Welcome to summer friends!If your weekend re-creating plans include one of our gatherings, I’m confident you’ll find some inspiration in what we’ve planned! On Saturday and Sunday we’re kicking off our summer teaching series, ‘A Summer in the Psalms’ with a unique and interactive experience designed to set up the whole summer. The Psalms are God’s word to us and our words to God. They’re earnest, heartfelt expressions which capture the essence of what it means to be human. From rejoicing over God’s goodness to despairing over suffering, we’re exploring the Psalms and discovering how God shapes our lives in all circumstances.In this week’s online and in person services I’m going to teach in 4 segments as we engage in a variety of Psalms and worship forms. And I’m going to challenge everyone, especially our artists – musicians, singers, songwriters, poets, visual artists, actors, and photographers – to put their own Psalms and prayers to melody, paper, and canvas. We’re creating a digital space to submit and share creations with each other, [email protected]. At the end of August we’ll devote the closing weekend to the creative expressions of our people, inspired by the Psalms. And next weekend we’re welcoming a guest to help us get connect with what’s happening in our souls - performer, communication and storytelling coach, theatre, film producer and writer, Jason Hildebrand. So much more to come!Before I close, I want to share a financial update with you. I wouldn’t characterize the state of our church finances as a crisis, but we are in uncharted waters. We navigated the bulk of the pandemic reasonably well, thanks in part to the generosity of God’s people, and partially due to an understandable decrease in ministry activity. But as our new normal comes into focus and our outreach and discipleship efforts increase, we’re experiencing a significant downturn in giving to all funds, but most critically our Ministry (General) Fund. A huge thanks to those who prioritize their local church in their charitable giving. It takes a village, and your church depends on your generosity. As we head into summer and anticipate the fall, if you can prayerfully consider increasing your support, or participating more regularly or even for the first time, we’d all be deeply grateful. The easiest way to do this is on our website giving page. Thank you for this consideration...God bless and keep you, Greg Hochhalter | Lead PastorSummer Service Time ChangeStarting THIS WEEKEND, on June 25/26, we will be moving to our summer schedule and the weekend services will be as follows for in person and online:Saturday: 7 pm (no change) & Sunday: 10 am Pizza with the PastorIf you are new or feel new, we would like to invite you to join us for Pizza with the Pastor to learn more about our church! Discover how to get connected and enjoy the opportunities to meet others.Pizza with the Pastor is a regular event we hold, as a way for you to meet others who are new(er), as well as some of the pastoral team.We are offering two options for Pizza with the Pastor. This Sunday, June 26 is in person following the 10am service or June 27 at 6 pm online. If you attend online, we will have pizza delivered to your house.Registration is required for either event.Monumental VBSParents: Send your kids on a desert adventure! At Monumental VBS, kids celebrate God's greatness! Monumental is filled with awesome Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, and touch! Sciency-Fun Gizmos™, team-building games, unforgettable Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the standout activities that help faith flow into real life. (Since everything is hands-on, kids might get a little messy. Be sure to send them in play clothes and sturdy shoes.) Plus, we'll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life - something we call God Sightings®. Get ready to hear that phrase a lot! Your kids will also participate in a hands-on mission project, through a program called Operation Kid-to-Kid™, that will provide school supplies for kids living on reservations. Parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join us at Canyon Closing each day at 11:30 am, a daily celebration of God's greatness and love! So mark these dates on your calendar: August 22-26, 2022. The fun starts at 9:00 am and will end at noon. Click here to register your children for this life-changing adventure!Summer Family Activity ChallengeOur Summer Family Activity Challenge is back this summer and created for YOU as a family to have the most memorable summer ever! Running for the months of July and August these Summer Family Activity Challenge digital guides include fun, faith-focused activities for all ages to complete together – earning points for every challenge along the way. At the end of the summer, the family with the most points will win the grand prize. But don’t be discouraged, even 10 points will qualify your family to enter our draw to win a participation prize! And don't forget to follow us on instagram/facebook @spackidsministries and turn on notifications so you don't miss our Summer in Psalms daily devotions by Pastor Kent for the whole family!Registration is required.General Assembly Volunteer OpportunitiesGeneral Assembly is a national gathering held every two years by The Alliance Canada. This year, General Assembly will be hosted, in-person and online, at Sherwood Park Alliance Church on July 5-8.In order for General Assembly to run smoothly - we need you! Consider some of the volunteer opportunities and register today! For more information about General Assembly, schedule, attending etc., please visit allianceassembly.comOnline Ministry EnhancementThe public weekend gathering is no longer the front door - the digital presence and online experience of church is overwhelmingly our first point of connection with the spiritually curious, and an essential method for initiating and fostering discipling relationships within our congregation. Streaming online is more than a broadcast - it's a platform with which to nurture meaningful connections with online viewers.The hybrid church is the new normal.To help support this new normal, we are launching an Online Ministry Enhancement campaign. For more information please see spac.ca/online.