Thursday, March 21, 2024

Happy Thursday - and Happy Spring!

How wonderful to see the snow going down with the warmth of the sun - we can say farewell to winter safely, I think. (I’m praying “Sheila’s Brush” will not appear!)

For the next two or three Sundays we are collecting food items for the Community Food Sharing Assn. We normally would have a special Easter Offering, but we know there is an urgent need for food in our communities. You can bring in your non-perishable donations to the church. Here are the items they suggest: 

Canned Soup & Stew, Peanut Butter, Canned Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Dried Pasta, Noodles & Rice, Pasta Sauce, Canned Meat & Fish, Beans & Legumes, Canned Vegetables & Fruit, Canned/Powdered Milk, Breakfast Cereal, Baking Supplies. 

You can also make a financial donation directly to the Food Association ($10.00 leverages $205.00 worth of food) - here is the website: https://www.cfsa.nf.net/ 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday - a time we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and people waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” We want as many children to come out on Sunday and participate in the ‘parade of palm branches’ as we sing Hosanna. Plan to come a bit early - it will be during the second song and we don’t want anyone to miss it!

I also want to encourage everyone to be praying about our Good Friday, Sunrise and Easter Sunday services - that God will draw us all closer to him as we consider the cross and his love for us - the new life we experience because Jesus defeated sin and death. We, too, are raised to new life! Also pray about who God is calling you to invite to these services. We are having an Easter Breakfast, so that is a prime opportunity to invite friends and family. The breakfast begins at 8:30 and you can drop in anytime before 9:45. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Annual General Meeting last Saturday night - it was a great meeting and everyone enjoyed some delicious desserts. Thanks to all who contributed desserts!

Our English Club is generating a lot of opportunities for newcomers to practice their English and make new friends with the volunteers who are serving each Monday night. Sheila McKelvie says that there are many who are inquiring about being part of the team and encourages them to contact her directly via email: sheila.mckelvie@gmail.com. What a wonderful ministry this is!

Camp dates have been established - August 11th-16th. Paul sent out an email with the link for registration. I’m copying it here as well: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYyfwvFhmFB6DsvHkOt6GQhOtWoYeo34tcxeaC06yJ-6RNbQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&usp=mail_form_link

Here’s more of what’s on the go:

Prayer Gathering- Thursday at 7pm via Zoom as we come together for Prayer, Devotion and Sharing. Hebrews 4:16 “ Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9617245634?omn=87437266248 Contact Mary Rowe - mary.rowe@gmail.com

Our Launch group will be meeting Friday March 8th, 7-8:30 pm, Students from Graces 2-5 are invited to Come out for a high energy night of fun and friendship and learning about God. Contact Adam House - admaan17@gmail.com.

Our Friday night Youth Group will be meeting tomorrow night from 7-9 pm at the church for students in grades 6 to 12. The evening will include games, a devotion and snack. Contact - lindaAhouse@gmail.com

The “English Club” is a program offered on Monday evenings from 6:45-7:45 pm. (Doors open at 6:30) This ministry will help newcomers learn English in the context of conversation and community. Contact Sheila McKelvie for more information. sheila.mckelvie@gmail.com.

All ladies are invited to attend our Bible study on Tuesday, March 26th at 10:30 am on zoom. We are currently studying the book of Ephesians. The zoom link is posted below. Looking forward to seeing you there. Contact Lin Osmond -lindaosmond879@gmail.com 

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9617245634?omn=86127637234  

Our next Men's Breakfast will be this Saturday, March 23rd at 9 AM, Smitty’s Restaurant, 26 Gibsons Drive, Mount Pearl. Contact Albert Kenway - abkenway@gmail.com.

Here’s what’s happening in Gander:

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Hello from Gander!

The anticipation of the Easter season is upon us. Spring is coming and so is the celebration of our Lord defeating sin and death. We rejoice in that as we move through this season of time.

Here is a list of this week’s events:

Saturday, March 23 at 9 am – Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, March 24 at 10:30 am – Palm Sunday Worship Service

Monday, March 25 at 7 pm – Ecumenical Easter Service at Evangel

Also keep in mind for the following week:

Friday, March 29 at 10:30 am – Good Friday Service

Sunday, March 31 at 6 am – Sunrise service at Cobb’s Pond

Sunday, March 31 at 9 am – Easter Breakfast

Sunday, March 31 at 10:30 am – Easter Sunday Worship Service

Let’s prepare our hearts to worship our Risen Lord!

Pastor Kim

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Sunday, we will continue our message series leading to Easter called “Living Life - 1 Peter.” This week we’ll look at 1 Peter 3:1-22. I’m calling my message “Resilient Living.” Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday! 

1 John 5:11-12 says; "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life." Amen.