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If anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things. Philippians 4:8

GBC Community Update: Trust God one day at a time

4/30/2020

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​Good afternoon everyone! It’s a rainy day and that might be reflecting your mood today but don’t despair, the sun will shine again just like this will come to pass (it’s actually going to be sunny tomorrow according to the forecast!). In the storms and rain of life we need to trust God, take it one day at a time and keep looking forward to the sunshine.


Small Group Ministry Coming!
With the official end of our 100 Days of Prayer Initiative that meant the end to the prayer groups that were meeting as well. While the leadership has received a lot of great input one of the loudest and universal findings was the desire to see some form of small group ministry continue. So, as Patrick shared on Sunday, we’ll be continuing on going forward. More details are coming but look in the next couple of weeks for the opportunity to carry on in a new format.


Join us on Sunday!
Sunday I’ll be continuing on from where Patrick began last week as we interact with 100 Days of Prayer. I’ll be looking at the idea of transitions from normal and what that means for all of us in these turbulent days.

 Afterwards, for those who can stick around, grab a coffee or drink, I’ll be available for a Q&A and prayer time.

You can tune in on our livestream that is available through our webpage 
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca
or Live on our Facebook page: guelphbiblechapel

Hope to ‘see’ you Sunday at 11am!  


A Thought for the Day: Trust God one day at a time.
With all the while noise and distraction going on its easy to forget that we can steal our future by bringing its worries into today. Jesus said it this way, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”. You have enough on your plate today. Don’t add anything else to it!

It’s okay to plan for tomorrow. Right now, we’re going through one of the most unique experiences in history. While we may make plans, we can prepare for tomorrow without living in tomorrow. You can only live in today. Don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by "what could" and "what if's". Take things one day at a time.

God is constantly testing how much we trust him. God wants us to decide whether he really holds first place in our lives. We need to be clear about this and then, through the Spirit, we can deal with today.  This unique period of history is one of the biggest tests we’ll ever face when it comes to trusting God. God has promised to care for us. He will meet our needs.  Will we trust him?  I'm praying for you all!


In His grip,
Pastor Chris
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Finding Hope in God's Goodness

4/29/2020

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​Before I move away from my thoughts on the hope we find in Easter, I wanted to talk more generally about the hope we can find in God’s goodness.  For many around the world today, the last few months have been full of stress. You’ve probably experienced it as well.
 
On the surface, it’s easy to think your stress centers on whether you or someone you care about gets COVID-19 or on the growing economic challenges surrounding the pandemic.  But those aren’t the real reasons stress has skyrocketed lately. It’s because we have forgotten how good God is.
 
Anticipating God’s goodness is the foundation of all hope. We can’t have hope unless we believe God is good—and will be good in the future.
 
If God isn’t good, we have no rational, logical reason for hope.
 
One of the Bible’s most famous verses reminds us: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
 
We serve a good God who has only good plans for our lives, even in the middle of this pandemic.
 
Psalm 23 reminds us of a number of different benefits of God’s goodness—reasons why people can have hope no matter what is happening with COVID.
 
The first is, God will meet your needs when you’re worried. David wrote: “The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack”. Because God is good, you don’t need to worry about any of your needs, he’ll meet them for you.
 
A key one for many is the reminder God will teach you to relax when you’re stressed out.  The second verse of Psalm 23 reminds us.  “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters”.  Doesn’t that sound peaceful? God will lead you to a place of peace. He’ll teach you how to relax when you’re stressed.
 
Feeling empty right now?  Ready to give up?  God will replenish your strength when you’re empty!  Our Psalm goes on further to say “He refreshes my soul”. In the midst of this pandemic, many are completely out of gas and have been running on fumes these last few weeks since Easter. God promises to give you the resilience you need for any trouble you encounter today or tomorrow.
 
And finally, God will guide you when you’re confused!  David writes, “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake”. Indecision is stressful, but God promises to guide you. You don’t need to worry about tomorrow’s challenges because God will help you with whatever you face.
 
There are a lot more examples of God’s goodness in this Psalm. I’d encourage you to study them today and look to God’s promises to sustain you in these turbulent times.  Many are trying to find hope in things like their careers, their relationships, or their savings accounts. Sadly, we’re finding how fragile much of what we put hope in before is.  Look to the goodness of God and you’ll experience something that gives a lasting and sustainable hope.

