What Do You See Down The Road?

Funny how society works when it comes to the future. When we go into an interview or a planning session or even applying to post secondary, the same question keeps popping up.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Ask that question to anyone in 2019 and I guarantee that not a single person could have even guessed that many would be staying very close to home, fearful to go anywhere that may expose them to the virus. So, in the light of this knowledge, would you offer a thought of where you will be in five years. Will you hazard a guess to where you will be in two and a half years? Can you be certain of what is on the horizon for you in two months? There is a fear in not knowing what is for certain, what is not controllable by our own plans, what is outside our scope of influence. So often the well thought out plans of man forget to take into variables that come out of left field and all our pro-active measures turn into reactive actions. Moreover, in the chaos of a reorganization of thoughts and plans, our vision shortens to the plans of the day, of the next hour.

There is, however, one certainty. For those of faith, there is a promise of an eternity that is not dependant on the plans of mere mortals. We can make plans for today but uncertainty will always rear its ugly head. We can speculate on a year, two years, five years down the road, gaze upon that which we have in our storehouse and yet lose much of it when the best-laid plans of mice and men go awry (R. Burns). But know this, His plans for us are perfect and for all eternity. There is no pain or sorrow in heaven, no fear and no suffering. To live with that forever plan is to know true peace.

Bring to Yahweh the sacrifice of righteousness and put your trust in him.
Lord, prove them wrong when they say, “God can’t help you!”
Let the light of your radiant face break through and shine upon us!
The intense pleasure you give me surpasses the gladness of harvest time,
even more than when the harvesters gaze upon their ripened grain
and when their new wine overflows.
Now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once,
for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid! Psalm 4:5-8 Msg

We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

See you all Sunday, online.

Blessings
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Are You Looking for Truth?’

Day 1: John 1:14 – “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Day 2: Proverbs 30:5 – “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”

Day 3: Psalm 33:4 – “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

Day 4: 1 John 5:20 – “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”

Day 5: Psalm 119:160 – “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.”

Day 6: John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Day 7: John 8:32 – “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Special Announcement

On 28 Jun 2020 at 10:30 am we have a special treat. The Canada West District Superintendent, Rev Rose Brower Young, and her talented team have put together a worship/message package for all the Churches in the district to share. Our worship team will open our time of sharing and then we will broadcast the message for all to enjoy.

See you soon.

Pastor Todd

What Will Remain The Same Going Forward?

How long does it take for something to go from a temporary measure to being the norm? When I started this article, I was thinking about the things we are doing to be compliant with the restrictions due to the pandemic but now I am thinking how much things have changed over the past fifty years. Consider this, we almost subconsciously leave six feet between ourselves not, we second guess greeting one another and tend to look around for the wash station when entering a public facility. It has only taken three months to shift people’s habits to a point that we would have considered ludicrous in January. If I would have told you that walking into a bank with a mask on would be normal a year ago, you would have sent me to the doctor for an examination. This is now the norm though. For something to take on this quickly, it either has to be, in my opinion, a huge fad or government mandated. They say it takes, on average, 66 days for a new habit to become automatic. Been well over a hundred now.

Now think about our society sixty years ago. Now, before people start in on me about all the things that are so much better now because of new attitudes or technologies, this is not the crux of this discussion but rather it is a recognition of how much our society has shifted in less than a century. In the sixties, we called our elders mister, missus or Ma’am. There was a lot less backtalk then and I would never, in a million years, even think to question someone older. We trusted people, left our doors unlocked, watched out for each other and were very relational. I can remember backyard bar-b-ques, neighbours coming by for lemonade on warm evenings and we knew everyone who lived on the block. Kids played with each other and everyone of us had either a scraped knee or elbow at some point in time during the week. When we said that we were bored and had nothing to do, we either got kicked outside to find something to do or were assigned chores. Our neighbourhoods were our family and we all watched out for each other.

