​Good morning! I hope you’re making this a great week.  Yesterday was Bell “Let’s Talk” Day, one that brings focus to the importance of mental health.  I know this can be a difficult time of the year and SAD can creep in, plus the ongoing struggles with Covid don’t help either. So, if you find yourself struggling and need or want to talk to someone, please let me know. I’ve had the opportunity over the past couple of weeks to walk with some people who are struggling so you’re not alone. Let’s talk!
 
 
Ways to stay connected to us!
I’m glad we have the opportunity to connect weekly like this but there are other ways to be linked to GBC.
Our website is a place that has information about what’s going on, ministry connections and other useful things.  It also has back copies of this update if you’d like to re-read something or missed one.  Check it out here if you haven’t lately:
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca
In addition, our YouTube channel has our Sunday services available to watch on demand as well as some other videos like our Oasis Camp highlights.  Again, if you’ve missed a service, or you’d like to go back and review a message that had an impact on you, this is the place to do it.  You can find it here:
Guelph Bible Chapel - YouTube
 
 
Ministry Opportunity: Social Media Coordinator
Are you creative?  Do you enjoy social media? Looking for a way to serve at GBC?  We’re looking for a social media coordinator who will be in charge of reaching our community and encouraging the GBC family through our social media channels.  We have both a Facebook and Instagram page that have tremendous potential to reach people with the Good News of the gospel.  If this is of interest to you, or you have questions about what this ministry opportunity would look like, please let me know.
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at a church in motion
This Sunday at 11am we finish our series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  Patrick will be looking at Paul’s incredible journey to Rome. This could be made into a movie!  It’s another fascinating story that again has a lot of relevance for us today.  Come out and see for yourself.
Remember, you can join us as we gather in-person or you can connect through our website www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the day:  God always treats us with mercy.
Tuesday I shared some thoughts on how God seeks a relationship with us and I hope that was an encouragement.  During it I shared a verse from Peter’s first letter to the early church. In that letter Peter goes on to write: “All honor to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God’s own family”. In his mercy….did you catch that?  The more I understand grace the more it amazes me. It’s completely undeserved and unmerited, yes, and it’s based on the spirit of mercy that is part of God’s character.

This truth should give us hope even when we blow it (and you will at some point in 2022 if you haven’t already; I know I have!), when we fail, God doesn’t get mad at us. He always acts with mercy toward us. Why? As a follower of Jesus, you’re covered in his blood and salvation. That’s the truth and hope we have in the cross- that his mercy extends to us even though we deserve his wrath.  No matter what’s in store for you, you can rest completely in that truth.  May that give you hope on a cold, overcast Thursday!
 
In His grip,
Chris

​Good afternoon!  We had a great kickoff of Oasis@Midweek for 2022 last night.  We had a big crowd and a lot of enthusiasm.  Someone even invited a bunch of friends. Thanks to those of you who were praying for this gathering that is part of our kid’s ministry!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at a church in motion
This Sunday at 11am we continue our series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  I will be looking at Paul’s NEXT trial before civil authorities and the results as we start to wind down.  It’s another fascinating story that again has a LOT of relevance for us today.  Come out and see for yourself!
Remember, you can join us as we gather in-person or you can connect through our website www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the day:  Some Reasons to Have Hope in 2022
One of my favorite scenes from the Lord of The Rings movies is where a young boy who is being pressed into battle says to the hero Aragorn: “They say it is hopeless”.  He replies: “there is always hope!”
Is there hope for 2022?
There is always hope!                    
It’s a critical question, particularly as we fully enter into this new year. We live in a broken world, a truth that 2021 reminded us of often. Just about everyone had their lives shook up in some way throughout this difficult year that saw not just the trouble of Covid continue but political and economic strife.  I suspect we all struggled with hopelessness at various points of the year. I know I did.  Probably some of you are struggling with this right now because so many are enduring challenges we’ve never faced before.  
That’s why the question, “Is there hope?” is so important for 2022.
As we face the challenges and joys of the year ahead, I’ll be sharing with you over the next few weeks some unshakable truths that anchor our hope as Christians. This year, no matter what you’re facing, remind yourself and any who will listen of the truth we read in 1 Peter 1- In his great mercy God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
There is always hope!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris
 

Good morning! Quite the snowstorm, huh?  I’ve not seen this much in a long time. Just a reminder of how unpredictable life can be. I’m glad we have the stability of God in crazy times like this!
 
