Bethel Crc Lacombe

Today, we will be having a reading service with Peter Prins reading the message. We will be reflecting on Acts 16:6-40, Doors & Windows.  Our message today is to encourage believers that, even when God says “no” to their current plans, they are still equipped and sent by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel.

Today, we will reflect on Judges 3:7-11; 6:33-35; and John 14:15-21, The Holy Spirit: Spirit of Power. Over and over again, we read in the Bible of the Spirit of the Lord coming on people to empower them to save his people from their enemies after the Lord allowed their enemies to conquer them as part of his judgment. In John, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to prove the world wrong about their concepts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We’re given the Holy Spirit to stand strong in our world, to counter the teachings and beliefs in this world that lead to emptiness & brokenness and guide them to hope and strength through the Holy Spirit.

Today, we will reflect on Matthew 3:13-4:11, The Holy Spirit: Guide and Sustainer. This passage shows the relationship between Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy comes down on Jesus at his baptism and then leads Jesus into the wilderness, where he is tempted by the devil. The Holy Spirit is given to us and guides us, sometimes into places we’re not expecting, in order to prepare us for what lies ahead of us. The wilderness was the place Israel went in order to encounter God, to listen to God, and to be shaped by God 

Today, we are beginning a series on the Holy Spirit. We will be reflecting on Genesis 1:1-2; 2:4-7; John 20:19-23 The Holy Spirit: Breath of God. We first meet the Holy Spirit at the very beginning of the Bible as “hovering over the waters.” In Hebrew, the word for spirit is “ruah” and can be translated as spirit, breath, or wind. In the creation of Adam, God gives life to Adam through breathing into his nostrils the breath of life, revealing God as the creator of all creation and life. Our soul is a creation and gift from God, making us both physical and spiritual beings with the ability to serve and fellowship with God. In John, we see Jesus breathing on his disciples and saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” We are given a glimpse here of how the Holy Spirit regenerates us, creating in us the new life that comes through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.

Today, we will reflect on Habakkuk 3, Habakkuk’s Prayer of Faith. God says Babylon will suffer the consequences of their actions and ends by pointing to himself with a call to worship and honour him. God is calling his people to humility before him. Habakkuk listens and responds, “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.”; Habakkuk acknowledges God’s power, standing in awe before him, remembering who God is and what God has done for his people in the past because of God’s commitment and relationship to his people. 

Today, Pastor Ken Douma will be leading us in worship. We will be reflecting on Genesis 22:1-19, Yahweh Yireh - The Lord Will Provide. 

Today, we will reflect on Habakkuk 1:12-2:20, Why Do You Tolerate the Treacherous? Israel had become too attracted to the kingdoms of the world and now faces the punishment of being overcome by the most powerful kingdom on earth at the time, Babylon. Jesus invites his listeners to become citizens of God’s kingdom, a way of forgiveness and prayer, a way of jubilation and celebration, which can be practiced right where we live. Jesus uses Jerusalem as his example. In the center of Jerusalem is the temple, “The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth be silent before him”, is how God ends his message to Habakkuk.

Today we have the privilege of having Pastor Gary Bomhof lead us in worship. We will reflect on Philippians 2:12-18, Work Out Your Own Salvation. We have been saved by grace; nothing we do merits our salvation. Yet, this gift needs to be “worked out” in our lives. And that is where our efforts and work comes in !

Today, we will reflect on Habakkuk 1:1-11, Why Doesn’t God Act or Listen? Habakkuk sees the oppression and injustice happening in Israel, and he wonders why King Josiah’s reforms and God’s Law aren’t creating a holy people; why God is allowing evil and violence to continue? Habakkuk receives an answer he doesn’t expect. We will reflect on God’s answer to Habakkuk. We will also be celebrating the Profession of Faith of a youth in our church family.

Today, we have the privilege of having Chaplain Harold Roscher from the Edmonton Healing Center to lead us in worship. We will reflect on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 & Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, All My Relations. 

A reflection on the book of Obadiah to begin our summer series on the Minor Prophets. 

