Remembering, Proclaiming and Celebrating (a look ahead at Easter weekend)

Are you making plans for Easter weekend? If you are part of a family that's anything like mine you've already talked about the menu, the venue and the seating. (Spiral ham, my house, room for 12. By the way, Rob, if I've forgotten to tell you this, everyone's coming to our place for Easter Sunday dinner!)

In church life, we start planning for Easter weekend in February. To put it mildly, it's kind of a big deal. We mark Good Friday and Easter Sunday with special significance because what happened through the death and resurrection of Jesus has literally changed our lives - both today and for eternity. And so, we remember, we proclaim His death until He comes and we celebrate His victory over death and the grave. I get excited; I know you understand.

With that in mind, let me tell you what we're planning for Easter weekend in hopes that you will be able to prepare your hearts and calendars to join us.

Good Friday, April 15 @ 10am
Family Communion Service (in person and livestream)

Saturday, April 16 @ 9:30-11:30am
Spring Photo Booth (We've invited our neighbours! You can come too!)

Easter Sunday, April 17 @ 10am
Family Service (in person and livestream) with Childcare for ages 0-3
Spring Photo Booth will also be available before and after the service.

We also encourage you to invite someone to join you next weekend. Let your friends, family and neighbours know about our services and invite them to sign up for the photo booth. You can get an invitation card from the church or point them to freedomkw.com/easter2022.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. I'm glad I get to spend it with you!
Pastor Tracy

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THIS SUNDAY

THE PASSION
The Entrance

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Connection and Generosity (let's have a potluck!)

You may have heard us say the word "potluck" a few times in the last week or so and follow it with cheering and clapping. What's the big deal about a potluck?

Good question, I'd love to tell you.

First, providing food for others is a simple way to show care. When you feed someone it communicates that you're willing to show up in the ordinary things of life.

Second, eating together is a beautiful act of connection. Around a meal we can catch up with each other's lives, invite new people to join our community and create a tangible sense of the family of God that we are.

Third, we get the chance to practice generosity. When we prepare for our meal we bring what we can with a heart that is wanting to bless others from what God has given us. If there is ever anyone joining us who was unable to bring food, it's never a problem. Everyone is invited, there is always lots to share and no one goes hungry.

Fourth, it's fun and delicious. Enough said.

This Sunday will be the first potluck we've had for over two years. We're excited about restrictions lifting and it does feel like we're stepping into a new season of life and ministry. We'd love for you to stay after the service and join us for lunch. Here are the details if you've forgotten how we do this (it's been too long!) or this is your first Freedom potluck:

• Bring a main dish. (You don't need to but feel free to add to that if you'd like and also bring something else to share like a salad, dessert, etc.)

• Drop it off in the kitchen before the service. We'll have a kitchen host ready to plug in your crockpot or find you some counter/fridge space.

• After the service we'll convert the sanctuary into a dining hall while the kitchen team organizes the food. You can get your dish prepared or help in the sanctuary.

• It takes about 20-30 minutes to get everything ready then we'll pray and eat!

• We'll have our host team serving the food as you go through the line.

• We'll provide frozen treats and drinks.

If you're not comfortable with the potluck format, that's perfectly fine. Feel free to bring a lunch for you/your family and stay to eat with us.

I know the food will be great and there will be a lot of fun energy in the air but mostly I'm looking forward to connecting with as many of you as I can. Be on the lookout for anyone who is sitting alone, someone who is new and you could introduce yourself to or simply who the Lord might direct you to chat with.

Let's do lunch on Sunday!
Pastor Tracy

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THIS SUNDAY

THE PASSION
The Table

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Life by Meeting (see you on Sunday night at 6!)

The word "meeting" almost always has a negative connotation. If you work in the corporate world chances are that you are drowning in meetings. Patrick Lencioni's book Death by Meeting is a national best-seller in the U.S. for a reason. If someone tells you they want to meet with you, it's not often something you work into your schedule with joy.

Meetings can be boring, tense, useless or a whole other host of uninspiring things. But I'm here to tell you that meetings can also be inspiring, informative, helpful and an incredible tool for getting everyone on the same page. For real!

