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Merry Christmas

To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:

Merry Christmas!

I know in Canada we often start to prepare for Christmas on Reformation day, but this year we have waited until after Thanksgiving (American).  So, are you ready?  Getting ready?  Okay, me neither, but on Black Friday Lori and I did do some Christmas shopping online, and we have begun the journey towards our focus on the greatest gift ever given.  I know that we should celebrate this every day, but what a great opportunity for us to rejoice together at the greatness of God's grace in sending Jesus.  As you prepare, set up lights, rejoice in the season for the reason for the season, take time to share the Gospel with any and all who will listen.  Christmas gives us the opportunity to love those in need and share God's love.

Speaking of loving those in need, don't forget your JAM, SYRUP and CHOCOLATE CHIPS (we won't let Pastor Les near them), as we want to help those in need in our community and world.  This is a great opportunity to give a little, that when put together is a lot, and be a BLESSING in JESUS name.

Please join us in praying for those on the mission field on our behalf as a church.  Dean has asked for prayer for his ministry and what is going on in the Ukraine.  Please remember him and this country that needs the Gospel.  If you know Dean, send him a note of love, and tell him the Stampeders won and you are praying for him.  

This day in history, in 1095 Pope Urban ordered the first crusade.  The heart behind it was to reclaim the holy land because it was God's will.  What is so sad about this is that the crusaders were people who really believed that they were seeking God's best (at least some of them), and doing God's will and YET...they committed so many atrocities.  This is a reminder to us that God speaks authoritatively ONLY through His Word.  What we mean by that, is that we believe that God is relational, and that in this relationship we hear from Him through His Spirit and His Word.  The horror of the crusades could have been avoided if God's people had sought God's Word for what to do in reaching the world.  It is not military conquest, but passionate prayer, and pursuit of opportunities to share about Jesus love!  History is filled with things that have been done in the name of god, or gods, and that is why we pursue seeing all of reality through the lens of God's Word.  

When we gather on Sunday's we gather to WORSHIP God, to ENCOURAGE one another, to SERVE, and to HEAR FROM GOD'S WORD.  Take time this week to reflect on how you can be a part of our church being who God wants us to be when we gather.  Find someone to encourage, engage with heart and voice in song, join in the pastoral prayer in your heart, and come prepared to hear from God as His Word is opened.  Look actively for ways to be a part of our pursuit of health.  WE NEED YOU, to be who God has called us to be.

Sunday Is Coming:

Text:  Romans 5:1-11
Title:  Absolute Trust: Demonstrated Love

  • This last part of this passage is perhaps the greatest in Romans.  God's love is AMAZING, and worth celebrating, and life changing when experienced.  God is awesome in His love.
  • Why is it essential to understand the harsh truth of God's justice and holiness so that we can truly experience His love?
  • Reflect on the words that are here that describe us when God first loved us.  Why do we find these words here in the passionate push of the passage to help us experience God's love?

As you prepare for Sunday, pray Ephesians 3:14-21 and seek to experience God's love in a fresh and powerful way, for if you do, you will never be the same.

Excited to work through Romans 5 with you,

Pastor Rob