Weekly Update November 30

Hello,

This time of year,

we focus on keeping the cold out of our houses, but what efforts are we investing in warming our hearts? Ezekiel 11:19 (NLT) says “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh.” Ezekial reminds us that God can replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, softening us to His love and the needs of those around us.  Let's embrace the season with open hearts, radiating warmth and kindness to all we encounter.

Join us in bringing joy to families in need this Christmas! 

Every year we do a Christmas blessing where we focus on supporting families in need. This year we will support families as well as single mothers who rely on the Island Pregnancy Centre. We understand that not everyone can contribute financially, but there are other meaningful ways to give.

We're seeking 20 individuals to share a heartfelt message, scripture, or prayer in a Christmas card that will be included with the Christmas Blessing gifts. Let's spread God's love and make a difference in someone's life this Christmas!

There will be cards available in the lobby after church or feel free to bring your own. The deadline to pass your cards to us is December 10th. If you want to donate directly to Christmas Blessing, please specify this when making your gift. 

Join us for a special Christmas Eve service! Mark your calendars for December 24th and get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus with us. This year, we'll be starting at 11 am instead of our usual 10 am, so make sure to adjust your schedule accordingly. Join us with your loved ones for an hour of worshipping our Saviour. We can't wait to share this special time with you!

Here's what's happening in our church this week:

Sunday:

• The Daniel Plan at Centre 150, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Monday:

• The Belgic Confession of Faith at 6:30 p.m.

• Connect through Knitting & Crocheting Group at 7:00 p.m.

• Alabaster House at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday:

• Celebrate Recovery at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday:

• Prayer and Worship at 9:00 a.m.

• Art in Church Connect Group at 10:00 a.m.

• Elev8 Youth at Centre 150 at 7:00 p.m.

• The Gathering Place Connect Group on Mackenzie Dr. at 7:00 p.m.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who generously donated jackets to Open Door Outreach! Your kindness overflowed, and they’re now well-supplied. Open Door Outreach is grateful for your support, and at this time, they do not require any more jacket donations. Blessings to all!

In the latest sermon of the "I Am" statements of Jesus series, Josh unfolded the powerful declaration found in John 11: "I am the resurrection and the life." This is a very misunderstood declaration and Josh takes us back to the beginning in the book of Genesis and then through the OT prophecies which lead to the significance of this statement made by Jesus. In this message, we are reminded of how present Jesus is to us and we even take a look at Jesus profound emotions as He is present to the grieving Mary. Check out Sunday's message here: I am the Resurrection & the Life.

Tracy's "Listening & Responding" Segment Recap: In Tracy's "Listening & Responding" Segment Recap, she reflects on Josh's profound message emphasizing the need to read the entire Bible and recognize Jesus as everything. Mary's silent presence, contrasting Martha's demands, illustrates waiting on Jesus with trust. Tracy encourages us to wait, embrace our emotions, and safeguard our connection with the One who can do the impossible. If you missed the video, be sure to catch it HERE, and join the ongoing conversation next week.

Join Us for Church. We would love to have you join us for Sunday service at 10 a.m. with pre-service prayer beginning at 9:15 a.m. If you can't attend in person, you can still connect with us through our YouTube channel. Remember, as Matthew 18:20 states, "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them", and we can't wait to share God's presence with you.

For updates on all our events, including our giving initiatives, visit our website and stay connected. You're the heartbeat of our SCC community! Your active involvement and support keep us vibrant and thriving.

May your week be filled with deep reflection and precious moments connecting with our Father in heaven. 

 P.S. It's natural to feel like we're asking too much of Him. But in truth, Jesus is everything we need, and we can't do anything without Him. But with Him, nothing is impossible. So how do we protect our union with Him? One way is to follow Mary's example – to wait on Him and to look for Him in the midst of our emotions, struggles, and tears.