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GBC Community Update: Give God Control!

4/28/2020

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​Good morning.  We’re now finished our 100 Days of Prayer journey. Little did we know where we’d be when we started. Still, God did and God was moving throughout it. We’ll be looking at some of the revelation that’s come out over the next couple of Sundays and some of where we’ll be heading going forward.  Thank you to all who participated, prayed and shared your thoughts through the various questions we grappled with. God is moving and we have exciting days ahead!
 
 
Help youth with Surge “Thank You” Project
Our youth ministry is letting their light shine through the Surge outreach program.  We are going to be baking treats for the staff at Norfolk Manor long term care facility.  This is a home we have visited regularly over the years and has been hard hit by the Corona Virus with numerous deaths and sickness. We want to bless the front-line workers there with baked goods. If you would like to participate along with our youth please contact Jennifer for further details at jen.timm68@gmail.com or 519-742-3882
 
 
Another electronic way to give to GBC!
We are now in the position to receive Interac E-Transfers for tithes and offerings.  Simply set up Guelph Bible Chapel as the recipient, select the amount of your donation and then send it to: 
info@guelphbiblechapel.ca
Please put in the message box the name of the person the donation should be in for receipting purposes and then send an email or call the office to let us know what the answer to the security question is.
Thank you for your continued financial support of Guelph Bible Chapel.
 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Jacob and Karen Ginter host a weekly prayer gathering on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm. Join them as they pray through scripture for this current situation and for all of us.  You can connect through Zoom or by phone.   Here are the details:
GBC Wednesday Night Prayer
Time: 7-8pm
 Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/923156764
 Meeting ID: 923 156 764
 To join by phone…
Dial  +1 647 374 4685 Canada and then enter Meeting ID
 
 
A thought for the day: Give Jesus control over every area of your life.
Worry isn’t just a Covid-thing.  Worry happens all the time. It can be like a warning light on your car- letting you know of a potential problem. Is there an area you haven’t fully given over to God?  When you love something more than God, it becomes a source of stress and anxiety in your life. Even good things—like our marriages, our children, and our careers—can become sources of worry if we give them first place in our lives. When anything becomes an idol in our lives, it creates insecurity and worry. Give God control over your life and you’ll worry melt away.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris
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GBC Community Update: Relax and give God your worries!

4/23/2020

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​Good afternoon.  We see a bit of a flicker of light as the government tells us the infection rate is steadying but there is no information on when the lockdown will loosen. I'm not sure about you, but the novelty of this whole thing is wearing a bit thin. So what do we do when we can't have normal? We find a new normal in each day. Jesus told us that we shouldn't stress about the days ahead but find joy in the day we have. It's there if you look for it!


Join us on Sunday!
Before I begin my next series of finding joy in the storm we want to take a couple of Sundays as we complete GBC’s 100 Days of Prayer initiative to consider what we’ve learned through this and where we’re heading going forward. 
God is moving and we want to be where he is.  So join Patrick on Sunday as he explores God’s call on the church.
 Afterwards, for those who can stick around, grab a coffee or drink, he’ll be available for a Q&A and prayer time.

You can tune in on our livestream that is available through our webpage 
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca
or Live on our Facebook page: guelphbiblechapel

Hope to ‘see’ you Sunday at 11am!  


Youth Ministry Update:
I thought you might like to have an update on what’s going on with our youth ministry.  Most of you likely know we’re meeting virtually twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  We have a strong group of teens who join in for some music, a lesson related to the times and a game that Jennifer leads finishing with a time of prayer. It’s a lot of fun and gives many of our students something to look forward too.  We have a number of our community kids tune in which is great. Best of all we’ve even had one new youth join us, a girl invited by one of our community kids.
God is moving despite us not being able to meet physically!


A thought for the day: Relax and give God your worries in prayer.
I’ve talked before about counting our blessings. In times like these, you must continually remind yourself of all God has done in your life.  But I also think it’s important to count your worries. Often, we just have a general sense of anxiety, but we don’t know what’s causing it. Before you can give God your worries, you need to have a clear idea of what they are. Think about it and write them down.  I mean that literally, by the way.  Once you’ve written them down, you can hand them over to God in prayer. Peter wrote this in his first letter to the early church: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you”.   You weren’t designed to carry your worries. It’s unnatural. God is big enough and strong enough to handle all your worries, bring him into the picture.  Have a great weekend!