The latter is exactly what we always aim for during our Annual Business Meeting. While moving, seconding, voting, and Robert's Rule of Order is not everyone's cup of tea, these are just the structures that give us the chance to report on what is happening in this church, a local expression of the global body of Christ. How are things going? What have we been up to? How are our ministries being supported? What are we envisioning for the year ahead and beyond? These are the questions that the ABM looks to answer.

Members are asked to be in attendance (on Zoom or in person) but everyone who calls this church their home is encouraged to take an hour or so on Sunday night at 6:00 and be a part of this meeting. We certainly have an agenda and some things that we want to be sure you know about, but you are also welcome to bring your questions and take the opportunity to have them answered by the board and staff.

There are some more details on our website including the 2021 Annual Report and Financial Statement. Take a look when you have a chance in the next day or so: www.freedomkw.com/annual-business-meeting

I hope to see you there. God is at work, church. I'm looking forward to meeting with you to talk all about it!

See you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy

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THIS SUNDAY

THE PASSION
The Betrayal

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

A New Season, Indeed (a word about masking and church life)

Sunday will mark the beginning of a new season, literally. It's the first day of spring, regardless of what the groundhog said on February 2nd. Every year I have to remind myself that the weather doesn't necessarily sync up with the calendar and no matter how many double-digit temperature days we have I still can't plant anything for two more months.

On Monday, a figurative new season will also begin: the end of mandatory masking in most places. This comes almost exactly two years after our first (awkward!) livestream service in 2020. Wow, it's been a long road. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hasn't disappeared but our province has decided that it is appropriate to make masks optional going forward.

We decided in March of 2020 that we would do our best to comply with the provincial and regional mandates in the spirit of Romans 13. While recognizing that we may have very different opinions and experiences surrounding what was asked of us in this time, the Board and Staff charted this course and have stuck with it. We have endeavoured to lead with consistency and grace through these past two years and I know I speak for all of us when I say thank you to each of you for showing so much understanding, patience, and flexibility.

And as I said, COVID is not a thing of the past. We are simply stepping into a new way of living with it and that will have its own new set of challenges.

I want you to hear my heart when it comes to masking at church in the coming weeks and months and let you know what my expectation is for the body of Christ in this new season.

Starting next Sunday (March 27th) masking will be optional. That means that if you are more comfortable wearing a mask in public settings, you are very welcome to wear a mask to the service. If you are more comfortable without your mask, you do not need to wear one. This is the simple attitude that I want each and every one of us to take.

There is an opportunity for the enemy to use this as a divisive issue. Some may wonder why anyone would ever wear a mask; some may wonder why anyone wouldn't. The door is open for judgment and I'm closing the door in my heart and asking you to do the same. In the spirit of 1 John 4:7-21, I want to concern myself with how to love you well and not with your masking choices.

It's my suspicion that you've already come to these conclusions on your own because this is how you have conducted yourselves throughout this pandemic. I often brag about you to other leaders and tell them how grateful I am for how you've modelled grace and compassion so well. Let's hold on to that, no matter what the temptation might be to divide and disrupt. We choose unity in Christ in our diversity.

Today the issue is masking, tomorrow it will undoubtedly be something else, some other thing we may disagree on, some new challenge that we'll have to face together. Regardless, we continue to pray for unity among us and that our differences would make us a beautiful reflection of the body of Christ and the power of the Spirit to connect us to Him.

In Christ,
Pastor Tracy

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THIS SUNDAY

THE PASSION
The Anointing

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Checking Your Work (another encouragement about the Word)

We have wood-carved sign in our dining room that Rob made on his CNC machine a few months ago. He was experimenting with this technique and how to paint the writing. This was the result. (Scroll for the photo!) The CNC file came from a provider online and it reads:

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established, through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 23:3-4

Beautiful, right? Except, that's not what Proverbs 23:3-4 says. Those verses actually say, "Do not crave [the ruler's] delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness."

