KORTRIGHT JESUS’ KINGDOM MADE REAL – EVERY PERSON, EVERY NATION KRONICLES 2015 Issue #1 January/February kortright presbyterian church The end of one year and the beginning of the next gives us an opportunity to see where we’ve come from and to consider where we’re headed. If you’re anything like me and my family, you may have felt like you stumbled across the finish line of 2014 into the promised land of a few days of rest and replenishment. Well, now it’s January and we’re back in the race. Hello 2015! Blended and Contemporary Worship Services 9:00am and 11:00am Dates to Remember: JOY (over 55 group) Potluck Lunch Tuesday, Jan.13 12pm Alex MacLeod The Gathering Place (women’s ministry) Thursday, Jan. 15 9:30am Lead Pastor Men’s Ministry Breakfast Saturday, Jan. 31 at 8am Single Service and KPC AGM Sunday, Feb 8 10am Dr. John Bowen Thursday, Feb.12 7pm Location TBA Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30am —1:30pm Tel: 519-836-9400 Email: [email protected] Genevieve Parry, Administrator Submit items to this newsletter by Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2015 for the March Issue. In this issue: Pastor Alex 1 Finance 2 Missions 2 But God always gives us a bigger picture to look forward to. He invites to trust in his overarching plan rather than to be preoccupied by the twists and bends in the road which may perturb us and the rare stretches that give us a breather, like Christmas holidays. Paul writes in Ephesians: “In Christ, we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…” He’s saying that we’ve been chosen for a purpose that God promises will be fulfilled. Over and over again, Paul repeats his message, using two words: “In Christ”. We’re not on our own; we’re not lost; it’s not random. God is working out his will through his people and he’s brought us together as his church. When I look back at how God’s word showed up in the preaching last year, two themes predominate. In the first part of 2014, we soaked up the Apostle’s Creed: the truth of sound doctrine rooted in a biblical understanding of the basics of Christian faith. Who is God and what has he done? The Apostle’s Creed is the most historic answer to those questions. Then in the second half of the year, we considered how that truth plays out in relationships: first, in Christian friendship and then through Metanoia: the life-changing power of the Gospel of grace which we receive through Jesus Christ. In Philippi and in Athens, the apostle Paul invited others to repent and believe in Jesus and to come together in Christ as the church. It seems only right, then, that we should start the New Year with a collective identity check that brings together those two themes – God’s truth and his call to enter into lifechanging relationships by his grace. On Jan.11th, we begin a new sermon series entitled “Our True Identity: In Christ, Together, as His Church.” We’ll be working our way through the book of Ephesians; really, we’ll be picking up where we left off at the end of November right before Advent & Christmas. On that Sunday, Nov.30th, many of us gathered in each other’s homes to enjoy fellowship over a meal. The letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus was intended to guide Christians meeting in each other’s homes, like Lydia’s house in Philippi, – to root them IN CHRIST and then to send them out in the power of the Holy Spirit to share God’s love with the world. May the Lord show us his plan for us at Kortright in 2015 as, together, we take our cue from his word and trust in his good purposes. From Kenn Oke with Avant Ministries in Spain: Finance Committee 2014 end of year Total Expenses 468,000 (approximate) Total Receipts 469,000 (approximate) I've been asked to take on a Vice-president position within Avant. So, starting Jan. 1, 2015 my official title will be Vice-president of Field Ministries. Basically, that means that I will be overseeing Avant's missionaries in Western Europe and the Americas, (there is another VP who oversees Avant's work in the E. Europe, Africa, and Asia). I'll also be a part of Avant's executive team that provides direction for the mission. (Continued on page 3) Men’s Ministry This is great news and we praise God for His faithfulness and thank you the people of KPC for your response to the appeal made in December and your support in the financial needs of the church. December was a much better month and allowed us to close a fairly significant gap. More review and details will come as part of the Annual Financial Report and meeting that will take place on Sunday, February 8. The 2015 Budget will be presented at that time and so we encourage your attendance and participation in that meeting. Session and Finance will present some exciting developments around capital expenditures (including parking lot improvements) and a special givings campaign in support of those efforts. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow! Dennis G., on behalf of the Finance Committee Leadership Team Profile For the next several issues of the Kronicles, members of the Men’s Ministry leadership team will be sharing a brief profile of themselves and their thoughts on working in men’s ministry. It’s been an honour and privilege to become part of the leadership team within the KPC Men’s Ministry over the past year, and it fits well with my philosophy of always being the student and the teacher as a man of integrity, loving Husband, Father and Son. The opportunity resonated with me particularly with my wish to develop a stronger relationship with God, and also empower other Men to the same on their journey through the challenges and opportunities we face. I have a vision to become a Christian Voice for the importance of building God’s kingdom, and my greatest desire within our Ministry is to see Men walk with Jesus, and help KPC be everything Jesus dreamed it to be. And, it’s always enlightening to spend time