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Summer is Here

To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:

I dropped my youngest son off for the last time at school...and it was a sad day for me.  My routine over the past 12 years has been to drive to Lord Tweedsmuir school, pray with the kids, and drop them off at around 8.  That part of my life is OVER.  Happy I don't have to drive, sad I don't have this short precious time with our kids.  Summer is finally here, and although the weather is perhaps a little wet, it really is a good time to relax and connect.  Fire up the BBQ, invite your neighbours over and enjoy a qui-et relaxed evening on the deck...if you have all of those....Congratulations Graeme (and other grade 12 grads), enjoy your last summer as kids (okay you have another 6 or 7 as you work through University) and rejoice that your grade 12 is done!  One of my greatest joys in life is to see our boys growing older and wiser and Graeme we are proud you have taken this next step, and excited about what God might have in store for you in the near and distant future as you seek to bring glory to His name.

 Reminder:  Over the summer we have ELDERS LED PRAYER MEETINGS on Tuesday nights from 7-8. Would love to have you join us.  We long to be a praying church, not only as individuals, but as a body, and our commitment to this evening of prayer is important and please know that in God's Sovereign plans, our prayers are a part of what He is doing and will do.  In fact, you should love practically, but the most you can do for someone is PRAY!

Reminder:  Dandelion Acres is officially open and doing God's business on Monday.  Please be in prayer for our team that is putting it on, and that the impact of this week would reverberate for eternity.  Your prayers are a part of God's Sovereign plan to make a difference, so please PRAY!  Robyn, Hannah, and interns are all going strong, and with our prayers their energy level can be kept high throughout an exhausting week of ministry and fun!  PRAY PRAY PRAY!

Thank you to all who helped our Canada Day BBQ be amazing!  It was so fun to see all of you in line, and to rejoice as we visited and connected with one another.  Thank you to those who worked so hard, Rod and team, we praise God for your servant hearts and hard work...WELL DONE!

Promotions To Glory:  Anna Czetl, Rita Radke's mom went to glory on Monday, last week.  Her memorial service will be on Saturday July 6, at Evergreen Chapel in Whiterock at 2:00.  Please pray for the family!  They are rejoicing in her faith, and although the grief is real, so is her security in glory and the presence of her Saviour!

Heinz Volkman went to glory on Tuesday, July 2.  This is what will be in the Bulletin this week...A faithful servant of CBC has gone to be with His LORD.  Heinz is one of two Elders Emeritus that we have had as a congregation.  He faithfully served Cloverdale Baptist Church for a lifetime, and stated to me, "we live in a broken world and we can't shed our humanity, but we can stay loyal to God and His church and be builders...this is our duty as unworthy servants."  A man who has challenged us to believe in His God and love the local church.  His memorial service will be on Saturday,  July 13 at 2...in his words, "please don't forget this is not a celebration of my life, it is a celebration of my Saviour."  May his life encourage us to be loyal to the local church and his death to be prepared for eternity.

Michelle Derkson passed away on June 28.  Her dad, Harvey Derkson and his wife Flo attend our church, and covet your prayers as they grieve and prepare for the memorial service this coming Monday.  She leaves behind a husband and two precious children, and I would covet your prayers as I seek to point everyone who attends to Jesus and bring comfort in a time of overwhelming grief.

Many others need prayer as they prepare for surgeries, recover from surgeries or are right now close to the edge of the shadow of the valley of death.  PRAY PRAY PRAY!

CONNECTIONS:  This is our summer focus.  For this week, I would love every person in the congregation to write a note to someone else in the congregation.  You can buy a card, write an email, use our encouragement cards, or find some other creative way, but if you have noticed someone who needs an extra bit of encouragement, or seen someone who service to the people of God at CBC is exemplary take the time to be a blessing to them.  If you can't think of anyone...open up your new directory at random and pick one of the many families on the random page you found.

Summer Reading:  Every now and then I read a book I wish I would have written.  One such book I just finished by J D Greear called, Gospel:  Recovering The Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary, is well worth your time.  It is one that I believe could help us keep the Gospel central in our lives in a practical way.  Will keep reading and once in a while making a recommendation to you, and if you read something that is a deep encouragement to you, let me know, for in reading we invite the thoughts and views of others to impact ours and it is helpful and important.

Sunday Is Coming

Keep Reading Psalm 1 and another Psalm each day of the week to increase your blessing over the summer.

Title:  How Can We Hold Back?
Text:  Psalm 96

We struggle as a Canadian church to authentically worship the God of the Bible.  So often our traditions or selfishness get in the way of being radically God Centred and pursuing the honour of others.  This Psalm helps us to deepen our understanding of who God is and how to engage our hearts in exalting Him.

Take the time to read the Psalm 3 or 4 times before Sunday and come ready to be blessed by God and His Word.

Prepare your hearts for communion as well.

 Joyfully serving you,
Pastor Rob