Bulletin – Dec 27th
I’m kind of obsessed with super hero movies, and, like any good English major, find a lot more symbolism than is probably healthy when I watch them (usually of a spiritual nature). My recent captivation has been Batman, depicted as “The Dark Night.” By protecting the citizens of Gotham and assuming blame for uncommitted crimes, this unlikely object of spiritual scrutiny becomes more of a guardian than a hero, more hated than loved, and “darkened” not by misdeeds, but by misinterpretation of what ‘good’ deeds really are. I linked this in my mind to the not-so-easily digested descriptions associated with Jesus Christ: a scapegoat, a stumbling block, and a savior who “became sin for us.” Though often prophesied about as one with no reputation, somehow it was still expected that this Christ’s arrival would be something more magical than a scandalous pregnancy & inconvenient birth acknowledged by farmers and astrologers; that his life would be more liturgical than befriending the scum of society, and that his death would be more glorious than that of a common criminal. Why is that we, like the Pharisees, rather than taking comfort in how very real God is, fret that he doesn’t fit inside our human expectations of what a God should be? How humbling to realize that on the other end of our frustrated prayer requests is a God who is more in touch with the mess of our reality than we are, more of what we need than what we expect, and more like Batman than we’d like to admit.
~Karissa Sovdi
PRAYER MEETINGS: Wednesday prayer meetings cancelled in lieu of New Yea’rs Eve Service. See you Jan 13th.
PRAYER CHAIN: Contact the prayer chain any time through the church office phone or E-mail.
CURRENT REQUESTS: Jeannie Lamond & Family, Dean Parker, Emrice Hercules, Wendi Schraepel
OUR CHURCHES: Today, please join all the members of the Fort McMurray Christian Ministerial in praying for the: Faith Presbyterian Church
OUR SCHOOLS: This week, please join KidZone in praying for: Dr. K. A. Clark School
KIDZONE
Jan 3: Pretzel Sunday
Jan 10: Slipper Sunday
Jan 17: Birthday Sunday
Jan 24: Treasure Hunt
Jan 31: Talent Search
- Next Baby Dedication Sunday: January 31st! Talk to Pastor Staci
- Club 56: watch for details in the New Year. Contact Staci Fleming.
- Factor KidZone into your summer plans by volunteering to help with Summer Sunday VBS: High Seas Expedition (Age 3–Grade 6). Let us know if you can help as soon as possible.
GENERATION NOW - Youth & Young Adults – Regular programs on break for Christmas
Service (12-22 yrs) Fridays @ 7:30pm
United (12-30 yrs) Last Friday/month
Youth Small Groups Wed @ 7pm
Young Adults Wed @ 8:30pm
Young Couples 780-715-1053
New Year’s Eve Youth Lock-in – All 12-22 year olds (Generation Now) meet Thurs, Dec 31st 9pm—9am.
SINGLES (30-49)
mga.office@shawcable.com – Bible Study Meet downstairs on the 2nd & 3rd Tue/month @ 7pm.
WOW WOMEN – Heart 2 Heart Women’s Bible Study
2 OPTIONS Beginning Jan. 12, 2010 Tues @ 9-11am with childcare OR Tues @ 7-9pm without childcare.
Joyce Meyer: Love Revolution DVD series. Purchase your book @ the Missing Peace (Christian book store across the street).
Planning your 2010 Calendar? Marie Miller will be here Nov. 19-21st.
TNT (Thursday Night Table Talk)
Weekly (Jan 14th – Feb 25) @ 7:30pm Finances? God Has A Plan with Larry & Christine Goertzen & Val Erickson. Dinner provided. Join anytime.
ISOM TRIMESTER 6 – www.isom.org
Attention all previous graduates of the 2year ISOM program: continue your ministry training with a new 12-week module beginning in Feb. Sign up at the Info Desk to express your interest. Registration opens in January. E-mail
beverleyfawcett@shaw.ca for details.
CHOCOLATE LOUNGE AUDITIONS
Thursday, Jan 7 (7:30 – 9:00pm)
Saturday, Jan 9 (2:00 – 4:00pm)
*in the main auditorium Sign up at the Info Desk.
CHRISTMAS CLEAN-UP CREW
Did you enjoy having the church decorated for Christmas? Show some appreciation by being part of the cleanup crew. Show up on Mon. Jan 4 &/or Tues. Jan 5 to help.
2010 TITHING ENVELOPES
Available for pick-up in the Lobby.
YOU’VE GOT MAIL
Please stop by the mail boxes in the lobby (outside the ladies’ washroom) and check under the first letter of your last name for any messages or packages. The boxes will be cleaned out in the New Year.
NEW MGA FAMILY DIRECTORY
New release in January 2010. Stop by the tables in the lobby to verify your contact information by initialing the entry. For changes, additions, deletions contact the office in the New Year.
NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICES
6pm @ MGA – Approx 2.5 hour time of Prayer, Witness & Worship. Youth Lock-in to follow.
9pm-Midnight @ Salvation Army – Interchurch Service led by Pastor Kunle (Daystar Chapel) AT the Salvation Army Church: Worship, Prayer, and Communion service.
COMMUNITY…
TODD AGNEW
Concert Fundraiser for the Centre of Hope
Jan 8, 2010 @ 8pm Keyano Theatre
Tickets ($75) on sale now @ the Keyano Box Office
KOINANIA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2010
Jan 21-23 (office@ctaim.com)
Lawson Heights Pentecostal Church (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
with Dr. LaDonna Osborn,
Cory Nickerson, John Drisner,
& Mark Ramshaw.
Please be Con“sit”erate
The back 2 rows are reserved for parents with young children (under 5 years old). Also, please move together to ensure empty seats are left on the aisles for other guests. Help us accommodate our
growing assembly!
Parents / Guardians
Must sign-in and pick-up their children for KidZone every service. Classes are located downstairs for the following ages:
Nursery: 6-36 months; Kinder Kids: 3-5 years; KidMo: Grades 1-6
If you choose not to have your child participate, ensure that you stay with them during the service. Please do NOT leave your child unattended.
Baptism
Baptims are held during the PM service on the 2nd Sunday of the month. For details, sign up at the Info Desk for the class held at 4pm the same day.
Next Service: Jan 10
Communion
The Lord’s Supper is served during both AM services on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Next Service: Jan 10
Are You NEW?
Make sure you receive a visitor packet from one of our Hosts. Also stop by the lobby seating area for a coffee/snack, so that we can meet you.
INFO DESK
Our info desk is staffed by a volunteer today to assist
you with year-end givings. Please see us in the New Year for any other requests.
Payment/Donation Options
Cash / Cheque / Debit / Credit / Online Giving / Pre-authorized Payment
Request numbered tithing envelopes by writing “I would like numbered envelopes” on the back of your next completed tithe envelopes. 2010 Orders can be picked up in the Lobby today.
Sermon Audio
Weekly audio sermons are available for listening/download on our website www.mgachurch.com or through iTunes.
CD copies can be ordered at the Info Desk for $3.00.
Hearing Assistance devices available upon request.
