Why Do You Go To Church?

Hey SCC Family !

Welcome to week 46 of The Bridge Weekly! Hard to believe we’re already here—it feels like we just kicked off the year together. Here’s a peek at what’s been happening and what’s coming up!

This Sunday, Andrew took on a big question many of us think about: “Why do you go to church?” He didn’t shy away from the challenges—recognizing that, for lots of reasons, people sometimes consider stepping away. Andrew shared his own journey of wrestling with staying connected and encouraged us to find and hold onto our “why.” When we lose our reason, he reminded us, we can lose our way. He left us with four key thoughts:

1. God’s Love for the Church – Jesus promised to be present with us when we gather, showing the power of being together.

2. His Grace – Reflecting on God’s grace, Andrew shared how it’s shaped his life and continues to be his anchor.

3. One Anotherness – He reminded us how much we need each other, practicing love and acceptance in real community.

4. Experiencing His Presence – There’s a beauty in meeting with God in both church and daily life.

Using passages like Matthew 18 and Hebrews, Andrew invited us to reflect on our reasons for gathering, encouraging us to find joy and purpose in our community.

Catch the message here if you missed it!

Also, please keep the Gulu Mission team in your prayers as they wrap up their mission and start their journey back home Sunday night, arriving in PEI early Tuesday morning.

This Sunday, Joel will be sharing a message on forgiveness, focusing on Matthew 6:12: “and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” We’ll also hear a personal story from Catherine Garant about her own journey with forgiveness. It’s a chance to connect over real-life faith stories from our community and reflect on the power of forgiveness in our lives.

After the service, head over to Connect Café to enjoy a coffee and some good conversation with friends, both old and new!

The team in Gulu, Uganda, is beginning their trip home on Sunday. They have seen God’s redemption, faithfulness, and love through the most beautiful people in the most unlikely places. The team has poured out the love of Jesus and needed supplies in prisons, work camps, hospitals and even with the local university students. They have been impacted as much as those they have ministered to. They will be taking the service on Sunday, November 24th and are looking forward to sharing the stories of the amazing work of World Embrace in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Get ready for some festive fun this Wednesday, November 20 at 6:00 PM! Last year was such a blast—especially when Isaac Gillis and Jazmyn Gallant decided to have a little fun with the lobby tree, putting up decorations in the most “creative” ways possible. If you know Julianna Gillis, you know she’s the queen of decorating, so you can imagine the look on her face as she tried to hold back her decorating instincts!

This year, let’s come together again to deck out our space for the Christmas season, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the joy He brings. Who knows what decorating surprises might unfold—will Isaac and Jazmyn attempt their “unique” tree style again, or will Julianna keep things in check? We’ll set up the trees, add those special touches, and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned decorator or just excited to be part of the fun, we’d love to see you there! Refreshments provided.

Mark your calendars and sign up here!

 It’s time to start talking about Christmas Blessing. This year, in partnership with Loaves and Fishes, we will support families in need over Christmas with gifts and food. Please consider what you will give beyond your regular giving to SCC for this special blessing.  Christmas Blessing will be an option in Nucleus Giving, and we ask that you note this when using eTransfer as well.

Operation Christmas Child - This Sunday is your final opportunity to pick up a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child before the November 21-23 collection dates. You’ll find the shoeboxes under the Christmas tree in the great room. Fill one with school supplies, toys, or hygiene items—each gift shares Jesus’ love and brings hope to children in need around the world. Let’s come together to make a meaningful impact as we reflect His love. Thank you for being part of this special outreach!

Would you like to make a difference for a child in PEI this Christmas? Open Door Outreach, in partnership with Prison Fellowship Canada, runs the Angel Tree Christmas program for children of incarcerated parents. Here’s how it works:

1. Inmates register their children for Christmas gifts.

2. You or your group signs up to purchase and deliver gifts.

3. Indicate how far you’re willing to travel and how many children you’d like to support at $40 per child.

4. Prison Fellowship sends you the details.

Sign up to bring joy to a child this Christmas! Register here. Thank you for caring!

Calling all Youth! Performers Wanted for an Inter-Church Musical Christmas Nativity Play! All school-aged youth are invited to participate in this year’s Christmas Nativity Play, sponsored by the Summerside and Area Christian Council. There are roles available for everyone who wants to join in! While auditions for lead roles (Mary, Joseph, Gabriel) have already taken place, there are still plenty of roles open for angels, shepherds, and more. All interested youth are invited to our first rehearsal on November 17th at Centre 150 from 2 PM to 4 PM. Performances will take place on December 15th and December 21st. Don’t miss this chance to share your talents and help spread the Good News! For more information and to register, click the button below!

Isn’t it amazing how church can be so much more than just a routine or a place we visit out of habit? Maybe it’s where we find a genuine sense of belonging—a community that feels like family. It’s in the shared laughter, the support during tough times, and those meaningful conversations that we start to see church not just as a building, but as a journey we’re all on together.

Think about those moments when a message speaks directly to your heart, or when someone’s simple act of kindness brightens your day. Perhaps it’s the space where you feel safe to bring your true self—questions, doubts, and all—and still find acceptance and encouragement. What if going to church is about discovering deeper meaning and finding hope alongside others?

It’s worth wondering: what draws you in and makes it meaningful for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts and continue this conversation. If you’re curious to explore more, check out our latest blog post here.

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Thanks for spending time with us in this week’s edition of The Bridge Weekly! We love keeping this connection going and sharing updates with you each week. If you’re still reading, you deserve a cookie! And guess what? If you come to the Christmas Decorating Party on Wednesday, you’ll get one! Can’t wait to catch up with you again next week. Until then, take care and have a great weekend!

P.S. As you prepare for Sunday’s message, take a moment to read Matthew 6:12 and reflect on the power of forgiveness in your life.