In His grip,
Pastor Chris
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GBC Community Update: God's at work!

4/21/2020

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​Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week.  The Bible reminds us in Psalm 84 that blessed are those whose strength is in God.  If you’re feeling weak right now, find your strength in him!  If you’re finding that hard these days don’t do this alone.  Get in touch with me, a friend or even your friendly GBC phone caller. God will never leave you or abandon you and neither will we!
 
 
Outreach: Reaching the neighborhood with TP
While we may be locked down that doesn’t mean that the Gospel can’t go out in creative ways. Jennifer had the idea to give rolls of toilet paper out in the neighborhood around the church. So, she enlisted some people with a creative flare to design and produce an encouraging label with some information on GBC to put on rolls of surplus wrapped TP we had at the church. Then she and several others distributed them last week.
The response was better than expected!
Several people came to the door to thank them for the gesture and several conversations were started.  I received an email from a neighbor thanking us.  That’s a great example of letting our lights shine. God is moving!
 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Jacob and Karen Ginter host a weekly prayer gathering on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm. Join them as they pray through scripture for this current situation and for all of us.  You can connect through Zoom or by phone.   Here are the details:
GBC Wednesday Night Prayer
Time: 7-8pm
 Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/923156764
 Meeting ID: 923 156 764
 To join by phone…
Dial  +1 647 374 4685 Canada and then enter Meeting ID
 
 
A thought for the day: God’s at work!
There are a lot of people who are wondering where God is in all this and if he’s as powerful as we at GBC say he is.  If he’s so powerful, some say, why doesn’t he just sweep Covid aside?  This question really speaks to the wonder of God's sovereignty. Working behind the scenes, He is moving and pushing and rearranging events and changing minds until He brings out of even this terrible situation a decision that will set His perfect plan in place. We see this throughout the Bible.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that God’s asleep right now, is out of touch or lacking power.  He’s not sitting in heaven wringing His hands when it comes to what’s going on. Mark it down in permanent ink: God is always at work. But His ways are so different from ours, we quickly jump to wrong conclusions and so can either react rashly or get paralyzed in panic. Know this: God holds the future in His omnipotent hands. He’s moving. He’s working out his plan right now.  So you can rest assured.
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GBC Community Update: A new normal?

4/16/2020

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​Good afternoon!  The number of cases of Corona Virus seem to be levelling off and may even be starting to drop; that’s good.  The government in Ontario has decided to continue our lockdown for another month, that’s not so good.   I know that can be discouraging so may we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  A lot of things these days that come at us are a surprise.  Know who’s not surprised? God.  Psalm 139 reminds us: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  So let’s remember who’s in charge and may we be guided by his word and led by the Holy Spirit. God’s got this and will see us through.
 
 
Join us on Sunday!
Sunday I will be wrapping up my series on the “Hope of Easter”. I hope (no pun intended) that it’s been as encouraging for you as it is has been for me.  I’ll be speaking on finding hope AFTER Easter and will be looking at the idea of change. Afterwards, for those who can stick around, grab a coffee or drink, and join me for a Q&A and prayer time.
 
You can tune in on our livestream that is available through our webpage
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca
or Live on our Facebook page: guelphbiblechapel
 
Hope to ‘see’ you Sunday at 11am! 
 
Care Ministry Update
Follow up on Helen’s thoughts and resources from Tuesday:
Here’s some more timely thoughts from Helen:  “We also need to be praying for “spiritual cover” at this critical time, as we realistically think about the potential spiritual sins that can accompany being stressed, house-bound for hours on end, potentially bored, with the vast internet at our fingertips (young and old). I am thinking of no-one specific; perhaps known people-at-risk, but also those we deem to be okay- both GBC members and their extended families. The following temptations could be exacerbated at this time:  on-line bullying, alcohol or drug addictions; online pornography or cybersex; on-line gambling; and domestic violence. Many are vulnerable, and we need to “be on the alert… our enemy, the devil, prowls around… seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8).”
 
Please remember that if you are struggling with any of the above, please do not hesitate to reach out and bring your concerns to Pastor Chris, any of the Elders or myself.
 
Helen has added a recent list of 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.
 