Then there was our faith. Nothing was open on Sunday and when the church doors were open, people were there. Our faith was a priority and we held to the commandments God put before us; Love God with unlimited passion and love your neighbour as yourself. The foundation of the faith was pour out your love to those around you, live in full relationship for God and for your neighbour and watch out for each other. When we watch out for each other, we also have to remember that others are watching out for us. This is the key to a solid relationship. The stronger the ties, the closer the relationships and the more we build tight communities. Over the past decades, however, the norm has shifted from strong relationships, tight communities and trust to one of self-fulfillment, watching out for number one, six-foot privacy fences, video games and social media where you can follow or unfollow at the click of a button. Missing in the picture of strong community, in my opinion, is the foundation of love for God and for each other. Would there be room for anger and violence in our nations if we looked to scripture for our direction? Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, did not come to declare war but rather to exemplify peace. So what has happened? Over time people have found other things to focus on rather than church, that is coming together to worship our Father in Heaven. Many say they don’t need to go to church to be a Christian but I suggest that when we come together on a Sunday, we are building community and giving thanks to our Father in Heaven for being the head of our faith family.

So, would you like to experience the change? Find a faith gathering in your area, share in a time of worship with friends you may or may not yet know (yes, it may seem awkward at first but give it a chance), grab a daily devotional and start going through it, gather with others, build relationships and seek God through prayer and meditation. It takes, on average, 66 days for a habit to become automatic but I would suggest it will take a whole lot less time for you to fall in love with our amazing Lord.

We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

See you all Sunday, online.
Blessings

Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Are You Troubled?’

Day 1: Job 5:11 – “He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.”

Day 2: Psalm 119:76 – “Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.”

Day 3: John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Day 4: Isaiah 49:13 – “Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.”

Day 5: Psalm 55:22 – “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

Day 6: John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Day 7: Romans 8:37-39 – “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Let Us Celebrate The Father

At this point in my life, I have started to realize that the days behind me are greater than the days in front. A friend of mine posted that she has a child in junior high, another starting her final year of public schooling and one who is no longer a teenager. I remember when these kids were ankle biters and now they are all growed-up. The thought hit me, this year I will be a Grampa. That was my dad’s job, not mine. Something that has not changed, however, is how I view my own son. He is still my boy and will always be my son. Biggest difference in all this, my son is now going to be a father. Where has the time gone?

As a father, I could not be more proud of the man my son has become despite my screw-ups in the past. I now realize that I have to shift my focus and let my son take on the new role and I have to focus on becoming Grampa. This is a new role for me and I can only think of my own Grandparents as role models. Questions like how much candy is too much or when should they be allowed sugar cookies? I  talked with my son regarding the rules and regulations concerning their child when he arrives and he thought I meant the rules for them but rather I meant the rules for us to follow so that we did not exceed their defined boundaries. We were ensuring that they knew we recognized their rules and would abide by them so that we would be an integral part of their family’s health and welfare.

Some may look at this as obvious but I look to my Heavenly Father for the example. He watches over all His children with perfect care and loving, letting us go to pursue our dreams but never too far away to jump in when we call out. We have always been His children and He is always our Heavenly Father and nothing can change that. I miss my grandfathers but their influence will live on when I become Grampa in a few short months. I truly miss my own father who just recently went to be with the Lord but I am forever grateful for his love and the lessons he gave me. I am truly grateful for my Father in Heaven who cares so much for us all that He gave us the opportunity to be with Him forever through His own Son, Jesus Christ. My prayer for all the fathers out there is that God strengthen and guide us all to be the best example of love and compassion for our children.

For the month of June we will celebrate and explore the gifts of Holy Spirit. We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

See you all Sunday, online.
Blessings

Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Opening our doors for public services!!

This Father’s Day, 21 June @ 10:30, we will be opening our doors for the first time in over three months. While we are very excited to be able to gather in person, we are still very conscious of the risks associated with this and will be taking every precaution to reduce these risks. We have, over the past few months, been kept well informed with regards to safe practices and social distancing and, while it is engrained in our daily activities, it is important for us to communicate this to those coming in for services. While this is not an exhaustive list, it is important that we cover some of the basic safety precautions.

Personal Safety:

·       If you are feeling unwell, exhibit signs of the virus or have a temperature, we would encourage you to stay home and take in the service online through Facebook Live or YouTube live.

·       If you are a person who is in the high-risk category, we ask that you be extra careful and take added precautions as you feel necessary. Please remember, we are live streaming the services for those not comfortable with attending in person.

·       Wearing facemask is encouraged as a means of preventing spread of disease.

·       We have placed the seats in the sanctuary in such a manner to keep with distancing. We will be available to move things around to accommodate families and such.

·       Please use the wash stations at the entrances.

·       There are spray bottles with disinfectant in the washrooms. Please take the time to spray down the surfaces you have touched after you have finished.