Okay, so it's still the Word of God and it was obviously an innocent typo on the part of the creator of the CNC file. When we figured out the mistake (and after we laughed A LOT) Rob asked if I wanted to take it down and I said no. I think the mistake makes the quoted verse even richer and so the sign remains.

What do I mean by that? A couple of things:

1. The wisdom, understanding and knowledge that we are looking to build our house on is found in searching the scriptures for everything we need and listening for the voice of the Spirit to bring them to our minds and hearts every day. And so...

2. We can't rely on someone else to do this for us. We need to be students of the Word for ourselves. We can't assume that what someone says about the Bible is true. The disciple of Jesus is committed to the daily discipline of being in the Word and looking for truth.

Yeah, I know, that's a lot to read into a typo in a CNC design file. Still, I see it every day and I'm reminded of the need to check my work... does my life line up with the Word? Am I comparing my thoughts, attitudes, motives and activities with it? Does anything need to be confessed, set aside, picked up, aligned or surrendered?

At Freedom we talk about reading the Bible a lot. We do reading plans together, we study it in groups, we use it as an application for sermons - and you can expect us to keep doing these things. Today is another encouragement for you, disciple of Jesus, to keep going - keep being consistent in reading the scriptures and listening to the Spirit's voice. He will build your house and fill its rooms with rare and beautiful treasures.

Checking my work,
Pastor Tracy

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THIS SUNDAY

THE PASSION
The Questions

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

DISCIPLE | The Work (harps and halos?)

When I was a kid growing up in church, I used to hear the adults talking about heaven and what it was going to be like when we get there: streets of gold, crystal sea, mansions, no crying or pain or sorrow, worshiping Jesus forever… I mean, great. I like singing… but for eternity?

Confession: I was concerned. I love Jesus but won’t that get boring?

It was such a huge relief to me when I found out that harps and halos are not something scripture promises us for eternity. We will rest from our labour (won’t be tired all the time anymore!) but we will serve God and reign with Christ. We’ll have something meaningful to do, but it will be perfect and restful. I like the sound of that! (Note: I've also figured out that I have no idea what eternity will feel like because it's not something I can fully understand so even if we were hanging out and singing forever, boring wouldn't be a concept either!)

Idleness is not something that we are built for. Unfortunately, we often turn that into chronic busyness but finding our identity in what we do is also not how we were created.
The life of a disciple of Jesus has a similar tension: our salvation isn’t earned by what we do (or don’t do) but there isn’t a category for people who say they believe in Jesus and do nothing. So, what is the work of a disciple? If it's not to earn God's grace, what is it?

I'm looking forward to talking about this with you on Sunday. In the meantime, check out Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 4:11-13, and James 2:14-25!

See you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy

Wondering about the Greek word in our series graphic? Check this out!

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THIS SUNDAY

THE DISCIPLE
The Work

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

DISCIPLE | The Habit (the best to-do list)

On Sunday we started our February series by literally getting to the heart of the matter... the fact that the life of a disciple of Jesus always starts with what's in your heart.

Whenever we talk about something more abstract (like, "the heart"), I'm always drawn to the next question... How can I make that happen in my everyday life? How can I take a concept and make it something that I can work on? We can't just be navel-gazing, we actually have to live this faith out somehow, right?

Right. And that's why the next step for a disciple of Jesus is to practice spiritual disciplines. These are things we do consistently that help to strengthen and deepen our faith so that we can live out the commands of Christ in practical ways day to day.

We're going to get into them on Sunday - well, a few of them. There are lots to discover over a lifetime of serving Christ!

I'd love to hear from you on this one. Head over to our social channels (Facebook, Twitter, IG) and find today's post. It asks what spiritual discipline(s) you have found most beneficial in your walk with Jesus. Share your experience... you never know who it might help!

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Tracy

Wondering about the Greek word in our series graphic? Check this out!

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This Sunday

THE DISCIPLE
The Habit

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

DISCIPLE | The Heart (let's start at the beginning, it's a very good place to start)

It's a new month and we have a new series coming at you on Sunday. To start 2022, we spent time constructing/reconstructing/renovating our faith. In other words, we were answering some of the most common objections to Christianity so that we have a firm foundation and understanding of what we believe and why we believe it. Also, my intention is to equip us to be able to share our faith with others. I trust January gave you some great construction materials.

I've been re-watching The West Wing lately and one of my favourite things is when President Bartlet finishes a task or makes a decision then turns to his staff and says, "What's next?" That's kind of the inspiration for our February series. When our faith is set on a solid foundation the next question we ask is, "So what? What's next? What do I do now?"

We're going to build some walls and rooms into our reconstructed faith this month and make sure we understand what it means to live out the faith that we have in Christ. What's first, what's next, what comes after that... What things should we be looking for in our lives if we are following Jesus?

First up (and always first) is the heart. It's not a checklist, it's learning to first and foremost check our hearts to find what motivates our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. We need to look for certain marks in our character before we talk about how that might look in our activities.

If you want to study ahead, take a look at 2 Corinthians 7:8-13 and James 5:13-16. These are the scriptures that are going to help us learn what heart of a disciple of Jesus looks like.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy

Wondering about the Greek word in our series graphic? Check this out!

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This Sunday

THE DISCIPLE
The Heart

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

RECONSTRUCTION | Sharing Faith (it's 5th Sunday!)

It's 5th Sunday! This time around we're celebrating (as we usually do on 5th Sundays) and answering a question at the same time. The question is: should I talk about my faith? The celebration: hearing stories about how people have shared Jesus and found faith in Him. You are not going to want to miss a minute.

Pastor Erin will be leading us through the service and has another powerful resource for us as we construct/reconstruct/renovate our faith. Using some material from the Alpha Film Series, she will be equipping us with tools for sharing the life transformation that we've found in Christ... and the reason why we should.

To give you a head start, I've included the video from Alpha that she will be referencing as well as the transcript of the video (in case you prefer reading to watching). Take a few minutes to through this material and bookmark it for the future. Also consider if there is someone else who might benefit from it... and then go ahead and share it! Let's help to equip one another to share the incredible good news.

There are a few bonus items for you included in today's devo as well:

1. YouVersion Link: February Reading Plan (Bible in a Year)

2. Financial Update: December 2021

Scroll past the video to find those and enjoy. :)

Happy 5th Sunday!
Pastor Tracy

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Alpha Film Series, E14

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This Sunday

RECONSTRUCTION
5th Sunday: Should I Talk About My Faith?

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

RECONSTRUCTION | Suffering

In case you're joining us for the first time this year, let me recap. (If you're not, scroll down for this week's Sunday prep video!)...

We're using Tim Keller's book Reason for God and it's companion study guide to give us an outline for our January series (called "Reconstruction") and it's a great place to start for a next step in your own learning and exploring.

Pastor will be bringing us this Sunday's message, "Good or Evil" and it's based off of session four of the guide and chapter two of the book. I encourage you to watch the session (here's a link for you or click below) and pick up a copy of the book if you can.

As you can imagine, there is much, much more to say about each of the topics we'll be discussing then we have time for on Sunday mornings. I encourage you go deeper and study more on each topic. They are all fascinating!

Praying for you as you go deeper,
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

RECONSTRUCTION
Suffering

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

RECONSTRUCTION | All The Rules (getting ready for Sunday)

In case you're joining us for the first time this year, let me recap. (If you're not, scroll down for this week's Sunday prep video!)...

We're starting the year with a series called Reconstruction. I want to address some of the main objections to the Christian faith and hope to accomplish a couple of things:

1. Answer some of the most common questions about Christianity.

2. Give believers who are struggling a solid foundation to build on.

3. Equip the church with a basic understanding of apologetics (defending the faith) so that we will know how to talk about our faith in a non-defensive, relevant, informed way to the people in our lives.

As you can imagine, there is much, much more to say about each of the topics we'll be discussing then we have time for on Sunday mornings. I encourage you go deeper and study more on each topic. They are all fascinating!

We're using Tim Keller's book Reason for God and it's companion study guide to give us an outline for this series and it's a great place to start for a next step in your own learning and exploring.