 
A thought for the day: A New Normal
Jacob shared an article with the elders and I which had some great points in it I wanted to share.  As a creature of habit, I like my routine and my ‘normal’, but normal is not likely to return. Is that such a bad thing? Here are some ‘upsides’ of this pandemic from the article and chance we have for a shift in attitude and actions:
-What if this crisis is a divine disruption that allows us to rethink ourselves, to rethink our lives, to reconsider our habits?
-What if this crisis is a divine opportunity to reflect on what matters most and to order our lives accordingly?
-What if we now have the opportunity to make different decisions—to prayerfully discern how to create and cultivate a new and better normal on the other side of this crisis?
-What if we now have the chance to reset our expectations, to refocus our attention on what matters most, and to recommit to the people we’re called to love and serve?
This doesn’t seem so bad in this light, does it. Maybe its time we embrace the opportunity for a new normal!
 
Make this a great day!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris
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GBC Community Update: God wants to use our church!

4/14/2020

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​Good morning!  Wasn’t Easter weekend just BLESSED?  I know, many of our plans and things we like to do were disrupted, I know mine were. Yet despite all this, the message of the cross and the empty tomb BLASTS through all of this. I think in many ways it was more relevant and encouraging to me than it’s been in years. God is good, lets praise him!
Speaking of encouraging, it was great to see more and more people starting to connect with us through our livestream. We’re starting to see non-GBC people joining us and one even sent a donation!  Also, I’ve been VERY encouraged by those of you who’ve responded with financial gifts to help us continue.  We’ve been able to meet our budget needs so far thanks to all of you.  Did I say God is GOOD??  
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m pretty excited about what God is doing in and through Covid.  I’d encourage all of us to continue to pray the message of God’s love, hope and Good News goes out!


Care Ministry Update
While I may be excited by how God is moving through this I’m also aware a LOT of people are struggling right now with anxiety, fear and depression. This is a very real problem. Helen Martini has shared some thoughts and resource which I’ll be sharing with you over the next couple of updates. Please, don’t go through this alone!

Helen shares this:  “As we are weeks into our individual fight to prevent the spread of Covid-19, we continue to pray for each other.  In addition to our interest and prayers for our physical health, I would also like to ask all of you to pray for the mental health of each member of GBC, as well as their family members.  
 
Hearing and obeying the regular updates and directives from our Public Health directors and leaders in government puts a lot of stress on everyone, including: those of us who are self-isolating, sometimes in limited space; families with children out of school; frontline health care workers and essential service workers who go out in public each day, and those whose self-employment is at risk financially. All these, in addition to potentially very little communication with others, can put people at risk for feelings of loneliness, discouragement and depression, as well as increased fear and anxiety.”
• For Ontarians interested in public addictions services and mental health services for those over 18, they can contact ConnexOntario, Ontario's mental health, addictions and problem gambling help line at 1-866-531-2600.

Please remember that if you are struggling with any of the above, please do not hesitate to reach out and bring your concerns to Pastor Chris, any of the Elders or myself.


Wednesday Prayer
Jacob and Karen Ginter host a weekly prayer gathering on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm. Join them as they pray through scripture for this current situation and for all of us.  You can connect through Zoom or by phone.   Here are the details:
GBC Wednesday Night Prayer
Time: 7-8pm
 Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/923156764
 Meeting ID: 923 156 764
 To join by phone…
Dial  +1 647 374 4685 Canada and then enter Meeting ID


Reminder of Missionary Letter writing Opportunity
Last week I sent out a request for those who are interested to write letters of encouragement to our missionaries.  There’s still a few more spaces available within this very practical ministry opportunity.
To become involved, or if you have more questions, please contact Helen Martini at:
519-822-2556
helenmartini@icloud.com


A thought for the day: God wants to use our church!
 I know we’re going through an incredible challenge right now as a church. But God doesn’t want to just take us through this crisis. He doesn’t just want us to survive during this period. He wants us to THRIVE, to LIVE, to let our light SHINE! This is the difference between how we deal with pain as believers and how the world does. We then need to see this challenge as an open door for ministry.
I’m praying for all of us that we’d see relevant ministry happen and the Good News spread during these difficult days. This is an opportunity for us to shine.
This virus didn’t sneak up on God. It won’t stop his church. Jesus himself reminds us that “all the powers of hell will not conquer” the church.

Make this a great day!

In His grip,
Pastor Chris 

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The Hope of Easter!

4/8/2020

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No, Easter has not been cancelled due to Covid-19. Yes, it will look different but we’ll still pause and remember what Jesus did for us nearly 2000 years ago.  I always find Easter tends to creep up on me since the date varies year-to-year but this year has been even more so with all the focus and distraction of the Corona Virus. We may feel like we’re in a blizzard or winter has returned but as the past weekend has demonstrated, spring is around the corner. I have the hope of all that comes from this great season. As I’ve been teaching of late in anticipation of Easter and considering in my own journey with God, I’ve been thinking a lot about hope.
 
We hope for many things- to win the lottery, to lose 5lbs, that the Leafs would win the Stanley Cup (some may be happy hockey is cancelled!) but what really is this kind of hope? It’s wishful thinking.  When the Psalmist wrote: ‘Put your hope in God” (Ps.42:5) he didn’t have this whimsical idea like we saw earlier. No, he was not thinking of ‘cross your fingers and think happy thoughts’.  No, just as Paul talked about being “joyful in hope” (Rom.12:12) the Bible has a very different take on it. When we read ‘hope’ here it means confident expectation or anticipation. It’s like the days leading up to Christmas or the night before your birthday. You know it’s coming and you can’t wait!
 
This kind of hope is built on the promises of God as found in the Bible. This is a hope that does not disappoint (Rom.5:5).  If we’re honest with ourselves we do suffer a lot of disappointment in our lives. We’re disappointed and discouraged by all our activities being cancelled by Covid, how our routine has been blown up or closer to home we’re disappointed by our marriages, our relationships, and on and on it goes. We lack hope, despair crowds in. We try to rally our spirits but it’s hard. But when we put our hope in God, in the promises of scripture, no matter what’s happening around us, we’ll find we’re not disappointed because our hope is in God.
 
How do you experience that kind of hope? Simply, you need to align yourself to God and His rules for life. He can’t empower what He’s not in. That means we need to practice the spiritual disciplines of confessing our sins and that Jesus is Lord, repenting, or turning from, the things that are displeasing to God, accepting His gift of forgiveness and then living according to the precepts and principles of the Bible.  When we do that, we can truly experience a lasting, deep and satisfying hope.
 
At Easter time we are reminded anew that God loved us so much He sent His only son to die for us, that the Word became flesh and that anyone who believes in Him, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in their heart God raised Him from the dead, then they will not perish but experience the joy, hope and promise of life everlasting in Heaven, a real place. (John 3:16, John 1:14, Rom.10:9)
 
At Easter we remember Jesus dying a criminal’s death on a Roman cross but through that voluntary act defeating sin.  We remember Jesus burial after his death, a reminder that there are dark days for those who are His followers, but we also remember a stone rolled away, an empty tomb, death could not hold Him down and are reminded that death has been defeated by Him. Through this we too will experience a future resurrection into a perfect living for eternity in a place where there is no more war, abuse, divorce, disease or suffering-Heaven.
 
And that gives us hope and is our hope, our confident expectation, our anticipation of what’s to come, found at this special time of year-Easter.  That trumps even Covid-19.  Let’s celebrate this hope!

#faith #hope #easter #trustgod

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GBC Community Update: God is with us as we go through this

4/7/2020

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Good morning everyone!  It was great to share Sunday together. I’m so thankful for all of you. Please feel free to share our Facebook page and website with people you know so we can spread the message of God’s hope.  A number of you have done that already and it’s been great to see people we don’t know starting to connect with GBC through social media. May we use this time to share the gospel with our world around us!
Holy Week….its sure not what we expected it to look like but God’s not surprised so lets focus on what’s within our control and worship him.
 
 
Good Friday Service
We will be holding a livestream Good Friday service on Friday at 10:30am through our website and Facebook Live options.  Join me as I share a reflection on the cross and then partake in communion to follow.
To make this a fuller experience a list of songs available on YouTube will be sent out ahead of time to help you prepare. You are also welcome to join along with me in communion from your homes using what you feel appropriate for elements and you have available.
Let’s remember what Jesus did for us on the cross!
 
 
An Opportunity to encourage our missionaries
Hello Everyone,
 
The Mission Team is looking for any of our GBC family who 1) love to communicate with others by hand mail or electronic mail, and 2) would enjoy the opportunity to send a note of encouragement to our missionaries in the field! 
 
