​Good morning!  Thanks for all the positive feedback I received after our service on Sunday.  I’m glad people liked the series graphic that went up and also the message. While I’d prefer everyone was there with me I’m SO glad we can still connect through our livestream.
I’m finishing my thoughts today on putting some resolve in New Years resolutions. Thursday I will be returning to the theme of hope and some reasons why we can have hope in 2021 no matter how long our lockdown goes.
 
 
Staying Connected
With us unable to meet together in large groups again, and especially on Sunday mornings, I’ve become aware that there are some again who may be struggling with isolation.   There are a number in our church family who don’t have internet or smart phones so they’re not getting this update or tuning in to our services.
We’d like to be able to help.
For those not able to see the service due to a lack of internet, we can make burned DVD copies of the Sunday service available for those who have a player.  This is where you come in! If you know someone who fits into this category, can you reach out to them please and let them know we can do this during the lockdown?
Also, for those who are single and live alone, another reminder is you are allowed to connect with another person or family during the lockdown.  Wouldn’t it be great if those in that category perhaps had someone ‘adopt’ them so they could get together on Sunday and watch our service livestream together? Let’s seek creative ways to stay connected!
 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Join Jacob and Karen Ginter for a time of prayer on Wednesday afternoons at 3pm here at GBC in the Side Auditorium.
For questions or further details please contact Jacob at– jginter@guelphprays.com or text 519-803-4453
 
 
Thought for the day: A different way of looking at rest
Last time on this issue and time to move fully into the New Year. But before that, I want to finish with this one:
4. Rest
New Year’s should be a time to rest. First, we rest in the reality of our identity in Jesus. We may have failed to meet our heady goals in 2020 due to Covid or some other reason but Jesus still loves us, despite our failures, unchecked boxes, and disappointment at the scale. The gospel tells us that he loves us in the midst of these.
It’s not the voice of your Savior, but the whisper of the enemy that says you have less worth because you blew your resolutions. A “more successful 2021” will not make Jesus love you any more. He’s the one, after all, who calls broken sinners and empowers them for his mission. Failed apostles, former persecutors, recovering Pharisees—his church is full of them. 
Second, we should plan to physically rest. We don’t often do this on New Year’s. We plan to work and hustle. But do we schedule time to reflect and acknowledge our need for sleep and leisure? Rest isn’t a sign of laziness or weakness; it’s a sign of spiritual strength and confidence that when we close our eyes, our lives are in the grip of a sovereign God. To sleep is to say that we’re not God and that the world can go on without us. This is something I’m trying a lot harder to get better at!
So, as we make our plans, let’s remember that even in our failures, we serve the one who remembers our frame and knows we are dust at is says in Psalm 103. We make plans, but we hold them lightly. We entrust our future, not to our Apple Watch or Google Calendar or a reading list, but to the King who holds the world in his hands.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week. I’m generally not a big hockey fan (I know, how un-Canadian of me!) but I have to say it was great to see the NHL kick off their season. To me, it’s a little bit of normal which I’m glad to see. Plus, I’m very interested in the new all-Canadian division.  Who knows, I might even start to follow it again as a result.  There’s lots of things changing but not all change is bad I remind myself since I’m a guy who typically HATES change. I guess it depends on how you look at it.
 
 
Join us on Sunday!
Join us on our livestream on Sunday as I continue our new series for the winter called “I AM: Jesus in his own words”.  This Sunday we’ll be looking at Jesus statement: “I AM the light of the world.”  What did he mean then and how does that apply to us today in 2021?  Find our Sunday!
 
As a reminder, our services are now livestreamed only in respect to the province’s current lockdown order.  Please tune in either on Facebook Live or through our website
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  or now on our YouTube channel!
I hope to ‘see’ you on Sunday!
 
