We have walked around the nativity scene during these weeks of Advent. Today we stand with the others and gaze into a manger, where a child lies. This baby, wrapped in cloths and placed in a manger, is God’s message of love. Look, listen. May you know the certainty of the things that have been conveyed to you (Luke 1:4).
Yesterday our Sunday School children presented the Christmas story to our congregation. Beautiful! (See the slide show.)
Joseph was a good man—the bible says he was a “righteous man.” When he learned that Mary was pregnant, and that the child was not his, he was obligated to do the right thing. The righteousness of God also calls for the “right thing,” and in our case, the right thing would be to punish us for our sins. But God introduces a new righteousness, and it comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Did God do the right thing? Justice says 'no'; love says 'yes.' For God so loved the world... Sunday, Dec 18, 10 a.m.
A Note From our GEMS Girls’ Club Counselors: For the last 2 years, a very enthusiastic bunch of GEMS, parents and siblings have piled into vehicles to visit the largest milking goat farm in Ontario - the VanderVlies farm, owned by Anja and Henry in Teeswater. There are over 700 milking goats, and pens full of mamas-to-be. Tours are done throughout the year, but we chose the month of October for this tour, as this is the time for kidding. Sure enough, each one of us got to hold and love on a tiny new-born. To see the rest of the pictures, visit the GEMS page on our church’s website: http://lccrc.netne.net/gems.html
Marc Martel's youtube video of his Freddie Mercury rendition has gone viral. But we first heard/saw Downhere at Fair Havens Bible campground when they were still students at Briercrest College. We even bought their first album and had the CD cover signed by the boys. This Sunday Trevor Askes sings Downhere's How Many Kings during our worship service.
What do you think about when you can't fall asleep? Sometimes we just can't turn the brain off. Mary had a lot on her mind that first Christmas night - things to ponder, things to treasure in her mind. She was trying to make sense of a mystery that defies explanation: that she would give birth to a son, and was to give him the name Jesus. He would be called the Son of God (Luke 1: 31,35). This Sunday we too will ponder the mystery of the incarnation - at the nativity scene but also at the cross in our communion meal.
Lucknow Carolfest at the Lucknow Presbyterian Church, featuring six local church choirs, including ours (pictured here).
In November a number of us went to Walkerton to see the display called "Thousands of Nativities." There were over 3000 nativity scenes on display, all of them unique, and yet all of them representing the same people gathered in that barn in Bethlehem on that first Christmas Day. This season of Advent we will be visiting the nativity scene, spending some time with the shepherds, and with Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus. After Christmas we'll visit with the wisemen (though they wouldn't have shown up until 2 years later!). Tomorrow morning, Dec 4, we meet the shepherds who heard the announcement of Jesus' birth. When they went to see the baby, they saw beyond the manger, recognizing the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We too, are invited to come and see, and to stand amazed.
We call it "pulpit supply." What it means is that I will be preaching in a church that doesn't have a pastor right now. I will be in Blyth on Sunday, Nov 13, and leading in worship here in Lucknow will be Rev. Brian Bork, Campus Chaplain at the University of Waterloo and Waterloo Laurier. May God bless our worship, wherever that happens.
I'm off to participate in the baptism of another grandchild. God is so good!!! While I am away to be with a baby, Ken deBoer will be here in Lucknow talking about babies. Jesus says that if we are going to receive the kingdom we need to do it like babies would. What does that look like? What is the kingdom that Jesus is talking about? How do these words affect the way that we relate to each other and to God? It's all about babies. Oct 30, 10:00 a.m.
James Bond insisted that his martini should be shaken, not stirred. To get us from where we were to where God wants us to be God puts us through a two-step process. First, he shakes us, causing us to see how deeply our sins have impacted us. And then he sends his Spirit to stir us to action. Shaken, then stirred. It happened to the Jews when Haggai brought them a message from the Lord. This Sunday morning Haggai brings the Lord’s message to us- we need to be shaken, then stirred. Sunday, Oct 23, 10 a.m.
Meet our 5th grandchild! Kayla Susan was born on Oct 6. That's me with our son Mark and his two little girls. Thanks to God!
Here's the plan: we are going to take over the world. God is going to establish his kingdom on earth, and he does it by doing the exact opposite of what the world expects. A King who becomes a Servant; a Saviour dies so we can live. We too, are called to live counter-culturally. Instead of following the ways of the world, Paul instructs us to think about "whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Phil 4:8). That is just the opposite of what we are inclined to do. But through Jesus, the plan will succeed. Join us this Sunday, Oct 16, 10 a.m.
On Sunday, Oct 9, we baptized Maria Dixie Askes. Alicia, Trevor, brother Derk, and the entire Lucknow Church witnessed the sign that God welcomes this little baby into his covenant family!
