Week At A Glance Feb 29-Mar 6, 2016

Church Office Closed      - Monday, Feb 29

Church Office Open        - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Tuesday – Friday, Mar 1-4

Church Office Closed      - Saturday, Mar 5

Church Service                 - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday Mar 6
Care Home Services        - None Scheduled this week
Lady’s Bible Study           - 1:00 PM Wednesday, Mar 2 at the church

Movie Night                     - 7:00 PM Wednesday, Mar 2 at the church “The War Room”
Men’s Bible Study           - 8:00 AM Thursday, Mar 3 at the church

To book an appointment outside church hours, please contact Pastor Todd at (403) 638-4055, email fasterpastor1@gmail.com or text (403) 426-0014.

Just Around The Corner

It’s amazing how God orchestrates each step we take and movement we make without us realizing it. It was no coincidence that you may have turned a corner in a hallway only to meet someone in need this week, or that someone asked you to pray for them. It was not by chance that you may have shared an encouraging word with someone, or that you may have had to eat lunch alone. God has a way of gently getting your attention so He can listen to your heart, and garner all your attention so you can hear His voice. He writes every sermon for every speaker, and He delivers every opportunity to the receiver. He receives our loved ones as they leave to be with Him, yet He remains with us as we have to let go.

When I reflected on this past week, I was reminded of Psalm 23, and how its’ words laid out all of my days. We traditionally recite this scripture, only in times of sorrow, yet we should also allow these same words to settle inside us through good times. They can be so encouraging when we realize how God organized our lives this week. Please, give this a chance as you face the upcoming challenges and or, events that are ahead of you. Do this, and just imagine what Jesus has for you, just around the next corner.

Mike Shindruk

Master’s Hand Ministry

The Sacred Word

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Rev 22:18-19

I was taught by a very wise instructor, Dr. Alden Aiken, to begin with the word and let the Spirit guide you through the Sunday message. You can never go wrong when the foundation of the sermon is rooted in Scripture. I have never forgotten this lesson but I have added a bit to it over time.

In Revelation, there is a clear warning that the Word of God is perfect just as it is and there is the sternest of warning for not only those who hear the word but also those who preach and teach the Word. I can only imagine the stress that must have been very weighty when the scribes were writing down the Words of God or the weight of responsibility for those who were transcribing or translating the original Message. Anyone adds or takes away from the scroll of prophecy will surely be punished. What an immense responsibility!

Let’s take this a step further though. For those who teach and preach the word of God, do not add or subtract from the Message for surely you will be punished. There are those who, in their own wisdom, add or delete in their interpretation in order to back up their own agenda. Could this not be considered just wrong?

This week we will start a new series on the Scripture. Join us either in person 10:30 am Sunday at 402 Main Ave W in Sundre or online at www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Pastor Todd

Feb 22-28, 2016

Church Office Closed      - Feb 22 Family Day…Enjoy!!
Church Office Open - 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM Feb 23
Church Office Open        - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Feb 26
Church Office Closed      - Feb 27
Church Service                - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday Feb 28
Care Home Services       - None Scheduled this week
Lady’s Bible Study          - 1:00 PM Feb 24 – call for location
Men’s Bible Study           - 8:00 AM Feb 25 at the Church

To book an appointment outside church hours, please contact Pastor Todd at (403) 638-4055, email fasterpastor1@gmail.com or text (403) 426-0014.

Believing

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Believing’

Day 1: John 20:31 – “But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

Day 2: Acts 16:31 – “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.’”

Day 3: John 5:24 – “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”

Day 4: Romans 15:13 – “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Day 5: Hebrews 11:6 – “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Day 6: Mark 1:15 – “’The time promised by God has come at last!’ he announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!’”

Day 7: Proverbs 3:3-6 – “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

PRAY!

Even though Easter is still a few weeks away, we visit the scripture where Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane and He is praying to the Father to take away the burden that is about to befall Him. But that is not the passage we will be looking at on Sunday. It comes just before and just after that incident.

On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:40 NIV

Jesus did not tell them this once but, in fact, twice. He told them before He went to pray to the Father and once again just before He was arrested. Jesus had already forewarned Peter that He was praying for Peter that his faith would not fail (vs 31) and He twice again told them to gather strength in prayer and yet they slept.

If I were to tell you not once but three times that a great catastrophe was about to change your life forever and that you could avoid the worst of the fallout by simply talking to the Master, would you do it? If I told you this and you did follow the advice, would you do it with your whole heart or would there be a bit of skepticism? Here is the big question; if you did not take the time out of your hectic schedule to pray with such fervour that your sweat poured out upon the ground much like drops of blood, would you be surprised when the hour of darkness came upon the land; upon your own life?

Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” Luke 22:53 NIV

We are in a time of great turmoil and chaos but the devil has carefully disguised it as a normal state of affairs and God calls us still to a time of prayer, begs us to pray so that we will not fall under the satan’s spell. The darkness reigns but in Him the Light shines bright and the darkness flees. Oh nation of faith, call out to the Lord of lords and remain vigilant.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV

In the closing moments of His earthly life, Christ still made petition to the Father on our behalf. While we were still sinners, Jesus prayed for us. Let us be vigilant and pray for those who are stuck in that time of darkness.

Shalom

Pastor Todd

Good To Go

How funny that certain sayings we use, actually say more than we think? What comes to mind are, get your ducks in a row, everything’s up to date, and good to go. We use these when we put effort into preparing for important events such as summer weddings and winter vacations. These are planned up to a year ahead with people pouring over every little detail from the color of a napkin to the buffet at a resort. We invest so much time in the planning that we’re relieved when the events are finally over.

I wonder how much thought is put into what resort, or banquet we will go to when our time on earth is over. Perhaps, here are some questions to ask ourselves. What am I doing to prepare, and am I investing the same effort into what waits for me when Jesus calls me home? Have I accepted Him into my life as in John 3:16? Have I spent time with Him, speaking with Him, praying to Him? Have I read or listened to His Word? Have I regularly gathered with like-minded people together in His name? Have I opened His invitation, and returned His RSVP?

If not, I encourage everyone to do all of these things, and line up your ducks, get everything up to date, then, you will be good to go. It’s not too late to book your ticket on the vacation of an afterlife time.

Mike Shindruk

Master’s Hand Ministry

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘UNFAILING LOVE from Father God’

Day 1: Psalm 143:8 – “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”

Day 2: Psalm 13:5 – “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.”

Day 3: Psalm 33:5 – “He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”

Day 4: Psalm 52:8 – “But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.”

Day 5: Psalm 90:14 – “Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

Day 6: Psalm 94:18 – “I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.”

Day 7: Psalm 107:8 – “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Feb 14-20, 2016

Church Service                 - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday Feb 14
Care Home Services        - None Scheduled this week

Church Office Closed      - Feb 15 Family Day…Enjoy!!

                 - Feb 16 Clergy Day in Calgary

Church Office Open        - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Feb 17-19

Church Office Closed      - Feb 20
Lady’s Bible Study           - 1:00 PM Feb 17

Movie Night                     - 7:00 PM Feb 17 “Exploring the Truth of God in Nature, Butterfly”
Men’s Bible Study           - 8:00 AM Feb 18

To book an appointment outside church hours, please contact Pastor Todd at (403) 638-4055, email fasterpastor1@gmail.com or text (403) 426-0014.

We Are His Valentine

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s be reminded to show those, who we do not know, a gesture of love. A smile, a hug, a kind word, courtesy in traffic, or maybe even a hot cup of coffee, will go a long way. We are surrounded by those who may be suffering in the silence of loneliness, depression, emotional and mental health challenges. In the busyness of reaffirming our love to our sweethearts, do not forget those who may be in a nursing home, those who suffered the loss of a loved one, or even a name on a prayer list. In our church body, we promote February as Love Thy Neighbor month. Let’s commit to doing this for every month, and just watch how God will grow love, and how God’s love will grow.

After all, Jesus showed us how much He loves us by willingly going to the cross to die for us. He does not just love us on Valentine’s Day, He loves us every day. We should at least return that favor. Remember John 3:16 NIV this way. For God so loVed the world, that He gAve His one and onLy Son, that whoEver believes iN Him, shall noT perIsh, but have eterNal lifE. Read this last line very closely, and you will see how God reminds us that we are all His Valentine.

Mike Shindruk

Master’s Hand Ministry

Prayers of Christ

We are coming down to the final weekend in this prayer series and I have come to realize that a person could do an entire year on prayer. David leaned on the Lord, prayed fervently and was truly blessed when his reign was firmly grounded in the Lord. King Saul started off in the right direction but when the focus shifted from the Lord to self, his kingdom fell.

Daniel and his friends relied on God for their safety and wellbeing, Paul was transformed by the power of God and became on incredible force in the spread of the Gospels throughout the Mediterranean and, from there, all through Europe. His focus started on self when he applied for the letters to persecute the Jesus cult but, in the end, Paul’s focus was on praying for the persecuted Christian followers and the church itself. A ministry grounded in prayer grew throughout the land; go figure!