 
Update from the elders
I’ve had a number of people ask me already what the Ontario government’s new ‘stay-at-home’ order means and it’s a great question!  We elders have discussed this.  As we see it, we affirm the premier's order and the importance of doing our part but also we see our core functions as a church continuing on unchanged.  When you read the actual order as published by the government and not get caught up in the media or commentary on social media, there’s no real change for activities and gatherings that would be considered “religious” in nature. I’d say I appreciate the government trying to strike a balance here and we will seek to be respectful of the degree of freedom we’ve been given and would encourage all of you to take the same approach.  What this means is we don’t see this changing our gatherings or services; we do see that the premier and government's stay-at-home order as important to heed generally as an indication of the seriousness of the situation.   I hope that clarifies. I’d encourage you to pray for wisdom for all of us as we navigate these tricky times.  
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Renewal for a new year
So, here’s the third thought, or tip, I’d like to share about finding resolve to carry on through the year:
3. Renew
New Year’s should not just be a time of looking forward, it also should be a time of renewing old commitments, like marriage, family, and church. Before we begin grand plans to lose weight or develop a new skill—good creational goals—let’s begin by renewing the core commitments we already have.
Our most vital work is what we do within the walls of our homes—loving our spouses or our parents and raising our children or co-operating with siblings.  This creates an atmosphere of godliness and grace. We live out the gospel best when we live it out in the daily rhythms of repentance and forgiveness with loved ones. We must reject the lie that says success requires abandoning family commitments.
We should also renew ourselves to the faithful body life of our church. This is not a shameless plug for GBC (no, really!).  The local church is the center of God’s mission in the world, where we gather in community to declare Christ’s kingship each week, and where we work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12) with brothers and sisters in Jesus.  Do you need to get more closely connected with your church family? There’s lots of ways, even during Covid. Not sure how?  Get in touch with me and I’d love to help you.
Commitments to marriage, family, and church don’t always look or feel significant. But faithfulness in these core things over a long period is a radical, countercultural life. They form the habits of a disciple and show the world what it looks like to be a Christian. Renew your relationships, commit to them, and life will be more than bearable, it’ll become joyful.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris 

​Good morning!  The distraction, hype and everything else that goes along with the Christmas season and the New Year is now behind us and we settle into the grind of January. So now what?   We need to look to the opportunities we have to grow as disciples of Jesus through our (hopefully!) daily spiritual practices, our chances to give in a variety of ways, and also to allow the light of Jesus to flow in us and flow through us. There’s a lot of discouragement out there these days, who can you be a bright and shining light to?  Pick up the phone, send a text or email and bring the light of Jesus on this dull and dreary day!
 
 
Care Ministry Update
As the lockdown continues and we await an update from the government it’s easy to forget that some are still struggling right now. We need to continue to be praying for “spiritual cover” at this critical time. Temptations come roaring at us of all kinds and we need to turn to God, prayer and the scriptures.
 
Still struggling?  There is help!
 
Please remember that if you are struggling or having trouble coping please do not hesitate to reach out to me, any of the Elders or Helen Martini who heads up our Care Ministry.
 
Here are some government-sponsored options of where to find help:

• Children and youth under 18 can locate mental health services through the Ontario.ca and Kids Help Phone websites, or contact Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) for 24/7 support, if they need someone to talk to.
• Good2Talk is a free, confidential mental health support service providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to postsecondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365. Learn more at www.good2talk.ca[RR(3] .
• To access BounceBack and their guided self-help program using workbooks with phone coaching support, visit bouncebackontario.ca or ask your primary care provider for a referral.
• For Ontarians currently receiving mental health and addictions services and supports, please contact your current service provider to learn about potential virtual care options.

 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Join Jacob and Karen Ginter for a time of prayer on Wednesday afternoons at 3pm here at GBC in the Side Auditorium.
For questions or further details please contact Jacob at– jginter@guelphprays.com or text 519-803-4453
 
 
Thought for the day: Repent…it has an impact you might not expect!
You may recall, last week I started looking at some ways to put more ‘resolution’ into our journey in 2021.  Resolution only means to resolve, or be purposeful about what you do.   Here is the second ‘tip’ or thought on how to do that.
2. Repent
I think the first one, ‘remember’, is probably a lot easier than this one because it really does call for a choice, and often some form of loss.  Our worship of God for his faithfulness, grace and majesty should lead us to repentance. His goodness breaks us in fresh ways as our sin is exposed by the light of his glory. But this isn’t a morbidly introspective, navel-gazing exercise. To repent is to rejoice. Have you ever thought of it that way?  We have the opportunity to CLAIM the promise of 1 John 1:9-if we confess our sins God is faithful and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Why?
Because we know our forgiveness has already been purchased at the cross.
Beginning the new year with repentance is to draw closer to Jesus, to appropriate the fresh grace that is ours in him. This is why confession always brings relief and joy. It’s the gateway to greater intimacy with God.
How can we begin new plans and journeys in 2021 without first allowing his light to penetrate the darkness of our hearts and to reveal areas in need of growth? How can we start working, grinding and dreaming without first renewing our joy in the One who directs our steps?  It’s a great way to start the day, the week, the month and yes, the year!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good afternoon!  Isn’t it great to see the sunshine! The weather has been so nice lately. I hope you’re taking advantage of it to get out and go for a walk, a hike or even a run.  Fresh air and physical activity is pretty key to maintaining balance in life.  I hope you will seize the opportunity!
 