Happy Thanksgiving! We celebrate Thanksgiving for lots of good reasons: another harvest season, safe travels, restored health, new babies. But ultimately, we can celebrate because, as Psalm 100 states it, "God is good." Join us at 10 a.m. this Thanksgiving Day to give thanks to our good God!
Salvation is found in Christ alone. We profess that, but often our lives seem to reflect that we aren't totally sure that Jesus is enough. So we supplement Jesus' work with our works or we put conditions upon others' salvation. Jesus is enough; he's EVERYTHING we need; no supplements required. Tomorrow morning, Oct 9, we are reminded of this great truth as we baptize one of God's covenant children.
It took 11 minutes and 43 seconds to harvest 160 acres of soybeans, just shy of a new world record (it's held by Manitoba). Christine and Josh were among the many spectators as 120 combines worked in unison in this field south of Listowel. May God use this event in a mighty way to relieve the injustices of our world.
Yesterday I baptized our new granddaughter- Katelyn Marlene Klein-Geltink. Such a joy! Thanks to Pastor Sam and Meadowvale Community Christian Reformed Church for granting me the privilege of administering the sacrament. Thank you God!!
We love fireworks. We love being surprised by the bright colours, the loud noises. We go to watch fireworks knowing what to expect. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost no one really knew what to expect. Everything that happened that day was a surprise! Does the Holy Spirit still surprise us today? Ken deBoer will share the message of Pentecost and help us see that the Holy Spirit is still doing surprising things everyday. Ken deBoer leads the service this Sunday, Oct 2, 10:00 a.m. I'll be baptizing our newest granddaughter at the Meadowvale CRC.
Here, in the middle of his letter to the Philippian Christians, Paul gets down to business. He tells the people to stop their arguing and complaining. It's time to shut down the complaints department. But he doesn’t want them to stop do-ing (see Philippians 2:14). When we serve God without complaining we will be like stars shining in the universe. Sunday, Sept 25, 10 a.m.
The GEMS girls' Club decorated a float for the Fall Fair Parade - and they won first prize! Congrats!
This Sunday, Sept 18 at 10 a.m., we worship with the other churches of Lucknow in the arena as part of the Fall Fair. The Fair theme is "Sunflowers and Scarecrows." I will bring the message, with the first half of that theme in mind -- sunflowers. Like sunflowers that follow the sun around, we too can lift our faces to receive God's blessing; God shines his face upon us (Numbers 6:22-27). See you at the fair!
Josephine Megan Drost was baptized on Sept 11, with lots of grandmas and grandpas and adoring cousins and great friends and family witnessing the sacrament. Above all, God was there, welcoming Josephine into his family. Congratulations Jeff & Stephanie!
On August 28 we celebrated the baptisms and profession of faith of 11 people. Vicky, Bailey, Brody, Brady, Katie, Carter, Tyson and Riley were baptized and Wendy, Tammy and Kait professed their faith in Jesus. It was a wonderful demonstration of how God works in our lives and in our church. I'll get the rest of the pics up in a slideshow soon.
The horrors of 9-11 drew people together in an amazing demonstration of unity. Ten years later we recall where we were on September 11 and we again see people coming together to mourn and to remember. Will we still be gathering 50 years from now? 100? There is only one thing that will unite us forever: the love of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5 says that our "attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." That's a vital truth for every day, but especially for September 11, as we unite to remember. Join us in worship, this Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Labour Day weekend is church camping weekend for Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church. We had a great time together, and while we woke up to rain on Sunday morning, the sun was coming out by the time we gathered for worship. We praise and thank God for the blessings of fun and laughter in the company of his family.
If you think of prayer as a means by which to achieve all your needs and wants, then you will probably answer "no" to the question, "Does prayer work?" But if you understand prayer to be a conversation between you and God, then suddenly the question doesn't even make sense. We don't talk in terms of working-not-working when we think about the conversations we have with our friends or our family members, so why would we ask such a question about our conversations with God? This Sunday we'll give some thought to this as we worship at PT FARMS provincial park. There will be no service at our usual location on Place Street in Lucknow. The service in the park is at 11 a.m. near the barn (ask for directions at the gate). Bring your lawn chairs.
We paint the walls, install new carpet and pick out the perfect window treatments. But it's not until those final touches are added that the project finally comes together. The same thing happened when the Israelites built the tablernacle. The final detail completed the project: God's presence filled the tabernacle. We too, will see the glory of God when his presence fills our lives. Ten people will testify to this miracle as we celebrate baptisms and professions of faith. Join us for what will be a great celebration, this week: August 28, 10 a.m.
Wouldn't it be great if we could bend and shape God into the kind of God that suits us best? That's what the Israelites did when they made that golden calf - or probably, it was a golden bull (Exodus 32). The project didn't turn out so well. No bull could ever represent our holy God. And yet, we too, try to find substitutes for God. That is a sin, worthy of death. Moses pleaded the case for the Israelites, or God would have killed them. Jesus pleaded our case, and we too have been rescued from certain death. We look at this amazing story on Sunday, August 21, 10:00 a.m.