around other Christian men on the same path, having fun, laughs and getting projects done together; always around some great food and beverages of course. The greatest joy in my life is my family. I’m married to my awesome wife Cassandra and have an amazing daughter and son-in-law Natasha and Chris, and a wonderful and loving Mother-in -law Lynda too. As I continue my journey to have a greater Godly impact, and live with integrity, I hope to foster the discipleship of other Men at KPC and within our community. Looking forward to a great year ahead. Phil McA. Upcoming Events Jan 31 @ 8am - Saturday Morning Breakfast - Start your Saturday off right with delicious food followed by a guest speaker. Steve Taylor will be sharing a personal testimony and about his interest in mission trips. Feb 17 @ 9pm - Men at the Outpost - A live video stream of the next Ransomed Heart event hosted by John Eldredge. John Eldredge is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. Mar (TBA) - Movie Night - Come out for an interesting movie and some meaningful discussion afterwards. We’ll have popcorn too. 2 Y) O JOlder Youth (Just Join KPC’s Over 55 group Christmas Potluck lunch is Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 12pm. Dr. Lisa Lazarus OD, will be speaking on Eye Care and health. Along with Dr. Lazarus we will have Jim Sanders share the work of the Lion's Club in supporting the Seeing Eye van in Northern Ontario. New faces always welcome. (Continued from page 2) This will add more to my workload, but I have an excellent group of leaders in Europe that I'll be delegating some of my current responsibilities to. I also have a stellar couple who have been Regional Directors for the Americas and will continue in this role. The new position is actually quite similar to the kinds of things that we've been involved in as European Directors but with a broader scope (adding a few more continents). The plan is to continue on in Spain, which allows us to be closer to many of the missionaries that we're leading. As always, we appreciate your prays as we take on more responsibility and continue to learn how best to glorify God in the ministry that he's given us, Blessing, Kenn Please pray for Kenn with the new responsibilities as he RSVP: Greta A. ‘The Gathering Place’ for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 Email Kareena & Carolyn at [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/gathering.guelph Happy New Year lovely ladies! Looking forward to welcoming you back on Thursday mornings for Food, Friendship and Faith at the Gathering Place beginning January 15 at 9:30am. We are so fortunate to be welcoming Rosetta DelMonte as our guest speaker that morning who will be speaking on nourishment and transformation in our faith. It will be a great kick off to the New Year together. Please join us and bring a friend! Also, if you are interested in an upcoming women’s event, please consider this amazing opportunity. The Greater Toronto Spiritual Life Convention is welcoming guest speaker Jill Briscoe - Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church, Wisconsin - to the Peoples Church in Toronto. Jill was born in England and found Christ when she was 18 years old. She has authored over 40 books including devotionals, study guides, poetry and children's books. She is a passionate speaker and leader and will nurture and challenge your faith on this morning designed for women, Sat. Jan.17 at 9:30am. This is a FREE event with child care provided upon registration. For more information visit: www.GreaterTorontoSpiritualLife.com Perhaps carpooling from KPC is an option if a number of us interested in attending. Do let us know... expands the scope of gifts of See you January 15th! leadership God has given to Carolyn - for the GP team him. Alex M., on behalf of the Missions Committee 3 Acts 16:22-34 "The Jailer's Daughter" By Terry St.Denis-Clark i sit in shock as i watch my father wash the bleeding backs of two dirty jews in our house. they have tricked him into thinking he is a kind man. he beats prisoners he beats everything this father i know. i have heard that the god of the jews does this to people changes their thinking tricks people. i am confused my father is a man of action not of mind and emotion yet he speaks tonight of miracles fear and trembling joy Freedom from chains Seen and unseen. my whole family has betrayed me. i will listen no more. we sit to eat. my father prays with tears running down his scarred face he prays, not to our roman gods but to this god he calls "father". i am shocked. what god would allow so personal a name? a name of flesh not of spirit vulnerable not strong a god able to be spurned and hurt a god who has let its' guard down made itself approachable. they speak of this "father" god protector provider guide i start to cry. i get up quickly help my mother prepare this great meal my father has requested for his new Friends. healer my dream is exposed. i can take no more crying i run from the table. i am scared. my father opens my door gently. i can't let him see. my hope my pain the longing for my father to be all i see tonight. even after he would beat me i would dream of him to return bandage my wounds hold me tightly as he cried. "who could have done this?" i am changing. the words of these jews floating around our house tonight are tricking me. they seep too easily like wine into your heart heating it moving it. i am angry. they are all weak believing the lies of these dirty hebrews and their god of love. i wait for the back of his hand conditioned to wait. he wipes the tears from my burning face i hesitate to trust. "forgive me?" he whispers my dream could never allow this acknowledgment of wrong. i look into his eyes he has changed. i feel. the presence of this hebrew god, fills my room my father my heart "Father God” i approach. 4
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