The Unstoppable Pursuit of the Father

Hey SCC Family !

Welcome to The Bridge Weekly #50—what a milestone! It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come together, sharing stories, updates, and growth along the way.

This past Sunday, Tracy concluded our series on the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, inviting us to consider how temptation and evil influence our connection with God. Rather than strict formulas, she encouraged honest trust and sincere dialogue with our Father. Using the image of a running father welcoming his child, she reminded us that God draws us close, even in our struggles. During this Advent season, openly acknowledging our needs, seeking His guidance, and trusting His love led to deeper freedom and hope in our everyday walk with Jesus.

Watch the message here: Unstoppable | The Father’s Pursuit. 

Tracy also unpacked these themes further in her latest Listening & Responding episode with Joel Wydysh. Together, they explored how discipleship is about more than knowledge—it’s about living in an intentional community, encouraging one another, and growing deeper in Christ’s love. They shared how D-Groups (Discipleship Groups) offer opportunities to connect, pray, and take actionable steps in our walk with Jesus.

If you’ve been longing for a place to grow, ask questions, and practice living out your faith, this might be just what you’re looking for. Learn more about D-Groups and sign up here. Let’s continue seeking Jesus together—He has so much more for us!

Watch the latest Listening & Responding episode here.

This Sunday, Joel will be sharing about the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth, a moment that echoed through history and continues to stir hope within us. As we reflect on Advent’s theme of Joy, let’s open our hearts to the wonder of Christ’s arrival—His love reaching us through time and space. After the service, join us in Connect Café for good conversation and a welcoming atmosphere. This is a time to celebrate together, rejoice in God’s kindness, and find renewed strength in the joyful truth of Jesus’ coming.

God’s goodness is constant, and it’s amazing to see how He works through His people. As you prayerfully consider giving from your financial resources, remember that your generosity helps make a difference—not just within our church but in the community and beyond. Together, we’re part of something much greater, joining in God’s kingdom work. Take a moment to ask the Lord how He’s leading you to contribute. Thank you for reflecting His heart of generosity in such meaningful ways.

 Let’s bring joy to families in need this holiday season through our Christmas Blessing initiative. This year, in partnership with Loaves and Fishes, we will support families over Christmas with gifts and food. Please consider what you will give beyond your regular giving to SCC for this special blessing. The last day to give is this Sunday, December 15th. Christmas Blessing will be an option in Nucleus Giving, and we ask that you note this when using eTransfer as well.

We had an amazing turnout for our Volunteer Christmas Party! It was such a joy to see so many of you come together to celebrate, laugh, and enjoy a festive evening. A huge thank you to Jocelyn Holden and her incredible team of helpers for pulling everything together so beautifully. From the delicious food to the thoughtful details, your hard work made the night truly special. Thank you to everyone who came and made it a night to remember! If you’d like to relive the fun or see what you might have missed, check out the picture slideshow of the event below!

Join us on Christmas Eve at 4:00 PM as we gather to celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth—just like the shepherds who hurried to see Him! We’ll worship, share a message of hope, and show love to Loaves & Fishes with a special offering. The evening ends with a candlelit moment, cookies, and apple cider. Bring your family and friends, and let’s celebrate this joyful season together!

We’re thrilled to have a choir singing, and if you’ve been thinking about helping with the service or joining the choir, this is your last opportunity. Choir rehearsals will be held December 15th and 22nd from 12:45 to 1:30.

Do you want to understand and love the Bible more? Are you looking for a community to encourage and challenge you in living out the Gospel?

Consider joining a D-Group! We’re starting a 6-week study on the Book of Acts beginning the week of January 5, 2025. Groups will be for men or women only, with the potential for a married couples group if there’s enough interest. Meeting times will be based on sign ups. Sign up below or chat with Joel Wydysh for more details.

Click here to get more information and sign up! 

We’re looking for a volunteer to join our Nursery team starting in January! If you enjoy caring for little ones and helping families feel welcome, we’d love your help. The commitment is simple—just one Sunday serving, followed by two Sundays off. It’s a great way to make a difference without a huge time commitment. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please email Freddy at [email protected] or click the button below to sign up. Your smile, care, and willingness to serve will mean so much to our youngest members and their families. Let’s partner together to create a warm, nurturing space where everyone feels at home.

We’re looking for volunteers to join our Elev8 Youth Group team on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:30 PM! If you’re passionate about connecting with teens and creating a fun, welcoming environment for them to grow in their faith, we’d love to have you on board. Whether it’s leading small groups, assisting with activities, or simply being a supportive presence, there’s a role for you to make an impact. Interested? Email Colby at [email protected] to learn more and get involved —or click the button below to sign up today!

Join us for a special Inter-Church Christmas Nativity Play at 7pm on December 21st at the Harbourfront Theatre. Tickets are free but limited! To reserve yours, call 902 888 2500 (Mon–Fri, 12 PM–5 PM).

We also invite you to the dress rehearsal at 4 pm this Sunday, December 15th at St. Paul’s Church. Your presence will help our performers shine! Instead of an admission fee, please bring a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.

It’s easy to feel unworthy of the kind of love that doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t hold back, and doesn’t wait for us to have it all together. Maybe you’ve wandered, made mistakes, or even questioned whether God could really forgive and embrace you again. But the truth is, our Heavenly Father’s pursuit isn’t dependent on our perfection. It’s His nature to seek, to find, and to restore. That’s the kind of love God has for you—unstoppable, unwavering, and deeply personal.

This love invites us to step out of hiding, to stop running from God and start running toward Him. And here’s the beautiful thing: He's already running to meet us even when we take hesitant, faltering steps. His pursuit breaks through shame, fear, and guilt, offering us a seat at His table and a place in His heart.

So, what does it look like for you to embrace this pursuit? Maybe it’s letting go of the idea that you have to earn God’s love. Maybe it’s saying yes to His invitation to come home, no matter how far you’ve wandered. Wherever you are in your story, remember that God isn’t just waiting for you—He’s running toward you, ready to welcome you with open arms.

If this resonates with you, take a moment to reflect on how you’ve seen God’s pursuit in your life. And if you’re curious to explore more, we invite you to read the full blog post here.

Join Our Volunteers! Learn More Here!

Stay Connected: Your engagement brings our community to life! Haven't visited our WEBSITE yet? Click here to explore more opportunities for connection and involvement.

Thank you for spending time with us in this week’s edition of The Bridge Weekly! These emails take hours to prepare, and it means so much to know you’re reading and staying connected. We can’t wait to catch up again next week! Until then, may His peace guide you, His love sustain you, and His joy overflow in your heart as you walk with Him. Have a fantastic weekend!

P.S. As we prepare for Sunday, take some time to read Luke 2:8-20 and John 17:13. These passages set the stage for Joel’s message on Advent Joy. Let’s come ready to reflect on the joy found in Jesus!