Hey Church Friends –Whether you're hanging around for a low-key long weekend or heading out of town, I hope it will be refreshing and the start of a season of renewal. For our family, the plan Monday is to plant our big back garden with some of our kids and grandkids. It's always a fun time to get everyone's fingers in the soil and talk again about how incredible it is that those teeny tiny seeds turn into yummy crunchy carrots in a few short months! There's something so encouraging about the promise of new growth, isn't there?Whether it's in person or online I hope you'll be able to join us for a service this weekend. I'm really looking forward to brining you a teach that I'm praying will be part of some fresh growth in your faith journey! I'm planning a shorter teach time than usual because I have another surprise I'm pretty excited to share with you. Hope to see you then!Have a great May Long!Rita Penner | Care Pastor - Care Ministries BaptismWhen we re-orient our lives around and loving like Jesus we are made new. Baptism is a celebration of this commitment and time to share how God is transforming us. Baptism is this picture of how the gospel changes lives. It's a remembering of that moment or season where you said "yes" to God - His love, His forgiveness, His purpose for you life. Baptism weekend will be May 28th and 29th. Baptism Prep Classes will be held in the Fireside Room after each service this weekend on May 21st and 22nd. Registration is not required.There will be an online Baptism Prep class offered on May 22nd at 1 PM. If you are interested in this, please register here to receive the Zoom link for the online class.Grade 4/5/6 Fun Night - Color Me CrazyGrade 4/5/6 Fun Night is a great time for kids to connect with others, bring friends and have a blast.Back by popular demand…on May 27th, we are excited to hold another COLOR ME CRAZY! Dress to be outside and wear old closed toe shoes, clothing that can get messy and bring eye protection! Invite your friends too. Registration is required.Drop off begins at 6:15 PM and pick up will be at 8:30 PM. All children must be signed out by a parent, guardian or designated adult at the end of the evening.We Care Food DriveEvery Sunday, We Care meets in a parking lot downtown and provides bagged lunches and clothing to those in need. The love of Christ is shared and His Word is read. Join us as we will hold a We Care Food Drive on the weekends of May 28/29 and June 4/5 and June 11. Items can be dropped off around service times in the South Atrium and the collected goods will be distributed on June 12.Suggested items: Canned fish, meat and stews; canned/dried legumes/beans; canned fruits or vegetables; dry pasta and sauce; juice boxes, cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, rice, dried snacks, soups. We can not accept perishable items.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.