To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Happy Thanksgiving!
I know it is the American one, so for sure we include our precious American brothers and sisters, but all of us need to be reminded once in a while that we should be THANKFUL! In fact, biblically it is not only the supernatural overflow of being saved by grace through faith, it is a protection against the world invading the church (Romans 1 serves as a serious warning for that).
So, today, make sure you share with those around you things you are thankful for! I hope we begin (and stay) with the glory of Jesus love for us, and there is so many more things we can be thankful for!
BE THANKFUL! STAY THANKFUL! And if you struggle with that, get your eyes on Jesus, your ears to the WORD, and your heart in His very present help in trouble!
Happy Thanksgiving!
A good excuse for turkey, a Cowboys win, and a sharing of hearts filled with gratefulness to our God!
This week we are remembering the assassination of JFK, as it is the 60th anniversary of this terrible event. Not only was it a shock to the system, it was also according to many sociologists, the beginning of the conspiracy theory invasion. Someone is hiding something, and wants our harm somehow. If you are old enough you will know the grassy knowl.
This of course intensified over the years, and certainly our current world is filled with conspiracy theories (most of which are really silly, some of which might even be plausible).
It is a good reminder that although we can’t fully trust any human, or human institution, we can trust our God, who is a very present help in times of trouble. I think if we spend 1000 times more focus on God and trusting in Him, we will discover that with our left over time, even if our conspiracy theories prove to be true (Ephesians 6:10-18) we will not be anxious or distracted from mission, or divided with those who disagree with us on non-biblical issues.
So TRUST GOD, and when you start to get concerned about other humans and the things going on behind the scenes, remember God is Sovereign, good, and all-wise, and cares about you. KNOW JESUS, NO FEAR.
Wore blue at a Flames game...I am now a good BC immigrant according to my family :)
Sunday Is Coming:
Text: Colossians 1:9-14
Title: Praying In The Spirit:
Please continue to live in Colossians, and read it in its entirety weekly (or hopefully much more).
- How would you rate your prayer life from 1-10?
- What are ways you think you could improve your intimacy with God in prayer?
- Why does Paul spend so much time in prayer (continual passionate prayer?)
- How should this help us to discipline and delight in our own prayer lives?
- How do the prayers of Paul show us how to pray in the Spirit?
- As you read this prayer of Paul, what does it teach you about how you can make your prayers more, “Spirit”, directed?
The more we pray, the more impact we will have...one of the reasons WE LONG TO BE A CHURCH THAT PRAYS!
Blessings as you enjoy thanksgiving, and let it overflow from your hearts to others, and become a contagion of praise.
Thankful with you, and for you,
Pastor Rob
Bulletin
Church Family Games Night
Sat. Nov. 25th / 6:30 pm / Fellow. Hall An evening of board games, 9 Square in the Air, and gym games with friends and family! Snacks and beverages will be provided and the mothers room will be available for mothers with infants.
Ladies Night Out
Sat. Dec. 9th / 6 – 8:30 Pm / Fellow. Hall Join us for a fun, festive and Christ-centred event as we focus on Jesus as Light of the World and get to know one another! Tickets are $15 per person and will go on sale after church service from Nov. 5th-Dec. 3rd. View schedule >
Men’s Breakfast
Sat. Dec. 2nd / 8:30 AM / Fellow. Hall Men of all ages, come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast, fellowship, and spiritual food together!
Memorize the Scriptures with Us!
Every month, we memorize a verse or passage from Scripture together as a church—in November we've been memorizing Colossians 1:9–10! Grab a verse card from the Ministry Centre and join us in "storing up His Word in our hearts."
When Our Loved Ones Choose a Sinful Lifestyle
▶ The Cloverdale Baptist Podcast How should we respond when those we love choose a life of disobedience? Pastor Rob shares 5 practical steps to lead them to Jesus in love while remaining faithful to God. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, as well as on our website.
Growth Group Notes:
Colossians 1:9-14:
Sharing with others in your desire to grow is a key way to deeper understanding and richer appplication. Growth Groups are a key part of the way we as a church family connect with God and one another!
Text: Colossians 1:9-14
Title: Praying In The Spirit:
What are some things you have noted as you have read the book of Colossians throughout the week?
What are changes to your life you are seeking to make as you reflect on what you have learned so far?
Read Colossians 1:9-14
What do you think drove Paul to pray so intensely for this church that most likely he had never met?
- His prayer was, “continual and passionate”, what would it look like if you prayed this way?
- How can we actively live in His presence (Psalm 16:8) in this way?
Why are passages like this, and Luke 18:2 helpful for us to remember as we live our lives in a broken world?
What does it mean to pray in the Spirit, according to Pastor Rob?
How does this prayer help us to see the priorities of the Spirit, and in that, be a helpful guide to our prayers?
What does it mean to be filled with the knowledge of His will?
How does this produce a life that is fully pleasing to the LORD?
- What does it mean to bear fruit in every good work?
- What does it mean to grow in the knowledge of God?
- o How can we do this?
- What does persevering with patience look like?
- Why is joyfully giving thanks to the Father important?
- o How can you make sure that your life is lived in this way?
How can you improve your prayer life?
Prayer:
Share some things that you are THANKFUL for with one another, and let it overflow to your time in prayer, so that THANKSGIVING has an opportunity to grow and flow.
Take the time to pray in the SPIRIT:
- Pray Colossians 1:9-14…for one another and others that God brings to mind.
Pray for Christians in the Middle East:
Pray for peace for Israel (and others):
Pray for us as a church to live on mission for God and His glory, with EACH ONE REACING ONE!
Pray for other requests: