Dear Church Family, So yes, Christmas was different. I was surprised to see my 4, 7, and 9 year old grandsons playing an online game with my kids and their spouses -- and realizing we could still laugh, tease, and share space. I'm waiting for 'normal' and yet what if I'm missing precious time practicing relationship now? I have to wrestle to follow the conversation sometimes in the zoom call, but perhaps it's a reminder that even face-to-face, I could stand to work harder at following the conversation. I'm learning to leave gaps between statements because we can't talk over each other, and again, these are relationship skills to learn for every season. Of course you see where this is going. A confession that learning to practice relationship shouldn't be on hold. That doing life in community is too important to my spiritual and emotional health. It's a call to each other to keep investing in what it means to be human and healthy. Tonight's one of our few "nights out". We make a pot of coffee, we set-up our chairs, we grab our Bible and we set-up our laptop. As the faces start to appear on the screen I catch myself smiling. I laugh at my friend who tells her husband to stop yelling into the screen and how we know exactly what drink or snack of choice we're all going to show up with for Life Group. This is good, I think to myself. Plain and simple I just needed someone to talk with today and a place to laugh a little. "...love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy." And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these." (Mk 12:30-31, the Message) Let's keep investing, even now, in community. Keep circling up with each other - even online. If we as a church can help you build a circle, let us know. We have Life Group Open Houses right around the corner on Monday, January 11 and 18 (Registration is required) because we know important things happen in circles that can't occur in isolation. Find more information about Life Groups... Dwayne Uglem, Adults Pastor and Loree Peters, Ministry Assistant, Adults This week's events in the United States have stretched an already hurting, confused and scared nation. Its citizens are dealing with some of the highest cases and subsequently some of the highest mortality rates of COVID-19 in the world. If that isn't enough, they are trying to work through issues of injustice and inequality constructed on the division of race and socio-economic status, and the political instability and uncertainty fueled by fear and anger. Just one of these circumstances is enough to cause anyone pain, anxiety and despair. As you go about your day, today, and throughout the next week, think about our brothers and sisters south of the border. Keep the people behind the news reports, social media posts and coverage in your thoughts. Give grace to those with opinions that differ from yours and ask our governing Father that truth and wisdom prevail. In these difficult, divisive, and dark times, pray for peace, unity and light. Ask that Jesus illuminate the country's path forward with wisdom and honesty according to His word. And that He provide His people reassurance and comfort knowing chaos and disorder usually ensues before positive change can occur; God has a plan. This evening, a prayer gathering will be held online to join together in prayer as we ask the Lord to teach us to pray, and to reflect on Solemn Assembly 2021. Like everything else this past year, Solemn Assembly is different. The focus throughout the week was on prayer and people were encouraged to take part in a prayer challenge, whether it was for 5 minutes, 15 minutes or an hour. Although Solemn Assembly wraps-up for another year, the focus on prayer continues. Teach Us to Pray, the current weekend series teaches us that intimacy with God is possible for everyone through the mechanism of prayer. Thank you to the hundreds of people who took a prayer challenge during 2021 Solemn Assembly and those who participated in evening Prayer Gatherings. Beginning the year with a week of prayer is really a primer for the pattern we want to dedicate ourselves to for the whole year, being people who intentionally and regularly make space in our lives to meet with God in prayer. Continue your prayer journey, find additional resources about prayer or register for tonight's online gathering at 8 pm, by visiting Solemn Assembly. I love the Christmas season; Celebrating the birth of our Saviour and the hope we can embrace as followers of Jesus. There's also something so uniting and mobilizing about this season as churches across the globe seemingly sync up to declare hope, peace and joy to a weary world. This year we were presented with unique challenges and 'Christmas Unboxed' was an initiative that sought to deliver hope to our community in a tangible way. Christmas Unboxed proved to be a huge success as a church family. We packed over 450 boxes with handwritten cards and custom tailored treats based on each household, welcomed 32 new families to our community through this project, and were able to create a tangible connection with over 1500 people as they picked up their box or one of the dozens of families delivered them throughout our city. Luke Knoll, Pastor of Hospitality This weekend, Pastor Greg will talk about the discipline of slowing...solitude. Jesus consistently retreated to connect with the Father. If Jesus needed to slow down and seek the Father, how much more do we?! By 'stilling' ourselves we can actually experience intimacy with God in prayer. Pastor Brody began the series last weekend by referring to the disciples' request to Jesus, "Teach Us to Pray." Prayer isn't something that happens naturally. Prayer is something we learn how to do. Intimacy with the Father is a by-product of our intentional pursuit. Discipleship requires some effort on our part. Yet it's a simple gift...a simple invitation to commune with the Father. If you missed last week's message, it is available on-demand for you to engage with at your convenience. This weekend, join online via the various platforms (spac.ca, YouTube and Facebook) on Saturday 7 pm, Sunday 9 am & 11 am.