Words of Comfort by St. Francis de Sales

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
The same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you today and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you
unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and
imaginations.

Jun 27, 2008 at 9:55 PM

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Vietnamese Worship

If you're interested in being part of the Vietnamese Ministry Support Group, please email pastor@emmanuelmennonite.com.  No previous experience necessary!

Jun 22, 2008 at 8:29 PM

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After-Dinner Humour

Pastor – Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. More powerful than a locomotive. Faster than a speeding bullet. Walks on water. Gives policies to God.
Assistant Pastor – Able to leap short buildings in a single bound. As powerful as a switch engine. Just as fast as a speeding bullet. Walks on water if the sea is calm. Talks with God.
Minister of music – Leaps short buildings with a running start. Almost as powerful as a switch engine. Faster than a speeding BB. Talks with God, if special request is approved. Swims well. Is occasionally addressed by God. Walks on water if he knows where the stumps are.
Minister of youth – Runs into small buildings. Recognizes locomotives 2 out of 3 times. Uses a squirt gun. Knows how to use the water fountain. Mumbles to himself.
Church secretary – Lifts buildings to walk under them. Kicks locomotives off the track. Catches speeding bullets in her teeth. Freezes water with a single glance. When God speaks she says, “May I ask who is calling?”

Jun 18, 2008 at 2:35 PM

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An Interfaith Experience

- although much of the service was in Japanese and unfamiliar to me, and the incense made me feel a bit light-headed, I also found it strangely comforting
- I admire the commitment of Sen-sei (literally “Teacher”) who serves Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, throughout the Okanagan, and visited Grammy every week for the last 4 years
- I was impressed that in her last days, they say that Grammy would repeat a Japanese phrase equivalent of “thank you thank you thank you” over and over
- I remember that years ago, Grammy came to Gary’s baptism, so now at her Buddhist funeral, I didn’t think she would mind my saying a silent Christian prayer: may God have mercy on her and on all of us. . . . thank you thank you thank you. . . .

Jun 14, 2008 at 11:04 PM

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Exploring God's Call to Ministry - to be continued!

Since so many have asked, "what did you speak on in Waterloo?" and "how can we here in Abbotsford benefit from the discussions over there?" I've decided instead to rework my Waterloo material on "Exploring God's Call" as a sermon for next Sunday morning.  So for now, Galatians will wait....

Jun 8, 2008 at 12:38 PM

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Exploring God's Call to Ministry....

Monday – a travelling day from Abbotsford to Kitchener-Waterloo where Conrad Grebel is part of the University of Waterloo. Met at the airport by Muriel Bechtel, MCEC conference minister, supper with her and Marianne Mellinger, Coordinator Leadership Formation for MCEC, made it to my guest room at St. Paul’s College (which is also part of the University) just before a huge thunderstorm!
Tuesday – met with MCEC staff, had lunch with Ralph and Eileen Lebold (long-time leaders in the area of church leadership training), spoke at the banquet attended by over 170 people, including many pastors and church leaders plus I was very pleased to greet the parents of Alissa Bender (who interned at Emmanuel last summer, and is now assoc pastor in Calgary).
Wednesday – met with Henry Paetkau, president of Conrad Grebel and then with Grebel staff, shared in a forum as part of an MCEC training day for pastors (including Virgnia Gerbrandt, one of our former interns who is now serving as a youth pastor and planning to go to seminary next year), then made the long trip home, finally arriving in Abbotsford with my body still at 2am Ontario time!

Jun 7, 2008 at 12:40 PM

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SOCK Rocks!

I was very encouraged and challenged to hear how they feel about the church and their hopes and dreams for the future, and I look forward to widening the conversation at our congregational meeting on June 9. 

In the meantime, I'm off to Kitchener-Waterloo to speak at the Ralph and Eileen Lebold fundraising banquet for church leadership.  I was initially invited to speak on "God's Call" for the banquet, but I will also be meeting with MCEC staff (Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada) and also with area pastors to further explore how we as churches call or don't call people to ministry, how we can be more intentional about this, etc.  I have a few things to share, but I expect I'll learn a lot more!

Jun 1, 2008 at 7:26 PM

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