·       We would encourage you to come in the front door and exit through the back door at the end of service. For those requiring the accessibility ramp, please continue to use for coming and going.

·       There will be no coffee or snacks served at this time but you are more than welcome to bring your own for your personal use.

·       If you have travelled internationally, please ensure you have self-isolated for a minimum of 14 days.

·       Children are welcome but we will not be having extra activities for them as we are not equipped for children’s church at this time. They are more than welcome to sit with their family.

·       We will be recording the names of attendees strictly for the purpose of record should there be an outbreak. The list will be kept for two weeks and then shredded and not used for any other purpose other than information should the AHS request.

·       Direct from the AHS Covid site:

o   Infected people can transmit the virus over greater distances through their saliva or respiratory droplets while singing, shouting, when playing certain instruments such as wind instruments or performing (e.g. drama or dance). As such, these activities are considered to be high risk, and require careful consideration at places of worship. Congregational singing is discouraged.

o   Shaking hands, hugging, touching, or passing items between people compromises the two-metre distance between congregants and must not occur, except between members of the same household or cohort family. Alternatives such as waving, nodding, or bowing should be encouraged.

o   Religious rituals that involve physical contact between individuals, such as anointing with oils or baptisms increase the likelihood of disease transmission and should be performed in an alternate fashion that minimizes physical contact.

o   Individuals can wear clean, properly fitted non-medical masks to further reduce the risk of transmission. However, even when wearing masks, attendees should always try to maintain a two-metre distance from anyone who is not a member of their household.

o   Everyone in the place of worship should follow proper respiratory etiquette practices at all times. These practices include coughing and sneezing into the elbow or a tissue, discarding tissues into a lined garbage bin, and washing hands afterwards.

·        There will be no bulletins available to reduce the risk of spread of contaminants.

·        The facility is cleaned after the service but we also have others who use the facility during the week. They also have been instructed to completely clean the areas they use and the church goes through another cleaning before the weekend.

AHS guidelines have been printed and are available throughout the facility as a reference. They can also be found online at https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/2be831dd-d83e-42da-b634-6bc6d5232d1a/resource/18f05bae-e343-4332-8d41-4229e298efef/download/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-places-of-worship-2020-0609.pdf.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 403-638-4055 or via email at mainavefellowship@gmail.com.

Blessings to one and all!

Main Avenue Fellowship and Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Will You Walk With God?’

Day 1: Micah 6:8 – “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Day 2: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Day 3: Romans 13:13 – “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.”

Day 4: Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Day 5: Isaiah 35:8 – “And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.”

Day 6: Deuteronomy 28:9 – “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do.”

Day 7: Psalm 1:1, 2 – “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre

Please Consider Donating To This Worthwhile Cause.

For more information, follow this link:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/central-alberta-pregnancy-care-centre/p2p/baby-bottle-campaign/team/main-avenue-fellowship/captain/main-avenue-fellowship/

Is Today The Day?

Once again I heard “these are the days of Revelation” and “we are in the end times” over the past couple of weeks. Right after the words are spoken, there is a visible change in the person’s expression and I am not sure if it is due to my countenance or if they realize what they have just said. I fear my look may say it all. Maybe I need a selfie stick for such occasions so I can study my facial expressions. Could it be that my face mirrors the expression Bill Engvall makes when he does his “here’s your sign” shtick on Blue Collar Comedy? So, I want to throw this out there for people to ponder.

Jesus came to declare His presence to the world. He took on death, conquered it and promised that all who declare Him as Lord and Saviour would not know death but would, in fact, live in eternity in Glory (see John 3:16-17). He also declared that the Holy Spirit would come to be with us when He returned to the Father so that we would have Him with us for all times and this came to fruition in the upper room on Pentecost (see Acts 2). Christ told the gathered of the time of His return in Luke 21:25-28.

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Also in scripture it has been declared that no one knows the day or time of the second coming of the Saviour but I can tell you this it will be sometime in the future. This is where I tend to get the most eye rolls when I state the obvious but I am not privilege to that information, it is above my paygrade but scripture is very clear; be prepared right now because we do not know what the morrow brings. Yes, Revelation 22:20 states “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”” Which, to me means be prepared because it could happen in the blink of an eye. We are living in difficult times just like we have lived in difficult times in the past. Do not live in fear of the end but rather live in the joy of our Saviour and pay it forward. Live life in the fruit of the Holy Spirit sharing His love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control with all you see and each day will be filled with newness and delight.

