This Too Shall Pass

Hi Church Family,

It’s no secret that these days of winter can be very difficult. Sometimes we get tired of talking about it but it’s real. Life always has challenges but with the decrease of natural light, and the nature of winter keeping us indoors more, to say nothing of the uncertainty on so many levels these days, it can be really tough. Mental health and other struggles are so real and at times overwhelming. How do we come alongside each other? How do we cope when we find ourselves languishing?

This weekend we look at a Phantom Passage that at times seems to trivialize our suffering but as we look into Scripture human suffering is anything but trivial. My prayer for this weekend is that wherever you’re supporting someone who’s struggling or you find yourself in that place you’ll find hope, strength, and some helpful next steps.

Another resource that may be of interest to some of you is an excellent course that just started this week and it’s not too late to join. It seeks to open up the conversation on mental health within the church. This 8-week video-based course starts each week with a story of someone’s lived experience of struggle with mental health and points to help and to what’s not helpful within our community of faith. As our church seeks to engage in this important conversation I’m very grateful for our volunteer facilitators for this course who come with both professional and personal experience and expertise. Check out all the details online.

I hope to see you in person or that you’re able to join us online this weekend and today may you know the reality of God’s kind presence in your journey.

Grace and peace,

Rita Penner | Care Pastor

Communion Weekend

This weekend, we will celebrate Communion together, remembering what Jesus has done for us in thankfulness. If you attend online, we invite you to us - find some crackers and juice and join us as we corporately take Communion as the body of Christ.

Membership Class

If you believe in what God is doing at Sherwood Park Alliance Church, take your next step — be a part of the team.

We are called to make disciples of Jesus... to love God and to love others and membership is a commitment to help create, lead, and resource our ministry environments.

During this one-hour session, you will learn more about what Sherwood Park Alliance is all about and what it means to be a member.

The class will be offered online on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Registration is required.

Seniors Connect

Calling all Seniors! Join us for a time of connection and fellowship on February 14 at 12:30 pm. Registration is requested.

Family News - Pastor Del McKenzie

Sherwood Park Alliance Church will be hosting a viewing of the live-streamed service for Del McKenzie on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 2:00 pm, followed by a standing reception. All are welcome to attend.

Pastor Del passed away on January 7 at his home in Moose Lake, Washington. He served here at Sherwood Park Alliance Church as Lead Pastor from 1984 to 1998 and significantly impacted our church and community.

Groups - Support

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.

Parenting Children with Special Needs Support Network - This once-a-month group seeks to create a safe space to share the unique challenges, joys, and demands of parenting children with special needs. Believing that every child is a unique gift who is loved by God, our goal is to encourage, strengthen, support, and pray for each other in the journey. The next meeting is on Feb. 4.

For more information on all Groups, please contact [email protected].