To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
This week has been a full one, with things happening at our church from morning to evening, so finally, on Friday (sorry it is so late), the time can be taken to write a quick note to God's family here. The conference went well as people from many different denominations gathered around a passion to study God's Word and grow. The conference mainly focused on TGC-BC pastors and leaders, but all were welcome and we enjoyed the fellowship and great teaching. I am hoping this is one of many to come, using this facility and others to be a strong encouragement to help one another stand firm and live for the glory of God. It is a joy to be a part of TGC and pursue church health in BC and Canada together. Thank you to all who served to make the week special. As a congregation we once again did an excellent job in the ministry of hosting. Hoping for many more people at the next gathering as we gain momentum and pray for impact. Thank you especially to Peter, who spent countless hours at the church this week!
The 500 birthday of the reformation has come and gone, and yet the call for us to be, "Ecclesia semper reformanda" carries on. The church continually reforming to God's Word. Always willing to evaluate ourselves and our church with God's Word, and always willing to align ourselves with Him in all of our lives! This means a constant life of repentance (changing our minds to align them, and our lives with God's Word.), as Luther wrote in his first of the 95 theses, "when our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said 'repent' (Matthew 4:17) He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance". A Passionate pursuit of God centred living is key to a healthy Christian life. Pray for us as elders and deacons that we might be fully devoted to God, and constantly adjusting our lives to God's Word and leading our church in this direction. We long to please Him, and to be who He wants us to be and to constantly grow in our pursuit of this together!
Church Happenings
Pastor Ray is beginning his Sunday School class on Sunday Morning. This will give us two excellent adult classes, and we encourage you to join one of these to grow in your knowledge of God's Word, and ability to apply it. We are excited with so many great things happening in our church family, and believe the growth we have seen and rejoiced in over the past month will continue as we do things in His strength for His glory! Sunday School begins at 9:10, and will be done in time to grab a coffee and find someone to love before the service. There is Sunday School for every age, and this ministry is one we want to continue to grow in our desire to be faithful to God's Word in our lives.
Baptism: We are having a baptism on November 26, encourage you to meet with one of our pastors if you are willing to obey Jesus in this.
Sunday Is Coming:
We start our second series of sermons in the book, so bring your books and Bible's as you come ready to learn about the Holiness of God, and practically how we can choose to be holy in our lives and in this church family.
Title: How In The World Can We Be Holy? God Is Holy Holy Holy
Text: Isaiah 6:1-13
The first step to applicable holiness in our lives is to see and experience the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:13-17). How can you pursue a deeper knowledge of who God is in your life?
How does Isaiah 6 remind us that when everything falls apart God is still on the throne?
Why is the word HOLY as it refers to God repeated three times in this text?
What does the word holy mean?
How does Isaiah's response to God's holiness and grace help us in our response?
As you prepare on Saturday for Sunday, the potential for maximum impact grows. Meditate on the text and interact with others on it as you come longing to hear from God!
What In The World Is God Doing?
Please pray for Christians in Nepal, as a new law has been signed (October 16) by Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, that bans, "evangelization, religious conversion and the hurting of religious sentiment"
The report I read stated, that to seek a convert could lead up to a five year prison sentence. Please pray for Christians in Nepal (they only make up about 1 percent of the population), that they would be Safe, Strong, and Share the Gospel with all who will listen. As we join them in their struggle, God will use our prayers to further His Kingdom!
A joy to serve you and with you!
Pastor Rob