The Loop - Sept. 4, 2018
The Loop – Sept.4/2018
Hey Sturgeon Alliance
I had a quick glance at Facebook today and it is obvious that this time of year brings on “new beginnings.” Everyone has pictures of their kids returning to school! The summer vacation days are replaced with a new set of clothes, a new binder, a new haircut, a new grade and hopefully a new mindset too. There is a transition as they move back to homework, school sports and early bed times J It may take a few days to digest all the “newness” that happens post Labor Day for these kids. But even if your family is not currently in the “back to school” days you can still sense a “newness” this time of year. The weather feels new as it transitions to fall. You wear a jacket now as you wait for the leaves to turn. Soon the fields will be full of combines and you will start to cover your garden in the evening because of frost. All the stores are bringing in the fall and winter necessities while discounting the summer items. There is just a “newness” to this time of year. “New beginnings” are also starting to happen in the church. The pause of summer is broken with a flurry of activity as leaders organize the coming events. Children and youth programs are about to start up. Small groups will be gathering again soon for discipleship and prayer. Our outreach initiatives like the breakfast program, Alpha, Kings Kids preschool, and Dinner On Us are going to blast off. We are moving to 2 Sunday AM services soon (Sept.16th) and we’ll be launching a new website too. This Sunday is actually our official “Launch Sunday” as we prayerfully launch into a new season of ministry. We going to revisit our “One Prayer” for 2018 from Col.1:9-14 as we begin our new programed year in a spirit of prayer. What is God going to do in this new year at Sturgeon Alliance church? I can’t wait to find out! Let’s look to God and let him craft something new in our lives! If you haven’t been to Sturgeon Alliance in a while, if the summer schedule has taken you in many directions, let me encourage you - now is the time to be back in church! What better day than this Sunday to restart a fresh and a new! This Sunday is a good Sunday to give God that “blank sheet of loose leaf” and ask God to start writing something new into your life!
Hope to see you here this Sunday at 10:30am as we launch our programed year. And don’t forget, we are going to complete our morning this Sunday with a BBQ potluck! All the meat and buns will be provided and we are asking you to bring the extras – So If your last name is A-L please bring a fruit tray or desert & if your last name is M-Z please bring a veggie tray or salad. Plan to stay for a meal and chat together about the new things that God is crafting in our lives this season. Here is The Loop
1. Fall Launch Sunday – Sept.9 – Join us Sunday Sept.9th as we prayerfully launch into the fall programming schedule. Small groups, youth ministry and outreach ministries will all be rocket propelled into action! We will also conclude this morning with BBQ potluck. Come ready to jump back into action!
2. Ladies Night Out – Oct.12. Serena Klassen and Esther VanCuilenborg are organizing a night out for our ladies. What lady doesn’t need a break and a chance to connect with other ladies! It will be a meaningful evening built around fellowship, food, worship and discipleship. The topic for the evening is: Encourage. And, we have a special speaker Teresa Rilling scheduled to share about having a “Renewed Heart” Tickets for the evening are $10. Contact the church office for tickets. office@sturgeonalliance.org
3. Grief Share – Starts Sept.17. 7pm at the church. GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Built around a 13-week video curriculum, GriefShare support groups meet weekly to help you face the challenges of grief and move from mourning to joy. GriefShare is specifically designed for help if you're grieving the loss of a loved one. If you be part of our Griefshare program please contact Daryl & Wilma Dalby at dwdalby1@shaw.ca
4. Alpha – Starts Sept. 17. 7pm at the church. Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that explores the basics of the Christian faith. It runs for 12 weeks and it allows anyone to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment. In each session there’s food, a short talk, and discussion in small groups. It is great for those just looking into the Christian faith or for those who are looking for an introductory course about Christianity. Contact the church office to sign up. office@sturgeonalliance.org
5. Small Groups – Launch Sept. 16th Small groups are an opportunity for you to grow in your faith with a group of caring believers. They meet weekly throughout the year for a time of bible study, prayer and connection. Some of the best memories and heartfelt discussions are made within in these groups. Don’t miss your chance to grow. Come this Sunday to learn more and sign up! Speak to our small group coordinators Annamae & Darren Ruth aruth@strugeonalliance.org for more info.
6. Dinner On Us – Sept.17 6pm. Our monthly community free meal is back this fall! It will typically fall on the third Monday of every month and is a FREE meal open to anyone. All you need to do is RSVP to the church office by the Friday before the meal. This month please respond by Friday Sept.14th. Life can be difficult sometimes – Come have a meal with friends. I’ll be there - Hope you can make it too!
7. Marriage Course – Starting Sept 26 (Every Wednesday for 6 weeks) – We have a couple coming in from Sherwood Park Alliance to host a 6-week marriage course this fall. Rudy and Louise Froese will be leading a number of our married couples through the ups and downs of married life. They are calling the course “Making Marriage Work” If you want to be part of this course, please speak to our small group coordinator Annamae Ruth at aruth@sturgeonalliance.org
8. Back to 2 services- Sept.16 – God continues to bless us with a full sanctuary on Sunday over the summer months and that is bound to increase once we hit the fall. So, we will be returning to two Sunday morning services on Sept.16. Once again, the times will be 9:15 & 11:00am.
9. Annual General Meeting – Sept.25 – Just a reminder that our AGM is coming up in a few weeks. 7:00pm at the church.
10. New Church Website – coming this fall! We are working hard on new website for Sturgeon Alliance church. Come Sunday Sept.9th to see it’s official launch and to learn all about it!
11. Roofing Ministry – Each year a number of our men come together to shingle roofs for people in our community. It is not only a great way to practically meet the needs of our community but it is also a great way to connect with other guys while swinging a hammer. Our next Roofing project is on Sept.22. If any men would like to be part of this ministry, please contact Jeff Dehaan at jeff@promaxag.com
12. From Pastor Josh - Youth Ministry
Details for Parents Friday Night Launch: We're kicking off our Friday Night time together on Sept. 14th at 7pm. Doors will be open at 6:40pm to get registrations completed. As well parents, make sure to stick around for the beginning of the night: we'll be having a parent information session from 7pm-7:45pm to give you guys a snapshot of the year ahead for our Youth Ministry.
The Gathering: The Gathering is a two day youth conference at Sherwood Park Alliance Church focused on discipleship and fellowship. Sept. 28-29th. Drop off at SAC 4:30pm FRIDAY & 9:00am SATURDAY ... Pick up is 11:30pm both days from SAC. Cost is $85. Reach out to Pastor Josh if you have any questions or want to register for this event!
13. Overwhelmed – Sometimes life can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Struggles, pain, worry, fear, guilt and stress. It all leaves us in a place where we don’t feel we have the tools to cope. But what if that is the point? What if those things that overwhelm us are meant to drive us to God? And when we run to God we find that God is more than enough to help us overcome those things that overwhelm us? Perhaps it is when we truly get a picture of this overwhelming God in all his glory that those other things melt away. Join us this fall as we are overwhelmed not by the things of this world but by our glorious God!