For the month of June we will celebrate and explore the gifts of Holy Spirit. We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:

Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

See you all Sunday, online.
Blessings
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘God of Equality’

Day 1: Malachi 2:10 – “Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors?”

Day 2: Philippians 2:3, 4 – “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Day 3: Hebrews 12:14, 15 – “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”

Day 4: Acts 10:34, 35 – “Then Peter replied, 'I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.'”

Day 5: 1 Peter 1:17 – “And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as 'temporary residents.'”

Day 6: 1 Timothy 5:21 – “I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.”

Day 7: Mark 12:31 – “The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

A Reflection of Our Creator

Look around and tell me what you see. Do you see paradise or do you see a darkening sky? To look beyond the confines of our earthly existence, one can bask in the hope of a place where God’s will for us all will be fully realized but for right now, we must spread the Word, the Truth.

May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10

Your will, Your ways, Your call on our lives. Consider the ways of our current life. Too often, the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many. If one cannot find satisfaction or personal fulfillment, more often than not, they will continue to quest for all manners of self-gratification that will fill the void if only temporarily. Paul’s letter to the Galatians was very clear regarding self-interest and altruistic behaviour.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Live in the Spirit, let His will be done, seek to embrace the fruits of Holy Spirit and pass them on to all you meet. How would the world look if we embrace His will on our lives, if we allowed His will to shine out as it does in Heaven? Would that make a difference in our communities, our families and our world? What can we/I do to share this joy, this love with all those around me? Declare to the Lord with all your heart “May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.

For the month of June we will celebrate and explore the gifts of Holy Spirit. We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:

Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

See you all Sunday, online.
Blessings
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Newsletter for June

June 2, 2020

Good day all!

Welcome to a new day and a new time. We have received notification from our District Superintendent recommending that we hold off opening until after June 19, 2020. With that in mind, the Board of Directors have concurred and decided to re-open with care and attention to personal safety on June 21 for a Father’s Day service. There will be numerous changes that are required by our provincial and federal governments that will not only address personal safety but will also allow us to do our part in keeping the virus from resurfacing in our community. 

The following is not a comprehensive list, but it includes things we need to be aware of when we come back together.

• ·        If you feel unwell, please stay home and watch online.
• ·        We will be coming in the front door and exiting out the back door.
• ·        If you require the ramp in order to access the premises, please let us know so we can keep cross traffic to a minimum.
• ·        Please refrain from handshakes and hugging and maintain that six-foot distancing.
• ·        If you are planning to attend the service, please let us know as we need to record this for government requirements. This information will be kept on file and private.  It will only be released if formally requested by the Government of Alberta because someone tests positive for COVID who was present.
• ·        There will be no coffee or snacks available. This is not to say you can’t bring your own but we are not allowed to provide it.
• ·        It is not mandatory, but the government does recommend wearing a mask.
• ·        It is recommended, but not mandatory, that persons at risk weigh the risk before deciding to attend. This applies to persons over 65, people with compromised immune systems or people with pre-existing medical conditions.
• ·        It is recommended that the congregation refrain from singing (masks will reduce the amount of spray but there is no evidence that it eliminates the risk).
• ·        There is hand sanitizer available at the entrance and exit, please utilize this when entering and exiting the building.

A full list of recommendations and directives are available at the church and on our website.  These will be updated as soon as changes are available.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. This has been tough on us all and the time is coming when we will be able to share at a faith gathering with our friends and family. While we have not been able to meet in person, there have been upgrades and updates in our church home and we can hardly wait to share these with everyone over the next few weeks.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and we covet your prayers as we start to emerge from the fog. May God bless us all richly in His love and protection.

Shalom,

Pastor Todd

https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/2be831dd-d83e-42da-b634-6bc6d5232d1a/resource/dc6e8a2e-978b-4121-acc7-8889fcfc160e/download/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-places-of-worship-2020-05.pdf

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Holy Reverence (fear) of the Lord’

Day 1: Isaiah 50:10 – “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.”

Day 2: Psalm 112:1 – “Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.”

Day 3: Proverbs 19:23 – “Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.”

Day 4: Psalm 33:18, 19 – “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.”

Day 5: Psalm 145:19 – “He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.”

Day 6: Psalm 147:11 – “No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

Day 7: Psalm 34:9 – “Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation