Speak

  There are these photos, signs, boards, and pictures that have these three words (and sometimes more) on them all over the place:

  There has always been something about them that bothers me - yes, they are good sayings, but there was just a niggling sense of  

 yes, but.....

  Today I found a song that helped me see what was missing...

(click on title for link)

     

Speak Life

by Toby Mac

Speak Hope:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; 

my hope comes from him.

Psalm 62:5

Speak Love:

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every

 way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the 

whole body, joined and held together by every joint with 

which it is equipped, when each part is working properly,

 makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16

Speak Life:

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

 

The LORD is the strength of my life; 

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 

I like this sign - going to make one soon.

I am thankful that Jesus speaks comforting Hope into my life every day,

I am thankful for those who speak eternal Love into my life,

I am thankful that someone spoke everlasting Life to me many years ago.

Who am I speaking Hope, Love and, Life into today?

Our Sabbath Day.

   A couple of weeks ago we sent out our latest newsletter to those of you who asked to be recipients of news about our work here in Lethbridge.  In our cover email/letter, we asked for you to pray that we would have opportunities to "listen and share Jesus". 

  We want to share an answer to prayer as we tell you about our Sabbath Day worship services.  (yes, this is a bit long, but I wanted to write it down to share with you and for myself also.)

    On Saturdays we drive out to the Blackfoot Reserve, to the city of Standoff, about a 40 minute drive, 61 kilometers. 






We enjoy watching the rolling hills, the wheat and hay fields and the appearance of the Rocky mountains as they loom closer each kilometer we drive.  Yes, there is snow on the tops of some of those peaks, recent snow.






    We arrive at Lighthouse Church, our second visit, and we are greeted as good friends, with hugs and handshakes.  Our new Blackfoot friends are arriving for worship on Saturday, and it is a very relaxed, slow time.  A time to unwind and turn our cares over to the One who always cares for His children.


   This morning the Sunday School teacher is sick and Ruby asks if I would help with any children, ages 2 to 12 who may come.  Our lesson this morning was from Psalm 91, we talked about dreams and nightmares and then read the Psalm from a picture book. We learned that God is with us no matter where we are and what is happening.  



    The children and I agreed that it is great to have a God we can call on no matter what is happening in our lives.  Then we proceeded to have craft time - we made lanterns out of construction paper that had Jesus shining the way ahead of us - to be there when we are afraid or in trouble.

    Howard and I first visited the Lighthouse Church, started by Pastor Ruby over 20 years ago, on September 12th, 2015.  Howard had met Ruby earlier that week and she was very interested in having us come out and visit the church. She believed that the congregation would be very receptive to someone with addiction Counseling skills who is a Christian joining them in worship.

   About 10 years ago, Lighthouse Church was given a building and had it transported from a city to the east of Lethbridge all the way to the city of Standoff on the Blackfoot Reserve, west of Lethbridge - to land owned by a member of the tribe who is a believer in Jesus.  He and his wife are also leaders of this congregation on the reserve.  

    We weren't sure what to expect that first visit, but we were welcomed warmly by all of the members of the congregation who are members of the Blackfoot tribe. We joined in their worship which is led by Andrew. Andrew plays the guitar - very well - and we join in as we learn the words to his songs. Many play tambourines and clap as we praise God with our singing.  Then Pastor Morton welcomes us and leads us in a time of greeting everyone in the church and in prayer and praise.  There was a time for sharing what God has done in peoples lives. Last week we heard from a young lady who struggles with grief in the passing of her sister, and from a young man who is starting a youth group in the church and in the community.

    There is time for communion on some Sabbath days and we come forward to get the elements and return to our seats to partake together when all are served.  

     Then there is a time for prayer, Howard was invited to join the other leaders, including Pastor Ruby, Pastor Morton and a leader from the Messianic church in Lethbridge who will share a message with us later in the service.  It was humbling and uplifting to see many come forward for a time to pray with others.  I was very uncomfortable that first time, but was sure that God was making me so on purpose. I had a time of "prayer in my chair" and committed to praying for those who were coming forward.  

      After communion, a message from God's word is shared with us by a leader from the Messianic Church in Lethbridge who comes several times a month to lead.  His family opens our time of hearing God's word by leading us in a Jewish hymn. That first message was from the book of Ruth, how God provided for Naomi and Ruth in so many ways. 

     The service ended with another time of prayer and song, then we all had a fellowship meal together in their gathering area.  There was plenty of food, even though I brought none.  It was a special time of getting to know individuals in the congregation. A time to put our listening skills into action.

     I am humbled by those who are willing to share their stories with us.  So many stories of grief, many stories of those struggling with addictions, but also stories of how Jesus has been working in peoples lives in mighty ways.  

     We are not sure what the future holds for us as we commit to worshiping at Lighthouse Church on Saturdays.  We ask for your prayers as we seek to follow where God is leading us.

     

  

 

Happy Birthday to Amazing Grace Community Church.

September 13, 2015 - the 5th year anniversary of Amazing Grace Community Church

Elmer and his daughter Serena leading us in song.

Natalie and her husband Scott back them up.

One of our Tech guys, Warren, and his helper - daughter Emily.

Part of our celebration was the Baptism of little Jace Henry. 

There were over 175 people at worship today - a very large crowd with many
family guests and people who wanted to celebrate with us.

There were also 10 new members who joined Amazing Grace, 4 by profession of faith,
and 6 by transfer of membership.

From the two photos you can see our place of worship - the local
elementary school gym.

After the worship we had a great time of fellowship and a meal together.

It was so good for Howard and I to meet so many of the Amazing Grace family
who had been traveling this summer. We think we have finally met everyone
and are looking forward to helping grow this PCA church plant.

Thank you for your prayers for the church we attend in town,
continue to pray for a new building so that we don't have to set up everything
on Sunday mornings and take it all down before noon!

Whoop-Up Days!

       So many of you asked back in August when we posted photos of the parade we participated in the following question:
"What is a Whoop Up Day?"  Here is the official definition and logo. You could join us next year!

Whoop-Up Days is an annual festival, exhibition, and rodeo held in Lethbridge, Alberta, for five days in the last full week of August. 

The event includes a 4-km parade through downtown, daily concerts on the Gas King Stage in Pioneer Park, the RAM CPRA Pro Rodeo, in the South Pavilion, and the Westcoast Midway, featuring the reverse bungee jump. There's so much more happening on the Main 




Pavilion, GrandStand and Festival Street.

We got ready for the Parade by washing the new van and the trailer.

It was a rainy morning early - but by the time we started the parade
it had warmed up and the sun was shining!

Here is our mighty chariot ready to enter the parade.

And the whole gang who participated!

All those Princesses and friends with Eleni!

And Shanika got to greet them too!

We had well known celebrities in the parade!

A couple of our Amazing Youth who joined the fun!

Margaret had her buddy along for the walk!

We wore our hats and some of our Amazing Kids walked along greeting
all those who were watching the parade. 

Margaret was our faithful walker who kept an eye
on our bikers and walkers.

Our Fearless driver - and you don't see his faithful side-kick sitting in the
back helping kids in and out of the van when they are tired.
Thanks Howard and Jack!

We even made it on the local TV station.

We have made it through our first parade and are ready to up the stakes next year.

Now on to our year with the Amazing Kids program which begins October 5th at 3:30 pm