Help My Unbelief

May 14, 2021

Thank you for subscribing to our weekly E-News! Two things I'd like to highlight as we head into the weekend:

First, at the risk of sounding self-indulgent, I'm fired up about the new teaching series which will stream @7 pm Saturday and @10 am Sunday (and on-demand after the fact). Help My Unbelief! is about negotiating the tension of belief and skepticism...faith and doubt. Over the course of the next few weekends each of our teaching pastors will have an opportunity to describe the internal debates which take place in their heads - their questions, their doubts, their confusion and uncertainty. In messages which will resemble testimony, each of us will share about how we battle the voice of the inner-atheist residing within us. This weekend, I'll describe the substantial shift which has taken place in my understanding of the Bible's main message. My more mature perspective is the core message is an invitation to join Jesus in creating little pockets of heaven where His Kingdom reigns and His will is done. Something everyone wants, even those who don't yet follow.

Second, before I sign-off, one more invitation: On the evening of Thursday, May 20, I'll be hosting an online Membership information session. This is an opportunity to gather (at a time when most of us are craving any kind of group gathering) and interact, as well as a chance for me to describe why participating membership matters. Church communities, when they're at their best, are interdependent organisms. If you'll give me an hour or so, I'd like to share more about how the body of Christ functions, how formal membership benefits you, and how you can positively impact others as you help shape and guide our future. In order to make this experience interactive, we've placed a cap on the number of participants, so reserve your place now!

My prayer for you today is the same one that has dominated my thoughts these last few months. That you are healthy and well spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Keep looking out for yourself and others. It's a joy to do life and ministry with you!

Greg Hochhalter,

Lead Pastor

Parenting is difficult. As children grow and develop, they change; they continue to develop their personalities and understanding about the world around them. Parents are tasked with navigating the best way to effectively care for, coach and guide them through these experiences, based on a child's unique needs, while trying hard not to mess up!

One piece of advice that was given to Pastor Greg Hochhalter when he first became a parent, was to parent in stages:

• Discipline Stage: Ages 1-5

• Training Stage: Ages 5-12

• Coaching Years: Ages 13-19

• Friendship Years: Ages 20+

Pastors Greg Hochhalter, Rita Penner, Greg Ramsden, and Jeremy Cook wrapped up the My Imperfect Family series last weekend. Together they discuss their experiences and some wisdom they've learned on their parenting. They also offer some advice to parents who are going through the different stages of parenting and discuss what God has to say about parenting and relationships in general.

This weekend, we begin a new series titled Help My Unbelief! The overall theme of the series will try to answer the question: Why do so many believers bounce between faith and doubt...skepticism and belief? In this series we'll explain some of the reasons why, along with reassurance that skepticism and belief are not mutually exclusive. We'll talk about why it makes perfectly good sense to bet the farm on Jesus.

Join online on Saturday at 7 pm, Sunday at 10 am online, YouTube, Facebook, Roku or Apple TV.

Previous series and messages are available to listen to or watch at your convenience on the website.

Preparing to Let Go

A conversation with Pastor James and Annemarie Elzinga

Transitioning from youth to young adult brings all kinds of challenges and rewards - both for our child and for parents. During our evening together we'll talk about how to prepare yourself to let go. How to let go of your child(ren) so they can learn to do life on their own, let go of your expectations, let go and help them find their own faith. Annemarie has three young adult children ages 25, 23, 21 each at different stages in life. She'll authentically share how she's learned how to let go - the joys, the struggles and fears, the frustrations, and the celebrations. Register...

We are called to make disciples of Jesus... to love God and to love others and membership is a commitment to help create, lead and resource our ministry environments.

If you believe in what God is doing at Sherwood Park Alliance Church, take your next step.

Sign-up for a one hour online information session on Thursday, May 20 at 6:30 pm to learn more about what it means to become a member of Sherwood Park Alliance Church. Register...

Whether you are new to prayer, not too sure how to pray or are comfortable praying, find strength and encouragement through prayer. Join us for this intergenerational online prayer gathering where you will be lead in prayer by members of our church family, lead in moments of guided prayer, and have an opportunity to pray for each other.

An online prayer gathering will be held on Wednesday, May 19 at 8 pm . You will be lead in prayer by members of our church family, lead in moments of guided prayer, and have an opportunity to pray for each other. Register...