monday, July 25
9:30 am Men’s & Women’s Prayer
Tuesday, July 26
9:00 pm Youth Mission Impossible at Quentin & Karin Jespersen’s
Wednesday, July 27
9:30 am Park Play days at Millgrove School
Thursday, July 28
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
Friday, July 29
Saturday, July 30
Sunday, July 31
10:00 am Worship Service with Sunday School
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.
SUMMER SERVICES - We will hold one service only at 10:00 am until August 28. Children’s Ministries summer programming for Nursery to finished Grace 6 resumes today.
ARE YOU NEW TO SGAC? We want to help you get connected. Fill out a connection card and stop by the Welcome Centre so we can meet you & give you a small gift to say thanks for joining us. We hope SGAC will soon start to feel like home!
YOUTH MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - Tuesday July 26 starting at 9:00 pm at Karin & Quentin Jespersen’s. Click here for more information and to fill in a Youth Information form.
VBS: Aug. 8 - 12 Registration is filling up. All kids age 4 to going into Gr 7 are invited to join us for Monumental where we will celebrate God’s greatness. Cost is $50 per child or $140 for 3 or more children of the same household. Deadline to register is July 31. Click here to register.
We need YOU for Children’s Ministries this summer!
- We are looking for a minimum of 14 more adults to be crew leaders, a minimum of 14 more adults or teens to be crew helpers, as well as decorators, greeters, prayer warriors and more! VBS will run from August 8 to 12 in the mornings.
- Can you help in Sunday School one or two weeks this summer?
- Would you be willing to help serve in the kitchen on August 14 for VBS BBQ?
If you would like to help in any of these ways, please fill out a Summer Serve card in the chair in front of you, connect with a Children’s Ministry staff member or email Debbie.
Come and be blessed as you bless!
PARK PLAY DAYS – From 9 am to 11am July 27 at Millgrove School Playground - enjoy connecting with other parents while your children play together. This is the last Play date for the summer.
TREE PLANTING will take place Tuesday Aug 2 and Wednesday Aug 3 8:30 am – 12 noon; Thursday Aug. 4 5:30 – 9:00 pm and Saturday Aug. 6 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. You are encouraged to “adopt” one of the plots and plant the shrubs intended for that location. Melanie Silliphant, our landscape consultant, will be on hand to provide instructions. Please bring a shovel and closed toed shoes. RSVP to the church office 780-962-4700 or Peter Spaans (587) 990-6694.
KEENAGERS PRAYER AND COFFEE August 3 at 9:45 am Anyone 55+ is welcome to join Pastor Joel for fellowship and a time of prayer. For more information contact Pastor Joel.
YOUTH CALGARY ZOO ROAD TRIP
All youth from grade 7 to 12 are invited to join us for a Road Trip to Calgary Zoo on Saturday, August 13 from 7 am to 9 pm. Cost is $75 and includes transportation and zoo admission. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring food or money to purchase food at the zoo and on the way home. Register here until August 9. If you have not filled out the Youth Information form for 2021/2022 it is required for this trip.
GRACE’S PANTRY is very low on items and would greatly appreciate food donations for Graces Table happening August 12. Items like Canned meat (Tuna/ham/chicken), breakfast items (cereals, pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal, granola bars, peanut butter and jam) or household items (dish soap, toilet paper, household cleaner), etc.
Growth Groups: Information is now on our website. Check it out for answers to Frequently Asked Questions and more. Watch for more details coming the end of August about the exciting September 11 launch.
WE ARE ON INSTAGRAM! Follow us at sga.church!
Giving Update
Weekly Giving - July 11 - 17, 2022
General Fund Giving $ 14,688
Weekly Budget Required $ 23,963
Monthly Update – June 30, 2022
General Fund Revenue YTD (52 wks) $ 1,090,418
General Fund Expenses – YTD (52 wks) $ 1,054,393
Budget Required YTD $ 1,175,488
Budget Shortfall $ 85,070
Global Advance Giving $ 114,624
Canadian Ministries Giving $ 31,962
Future Development Fund $ 540,286
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 Children’s Ministries – Pastor Coreen Frey. Coreen is married to Dave and they have three married children.
- Our Support Staff Team Member: Josiah Sawatzky.
- Our Elders Team Member: Orv Perry. Orv is married to Peggi and they have three married children.
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.
- Do you have a sturdy high chair that you do not use? Our Nursery Dept is in need of another high chair in good condition. Please call the church office if you are able to fill this need.
- THANK YOU so much for your generous gift to help us attend our daughter’s wedding. We are so grateful for your partnership with us. –A&J and family.