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:42-44 NIV 

Jesus knew what was coming and He went to His knees in prayer. The cup remained, that is, the events were not going to change but God sent help to strengthen and to be there. The stress was incredible, the strength required to overcome the turmoil was such that Christ was sweating blood. He asked the disciples to pray and yet they slept. “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV. This was the prayer from Jesus to the Father as they cast lots for the Saviour’s clothing but it could also be the plea for the disciples as they slept while Jesus fervently prayed in the Garden or as Peter denied the Son of God or for those times that I, myself, fall short and stumble.

Sunday we look at a few of the prayers of Christ and, while I say this completes the series on prayer, should Holy Spirit decide we should linger on prayer a bit more, then we will. To listen online, visit us at www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca.

Blessings of the Father be with us all.

Pastor Todd

The Power of God's Word

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘The Power of GOD’s word’

Day 1: Isaiah 55:1 – “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink – even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk – it’s all free!”

Day 2: Psalm 19:7, 8 – “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.”

Day 3: 1 Corinthians 1:18 – “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

Day 4: Romans 12:2 – “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Day 5: Psalm 119:89 – “Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.”

Day 6: James 1:21, 22 – “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

Day 7: Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Feb 7 - 13, 2016

Church Service                 - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday Feb 7
Care Home Services        - None Scheduled this week

Church Office Closed      - Feb 8
Church Office Open        - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Feb 10

- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Feb 11 - 12

Church Office Closed      - Feb 13
Lady’s Bible Study           - 1:00 PM Feb 10

Sound System Training  - 7:00 PM Feb 10 *All Welcome*
Men’s Bible Study           - 8:00 AM Feb 11

To book an appointment outside church hours, please contact Pastor Todd at (403) 638-4055, email fasterpastor1@gmail.com or text (403) 426-0014.

Will You Pray For Me

The greatest honour one could receive is to be asked to pray for someone. But this is not an honour reserved strictly for the Pastor of a church, it is something we must all be prepared and willing to do. Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus:

Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people. Ephesians 6:18 ERV

There is a ton to unpack in this short verse and even more to peruse in the verse nineteen but there are two key points made by Paul in this verse; Always be ready and always pray for God’s children. There are other keys preaching points that we can delve into this Sunday but why, you may ask, these to points?

Always be ready. Ready for what? Always be ready to pray, to pray in the Spirit and, with that said, if we are always to be ready to pray and pray in the Spirit, would it not make sense to be in the Spirit at all times of the day because if you are not walking in the Spirit and not ready in the Spirit then when you need to be ready to drop to your knees or fall face down to the ground, then are you going to miss the opportunity to pray for one of God’s children?

And who are God’s children? God’s children can be defined by the Creator when He created man and woman in His own image. God created all things and all people. He did not create some people and others were left to fend for themselves or be shunned by God, mankind chose their own path and some walk to the beat of a different drum but they are still His children. Even though the son walked away from the father to see the world and live a life of ill-repute, the father still loved his son and when he returned he was welcomed, robed in the finest garments and loved on; he was still the father’s son. (See the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32)

Pray for all God’s children regardless of the path they have chosen in life, never give up, pray for all God’s children, pray fervently in the Spirit and always, always be ready to drop whatever you are doing to pray. This Sunday we look through the prayers of Paul.

Shalom

Pastor Todd

Fasting and Prayer

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Fasting & Prayer’

Day 1: Joel 1:14 – “Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there.”

Day 2: Joel 2:12 – “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.’”

Day 3: Isaiah 58:6 – “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.”

Day 4: Ezra 8:21 – “And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled.”

Day 5: Matthew 4:4 – “But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Day 6: Matthew 5:6 – “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”

Day 7: 11 Chronicles 20:3 – “Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Life Storm

I’m sure we have all noticed the many birch trees that are arched over to touching the ground this week. The extreme weight of the snow from last weeks’ storm took its’ toll on the weaker trees. It came and went, yet many trees still appear to be permanently damaged. Amazingly, maple and oak trees are now once again, straight and sturdy. Simply, some species are stronger, due to their environment, feeding, and rate of growth. The quicker a tree grows, the weaker the wood.

People can end up the same way. Storms can and will come upon all of us, and pass, yet many of us will be injured and remain permanently damaged. Without God as our environment, and fellow Christians around us, we can very easily be weighed down by our situations. Our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing can become crippled. Yet, there is hope. If we call on Jesus in all things, praising His name, sharing His message, feeding slowly on His Word, and praying through everything, we can and will be strengthened. He reminds us in Matthew 8:23-27 of how He can calm a storm. We may bend in our own life storm, but if we let Him, God will always straighten us back up once it passes.

Mike Shindruk

Master Hand Ministry