A Christmas Messsage
23/12/08 08:08
On that first Christmas many years ago, the angel
proclaimed, Do not be afraid. I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is Christ the Lord (Luke
2:10-11). May this enduring message of hope from
the night of our dear Savior's birth give
you peace, comfort and joy - especially in these
uncertain times.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, I encourage you to reflect on what Jesus' coming means for us. It truly is good news of great joy for all people! Just think...no matter who we are, what we have done or how often we stray, all of us can come freely into the presence of a holy God because of Christ's sacrifice upon the cross. Through faith in Jesus, we have freedom, forgiveness for all our sins, and the incredible privilege of knowing the God of the universe who loves us with an everlasting love. We were once far away, but have been brought near through the precious blood of Christ. We have the hope and assurance of spending eternity with Him. And He offers rest to all who are feeling weary and burdened, to all who will come unto Him. What amazing love! O come let us adore Him!
My family and I extend to you and yours a heartfelt "Merry Christmas!" I pray that in 2009, "Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Love in Him,
Steve
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, I encourage you to reflect on what Jesus' coming means for us. It truly is good news of great joy for all people! Just think...no matter who we are, what we have done or how often we stray, all of us can come freely into the presence of a holy God because of Christ's sacrifice upon the cross. Through faith in Jesus, we have freedom, forgiveness for all our sins, and the incredible privilege of knowing the God of the universe who loves us with an everlasting love. We were once far away, but have been brought near through the precious blood of Christ. We have the hope and assurance of spending eternity with Him. And He offers rest to all who are feeling weary and burdened, to all who will come unto Him. What amazing love! O come let us adore Him!
My family and I extend to you and yours a heartfelt "Merry Christmas!" I pray that in 2009, "Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Love in Him,
Steve
Thank You Tapestry!, Holiday Stress, & Christmas Caroling
17/12/08 08:03
Adopt-a-Family
Update
THANK YOU Tapestry! With your generous support, we were able to bless the Hanthorn Family with a care package overflowing with gifts! Pray that our gifts will be an encouragement and blessing to the Hanthorns and a reminder that they are not alone in their ministry efforts in the far north.
Holiday Stress?
The Christmas season is supposed to be (and can truly be) the most wonderful time of the year. However, it can often leave us feeling stressed and weary as we try to juggle the seemingly endless demands on our time, energy and money. The Bible tells us to "carry each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2) - something we truly want to live out as a church family. If you find yourself feeling burdened, don't face it alone! Share with a friend, one of the elders, or with Steve so we can support, encourage and pray for you. And ask God to help you keep things simple and focused on the real reason for the season: Jesus!
Friday Night Prayer
This Friday, Dec. 19, 7:00 pm at Max & Lynda's. Afterward, we'll hang out, play some games and maybe sip a little eggnog!
Christmas Caroling
A group from Tapestry is planning on doing some caroling around Tuscany this Sunday, December 21. Everyone is welcome! Meet at the Tuscany Club at 7:00 pm.
Mustard Seed Volunteering
We have a couple of opportunities to volunteer at the Mustard Seed (downtown) helping prepare lunch: Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 am to noon. Space is limited to five people each day. If interested, please sign up at church or contact Janet Napady (403-208-1318).
God's Word in You
Here's the memory verse for this week:
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
THANK YOU Tapestry! With your generous support, we were able to bless the Hanthorn Family with a care package overflowing with gifts! Pray that our gifts will be an encouragement and blessing to the Hanthorns and a reminder that they are not alone in their ministry efforts in the far north.
Holiday Stress?
The Christmas season is supposed to be (and can truly be) the most wonderful time of the year. However, it can often leave us feeling stressed and weary as we try to juggle the seemingly endless demands on our time, energy and money. The Bible tells us to "carry each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2) - something we truly want to live out as a church family. If you find yourself feeling burdened, don't face it alone! Share with a friend, one of the elders, or with Steve so we can support, encourage and pray for you. And ask God to help you keep things simple and focused on the real reason for the season: Jesus!
Friday Night Prayer
This Friday, Dec. 19, 7:00 pm at Max & Lynda's. Afterward, we'll hang out, play some games and maybe sip a little eggnog!
