Good Afternoon Church Family! Thrilled to be with you this weekend as we continue our series on Phantom Passages – looking at passages that people think come from the bible but actually don’t. In my study this week, I can across another term used to describe these sorts of passages that I also really liked: Bumper Sticker Theology! Isn’t that awesome?! The Christian catchphrase sticker business seems to be alive and thriving! This weekend we are looking at the Phantom Passage: “God will never give you more than you can handle.” It is a loaded one, which will lead us through some theology of pain and suffering, as well as a deep exploration into the world of our brokenness, and God’s faithfulness and promise to help us rise above it. I hope to help bring some context to where this passage, in particular, is pulled from and “adjusted” (1 Corinthians 10:13). I’m really excited to share it with you! So I’d encourage you to get to church, join us, and consider who you might be able to bring along with you! God is moving in our body these days in extraordinary ways, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! See you this weekend, Brody Jespersen | Senior Associate PastorGroups Open House Groups matter because they invite you into a place of deep community where you are known, loved and encouraged to grow in your walk with Jesus. We know community begins when we move from sitting in rows, to doing life in circles together. Immediately after the service, over the next 2 weekends, we want to invite you to our Groups Open House hosted in the atrium, where we want to help you journey into deep community. For more information on all Groups, please contact [email protected]TreeHouse Open House TreeHouse Preschool is a fun place where three and four-year-old's get their first experience of going to school and learn that school is a great place to be! TreeHouse Open House is on January 24, 2023 - from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Bring your child and and meet the teachers, check out our classroom and ask your questions! Registration is required.If you aren't able to to attend on January 24, email Heather Spronk and we will arrange another time to meet you.General registration for the 2023/24 school year opens on February 2 at 7pm.Alpha Explore life, faith and meaning together. Alpha will take you on a 10-week journey with others on an adventure to explore the questions of life, faith, and who this Jesus is -- and how it all comes together. It is here, that you’ll begin to develop on going community with those you meet in Alpha and your discipleship journey with Jesus! Alpha is open to everyone, for those who are looking for life answers and to those who are new in the faith. We’ll connect over a meal, watch a short thought-provoking video, and jump into real authentic conversations around tables! Starting Thursday, January 26 at 6pm. Check out more about Alpha here and register to join us!Board of Elders Update Recently the Sherwood Park Alliance Board of Elders elected the following individuals to serve as officers: Grace Albers, Board Chair; Trent Forsberg, Vice Chair; Randy Liedtke, Secretary; Manny Schmidt, Treasurer. In addition, Kyla Loewen was named Representative to the SCA Society Board with Rudy Froese and Andrea Priebe appointed to serve as members of the Nominating Committee. Please pray for these leaders as they seek to wisely guide our congregation this year! If you wish to communicate with the Board for any reason, you may reach them at the following email address: [email protected].Family News - Pastor Del McKenzie We are all saddened to hear of the passing of Pastor Del McKenzie, on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Pastor Del passed away while attempting to exit their smoke-filled home due to a fire. Pastor Del served here at Sherwood Park Alliance Church as Lead Pastor from 1984 to 1998 and had a significant impact on our church and community. Del’s wife Jane remains in an adult care facility for dementia in Moses Lake. Their son Tim lives in the state of Washington and their daughter Melodee and son-in-law Pat live in Calgary and would very much appreciate your prayers for them and their four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 27 at 1pm at Moses Lake Alliance Church in Washington. There will be a livestream available, and a possible in person gathering here at SPAC to watch the memorial together. More information to follow in the weeks to come.Group - Support Groups Groups are a gathering of people from all walks of life where you are invited into a place of deep community, where you can be known, loved, and encouraged to grow in your walk with Jesus. Some upcoming opportunities to meet in a Support Group/Network are: Professional & Leadership Women's Network - A group to support women as we navigate the role of a career and professional woman. Come connect, hear stories and support each other in the journey. Meets monthly - Next meeting is on Jan 26. GriefShare- Find comfort and community with others who have experienced death of a loved one. Meets weekly - Starting Feb 2. The New Identity- It is possible to move away from questions like Am I enough? Do I measure up? Am I significant? We’ll explore the freedom and relief of settling into our core identity in Christ. Meets weekly - Starting Feb. 2. The Sanctuary Course - Explore the realities of mental health and illness, as well as the vital need for faith-based community conversations about these topics using The Sanctuary Course material. Meets weekly - Starting Feb. 2. For more information on all Groups, please contact [email protected].