There will be tobogganing and ice-skating (weather permitting) starting at 3p.m. If you’re not an outside sort of person, you can stay at Phil and Kitty’s for some games. At 5 p.m., we’re all gathering back at Phil & Kitty’s house for a Pot-Luck.

If you’d like directions to their home, please call the church.

We meet downstairs from 6-7 p.m. Sunday nights. Coffee and snacks are provided.

This week’s message reminds us to keep our spiritual eyes open. Like the boy with his lunch, Jesus can use us in practical ways if we are open to the possibilities.

Special guest, Wendy Cameron, who is the president of the Manna Food Bank, shared some valuable information on how we can help the hungry in our own area.

Download audio file (012912.mp3)

The scripture we read:

• Titus 2:14
• Jeremiah 31:14

Another year is dawning, slowly opening up to reveal what it has in store for us. It is a new beginning, a chance at a fresh start to live the life we feel we should be living. The trouble is that unless we have dealt with the stuff in 2011 we will be carrying its baggage with us into 2012.

Although I rarely make a New Years Resolution, I do tend to look over the past year and see the areas in my life that need improving. This is a very frustrating experience because so often I look back and see that I’ve made the same mistakes over and over again. When I could have been reading my bible, I was reading a silly romance novel. When I could have been visiting the lonely, I sat and played a game on my iPad. When I could have been sending out encouraging cards, I was scrapbooking.

I have such great intentions. I start the New Year off vowing that I will do better, but within a month I realize I haven’t done it. I really try not to fall into the same patterns as before but before you know it, I’m doing it again. As much as I make these decisions to change, nothing happens. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. At times I feel as if I am at the end of my rope and feel as if no one can help me. But there is one who can. Thanks be to my God! He sent His Son Jesus Christ to help me and He does. He acted to set things right in my life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Sound familiar? That was my personal paraphrase of Romans 7:18, 19, 24 & 25.

Paul gets it. In my mind I have all these wonderful plans to spend my days doing the good things that I know I should be doing. Then I wake up in the morning and before I know it, I’m doing everything but.

I am so thankful that Paul doesn’t leave me in the pit of despair. He gives me encouragement, words that will bolster me up, to try again: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25 NIV)!

Another year is dawning and as much as I want to change for the better, I know that I will probably screw up again. What keeps me going is this:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering and so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4 NIV)

Jeanetta van Leeuwen is a member of WSPC who lives in Bracebridge. She loves to scrapbook, journal, and enjoy life with her husband and three children.

Pastor Wendy Payne picks up the story in John 5, as Jesus continues to explain to the Pharisees who he is. Even though there is proof through the testimony of others, the miracles that have happened, and evidence in the Scriptures, they stubbornly refuse to  believe that Jesus is their Messiah.

Perhaps we can learn a lesson from the Pharisees. Do we believe wholeheartedly, without reservation, that Jesus is our Healer, Provider, Friend and Savior? This week’s message prompts us to ask ourselves if we are any different than those who doubted.

Download audio file (012212WP.mp3)

Scripture we read:

• John 5:31

The band To Tell will be performing at our church on Thursday February 2nd. Doors open at 7, and the show starts at 7:15. Call the church or email the youth leadership for tickets. Let’s pack this place!

Here’s To Tell‘s latest music video:

Devout Jews prayed morning and evening to “our God”, so introducing the idea of equality with God, infuriated the leaders. Jesus taught three elements of his relationship with his Father. They work together, they give life together and God trusts Jesus to judge. Jesus was ready for a  fight and used the opportunity to show that he worked in perfect unity with God, even though he knew it would anger his accusers.

Following Jesus isn’t about avoiding confrontation. Jesus wasn’t afraid to pick a fight. We can be just as bold when standing up for the truth because we have the Spirit of Christ in us.

Due to technical difficulties, an audio of this week’s message is not available.

The scriptures we read were:

• John 5:15-29
• Deuteronomy 6:4
• Philippians 2:5-11
• Romans 8:11

The video we watched which illustrates the Jewish prayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AaJj8py0ok

It seems that I’m busy, but not very productive. I spend a lot of time planning, organizing, and making lists, but not getting a lot done, creatively speaking. I love to create and craft in general, but by the time I have everything metally organized and have listed my ideas, the fun part is over. The thought of actually starting, stops me in my tracks. I have a collection of unfinished projects that I’ve lost interest in because I wasn’t happy with the results. I’m not lazy or unimaginative, so I’ve had to ask myself why I follow this pattern.

I’m most frustrated when I’m trying to write, and discovered that it’s because I’m trying to edit as I go. I become so concerned about getting it perfect, that I stifle my creativity and end up accomplishing very little because it’s such an effort to get it right. My parents and teachers always told me that my worst fault was that I am a perfectionist … now I’m hearing it from God so I’d better listen. Fear of failure keeps me (and you) from being productive. Does this carry over to our walk with God?

We make lists of the people we want to minister to. We organize our schedules to fit in Jesus at all the right times, reading scriptures and books on how to “do it right” but never acting of what we learn. It’s not enough to know all the words, we have to say them. It’s not enough to discern a person’s need, we have to ease their burden. What good is it to discuss a concern with a  brother or sister and never take the time to pray? Have you ever seen where a ministry in needed, know you have the gift to help, but never acted on it because you might get it wrong? We miss the opportunity to minister because we think someone else can do it better.

Phil and I have been learning some new skills and it’s humbling to stumble through your mistakes for all to see, but never trying, stagnates our lives. I don’t want fear of failure to keep me from accomplishing what God wants me to do. He’s whispering to me to let go of my fears and trust that he has equipped me with everything I need to serve him. It’s not possible to achieve perfection on our own, but giving God the opportunity to work through us, brings us closer. It’s time to start plowing and doing more in 2012 … and I’ll try not to make a list.

“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; His a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.”

2 Samuel 22:31-33 (NKJV)

Kitty Nancekievill is a member of WSPC who lives in Gravenhurst with her husband and daughter. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling and spending time with her five children and their families.

Crippled by burdens that are too heavy to bear, causes us to make poor choices. Jesus makes it clear that when we focus on Him, hope can be restored. Are we listening to despair or the Voice of Hope?

Download audio file (010812.mp3)

The scriptures we read are:

• John 5:1-15
• Leviticus 21:16-24
• Romans 5:1-5
• John 4:13-14
• Jeremiah 17:21

The Women to Women group is putting on a comedy night at the Salvation Army Church on January 19 @ 7 p.m. It will feature the very funny Heather Ashby.

This would be a great event to invite your friends and family to. Contact Pastor Wendy for more details.