 
Oasis@Midweek Wednesday
Our popular mid-week kid’s ministry Oasis@Midweek starts tomorrow. We had a delayed start due to some Covid issues but we’re all good now.  We’ll have two in a row to kick the year off then go back to our regular schedule of the 2nd and last Wednesdays of the month in February.
 
 
Thought for the day: A different way of looking at rest
I’ve been looking at the idea of finding resolve in our lives the last couple of updates.  This one is not always evident in something that seems to be action oriented:
 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 goals in 2021 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 2022” 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 (I know I do!). But do we schedule time to reflect and acknowledge our need for sleep and leisure? This is a message for me first, and the rest of you second!  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 afternoon. I hope you’re making this a great week.  We’re now adjusting to the new Covid measures but thankfully the government did not implement any changes for churches so for us at least things are relatively the same.  Pray for our government and medical officials as well as those working in hospitals and care facilities as they navigate this next wave of Covid.
 
 
Saturday Night Supper Service Opportunity
GBC's next opportunity to participate in the Saturday Night Supper at Royal City Mission is coming up quickly - January 15! If you are interested in preparing/dropping off a food item or making a donation to this important ministry, please reach out to Carroll Chapman at [email protected] or 519-831-9184. We still need lots of volunteers to participate in this meal, so if this is a ministry you've been curious about it's a great time to get involved.
 
 
Care Ministry opportunity to serve: Meals on Wheel’s
Those who are on the prayer chain will be aware of some of the recent health difficulties faced by June Bartels and Nancy Momberger.  Well, we have the opportunity to bless the Bartel and Momberger families with some meals this week and next as they each go through difficult times.. For more details and to sign up to bring a meal to one or both of these families please click the following:
For the Bartels:
https://takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=IZZK4984&welcome=1
 
For the Mombergers:
https://www.TakeThemAMeal.com/ETCG9847
 
What a tangible way to show God’s love to members of our church family!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at a church in motion
This Sunday at 11am we continue to wrap up our fall series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  Jacob will be continuing where he left of last week. In addition, we’ll also be having several baptisms which is always a highlight. It should be a great morning. I hope you’re part of it.
Remember, you can join us as we gather in-person or you can connect through our website www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
 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 2022.  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.
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 us of God’s great faithfulness. 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 “Thank you, Lord.”  Remember that and your whole attitude will change!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning! I hope you had a blessed Christmas and happy New Year. Now we’re into 2022!  I’ll be sharing some thoughts over the next few weeks on putting the resolve into resolutions. With the recent government covid announcement this may seem harder but now is more than ever.
 
 
Prayer during our time of transition
Our latest prayer update is attached.  This will help you pray thoughtfully through our time of transition this year. Let’s lift this up to the Lord!
 
 
Upcoming Precept Bible Study Opportunity
1 CORINTHIANS - OVERCOMING DIVISIONS AND DIFFICULTIES IN THE BODY OF CHRIST   …an on-line inductive Bible study using the Zoom format
 
Our next Precept Bible study groups starts this month! Here’s an outline of the study:
Why are there so many divisions in the church? Why does the church sometimes tolerate sin? Are you experiencing any of the same problems that the Corinthians did in your own relationships or in your church? If you have similar questions, this study is an important resource. Learn how to pray by knowing God’s mind and will on divisions. What does God say about marriage, divorce, remarriage? Tongues? Prophecy? Giving? Paul addresses these issues raised by Corinthian believers.
If we determine we are going to live according to the precepts set forth in this epistle, it will not only resolve and heal much personal heartache, it will make the church a body of believers to be reckoned with!

Available Classes for the 1 Corinthian study with date of orientation - NOTE: there will be only 1 orientation
Wednesday, January 26, 9:30 a.m. ZOOM (No orientation)
Wednesday, January 26, 7:00 p.m.  ZOOM (No orientation)
Thursday, January 20, 9:30 a.m. ZOOM Orientation
For more details, or to sign up, please contact Ann Clark at: [email protected]
 
 
Thought for the day:  New Year’s Resolutions
And so we have begun a brand new year, and we’re still in the world of Covid restrictions. To be honest, 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 several updates I’m going to share some steps we can take, as we move triumphantly through 2022, to draw closer to Jesus.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris