To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Movie Night At Cloverdale Baptist Church: The book outside of the Bible that has most impacted the Christian world in history is, The Pilgrims Progress. As a culture we don't read as much as we should, as a Christian culture, we MUST read more, however as we grow in our reading we can take advantage of getting to know a story in other ways. This story is one of conversion and seeking to walk with Jesus. Bunyan wrote it from prison, there because of his compulsion to preach the Gospel he sought to put real life to allegory, and so was born this powerful book. What was written in 1677 has continued to engage the imagination and hearts of Christians since then in powerful ways. I have not seen this movie, but have read this book repeatedly, and for those old enough (parents it is a PG movie) I would strongly recommend this book (a must read), and that as you start to read it you join us for the movie and a time for connection. Looking forward to seeing you, enjoying popcorn and watching a story that has impacted so many, and I hope helps to engage our hearts in the journey God has called us to be on. Join us on August 23, 6:00 pm for a wonderful evening of connection and historical impact.
This fall, which is approaching rapidly we want to make sure we are ministering to you, and that you can take advantage of all that is coming our way.
Growth Groups: One of the most important things for us as a church is that as we grow larger, we grow smaller. Please sign up for a small group where you can grow deeper in devotion to God and one another.
Sunday School: We want to be a church where we not only gather, but grow. There has been much written on the lack of Biblical understanding and living in the Evangelical church in Canada, and we want to be sure that we are a part of the solution by constantly and consistently growing in this. One of the key ways we do this is Sunday School for all ages. As a parent, take advantage of this and send your children to grow in their faith. They need it from you at home, and we as a church want to be sure we supplement this education with excellence...so send. You also need to come, for we want to be a place of continual learning and applying, this year we are offering two classes for those who are Young Adults and older, I will be finishing a class I started last year on, THE TOP 10 ISSUES FACING THE CANADIAN CHURCH TODAY, followed by a study of THE BOOK OF JAMES: LIVING WHOLLY FOR JESUS IN A COASTING CULTURE. Pastor Ray is teaching a class on Love and Marriage, with the help of Matt Chandler, THE MINGLING OF SOULS: GOD'S DESIGN FOR LOVE, MARRIAGE, SEX AND REDEMPTION. Start the year right, and make it a habit so that your life can continue to become more like Jesus!
Remember to sign up for AWANA.
Remember to find a place to SERVE. If you know Jesus and are a part of our church family, your service is essential to our maturity and impact as a church.
September is a month that we set patterns, so my encouragement for you today is that you set those patterns to help you love God more intimately, and serve His bride with more impact. Now is the time to make that commitment!
Sign Up: We would love all of you to attend our REAL TRUTH, REAL LIFE CONFERENCE. Mark your calendars now, and sign up, www.realtruthreallife.ca.
Missions: It has been a joy to see the Penner's and Fenske's and to rejoice in God using us and them around the world. What a joy it is to be a part of a family that has a priority on missions. Please don't stop praying for our team in the Philippines. All reports I have received have them doing VERY WELL! Please continue to ask for their personal growth, powerful impact, and protection. Our prayer meeting this Tuesday will be focused on Missions, and Matt will be sharing, so encourage you, if you have a heart for missions to join us by praying for those who we have sent all around the world.
Sunday Is Coming:
Text: Psalm 92
Title: An Attitude Of Gratitude
I first preached these three Psalms (90-02) to missionaries from OMF who were gathered for their annual meetings. It was a joy to walk through them and see that in the midst of difficulty we can trust in God always and hear their stories of hope and God's help. Psalm 92 is a Psalm about the heart. For those who know God, and have experienced what He has done they will always have an attitude of gratefulness. Yikes, that word always is a little convicting to me (and you if your honest)...
One of the key areas that the world, the flesh and the devil can attack the Christian is in the area of focused thanksgiving! The more centred we are on God, and what He has done for us, the easier it will be for us to be a people of praise and thanksgiving.
As you prepare for this Sunday, how are you at being thankful to God in all things? This is a great measurement tool for our heart and according to Romans 1:21 one of the key ways of measuring the downward spiral into sin is a lack of thanksgiving to God.
Right now, make a list of 5 things you know about the character of God that will drive your heart to praise, and 5 things He has done for you that will cause you to be consistently and correctly thankful always! My prayer is that this Psalm will help us grow in our desire to be obedient to God's call for thanksgiving and passionate about His character and works!
Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Have a great week!
Privileged to serve God with you, and to serve Him by serving you,
Pastor Rob