The VINE - Uniserveclubweb.interbaun.com/~fcog/Summer Newsletter 2012.pdf · The VINE First Church...

The VINE

First Church of God 9224 - 82 Street, Edmonton, AB T6C 2X3

Phone: 780.469.2404 Fax: 780.469.4416 Email: [email protected] Website: www.firstchog.ca

Summer 2012

Stu’s Views

A Monthly Column

Keep Looking Forward!

fine young fellow who has thus far

rebuilt half of our house. Allie

graduated from the hallowed halls

of W.P. Wagner High School. She

is immensely relieved and more

than ready to move on.

I turned 55 this year. Mr. Double

Nickels. I asked a relative if this

means that I could finally qualify

to become a “cheap senior.” She

remarked that the senior’s menus

can be cheaper, but the portions

are smaller too. (Now that’s

depressing!)

To top it all off, we now have a

grand-doggie. An Australian Blue

Heeler named Kai, which in Kiwi

means “brat.”

Time. It waits for no one. The

clock is always ticking, and its for-

ward momentum is relentless. It

always ticks by at the same pace,

but as I reflect on past memories,

the journey thus far seems to have

been a swift one.

The memories come flooding

back with the intensity of a garlic

milkshake. A nervous young man

on his wedding day, watching his

beautiful bride coming down the

aisle.

Later, three baby daughters with

three sets of cloth diapers to

change. Honestly, Stephanie, I

only remember pinning you twice

instead of the diaper!

Its 5:20 a.m., and I’ve parked my

blue and silver coach next to the

beacon that beckons me to draw

near – the sign of the local 711.

Indeed, it is that time. It is time for

a cup of the good stuff, a medium

French vanilla cappuccino. (Take

that, Terry.)

As I saunter through the gas pump

islands toward my morning siren

song, I think about the number of

significant milestones that have

occurred this year in the story of

the Combs clan.

Pauline and I celebrated our 25th

wedding anniversary, a true testa-

ment to her tenacity and remark-

able staying power. Stephanie has

recently become engaged to Rob, a

Continued….

First Church

Financial Report

The VINE Page 2 The VINE

Keep Looking Forward Continued...

The financial report to May 31, 2012 is as

follows:

Budget for May ...................... $12,683

Received .................... $15,159

Expenses ................... $13,559

Income - expense....... $ 1,602

Budget Year-to-Date.............. $63,417

Received .................... $60,477

Short ......................... $ 2,940

Expenses ................... $62,652

Income - expense....... -$ 2,175

In Philippians 3:13b-14, Paul

writes: “But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind

and straining forward to

what is ahead, I press on to-

ward the goal to win the

prize for which God has

called me heavenward in

Christ Jesus.”

And so, with that in mind, I’ve

come to the conclusion that as

good as many of those past memo-

ries were, the future is much more

exciting to contemplate. I’d much

rather live towards the future than

be stuck in the past.

God has promised in His word

that our future is bright and excit-

ing as we invite him into our lives

to walk alongside us.

We don’t know what the future

holds for us, but we do know who

will be with us to guide and direct,

if we allow Him to. And His prom-

ise is an eternal one. He has great

opportunities for us to do eternal

Kingdom work, and in doing so to

live totally fulfilled lives. As a re-

sult, we can be confident, assured,

and focused in this present time

and in the time to come. For me,

these are “the good old days.”

Speaking of moving forward: it’s

coffee time! 711, here I come!

Trips to the Wiebe Hotel in

Nipawin SK in my dad’s ’77 Dodge

Maxivan, which used enough

fuel to keep OPEC happy and

prosperous.

Many years of great memories at

First Church and the congrega-

tional family with whom I shared

those memories.

Observing family members moving

through the various stages of their

lives. Sometimes feeling a little sad

as I thought about how swiftly life

was progressing, but at the same

time very excited as they grew in

their faith journey and maturity as

they handled the various chal-

lenges of life that came their way.

Reuse Fair

September 15 The annual Re-use Fair is just around the corner!

We hope you can help out on Saturday, Septem-

ber 15, for this important ministry.

There will be lots to do and we need your help!

Watch for sign-up sheets in the church foyer com-

ing out soon!


248.86 Wa “God Loves Bro-

ken People” by Sheila Walsh.

In twelve insightful chapters, the

author shows how personal bro-

kenness can open doors that might

never open otherwise, and a new

wholeness in Jesus emerges.

227.206 Co “The 180° Chris-

tian” by Carter Conlon. This

study, loosely based on I Corin-

thians, asks followers of Christ to

take a close look at themselves,

and to see if we (as the Church, or

individuals) are making a differ-

ence in the culture of excess in

which we live.