Sunday's message, "Law or Grace" is based off of session three of the guide and chapter three of the book. I encourage you to watch the session (here's a link for you or click below) and pick up a copy of the book if you can.

As always, I'm looking forward to Sunday!
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

RECONSTRUCTION
Law or Grace

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

RECONSTRUCTION | One Way to God (getting ready for Sunday)

In case you missed it on Sunday, we're starting the year with a series called Reconstruction. I want to address some of the main objections to the Christian faith and hope to accomplish a couple of things:

1. Answer some of the most common questions about Christianity.

2. Give believers who are struggling a solid foundation to build on.

3. Equip the church with a basic understanding of apologetics (defending the faith) so that we will know how to talk about our faith in a non-defensive, relevant, informed way to the people in our lives.

As you can imagine, there is much, much more to say about each of the topics we'll be discussing then we have time for on Sunday mornings. I encourage you go deeper and study more on each topic. They are all fascinating!

We're using Tim Keller's book Reason for God and it's companion study guide to give us an outline for this series and it's a great place to start for a next step in your own learning and exploring.

Sunday's message, "Narrow or Wide" is based off of session two of the guide and chapter one of the book. I encourage you to watch the session (here's a link for you or click below) and pick up a copy of the book if you can.

Let's dig in together again on Sunday!
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

RECONSTRUCTION
Narrow or Wide

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

RECONSTRUCTION | The Bible (getting ready for Sunday)

Everywhere I turn I hear the term “deconstruction.” Do you know about this? It refers to someone taking apart their faith and the things they have believed for a long time – particularly those who grew up in church, particularly those in Evangelical circles. They are deconstructing their faith and finding another way to live or something else to believe.

On one hand, I encourage the process, especially for anyone who grows up in the church. If your faith is a matter of your family tradition or culture, it’s vital that you get down to the heart of it and find out what you really believe for yourself.

On the other hand, I have yet to hear a story of deconstruction that isn’t informed by a wound that the person has experienced in the church. They have been hurt or been taught something that doesn’t work or isn’t loving or merciful or they have seen a leader fall morally, ethically or spiritually, or they have seen hypocrisy in their home growing up. All of these are real hurts and need to be reckoned with, to be certain… but I haven’t heard of someone looking for Jesus and finding him wanting. The story is that they couldn’t find Jesus in the middle of the rest of it.

So we're starting the year with a series called Reconstruction. I’m not trying to be cheeky (though, you know, don’t put it past me), I wanted to address some of the main objections to the Christian faith and hope to accomplish a couple of things:

1. Answer some of the most common questions about Christianity.

2. Give believers who are struggling a solid foundation to build on.

3. Equip the church with a basic understanding of apologetics (defending the faith) so that we will know how to talk about our faith in a non-defensive, relevant, informed way to the people in our lives.

It doesn’t matter what category you put yourself in, I want you to know something… I don’t know all the answers but I invite the questions and have seen faith in Jesus stand up to every question I’ve asked so far. I encourage you to take that same posture: hearts open, ears listening, minds active.

I've been using Tim Keller's book Reason for God and it's companion study guide to give us an outline for this series. Sunday's message, "Truth or Fiction" is based off of session one of the guide and chapter seven of the book. I encourage you to watch the session (here's a link for you) and pick up a copy of the book if you can.

I'm looking forward to starting this new season with you... see you on Sunday!

Happy New Year!
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

RECONSTRUCTION
Truth or Fiction

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Advent | Love (prayers and readings for the weeks of Advent)

Sunday marks the second Sunday of Advent and again, the chance to bring our attention back to the longing and expectancy of the Jewish people as they waited for the Messiah, which reminds us how desperately we also need a Saviour. It continues to point us to the coming of that very Messiah and the fulfillment of the promise that He really would come, which reminds us to be looking and waiting expectantly for His second coming. I trust you're enjoying the beauty of this season.

To help us celebrate, I've again provided a prayer and some readings (Old Testament, New Testament, Gospel and Psalm) that I have gone back to many times over the years and find helpful.

Advent Readings & Prayers: Week 2

As we did in our service last Sunday, we will pause to pray the prayer together, so I encourage you to read it over before Sunday.

This Sunday's Advent theme is love. How appropriate as we think about the motivation for the coming of Christ - at Christmas and again at His second coming. Let that rest in your heart this week!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

SEASON OF HOPE: Secure in the Future
When You See Darkness, He is Light

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)
9:00 - Kids Church Online (Freedom Kids FB Group)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

"...so that you may know him better" (a prayer for you)

Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV (emphasis mine)

________________________________

I've been spending a lot of time in the book of Ephesians and read a portion of this scripture as our benediction on Sunday... and it is exactly what I want to say to and pray over each one of you this week.

Fasting and praying with you and for you,
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

WALK TOWARD EACH OTHER
Walk Toward Your Marriage

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Christmas Encouragement (a reason for joy)

I'm not sure I've ever done this before so I'm excited about what you're going to read next. Dave, who is a part of our Freedom family, posted in our Facebook Connecting Point Group after the service on Sunday and shared a vision he'd had and not just for himself but for the church. (I have to tell you, going back and reading posts and comments from Sunday is my favourite way to start my week!) Dave's vision was right in line with so many of the conversations I've been having over the past few weeks and really spoke to my heart so I'm sharing it with you in this format with his permission.

_____________________________

Afternoon Church Family,

I had to write about a vision I had this morning in church and I think it was meant for more then just me today based on Pastor Tracy's word.

I came to church today feeling very alone in a crowd and I could see myself just going through the motions thinking that no one knew or had to know. It felt as if there was a spotlight on me, singling me out as the odd ball in the group. Not participating emotionally or spiritually - just standing alone, existing.

Today's message was about Joy. Joy, in the coming of Christ. Joy in the sacrifice that would be made for us and me. Joy, that the birth of Christ was about the end and not the beginning. Joy, that it was set in place before I knew I needed it or before I had to clean myself up to get it. Joy, that new has come for me and all those who call on Jesus...

That was when God cleared up the vision I had seen in my heart and head. The spotlight was not to show me that I am isolated from those around me, isolated and alone, alone and lost...but...that HE has isolated me in His eye's vision. He is looking right at me even though everything else is happening around me and I feel alone. Instead He is FOCUSING on me alone (and you in your place right now). He is LOVING right on me - alone from those around me. His love is not corporate when it is directed at me...it is FOR ME ALONE. BOOM!

Yes, I feel alone still, right now in the physical - the situation of the loneliness has not changed yet but... I am NOT alone, but instead, a focus of His attention. And with that came JOY. Oh, not the jump up and down because I just won one of the Sunday morning prizes, but a sense of His presence in that loneliness - a loneliness in Joy.

I think that wasn't just for me today and so I felt I needed to share. May the Holy Spirit of God lavish you with JOY of isolation today.

- Dave Hancock

______________________________

This touched my heart. He sees you. He knows you.

And, He is working through US to speak to the individual heart. How amazing is our God who teaches us to lay down our selves but also speaks to each one of us personally?

We are TOGETHER this Christmas because we are IN CHRIST. Indeed, there is so much reason for joy.

Would you invite someone to join you for our Christmas Eve service? It's all online so you won't break any by-laws! Just click the "Together at Christmas" graphic below.

Do you know someone who will be joining us for Christmas Eve and would like our Christmas Eve service package? We would be delighted to get one to them. Just let us know!

Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

THE GIFT
Gold (A King Like No Other)

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Or, REGISTER TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AT THE CHURCH.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Together at Christmas (more Christmas at Freedom)

It's happening! Our online Christmas Eve service is coming together and we're excited about the opportunity to not be limited by room capacity or registration forms but to be able to extend the invitation to hear the good news about Jesus this Christmas to absolutely everyone.

Here's your assignment for the week. Check out our website with all the details about our Christmas Eve service and decide who you can invite. There is even a simple inviter tool right there on the page. So easy!

But wait, there's more! If you are on our regular mailing list (as in, you get this email), we are working on a special package that we will deliver to you before Christmas Eve so that we can be as together as possible while we're apart this year. It has a lot of nice things in it but our favourite is that we're sending you candles that you can light with us during the service... the same ones we use when we're in person. Yeah!