Christmas Caroling
A group from Tapestry is planning on doing some caroling around Tuscany this Sunday, December 21. Everyone is welcome! Meet at the Tuscany Club at 7:00 pm.
Mustard Seed Volunteering
We have a couple of opportunities to volunteer at the Mustard Seed (downtown) helping prepare lunch: Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 am to noon. Space is limited to five people each day. If interested, please sign up at church or contact Janet Napady (403-208-1318).
God's Word in You
Here's the memory verse for this week:
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
Adopt-a-Family, Kid's Choir, & Help Needed
10/12/08 11:14
Adopt-a-Family
Reminder
Tapestry wants to bless Paul and Lynn Hanthorn and their seven children who serve above the Arctic Circle in Ft. McPherson, NWT. If you picked up a card with a gift suggestion last week at church, please be sure to bring your wrapped gift (labelled) to church this week. Feel free to include a family photo with your gift. If you missed doing so but would like to take part, please contact Josh & Khara Tait for ideas on what the family would like and/or needs. You can also contribute to the care package with a financial gift by giving through our regular offering this Sunday - just designate your gift "Adopt-a-Family". Please note all contributions (gifts or cash) must be received by this Sunday.
Kid's Choir Performance
Some of Tapestry's kids are part of the Kings Kids Choir that performed a couple of songs at our Christmas Party last Friday night. If you'd like to see their full multicultural music/drama performance, you are welcome to join them on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 pm (or come at 6:00 for a potluck dinner first) at the Sandstone Valley Ecumenical Centre. For more information, please contact Evane Jukes at 403-239-7817.
Help Needed!
Thom Gordon is looking for some help this Saturday to move our excess sound equipment out of his garage into the loft above his garage. The work detail will start around noon, but if anyone shows up early (anytime after 9:00 am) they can help him clean the loft to make room for the equipment. Thom's address is 59 Church Ranches Blvd.
Sermon Scripture
Our Scripture passage for this Sunday is Acts 3. Check it out ahead of time!
God's Word in You
Here's the memory verse for this week:
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him (John 7:37-38 NIV).
Tapestry wants to bless Paul and Lynn Hanthorn and their seven children who serve above the Arctic Circle in Ft. McPherson, NWT. If you picked up a card with a gift suggestion last week at church, please be sure to bring your wrapped gift (labelled) to church this week. Feel free to include a family photo with your gift. If you missed doing so but would like to take part, please contact Josh & Khara Tait for ideas on what the family would like and/or needs. You can also contribute to the care package with a financial gift by giving through our regular offering this Sunday - just designate your gift "Adopt-a-Family". Please note all contributions (gifts or cash) must be received by this Sunday.
Kid's Choir Performance
Some of Tapestry's kids are part of the Kings Kids Choir that performed a couple of songs at our Christmas Party last Friday night. If you'd like to see their full multicultural music/drama performance, you are welcome to join them on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 pm (or come at 6:00 for a potluck dinner first) at the Sandstone Valley Ecumenical Centre. For more information, please contact Evane Jukes at 403-239-7817.
Help Needed!
Thom Gordon is looking for some help this Saturday to move our excess sound equipment out of his garage into the loft above his garage. The work detail will start around noon, but if anyone shows up early (anytime after 9:00 am) they can help him clean the loft to make room for the equipment. Thom's address is 59 Church Ranches Blvd.
Sermon Scripture
Our Scripture passage for this Sunday is Acts 3. Check it out ahead of time!
God's Word in You
Here's the memory verse for this week:
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him (John 7:37-38 NIV).
Christmas Party, Shoebox Gifts, & Adopt-a-Family
03/12/08 11:14
Christmas Party
This Week!
A last minute reminder about our church family Christmas party this Friday from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the Tuscany Club. If you didn't get a chance to sign-up, it's not too late! Simply contact Lynda Blazina (403-288-6615) or Lorie Gordon (403-668-8886) to let us know you're coming, bring a food item to share and invite a guest to join you! Don't forget...everyone school-aged and over is asked to bring a wrapped "white elephant" gift (a used item you no longer want, chocolates, etc...) for a light-hearted gift exchange. Parents with pre-school aged children are asked to bring an inexpensive gift for their child to open.
