MARCH 31 at 10:01am: Easter Sunday! Easter Sunday is when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! We gather to joyfully sing, pray and marvel at God’s power and goodness. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said” (Matthew 28:5-6). There will be Sunday School and nursery care.
MARCH 28 at 7 PM: Maundy Thursday In this 40-minute service we will remember Jesus’ new commandment to ‘love one another’. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). Candles will be distributed as you enter (like on Christmas Eve) and we will do some singing in the dark. We will also celebrate Communion. You will be invited forward to receive the bread and juice. Please Note: There is no Sunday School or nursery care on this evening.
MARCH 29 at 10am: Good Friday We gather at the foot of the cross to remember the sacrifice and crucifixion of Christ. This is a reflective service of gratitude. “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). At the end of the service, after the special Kid’s Program (see below), we file out in silence. The Good Friday Youth Program will be for children aged 4 to 12+ years at the same time as the service. This is an experiential hour for the children and includes the story of Jesus from Maundy Thursday to Easter morning. We will meet in the church hall at 10 am (promptly). At the end of the hour the youth will walk up the back aisle in the sanctuary carrying the cross and tomb to the front; then we will file out in silence. (Questions about this youth program can be directed to Mandy Hillyard at 705-539-1203 or at barriegirl57@gmail.com)
Our missions group, Stitch and Chatter will be holding a plant sale at the church after service on Sunday May 25. Leading up to the sale, they are seeking plant donations to sell to help raise funds for their on-going mission projects. If you are able to help by bringing in plant items prior to the sale, please get in touch with the church office to be put in touch with Myrna Austen or bring them in with you any Sunday. We appreciate your donations and hope you can come out to worship with us and support our sale by buying a plant or two to take with you.
On Sunday we continue to rejoice about the resurrection. The nails failed! During the service we will be blessed by two special musical offerings by TGIF, the singers from the Friday Kids’ music night! They’ll be singing John 3:16 (acapella), followed by ‘Believe’ by Shawna Edwards. They will also bless us with a video compilation of Easter. As promised on Easter Sunday, Pastor Ruttan will address some of the biggest questions and challenges some people have concerning the resurrection. This is designed to increase your confidence and help you explain your faith. We will sing songs, pray together, be blessed by faithful Sunday School and nursery helpers, and enjoy fellowship. We honour God together.
Christ is risen! On Sunday we continue to celebrate the power, love and truth of God together as his people. Pastor Ruttan will offer Part 2 in our mini series about the resurrection. Last week we explored 5 of the most common conspiracy theories which try to undermine our confidence in the resurrection. Last week was defense, this week is offense. We explore additional reasons to be confident in our foundational belief. We will worship with praise songs and hymns, and William Min will teach us a new song he has been singing with the youth group: “O Glorious Day.” It’s a perfect song for the Easter season. Sunday School teachers are preparing for classes, and our nursery helpers will provide support and love for the youngest in our midst. We will enjoy fellowship and be uplifted. Let’s honour God together.
On Sunday, April 21 we gather to worship. For thousands of years God has called his people to gather, pray, sing his praise, learn from his Word, and support one another through fellowship. People together with voices together, growing together is a great gift we get to receive from and contribute to. Pastor Ruttan will begin teaching through Colossians, verse by verse. On the heels of Easter, it is a great place to be as we get a glimpse into an early church community as they learn what it means to follow the risen Messiah in love and holiness. The text is Colossians 1:1-14. Sunday School teachers prepare to teach our young people, and our nursery helpers will provide support to our youngest. We will enjoy fellowship and mutual support. After the service, William Min will hold an information session for our new initiative called Satellite Gatherings (see separate announcement). “Set your minds on things that are above… For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3)
This Event will be updated during the week leading up to the Service. Please stay tuned and check back in for details.
On Sunday, April 28th we gather to honour the Lord on the first day of the week, as Christ’s people have done for thousands of years. It’s Soup and a Bun Sunday! Join us after the service for a delicious Soup and Bun lunch. Donations accepted. Pastor Ruttan will continue our teachings series on Colossians. Do you ever feel insecure in your faith? As if something is missing? These questions can happen to mature Christians as well as new Christians. That’s what we’ll explore as we look at Colossians 1:15-23. Isn’t it wonderful that there are Sunday School teachers preparing to help and guide our children? And that there are people in the nursery to provide care? And that there are singers, musicians, ushers, tech assistants, kitchen volunteers, set-up and take-downers, greeters, and behind-the-scenes pray-ers and servants who serve our God through this church? Yes, yes it is. See you Sunday. “Set your minds on things that are above… For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3)
“How Great Thou Art!” It’s a powerful and inspiring hymn for the ages. It speaks a great truth and God and is also a great way to start a worship service – and so we will this Sunday. There will be helpful Sunday School classes, loving nursery care, as well as fellowship and encouragement. We will sing, pray, serve and be lifted up. Pastor Ruttan will focus on one of the most uplifting (and still mysterious) verses in Colossians: that “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The wider text will be Colossians 1:24 - 2:5.