If you are wondering if you really are on the list or if you've invited someone who would also like a package from us, just reply to this email and let us know. We're making a list... and checking it twice... we'll bring you a package no matter how naughty or nice you've been. :)

The Christmas Eve page on our website has lots of information, including what to do if you aren't on/don't like Facebook. Be sure to check it out!

Lastly, I'm asking that you'll pray with me that we'll have a Christmas with lots of impact for Jesus. Pray for Rob and our tech team that they will have much success in putting the service together. Pray that the Holy Spirit would begin to soften hearts to respond to the message of the gospel. Pray that you would have the courage to invite others and talk to other about Christ this whole season long.

It's going to be a very merry Christmas indeed!
Pastor Tracy

It's not too late... join us for our ADVENT READING PLAN on YOUVERSION.

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This Sunday

THE GIFT
Myrrh (It’s Hard to Believe)

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Or, REGISTER TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AT THE CHURCH.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Christmas At Freedom... And How You Can Participate (together at home!)

Go ahead and watch the video above and here are all the links you need!

CHRISTMAS EVE: Watch our socials and your email for shareable invitations to our Facebook Live Service on Christmas Eve at 7:00pm. You don't need a Facebook account to watch. Just go to our page without logging in: CLICK HERE

ADVENT READING PLAN on YOUVERSION: CLICK HERE

Looking forward to celebrating with you,
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

THE GIFT
Frankincense (No One Understands Me)

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Or, REGISTER TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AT THE CHURCH.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Finding Out WHUT the Bible Says (and prizes to boot!)

On Sunday we started part three of our Bible Says Whut? series. It's all about digging into difficult or neglected parts of scripture and building up skills and confidence to study the Bible for ourselves. It is always so much fun for me to prepare for these messages!

This time around we're going to add some incentive to dig deeper into the Bible. We've created age-specific challenges that will encourage good habits in the Word and also make you eligible to win a sparkly new study Bible of your very own. (Don't count yourself out if you already have a Bible that you love because if you win you could give the best gift ever to someone that you care about!)

Here's the challenges for each age group in our church family...

JK - Grade 2: Learn & recite the books in the New Testament in order.
Grade 3 - 6: Learn & recite the books of the Old and New Testament in order.
Miss Margaret will be sending some more information for our kids so check your inbox.

Grade 7 - 8: Take notes in four sermons in the month of March (Friday or Sunday).
Grade 9 - 12: Complete the YouVersion reading plan assigned by Pastor.
Pastor will be talking to the youth about this so listen and watch for that.

Adults: Complete a 28-day streak in the YouVersion app.
Read whatever you want, just be sure the "streak" on your home page reaches 28.

We'll have some stations set up on 5th Sunday, March 29 when you come to church so that you can show your work and enter your name to win one of the Bible prizes.

Um, yeah. This is going to be fun. I. Can't. Wait.

And, of course, 5th Sunday is going to be themed around how amazing the Word of God is and we're planning a great service and potluck that you won't want to miss. Yeah!

In the Word with you,
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

The Bible Says Whut? Part 3
Jude

Join us this Sunday at 10am as Pastor Tracy continues our series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Pray Until You Pray (another great YouVersion plan)

“We should seek to pray long enough and authentically enough that we move past formalism and unreality and begin to delight in God’s presence and esteem His will.”

I've been switching up my devotional time over the summer and discovering some great reading plans in YouVersion. I loved this one because of how it combined prayer and scripture, helping me gain insight into both while I worked through it. Spoiler: On Day 1 the above quote appears, without much ado, but it stuck with me. You never know what the Holy Spirit might have in store for you when you step into His Word and presence day by day. So go ahead and subscribe to this plan (or any other one!) and use these beautiful summer days to build a new rhythm into your life. And for all of you who are already into plans like these, consider this a recommendation for what's next. 🙌

In Christ,
Pastor Tracy

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This Sunday

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things
"Are You Persuaded”

Join us on Sunday at 10am as our Pastor Erin continues our summer series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.