Shoebox Collection Sunday!
If you and your family have packed a gift-filled shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, please bring your box to church this Sunday. The Tapestry team volunteering at the Samaritan's Purse warehouse on Thursday next week will take the boxes with them.
Adopt-a-Family
Once again this year, Tapestry is adopting a family for Christmas! Paul and Lynn Hanthorn and their seven children serve above the Arctic Circle in Ft. McPherson, NWT. Paul and Lynn have been up north as church planting missionaries for 17 years, seeking to love, serve and reach their community for Christ.
Tapestry wants to bless and encourage the Hanthorn family by providing a Christmas care package full of gifts and practical items. A sign-up sheet of things the family needs and/or would like will be available at church on Sunday. If you'd prefer to contribute toward the care package with a financial gift, you can give through our regular offering - just designate your gift "Adopt-a-Family". For more information, please contact Josh & Khara Tait.
Host a Japanese Exchange Student
Jay and Meg Vedoya are setting up an ESL (English as a Second Language) homestay program for this winter and are looking for a few host families for Japanese students. For now, they need one host family in Calgary (Dec. 30 to Jan. 3) and another in Cochrane (Dec. 17 to Dec. 29). The students pay for their stay.
This is a fantastic opportunity for building bridges between Japanese students and Canadian Christian families. Most of the students come from a non-Christian background (less than 1% of Japan's population is Christian) and staying with Christians in Canada is a great opportunity for them to make new friends and be exposed to the Gospel. It's like bringing the mission field to our homes! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jay & Meg by email or call them at 403-383-8607.
Sermon Scripture
Our Scripture passage for this Sunday is Acts 2:42-47. Check it out ahead of time and read about life in the early church.
God's Word in You
Here's the memory verse for this week:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).
A last minute reminder about our church family Christmas party this Friday from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the Tuscany Club. If you didn't get a chance to sign-up, it's not too late! Simply contact Lynda Blazina (403-288-6615) or Lorie Gordon (403-668-8886) to let us know you're coming, bring a food item to share and invite a guest to join you! Don't forget...everyone school-aged and over is asked to bring a wrapped "white elephant" gift (a used item you no longer want, chocolates, etc...) for a light-hearted gift exchange. Parents with pre-school aged children are asked to bring an inexpensive gift for their child to open.
Shoebox Collection Sunday!
If you and your family have packed a gift-filled shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, please bring your box to church this Sunday. The Tapestry team volunteering at the Samaritan's Purse warehouse on Thursday next week will take the boxes with them.
Adopt-a-Family
Once again this year, Tapestry is adopting a family for Christmas! Paul and Lynn Hanthorn and their seven children serve above the Arctic Circle in Ft. McPherson, NWT. Paul and Lynn have been up north as church planting missionaries for 17 years, seeking to love, serve and reach their community for Christ.
Tapestry wants to bless and encourage the Hanthorn family by providing a Christmas care package full of gifts and practical items. A sign-up sheet of things the family needs and/or would like will be available at church on Sunday. If you'd prefer to contribute toward the care package with a financial gift, you can give through our regular offering - just designate your gift "Adopt-a-Family". For more information, please contact Josh & Khara Tait.
Host a Japanese Exchange Student
Jay and Meg Vedoya are setting up an ESL (English as a Second Language) homestay program for this winter and are looking for a few host families for Japanese students. For now, they need one host family in Calgary (Dec. 30 to Jan. 3) and another in Cochrane (Dec. 17 to Dec. 29). The students pay for their stay.
This is a fantastic opportunity for building bridges between Japanese students and Canadian Christian families. Most of the students come from a non-Christian background (less than 1% of Japan's population is Christian) and staying with Christians in Canada is a great opportunity for them to make new friends and be exposed to the Gospel. It's like bringing the mission field to our homes! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jay & Meg by email or call them at 403-383-8607.
Sermon Scripture
Our Scripture passage for this Sunday is Acts 2:42-47. Check it out ahead of time and read about life in the early church.
God's Word in You
Here's the memory verse for this week:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).