Books We Don't Read: Habakkuk

Greetings Church,

Corrine and I were away much of the last couple of weeks - we went to California for a short holiday and to attend a wedding (the son of our dear friends), but we were both glad to come home and warm up. Seriously, we froze down there. I don’t know how people live in that climate!

I’m ‘on’ this weekend for the next installment in our Books We Don’t Read series, with Habakkuk on the schedule. I taught Habakkuk not that long ago, a single message in the summer of 2021. Because of that, I wasn’t going to include his book in our examination of the minor prophets, but I decided to include him because of all the prophets, his message, ‘er, lament, is one of the most identifiable. It’s about doubt and confusion. It’s about frustration and a lack of answers. The prophet probes beneath the surface asking how, why, and when, interrogating God with expressions of spirit-destroying doubt. And God answers with an avalanche of proof and prediction. It’s short. 3 quick chapters. It’ll only take you a few minutes to read if you care to look at it in advance. If you do, maybe you’ll be motivated to bring your own inquiries before God. I make no promises about how God may answer, but I think the prophet’s message ends with a tone you’ll find meaningful.

Throughout the next few weekends, we’re also going to ramp up communication about some of what’s going on in and around our church. Your leaders are evaluating, discerning, thinking, and planning for next fall and beyond, so this is a good time to describe something about the current reality and how our world and church have changed. Please consider joining us in person or online so you’re in the know.

Peace,

Greg Hochhalter | Lead Pastor

Daylight Saving Time!

The days are about to get longer and the promise of Spring coming is here! Don't forget to change your clocks Saturday night and "Spring Ahead"!

Seniors Connect

Calling all Seniors! Join us for a time of connection and fellowship on March 14 at 1 pm. Registration is requested.

A Call to Prayer

Join us for a prayer time focused on the millions of people in the world who will be fasting over the next month, March 22 - April 20, 2023. Our Muslim brothers and sisters have often never meaningfully encountered the truth of who Jesus is. Come gather with us in person Wednesday, March 15, starting at 7 PM, and let's intercede for God to be at work, drawing followers of Islam onto His pathway.

30 Days of Prayer

Join Christians around the world in prayer for our Muslim neighbours from March 22 to April 20, 2023. Follow together with believers around the globe using the Muslim World Prayer Guide that will inspire you as you discover and learn about the unique challenges faced by our Muslim friends. This prayer time coincides with Ramadan which is a time of prayer and fasting for Muslims.

We will have hard copies of the prayer guide available in the south atrium starting the weekend of March 11/12.

If you'd like to receive a digital copy, please sign up here.

Baptism - Is It Time?

If you’ve been considering baptism as your next step in faith or you want to know what baptism is or why baptism is an essential next step in a believer's life – then we want to invite you out to one of our Baptism Prep Classes. Here, we’ll help walk you through understanding what baptism means, why this next step is an essential part of your faith journey, and the significant value it has behind your story with Jesus.

Baptism Prep Classes will be offered after each service on March 18/19, 25/26, or April 1/2 after each service.

If you'd like to do an online version it will be held Sunday, April 2 at 1 pm. When you register you'll receive a Zoom link.

Our next baptism services are scheduled for Easter weekend.

Groups

Groups are a gathering of people from all walks of life where you are invited into a place of deep community, where you can be known, loved, and encouraged to grow in your walk with Jesus.

An upcoming support group opportunity is:

Parenting Children with Special Needs Support Network - This once-a-month group seeks to create a safe space to share the unique challenges, joys, and demands of parenting children with special needs. Believing that every child is a unique gift who is loved by God, our goal is to encourage, strengthen, support, and pray for each other in the journey. Coffee and a snack will be served. Meeting on March 18 at 9:30 am.

For more information on how you can get connected, please contact [email protected].

In The Know at SPAC!

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