253.5 An “Discipleship Coun-

seling” by Neil T. Anderson. A

guide to helping others walk free

in Christ – free of emotional pain

and spiritual conflicts, but also

more complete in understanding

who they are in Christ.

248.4 Sp “The Peace God

Promises” by Ann Spangler. The

author explores what we can learn

from scripture, Jewish tradition,

the Amish, and others, about rest,

simplicity, healing, and peace.

F Ki “The Maid of Fairbourne

Hall” by Julie Klassen. Brimming

with romance and danger, this

novel takes readers inside the

downstairs world of a 19th century

English manor, where appearances

can be deceiving.

F St “The Ambition” by Les

Strobel. Strobel weaves some edgy

characters together in a story set in

part within a mega church, a big

city newspaper, as well as a few

corridors of politics… a thriller!

Now for real fun reading, there are

three new picture story books:

• “Ducks Vocation” by Sandi

Sellen. Read all about Wee-

dooly and McGimpsey and

their wonderful summer in

Canada!

• “If I Were a Mouse” by Karma

Wilson. A child imagines the

fantastic adventures if he or

she were one of God’s other

creations.

• “The Legend of the Sand

Dollar” by Chris Aver. A classic

story for children ages 4-7,

about a small ocean treasure,

with lots of great illustrations.

Finally, there are three new books

for children who can read by

themselves:

• JF Mac “Backyard Horses” by

Dandi D. Mackall.

• JF SC “Meghan Rose Takes the

Cake” by Lori Z. Scott.

• JF Ri “In Grandma’s Attic” by

Arleta Richardson.

Sylvia VanHaitsma

Librarian

New Books in Our Church Library


when we study the Bible and seek

to understand what it means and

how it applies to our lives. “In this

exercise you’re invited to under-

take an exegesis—a critical inter-

pretation—of your neighbourhood.

Through careful, sensitive, and

critical observation, your task is to

discern the truth of God’s presence

where you live. Quite simply, it’s

about reading your neighbourhood

as one of the primary texts of daily

life—one through which God

speaks.” (Simon Carey Holt, God

Next Door: Spirituality and Mission

in the Neighbourhood, 103).

As we exegete, we will also pray,

talking with God about what we’re

seeing, hearing, learning, and

interceding on behalf of those

whom we ‘encounter.’

Sketch It Out

Before you go anywhere, draw

(or obtain) a map of your

neighbourhood/missional

context with your home/you

in it. Include the homes on

your street, with the names of

the residents if possible, the

street patterns, landmarks

such as parks, shops,

churches, schools and other

community buildings. Be sure

to include those boundary

markers or natural borders

that give your neighbourhood

definition. In this way you will

be setting the parameters of

your neighbourhood, which

has to be walkable.

Other boundaries might be

main streets, a ravine, or

community league divisions...

it’s up to you/your neighbour-

hood network to determine

what your target area is; what

feels like the neighbourhood/

missional context to you.

Some will be larger than oth-

ers; some may expand in the

future. You may want to

sketch out your route (but be

flexible as once you are on

your way…it may change!)

If we are to be on God’s mission in

our neighbourhood, we need to

learn the practice of being-there:

we need to be intentional about

spending time in our front yard

and out on our street. Going for a

prayer walk can help us to slow

down, to be attentive, and discern

more of what God might be up to

and what God might desire in our

‘hood.

I have included below an exegeti-

cal prayer walk that equips us to

love: to understand and pray for

our neighbourhood. Because this

is an exercise that requires explor-

ing your context on foot, you will

need to set aside about two hours

(more or less, depending on the

size of the neighbourhood) so that

you can take your time: to pause,

discern, converse, and pray.

The term “exegete” means “to

critically interpret.” We do this

Much precious Gospel seed,

time, energy, and finances are

wasted because we have not

prayed sufficiently, asking God

to go before us to prepare

hearts.

—Evelyn Christenson

Prayer Walk — Guest Column by Karen Wilk


Prayer Walk Continued...

swers and follow Your lead-

ing... Equip and empower us

to engage in this place, to

move in and live among as

You did, Lord Jesus, giving it

all...We want to be like You…

our Lord and Saviour, the

Kingdom come near.

Amen.

Dress for the weather with

good walking shoes and you’re

off!

Step out

As you stand just outside your

house or apartment—by the

front gate or on the footpath—

(or in the entrance way of the

gym or Student Union Build-

ing) what do you see as you

look in each direction? What

do you hear, smell, sense?

What activity/ies do you

notice?

Proceed, and as You Go, Consider and Make Note Of...

The architecture of the houses

or apartment complexes...

How old are they on average?

How much renovation or re-

building is going on?

The landscaping... Do the gar-

dens, yards look well cared

for? What do you notice about

the front entrances?

Signage... are there many

places for sale or rent... What

evidence is there of transience

or permanence or transition?