 
Join us on Sunday
Join us on our livestream on Sunday as I begin our new series for the winter called “I AM: Jesus in his own words”.  I’ll be looking at some of the ways Jesus described himself in the Gospel of John.  These reveal some amazing things that I think will be a great encouragement for us in these dark days.
 
As a reminder, our services are now livestreamed only in respect to the province’s current lockdown order.  Please tune in either on Facebook Live or through our website
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  or now on our YouTube channel!
I hope to ‘see’ you on Sunday!
 
 
GBC YouTube Channel
As I mentioned on Tuesday, we have our own YouTube channel now.
We continue to look for ways to kept you connected and also use media to share the gospel so this was a natural next step.
We will be livestreaming our services on this channel as well as Facebook plus also using this for our videos like those from Oasis Camp. There’s already a lot of content there so why not take a look?
Better yet, why not subscribe to the channel and share with your friends.
You can find our channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGBCFilms/videos
 
 
Thought for the day:  Remember
As I mentioned on Tuesday, I’m going to be looking at some ways to put more ‘resolution’ into our journey in 2021.  Resolution only means to resolve, or be purposeful about what you do.   Here is the first ‘tip’ or thought on how to do that.
1. Remember
We read in Ecclesiastes: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”  In January, the year is young and the opportunities seem fresh. So many productivity gurus preach a gospel of self-empowerment, but as gospel people, we know the fragility of human life. We know every breath is a miracle, a gift given to us by God, our Creator.  Let’s remember to live life to its fullest then.
I love the words of the old hymn ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’:
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
In a broken and fallen world, creation itself reminds of God’s great faithfulness. Another great thing to remember! Every new season is a testimony, it’s a signpost, to grace. So the proper response to the past year, whether good or bad, is not “I made it through” or “Look what I achieved.” It is instead “thank you, Lord.”  Remember that and your whole outlook on many things will change!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning!  I LOVE Christmas and love the break but I also LOVE getting back to things.   I think this year more than ever I’ve been eager to get back at it and I think the current lockdown has made it even more so.  We have the unique challenge and opportunity this month and this year to provide a clear message and place of HOPE to the world around us. How can I not be excited about that?!?  Last year had some amazing elements to it despite Covid and I think this year is going to be even more exciting…..do you get the sense I’m excited??
 
 
GBC YouTube Channel
As we continue to look for ways to kept you connected and also use media to share the gospel we’ve added a YouTube channel to what we have available.
We will be livestreaming our services on this channel as well as Facebook plus also using this for our videos like those from Oasis Camp. There’s already a lot of content there so why not take a look?
Better yet, why not subscribe to the channel and share with your friends.
You can find our channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGBCFilms/videos
 
Reminder-GBC Small Groups Starting up this week!
As I mentioned last week, our small groups are starting up again.   This is an excellent way to grow your relationships at church, enrich your spiritual life, and enjoy community! There are groups meeting online and in person even during the lockdown. Small Group topics, meeting times (and start dates) are available here on our website
 
 
Thought for the day:  New Year’s Resolutions
And so we have begun a brand new year. Last year turned out quite different than I’d expected. It had a mix of joys and sorrows, goals met and goals missed, opportunities and losses, Covid and everything else, but now it’s behind us.  For many, New Year’s is just another holiday. For others like me it’s a time of deep reflection, both on the past year and on the one ahead.
 
For followers of Jesus, New Year’s has no unique significance. There’s no central biblical narrative informing our celebrations.  But this doesn’t mean Christians shouldn’t pause and reflect on the turning of the calendar. Moses asked God: “Teach us to number our days, so we may get a heart of wisdom”.  Time—seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, is a gift to us from a good God. To wisely follow him, then, is to redeem our time.
 
New Year’s can also remind us of the opportunity for new life.  Each day with Jesus is a chance to turn the page on an old way of life and embrace a new one. We are, after all, new creation people, and we serve a King who renews us daily by the Holy Spirit.
Setting goals for a new year are an important sign that we’re intentional about glorifying God in our callings whether that is at work or in school, at home or at church.
Before we write out our goals, we should begin in the heart. The temptation for Christians is to make our plans and add a splash of Jesus on top, rather than allowing him to form in us the desires and motivations to do his work.
 
Whether or not we’re making concrete goals or more abstract ones, whether you’re writing down resolutions or foregoing them altogether, over the next four updates I’m going to share some steps we can take, as we move triumphantly through 2021, to draw closer to Jesus.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris