Happy 2022!

Hello church family! The start of a new year is a good time to reflect and prioritize (or to ‘treasure’ and ‘ponder’...see what I did there?). It’s for these reasons that more than 10 years ago we established the practice of a week-long prayer emphasis in early January known as Solemn Assembly. As I consider the coming year, here are some of my prayers: “God, what are you doing? What do you want from me? What do you want from our church? What do you want us to be? What do you want us to do? Jesus, how do I get in step with you? What are you going to do in 2022?”

In this weekend’s message, I’m going to show you how the origin story of the church is all about the priority of prayer and coaching on how to pray similar prayers. I’ll also touch on how you might participate in Solemn Assembly individually and corporately. We’re planning for safe in-person opportunities, as well as online options. It all takes place January 10th-14th. If you want to get a jump on things, check out the Solemn Assembly page on our website, and parents, don’t miss the Kid Friendly Prayer Guide designed to engage our younger people.

One more reminder about the weekend schedule – this Saturday night’s gathering is online only - no in person service on Saturday night, but we are in-person Sunday, January 2nd at our normal 9:00 am and 11:00 am times. Streaming options remain the same, with live hosted online gatherings at our normal service schedule, and on YouTube following Saturday night’s live stream.

Hope you’re warm, well, prayerful, and hopeful about 2022

God be with you,

Greg Hochhalter
Lead Pastor

New Years Weekend Services

• Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 7:00 pm (online ONLY)
• Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 at 9:00 am and 11:00 am (in-person and online)

As we begin looking forward to 2022, the New Year is a time to reset and give priority to what’s most important. Our church has a tradition of collectively doing this reset by starting the year with a week of prayer called Solemn Assembly. It doesn’t matter if prayer is new to you or a regular part of your life we invite everyone to register for the five day prayer challenge.

Each morning from January 10th to 14th, you’ll receive an email that’ll guide you through a short time of prayer. How cool to know that hundreds of us are united in prayer on a common theme!

Two in-person gatherings are planned—Monday, January 10th and Friday, January 14th at 7:00 pm at Sherwood Park Alliance Church. We will also host an online gathering on Wednesday, January 12th at 7:00 pm where we’ll have the privilege of hearing from author and pastor, Ken Shigematsu. 

For details and to register for any or all of these go to spac.ca/solemnassembly.

Alpha is a great place to explore the Christian faith with others. No question is too complex or too simple. Over a 10-week journey, we'll explore questions of life, faith, who Jesus is, and how it all comes together.

This Alpha session is taking place in person at Millbourne Community Life Centre starting January 17th at 7:00 pm. Register at spac.ca/millbourne_alpha. 

There is no manual for raising kids, but God has given us something far better—the Holy Spirit and community. Child Dedication is a way to acknowledge our dependence on the Holy Spirit as we do our best to be an example and lead our children in a relationship with Jesus.

Register at spac.ca/childdedication before January 10th to have your child dedicated during one of the January 29th or 30th weekend services.

Update

Thank you to everyone who participated in Operation Christmas Child this year! Together Sherwood Park Alliance donated 315 shoeboxes – each one a gospel opportunity for the child who will receive it this year.