We have a great opportunity to show our love, encouragement and appreciation to our brothers and sisters in Christ, who, amidst the increasing turmoil of a world-wide pandemic, continue to serve the Lord on the mission fields of Canada and abroad.  Will you join with Jacob, Ken & Elaine, Ken T., Rose, and Helen in sending out a short (or longer) letter to remind them of how we are praying for them and appreciating their service?
 
If you decide to participate in this initiative, please just let me know.  I will keep track of who will receive a letter, and the missions team members will add theirs to make sure that each missionary receives  at least one note.    Please email or call me if you want some guidance on how to begin.
 
Many thanks for considering this joyful venture!
 
Sincerely,
Helen Martini, on behalf of the Missions team.
 
 
Join us in prayer Wednesday!
Jacob and Karen Ginter host a weekly prayer gathering on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm. Join them as they pray through scripture for this current situation and for all of us.  You can connect through Zoom or by phone.   Here are the details:
GBC Wednesday Night Prayer
Time: 7-8pm
 Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/923156764
 Meeting ID: 923 156 764
 To join by phone…
Dial  +1 647 374 4685 Canada and then enter Meeting ID
 
A thought for the day: God will go through it with you. 
This virus didn’t surprise God. He will walk through every bit of it with us. You may feel alone at times. You may feel like no one understands what you’re going through right now. But we will never be alone.

I encourage you to remind yourself of Isaiah 43:2 during this time: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” Focus on that truth and not all the noise on the Internet right now. It will replace your worry with worship.  Easter is coming, the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive!
 
Make this a great day!
 
In His grip, Pastor Chris
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GBC Community Update: Remember what's not changing!

4/3/2020

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Hello!  Spring is in the air!  Its been nice to feel the sunshine and warmth. The birds have returned to my bird feeder and plants are starting to pop up in the garden. Despite everything on the news there’s much that can cheer our spirits. It all comes down to where we’re looking. If you find yourself glued to the television and starting to stress, I’d encourage you to turn it off and get outside for a walk. Yes, you are allowed to do that as long as you keep a good distance from others. The fresh air and sunshine will do you good. It could also be a great time to pray and praise God for his creation and how he’s working all things out for his good.


Join us on Sunday as we worship God!
Join us on Sunday through Zoom or on Facebook Live as we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. This Sunday’s message on the Hope of Easter will be based on the word ‘life’ and will be looking at John 10:10.

You can connect through our website here: https://www.guelphbiblechapel.ca/sunday.html

Or through our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/guelphbiblechapel/?view_public_for=106598470976492

We will again be having an open forum on Sunday for those who are interested in sticking around with a question and answer time. I’ll also be taking prayer requests.  


Virtual Bible Study
Part 3 of our online Bible study is posted for download here:
https://www.guelphbiblechapel.ca/bible-study.html

This topical study will help you as we all wrestle with the natural questions coming up during this time of crisis. Let’s tackle the our anxiety over the Corona Virus with scripture!


Need help?
Our Care Ministry is ready to help you out! If you are short of something and can't get it, have an errand to run and you're in self-isolation we can help with that. Let either Helen Martini or myself know how we can help.


Are you struggling or feeling stressed?
Are you feeling anxious or stressed right now?  Overwhelmed? These are tough, challenging times. Don't go through it alone. In this time of social distancing and self-isolation don't keep yourself isolated from people, find ways to connect either by phone, video call or in person if you're feeling well.  And if you need someone to talk with, pray with or would like a visit, I'd love to connect with you. Just reach out.  Let's stay connected. 


A thought for the day: Focus on what’s unchanging not what is changing. 
There have been a lot of changes to your world and to our community lately and there will likely be more in the coming weeks. It’s safe to say we don’t even know all the changes this pandemic will have on us. These are all things we never dreamed of a year ago. Be flexible, but remember what hasn’t changed.

The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). In the midst of all this change, you can count on that truth. You can also know that God’s love for you has never changed. God’s call on your life hasn’t changed. Don’t let all the changes make you lose sight of everything that is still the same.

So, with that in mind, let’s enter into this weekend with a smile on our face as we look to Almighty God who’s in control. He’s got this.

In His grip,
Pastor Chris
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    Pastor Chris

    "At GBC we're serious about the Bible, serious about the truths that are found in it and living in Him but also like to laugh, cry and experience life together."

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