A year ago we started to talk in terms of the unique things that can happen in circles that are really hard to pull off in rows. It was a bid to imagine the difference that being part of a group could make in your life. Thanks to a survey that went out last week to the 500+ people involved in circles this past year, we have fresh language for what can happen in a circle. Here are some of the pictures painted by those words: "A life raft in these uncertain times" "...my group has been life saving in this pandemic. It brought me peace and well being to know I would have someone to share and pray with every week..." "This group has helped me in building relationships with practicing Christian women and becoming comfortable speaking about Jesus in my life with those who understand." "It has helped me so much to have a group of people supporting me through the struggles of this year. I've been encouraged in my walk with God and have found new joy in the Bible and prayer." "It has put me out of my comfort zone in a good way." We often introduce circles as places where together with others, we reorient our lives around Jesus. In the midst of the last 12 months, I've had the privilege of being part of three different circles. These conversations helped me recognize that for me Jesus was still more an idea than person I interact with every day and that I really do have trouble being honest with myself about how I'm doing. I wouldn't have travelled there on my own -- nor would I have pushed into to these enough to actually start to live differently. I recognize that not everyone in our church has the privilege of being in a circle. But I'm thrilled that throughout the month of June, each Thursday there is a 'drop-in' bonfire (circle) waiting for anyone curious about sitting in a circle for even just one evening (a circle for those who are not already in a group). All it takes is registering and than arriving at 7:00 pm at the church parking lot. Come and meet some people, engage in conversation that will surely drift toward how Jesus is at work in our lives. Dwayne Uglem Adults Pastor, Life Stages More information on Drop-In Circles If you have been in a circle (Life Group) this last year and didn't get a feedback form, you can request one at this email: [email protected] Hello church - you've just read an article about the unique things that happen in circles that can't happen in rows composed by Pastor Dwayne Uglem. I want to let you know about a role change for Dwayne. At the end of this month Dwayne will receive a new title: 'Senior Associate Pastor - Ministry Support.' This is a new position on our pastoral team, which includes providing oversight to Finance, Facilities, Human Resources, and Information Services functions and staff. Like all our pastors, Dwayne will continue to play a role in our discipleship initiatives and fulfill a variety of general pastoral duties. Since joining our team in 2017, Dwayne has concentrated on adult discipleship and small groups, and we're grateful for his contributions and uniquely thrilled at the surge in Life Group engagement which has taken place on his watch. Dwayne's not the kind of person who will talk about his bonafide's, so allow me because a lot of you don't how much this man brings to the table! Dwayne holds advanced degrees (M.A., EdD) in Education, and before transitioning to pastoral ministry he served the students and faculty of Briercrest College and Seminary (Caronport, SK) for more than 25 years, including 9 years as President. Under his leadership Briercrest became the first private college in Saskatchewan to achieve provincial degree granting status. Dwayne has experience leading capital campaigns, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, overseeing strategic planning initiatives, and exercising all manner of staff leadership. We believe this new challenge is ideally suited to his experience, gifts, and abilities, and we're looking forward to seeing how God will use Dwayne to expand our discipleship reach. This shift creates an opportunity for someone to join our team in the role of Groups Pastor. If you or someone you know might be interested in this posting, you know what to do. Later this summer we expect to let you know about more additions to our team and possibly a few more internal shuffles as we ready ourselves for a new ministry start on the other side of COVID (hopefully!). In the meantime, join me in thanking and supporting Dwayne as he starts this next chapter! Greg Hochhalter Lead Pastor Have you ever prayed for a sign? Have you asked for a miracle and in return you promise to solidify your belief? If you have, you are not alone! The desire to ask God for proof has been around for a long time. Even when Jesus was standing right in front of people and performing miracles, people still asked for something to base their understanding of Jesus on! Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus continues to go back and forth with the religious leaders of the day as they continue to question Him asking Him for proof. Jesus doesn't give them the sign they want. Instead, Jesus references His death by referring to the story of Jonah stating that Jonah's story was the only sign they were going to get. He also informs them that something incredible was going to happen. Jesus was talking about the resurrection, which is central to the Christian faith, but it is also the events surrounding Jesus' resurrection which anchor our faith during times when it may be wavering. The events surrounding Jesus' resurrection provide compelling reasons for belief. Here are a few: If the resurrection didn't happen, what happened to Jesus' body?Sure, you might automatically think someone took it. Maybe the disciples stole it and buried it. Jesus' body is in another unmarked grave left in the wake of Roman rule. However, the leaders of the church remembered Jesus' prediction telling them to watch for something incredible. The last thing they wanted to happen was to have Jesus' body stolen. They did everything in their power to "lock down" the tomb. High ranking, armed guards would have been posted at Jesus' tomb, and not just one or two, upward of 16 men guarding the tomb. For the disciples to have stolen the body, they would have had to muster up the courage to overtake professional, armed guards, move a two-tonne stone, and then take off with a body all in the cover of night. The likelihood of that happening is remote.The function of ancient social systems.You may be appalled at the way women and children were treated and viewed in ancient culture, but that is a historical fact. That is why Jesus' action toward women makes His appearance after He rose so absurd it can only be true. The first eyewitness account of Jesus is by women. At the time, women were not considered credible witnesses. If people wanted to make up a carefully crafted lie to cover the theft of Jesus' body, they shouldn't have based a key part of their plan on the eyewitness accounts of women. Instead, they should have made the eyewitnesses the most influential men of the time so it would have been more believable.A group of ordinary, rag tag men that, prior to Jesus' death and resurrection were terrified and grief stricken, who even denied knowing Him because they were afraid for their lives, suddenly transform into a group of radicals willing to suffer for what they saw.Despite Jesus telling them about His death and resurrection, the disciples still didn't get it. In their minds, when Jesus was crucified, it was over, but then, everything shifted. The earliest Christians claimed to see a resurrected Christ and that experienced emboldened them in an unexplainable way. People don't often die for what they know to be a lie. These men were willing to face torture, suffering and death because of what they knew to be true and they went to their graves proclaiming it.Without the belief in the resurrection, everything falls away. Jesus points to the resurrection. He told the skeptics and the saints to watch and see. The events around the resurrection are at the core of Christian faith and can carry us through times of unbelief. If you missed last week's sermon or any other sermon in the series, they are available on-demand. Online service: Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 10 pm through the website (spac.ca) Facebook, YouTube, Apple TV, Roku. In-person gatherings resume Saturday June 19 at 7 pm & Sunday June 20 at 10 am. We are planning to welcome you back to in-person service starting Saturday, June 19 at 7 pm and Sunday, June 20 at 10 am. In-person registration is required and will open on this weekend after Saturday evening service. Kids Ministries also resumes Sunday, June 20 at 10 am. While the option to have your child(ren) return to Kids Ministries is available, please register your child(ren) only if you are ready and you feel safe doing so. Registration for Kids Ministries opens after Saturday service. Currently, there is no Kids Ministry programming available during the Saturday 7 pm service. While the option to return to in-person gathering is available, please do so only if you are ready, and feel safe and comfortable gathering again. If you feel more comfortable attending service online, online services will continue on the various platforms (online through the spac.ca/watch, YouTube, Facebook, Apple TV and Fire TV). Of course, if you happen to miss a service, you can always watch it or previous services On-Demand through the website. More information... If you are ready to begin a new life following Jesus, register for the Baptism Preparation Course held online June 7 at 8 pm. Register... Baptisms will be celebrated at a special evening on Thursday, June 17 at 7 pm. Registration to attend the worship and baptism service will open this Saturday after 7 pm service. Not in a small group, but would like to connect? We're making space around our bonfire and wonder if you'd like to join us. This circle will be set up every Thursday evening in June. We welcome anyone who's not in a Life Group already, but would still like a safe place to connect for a while. You'll meet others connected to the church and there'll be a host present to welcome you and create conversations. Yes this is drop-in style, but pre-registration for the Thursdays you pick is needed as we'll have limited space at the bonfire. Register... All gatherings will be in compliance with Alberta COVID guidelines and adjusted as needed. Welcome to Bonfire Nights! With the return to Stage 1 protocols and in keeping with the latest Alberta Health Services (AHS) protocols, we can, once again, facilitate a space for the community to safely engage in outdoor social gatherings in the church parking lot. Reserve a spot for groups of up to ten individuals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9 pm (You may stay longer, just without the fire). Nine firepits are available for reservation (see map below). We'll provide the firepit, the wood, washrooms, and the space to gather, please bring your own chairs. Reserve your spot...