Paul's vision of a unified, multi-ethnic church

Ugh, what a week. As much as I try not to let national news in Canada and the U.S. impact my mood and my being, I can't unsee or unhear the tension between tribal groups, especially when racial tension is in the mix. I can't fix what's taking place hundreds and thousands of kilometers away, and I can't even do that much about polarized groups in our own city, but what I can do is continue to call our church to align with the Apostle Paul's vision of a multi-ethnic and unified church.

Central to Paul's theology is the doctrine of justification by faith, that is, believers are justified before God by grace, through faith in Christ. But Paul also develops the consequential and practical outworking of this doctrine. Since we all come before God based on what Christ has done, rather than what we have done, we are equal before Him. This is what Paul is driving at when he says, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). The slightest notion of ethnic superiority is a denial of the theological reality of justification. Further, Paul emphasizes not just equality, but unity (Col 3:11; Eph. 2:14-16). Paul stresses that in Christ, people groups that were formerly hostile (like the Jews and Gentile) are now brought together in unity in one body.

When I described our hurting world on Easter weekend I suggested that what the world needs most is what Jesus taught, modeled, and expected of His followers. Among my many prayers is that our congregation would be change agents in our world (or at least our little corner of it) by playing our part in Jesus's revolutionary love mission. Wherever we can, and to whatever degree that we're capable, let us be a community of diverse people, unified by our need to receive and extend grace.

Have a good weekend everyone! I'm looking forward to being together in-person worship as soon as it's wise, and watch this space for information about some creative on-campus outdoor connecting points coming soon. Be safe and well.

Greg Hochhalter
Lead Pastor

Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

Andy and Kim Haag, Life Group Leaders

Remaining invisible and unknown in a big community like Sherwood Park Alliance Church is easy if you don't intentionally seek ways to get to know and connect with others. Indeed, a desire to connect with others was why Andy and Kim Haag joined five different Life Groups when they first moved to Sherwood Park 12 years ago! Joining Life Groups was how they got to know people and connect with others at church. In a large church like Sherwood Park Alliance Church, being in a life group can be very helpful in getting to know others. If you don't get involved in a small group, you very well might find yourself in the position where you simply end up saying "hi" to others at church and never really connecting all that deeply with anyone in particular.

Andy and Kim transitioned from Life Group attendees to Life Group Leaders nine years ago as they wanted to wholeheartedly follow God's calling in their lives and to really deeply dive into God's word. Read more...

Spring Life Group Kits

To help you connect, we've put together a simple and ready to use resource for circling-up with 2-3 other people. Designed for everyone, these will help you bring intentionality to time already spent with friends during a walk, a video call, a yard project, or backyard fire. In each kit you'll have access to:

• Inspiration for how to get started with 2-3 friends
• Short, engaging content and questions for reflection while you meet

To get started, register to receive your kit.

People who have taken the risk and become part of a Life Group share their experience and answer some of the questions you yourself may have! Listen to what they have to say.

Here's the reality...there's no such thing as a perfect family. While yours may be better or worse than others, chances are there is tension or hurt, at some level, within your family. Last weekend, Pastor Greg introduced the new series, My Imperfect Family. Throughout the Bible, there are more examples of dysfunctional families than there are examples of what God's vision of a perfect family is. Most families we read about in the Old Testament are really messed up, starting with Adam and Eve. They were in a perfect environment, yet they made some bad choices; their son committed the first homicide on record! In the new Testament, Jesus challenged the cultural norms and shared God's vision of how He intended families to function. This is a New Testament summary of how families ought to function:

Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

Wives, submit to your husbands.

Children, obey your parents.

Fathers, don't aggravate your children.

If you missed last weekend's message, watch or listen to it On-Demand.

This weekend, Pastor Brody's message will talk about the ways in which our current teenagers and young adults are processing their faith. The message is meant to encourage younger people to be honest about their convictions, their struggles, their doubts - even how to embrace and follow Jesus and hold some of their questions in check. For parents of younger kids, how can you engage with kids on spiritual matters? For parents and grandparents of young adults, how can you pray for and encourage younger believers, including struggling believers, without making things worse?

Online service Saturday 7 pm & Sunday 10 am on various platforms: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Roku and Apple TV.

 Spending Time With God.

Whether you are a seasoned follower of Christ or you are new to prayer, God wants to you to draw near to Him and strengthen your relationship with Him. The way to do that is through prayer and spending time with Him. Opportunities to pray, reflect and sit with God always exist at Sherwood Park Alliance. Of course, prayer and reflection can happen anywhere, but intentional time and space is set aside to facilitate your connection with God and create opportunities for conversation.

Every month a prayer gathering is held where people can come together to pray for our world, our community and for each other. If you are new to prayer or consider yourself a prayer warrior, you are welcome.

The next prayer gathering will take place online on Wednesday, April 21 at 8 pm. Registration is required...

Every Wednesday during your lunch, the option to gather with others to pray is also available from 12:15 to 12:45. Registration is required...

Learn more about prayer