It doesn’t seem to be too hot, this month of August. But even in milder weather, we need the basics of food and water. After three days in the wilderness, the Israelites ran out of water. When they did find water, it was undrinkable (Exodus 15). God changed the bitter water into sweet water. He does the same thing in our lives, changing our bitterness through his tenderness. He does it with a piece of wood, a piece of Good Wood... Sunday, August 14, 10:00 a.m.
Swimming, games, chatting, and lots of food. The Lucknow Community CRC's church picnic was a great day spent with our church family. Thank you, God, for the beautiful weather!
We don't always want to admit that we need help; there's something humbling about asking for assistance and admitting that we can't make it on our own. God knows that, and he "will surely come to your aid" (Exodus 13:19). We see lots of evidence of that when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. God comes to our aid in our wilderness too.
In an episode of ER (see the clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RA-JzVxGTg ) a dying man seeks absolution from his guilt. "What does God want from me?" he asks? The chaplain fails to give him the good news: that we are sinners and that we need Jesus. We need to hear the bad news before we can hear the good news. "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news" (Isaiah 52:7). Jesus is the good news. Join us this Sunday, July 31, to hear the good news.
Say "hello" to Katelyn Marlene Klein-Geltink! She was born on July 27 and weighs 7lb 4 oz. Thanks to God for this new gift!!
"Loving addicts, whether they are Amy Winehouse or Betty Ford," is a recent post on a blog that I have started following. It's called "ThinkChristian," and the home page says this:
Urban legends have a way of slipping into public acceptance. The same thing happens with our faith - we seek to create a religion that has more to do with securing the praise of people than the praise of God. Look to Jesus and you will see the one who came into the world as light. Only Jesus can dispel our darkness (John 12:45). Shine, Jesus, Shine! Join us this Sunday, July 24, 10 a.m.
This week we welcomed 60 children to our vacation bible school, where we talked about how Jesus makes a difference every day of our lives. One of the stories we heard was Jesus' parable of the "shocking servant" - a man who was forgiven much, but was unable to forgive little. We'll look at that story this Sunday, and we'll sing some of our VBS songs. After church, stay for hotdogs and icecream! See you at 10 a.m.
Jesus came to earth in human form; he walked Main Street - Main Street Jerusalem, Main Street Cana, Main Street Bethany... And wherever he went, he turned things upside down and inside out. That’s what happens when you are in the presence of Majesty. Join us this Sunday, July 10, in the presence of our majestic Lord, and then send your kids to our Vacation Bible School as we visit Main Street, "where Jesus makes a difference every day!"
This Sunday we will sing the song, "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise," and we'll look at that term from Hebrews 13:15. Gift giving means very little if there is no sacrifice involved. The wilting flowers the guy picks up for $5 on the way home will have very little effect on his wife. Sacrificial giving involves giving up something we love for someone we love. May our worship of God this Sunday be a sacrifice of praise.
Anthony Numan and Aimee Sergovich were married in our church on Saturday. We wish them God's richest blessings for a wonderful and life-long marriage.
This Sunday, June 26, we worship on the lawn of the Presbyterian Church. The service is part of Lucknow's annual Strawbery Summerfest event. Our church will be participating in the service, along with our United, Presbyterian, and Anglican neighbours. The service is at 10:30; bring a lawn chair. Lunch and a strawberry social are availabe after the service-- your cash donation will support Lucknow's vacation bible school programs.
I just came back from our church's Synod - a full week of meetings, from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day, and often over lunch and dinner. And it was great! Many would beg to differ. Tevye, in Fiddler on the Roof says that if he were a rich man, he would spend 7 hours every day discussing the learned books with the holy men. Would that activity make it to the top of your list if you "had a million dollars"? Too often our worship is shrouded in ulterior motives. But when God rescues us, he does so with one purpose: to bring us to himself. He wants us close by, he welcomes us into his presence. Join us this Sunday, June 19, as we explore this beatiful truth (Exodus 19:4).
For the next week I will be attending the Christian Reformed Church's meetings of Synod in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is my first time attending as a delegate. A colleague, calling to wish me well, said that he has attended six times and enjoyed every time. He commented that attending Synod is like feeling the heart beat of our church. He also warned me that it will be hard work and that some committees have been known to meet until one in the morning, and that, after a full day of meeting in session. If you would like to follow what is happening at Synod, check out the website:
Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love, writes that a friend once told him that "Christians are like manure: spread them out and they help everything grow better, but keep thim in one big pile and they stink horribly" (168). Christians have many gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit, many gifts, given for the common good. When we can say "Jesus is Lord," we know that the Holy Spirit is at work in us. With the Spirit's empowerment, everyone of us can be used by God, starting today. I Corithians 12: 1-11, Sunday, June 5. Join us live or catch the service on the web (see side bar for address).