Today we will reflect on Psalm 95, Do Not Harden Your Hearts. We often look to the Psalms for comfort, encouragement, and for inspiration. However, Psalm 95 can be a bit shocking as it ends with a sobering reminder of both the temporal and eternal consequences of hardening our hearts to God's offer of grace.

Today we will reflect on 2 Samuel 13:1-22, A Broken Family. This is a story of Amnon & Tamar, and of Absalom & King David, and how Amnon abused his sister. This tore apart King David’s family because he failed to hold Amnon accountable for what he did. In Bethel and in Classis Alberta North, we believe safe church policies & practices are an important and integral part of our ministries. These policies are to protect our children & those who are vulnerable, while holding us accountable for creating safe churches for everyone. We are called to love and protect each other as children of God, created in God’s image and worthy of respect and protection.

Today we will reflect on Ephesians 4:29-5:2, The Hardest Thing to Do! Many people struggle with hurt from others. Jesus forgives us and wants us to forgive others.  It’s never easy to forgive.  We need to choose to forgive with God’s help because our lack of forgiveness blocks our fellowship with God.   Forgiveness will release the pain and will give us renewed joy.  It also opens the door for God to use us in fresh new ways.

Today we will reflect on the early church story of Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira. Our passage will be Acts 4:32-5:11, Generosity. The early church after Pentecost embraced the teachings of compassion and service found in the Torah. In response, Barnabas sells a field and gives the money to the apostles to help those who had need. Pride enters in as Ananias and Sapphira want to be seen as generous, but the lure of money leads them to deceive the apostles. But God knows their hearts and so they experience the consequences of their deceit and they both fall and die. Our generosity needs to flow out of the overwhelming generosity and love of Jesus for us as shown on the cross. This is how we give with cheerful hearts and open hands.

Today we will reflect on Psalm 78, The Church Makeover. Psalm 78 is written by a teacher or leader in Israel. The teacher calls the people to listen to the things of old, things our ancestors have told us. One of the important roles of the church is to keep retelling the story of God’s relationship with his people. We retell the family story, reminding ourselves of God’s covenantal faithfulness and our unfaithfulness, calling ourselves back to serving God, following his laws and decrees, and coming alongside our families as a church family to retell the family story in our homes by telling how God is the foundation of our own personal and family stories .

Today we will be celebrating Pentecost by reflecting on John 14:22-31, The Holy Spirit – The Teacher. Jesus leaves his disciples here on earth when he returns to heaven, so we can carry on the work he began. To equip them, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to teach them and remind them of everything he’s said to them. But Jesus also mentions that the prince of this world is coming, Satan, but that he has no hold over Jesus; instead, it’s an opportunity to show the world that he loves the Father and does what the Father has commanded him. The Holy Spirit is given to us so that the world can see that we also love the Father and follow his commands!

Today we will reflect on 2 Timothy 1:1-16 & 2 Timothy 3:14-17, The Extended Family Makeover. Paul sees Timothy as a beloved son and is reminded of the influence of Timothy’s mother and grandmother in Timothy’s faith life and growth. Our extended families have a large influence on the faith of our children because our children already know them and trust them. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and we can also say, “It takes a church family to raise a child in the way of the Lord.” We will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Today we will reflect on Deuteronomy 6, The Family Makeover. In Deuteronomy, we hear the law given in Leviticus and Exodus repeated a second time. Moses is teaching the people of Israel the importance of observing the laws God has given them in order to shape them into God’s people. Moses is teaching the adults so that they can teach their children and grandchildren to love and serve the Lord. Twice Moses says, “Hear Israel,” and twice he mentions “so that,” to emphasize his teaching that this is important so the children, grandchildren, and the generations to come will know & fear the Lord and live long faithful lives in the Promised Land. 

Today we will continue our series Faith Begins at Home by reflecting on Psalm 127, The Child’s Foundation. Our children’s foundation begins at home where they learn about obedience to the Lord and see how their parents live out their faith in God through obeying his decrees and commands. Our children get a Jesus-centered life when we make Jesus the foundation and God the builder and designer of our homes