Please check the Worship Service page for our virtual worship services during COVID-19. A video sermon and other service information will be posted to the page around 10:30-11:00 am on Sunday morning.
OUR CHURCH FAMILY Prayer Requests: - for Teresa, Andrew K and Adrianna. - for Willemien, Brian, Harry, Mary Jane, and Chris R as they serve as our elders. - for Jake, Johan, Robert W, and Andrew S as they serve as our deacons. - for Guatemala (World Renew partnership); pray for progress in the work toward food security, community health, financial stability and peace and justice. - UPDATE from Winnie H.: Doug has made it through his surgery. He has started dialysis several times a week. At the moment his wife is travelling once a week from Dryden to Thunder Bay for visiting. She has started the process of fixing the house in Dryden to sell in spring. We give thanks for the success of surgery, and the favourable recovery and rehabilitation for Doug. - for relationships and mental health during this time of social isolation; pray for creative ways for people to fellowship with one another (while still following safe practices); pray that relationships be built up through encouragement and kindness (rather than broken down by discouragement and stress); pray for wisdom in how we choose to communicate with each other. - for all workers providing essential services, especially those who work in health care. - for countries, communities and individual people who continue to face struggles that were already in place before the COVID-19 pandemic, such as poverty, political corruption, discrimination, warfare, persecution, etc. - pray that believers will grow in faith, even while they can’t meet together physically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray that pastors and leaders will continue to find creative ways to care for their people. - give thanks for all of God's blessings - thank Him for clean air to breathe, thank Him for his wonderful creation, thank Him for technology that allows us to connect while being physically distant, thank Him for his enduring love, thank Him for friends and family, thank Him for the kindness and generosity being shown by individuals and companies, thank Him for every good thing! - Resonate missionaries in West Africa continue to ask you to pray for peace in their region. Ethnic tensions, violence, and political unrest is common—and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused more stress, anxiety, and fear. Pray for God's peace to reign. Upcoming Special Collections: Although we are unable to meet together for regular Sunday worship gatherings, there is still opportunity to share of our gifts, talents and resources. First, be creative in thinking of the ways that you can be a blessing to those nearby to you (offering to buy or pick up groceries, offering child care for those who need to work, offering to cook a meal, etc.) Second, for our church members (we do not expect our guests to contribute financially) there are ways to continue to support our church and the other ministries/agencies that we would normally support on Sunday mornings. Our church is set up to receive e-transfers; they may be sent to vanastracrcdonations@gmail.com. Please add in your note where the donations are to be directed (i.e. Church Budget, World Renew, etc.) If you are not set up for e-transfer or do not feel comfortable with it, then cheques may be mailed to the church at 50 Fifth Ave. Vanastra, ON N0M 1L0. Please consider giving as if we were gathering together regularly on those Sundays. Update on COVID-19 Response: Until further notice all ministries, programs and services will be suspended from physically gathering. Individual ministries are encouraged to seek alternative ways of "meeting" electronically if possible. The church building is closed to public usage. Kelly will be in the office on Tuesday and Friday. Pastor Paul will be in the office on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Council will keep you updated if anything changes. Holy Week Devotional: Starting this Sunday we will be walking through a set of Holy Week devotionals. Please see the devotional in the link below. It is a family based devotional, however, I would like to encourage all households to try to use it. Even if it means calling another member or person to do a devotional on the phone. Every day from Sunday April 5 to Sunday April 12, I will also be posting a sermon/reflection video that reflects on the corresponding day/event of Holy Week. LINK TO DEVOTIONAL Today Devotionals: The church will not be receiving copies of the Today during the COVID-19 pandemic, however it is still available online at https://today.reframemedia.com/ and on the Bridge App.
OUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Set Free Retreat: We all have hurts, hang-ups and habits that hinder our relationship with God and others. God calls us to live fruitful lives and to be a light for him in this world. We can’t live that out when we’re bogged down with pain or sinful struggles in our lives. The Set Free retreat is an opportunity to invite God to bring healing into your life and where you can experience his love, grace and forgiveness. Jesus says, “if you hold to my teaching, then you really are my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). A Set Free Retreat is planned at Maitland River Community Church for the weekend of May 1-2, on Friday evening starting at 6:45 and on Saturday from 8:30 until late afternoon. Cost is $25 including lunch on Saturday and all retreat materials. Registration is limited. Register at admin@mrcc.ca by April 22nd. All participants need to plan on attending the entire retreat. Don’t miss this opportunity to be Set Free!