Prior plans… does the area

back onto a major highway or

commercial, industrial, or

business area? What was here

before this neighbourhood...

what has been gained, what

has been lost over the years?

The community and civic

buildings... What are they for?

How do they appear (well-

used, unkempt)? How do they

feel (friendly, inviting, scary)?

The public spaces... how are

they being used? By whom?

Are they adequate?

The shopping area/corner

store or other commercial

spaces... who is the clientele-

locals (your neighbours)? Is

there space to relax, chat,

pause?

The local park/playground/

green space... what do you

notice about it? Does it feel

like an inviting place? Who is

there? How is it used? What is

missing?

Other thoughts, feelings, ob-

servations?

This is real love—not that we

loved God, but that He loved

us and sent His Son as a sacri-

Note: The scope of this exer-

cise is likely larger than your

immediate context/block.

This helps you to get a bigger

picture of your neighbour-

hood. If possible, invite other

followers of Jesus on nearby

streets to participate. This can

expand and enrich your un-

derstanding and appreciation

of the neighbourhood where

God has placed you.

Pray and Prepare for Your Mission

Gather your journal or a note-

book, a pen, a photocopy of (or

your own notes from) the out-

line that follows, some cash or

a coffee card (for one of those

pauses or unexpected opportu-

nities for further conversation

with a neighbour) and an open

mind, gracious heart, and

attentive spirit.

Pray...

Breathe on me/us, Breath of

God, breathe on me/us. Give

us Your eyes to see this com-

munity, these people as You

do... Give us Your ears to lis-

ten to their hearts as You hear

them... Give us open and at-

tentive spirits to recognize

where You are already at

work... Fill us with courage

that we might ask the right

questions, accept the true an-


At storm sewers, thanks for

clean, plentiful water...

At mailboxes and newsstands,

for mail carriers, reporters-

integrity...

For the people who pass by...

You get the idea....

As the Spirit leads!

Stop and sit...

At a cafe, on a tree-lined street

and/or a park bench...

What are the sights, sounds

and smells of your neighbour-

hood/missional context?

Chat with those around you. If

you’re really brave, ask them if

they live in the area and what

fice to take away our sins. Dear

friends, since God loved us

that much, we surely ought to

love each other. 1 John 4:10,11

Pause and Pray…

At the end of streets, ask God’s

blessing on the residents....(if

you know them by name, all

the better).

At fire hydrants, pray for fire-

fighters...

At schools, pray for students

and teachers...

At churches, pray for their

presence, ministry, staff, mis-

sion...

At businesses, pray for integ-

rity and fair, honest business

practices, success, community

awareness and engagement…

At street lights, for police

officers and the safety of the

neighbourhood...

At electric poles, thanks for the

wonder and convenience of

electricity!

At stop signs, for law abiding

citizens, drivers, cyclists, walk-

ers, safe streets...

At bus stops, pray for city

workers and commuters....

At a busy intersection, for the

people in a hurry...

they think are the strengths

and struggles of it...

Reflect &Discern...

Are there places that feel un-

safe, where you wouldn’t/don’t

go?

Places of hope, beauty, com-

munity...

What it would be like to live

here if you were housebound,

without a vehicle, very young

or very old; single, disadvan-

taged...

Is there evidence of struggle,

despair, neglect, alienation...

What’s your sense of connec-

tion and identification with the

neighbourhood...

Your sense of the community’s

state of mind... fear and anxi-

ety, longing and hopefulness,

joy and contentment, friendli-

ness and security...

Your sense of God’s presence

and activity....

Your sense of calling and com-

passion...

What have you learned, dis-

cerned?

How will you respond?

Share your experiences with

your group.... especially your

reflections.


“The neighbourhood remains a

fundamentally important context of

urban life and deserves to be taken

seriously by those who live in one. I

believe that in ignoring the health and

wellbeing of our local neighbourhood,

we’re ignoring the glue that binds the

wider city together and makes it a

genuinely human environment. And

perhaps most importantly, I believe a

spirituality that does not nurture our

connections with the daily places of

life fails to reflect the life-

transforming nature of the Christian

faith.”

(Simon Carey Holt, God Next Door:

Spirituality and Mission in the

Neighbourhood, 14)



the exegetical exploration

every six months (or so) and

then see how your perceptions

have changed; what else you

discover; how more specifically

you can pray.

Karen is a National Team Member for

Forge Canada and a Missional Leader

Developer for the Christian Reformed

Make a Plan to Try It Again

Some do a weekly prayer walk.

Try the whole experience again

with a partner or two from

your neighbourhood network/

context.

You might also plan to repeat

Church in North America. She is pastor

at the River Community Church in Ed-

monton and has written several books,

including Don’t Invite Them to Church,

A Devotional Guide to Pursuing God’s

Mission Together in Your Neighbour-

hood.

[email protected]

The goal of the Missions Practicum Fund is to provide subsidies to

individuals of the First Church of God for the purposes of

traveling on mission trips.

Through its recipients, the Fund will develop within the church a

passion for missions, foster a lifelong commitment to missions, and

facilitate the spread of the gospel message.

Donations can be made to the Missions Practicum Fund at any time.


International Youth Convention – Denver

of the United States – as well as in

three provinces in Canada.

In the late 1990s, the youth minis-

try team developed an overall pur-

pose statement for IYC: to create a

moment for life change. This pri-

mary purpose drives everything

that happens at the convention.

Because of IYC, thousands of

young men and women have made

life-changing decisions.

Over the past ten years at IYC,

thousands of teenagers have

pledged to remain sexually pure.

Thousands of youth have gone to

the prayer room to begin or renew

their relationship with God. Hun-

dreds of teenagers have indicated

a sense of call to full-time ministry

On Sunday, July 1, six people

from First Church will leave to

attend the International Youth

Convention of the Church of

God. The convention is held

from July 4–7, but our group is

leaving a few days earlier to

participate in a mission experi-

ence in the city of Denver prior

to the convention.

Please pray that the attendees

may have safe travels and open

hearts to meet God at work in

their lives.

What is IYC?

The International Youth Conven-

tion of the Church of God, better

known as IYC, was launched in the

early 1920's. In the years that fol-

lowed, international youth conven-

tions have been held in all regions

or missions. At IYC2010 alone,

more than five hundred students

came to the emerging leaders

gathering, which was focused on

those who felt called to full-time

ministry or missions. New church

plants and existing church plants

have been helped through IYC stu-

dents in the last three IYC host

cities.

Since 1992, participants have

given back to the host city with a

project day. It is estimated that

$500,000 worth of volunteer la-

bour has been given to the host

cities from IYC. An estimated

63,000 pounds of garbage was

picked up in one city alone.

The giving goes beyond the city

limits of the sites where IYC is

held. Since 1998, almost 4,200

persons have participated in

mission experiences in eleven

different countries.

IYC = Life Change

Leaders:

Sarah Chestnutt

Pastor Julian

Attendees:

Corina Zado

Allie Combs

Laura Rohac

William Yanke


IYC Continued...

• Over 19,000 students & adults

were present for these life-

changing days.

• It is estimated that over 20,000

hours worth of volunteer labour

has been given to the host cities.

• Hundreds of teenagers have indi-

cated a sense of a call to full-time

ministry or missions.

This IYC, rather than having a sin-

gle theme verse, we are going to

dig deep into an entire theme

chapter.

IYC also helps to nurture a giving

heart and a lifetime focus on oth-

ers. Since 2002 convention partici-

pants have given almost $350,000

to "Spread the Word," a teen mis-

sion support opportunity designed

to help fund tools for evangelism

around the world. These funds are

now being used on six continents.

Over the past four youth con-

ventions:

• 44 states and 8 countries were

represented.

Romans 8 will be our foundation,

and our theme is:

LIVE!

LIVE…free,

LIVE…awakened,

LIVE…empowered,

LIVE…connected.

We have great anticipation of what

God is going to do at IYC2012 in

Denver, Colorado.

IYC Penny Jar — THANK YOU

We raised $240 from the Penny Jar!

Thank you for donating your loose change (and a few bills) to the IYC

Penny Jar. It certainly added up!

We thank you once again for your continued support of the youth of

First Church!

The VINE

First Church Springs Cleans! Nearly 30 people worked together on Saturday, May 5, for the All

Church Spring Clean-Up Day!

Together we scrubbed and mowed and hammered and laughed

and polished and sorted and visited and vacuumed and dusted and

tidied… until the whole building sparkled. Thanks to everyone who

came out to lend a hand!

The VINE

July 1–8: IYC in Denver

July 10–15: Western Canadian Campmeeting at Deer Valley Meadows

July 15: NO CHURCH SERVICE HERE

July 22–27: Alberta Youth Camp at Deer Valley Meadows

July 30–August 3: Children’s Camp at Deer Valley Meadows

September 14: Holyrood Block Party

September 15: Re-Use Fair

November 9–11: Couple’s Retreat

December 9: Christmas Banquet

Wednesdays — Ultimate Frisbee in the Holyrood Park. 7:00 p.m.

9224 - 82 Street

Edmonton AB T6C 2X3

Phone: 780-469-2404

Fax: 780-469-4416

E-mail: [email protected]

First Church of God

First Church Forecast

Son

Shine Showers of Blessings

Check our

website for

information

and updates!

www.firstchog.ca

The VINE - Uniserveclubweb.interbaun.com/~fcog/Summer Newsletter 2012.pdf · The VINE First Church...

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