​Good morning!  Jennifer and I had a great time away in Quebec City but its also nice to be back. Fall is around the corner and things will start picking up soon. Enjoy the rest of the summer but stay tuned!
 
 
Giving Update
Summer is always a low time for giving, and this one has unfortunately not been an exception. We have been falling behind on our budget and sadly we are now quite a bit behind year to date as we end August.  It’s your giving that allows us to do things like youth ministry and Oasis Camp. Thank you to those who have been faithful all summer. If you haven’t given in a while (or at all this year!) I’d appreciate it if you could pitch in and help.  You can drop donations off in the box at the back of the Auditorium on Sundays or at the office during the week.  You can also send electronic gifts to us at [email protected]
Better yet, sign up at the office for monthly pre-authorized giving. That will ensure you never forget.
Together we can achieve what God is doing here with the resources he has given us.
 
 
Join in prayer on Wednesday night
Our weekly prayer gathering led by Patrick continues here at GBC on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  The focus is to be on praying for the gospel to reach people in the city of Guelph, but also allowing for specific requests.  In addition, each night there is typically a special theme for the evening. 
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey: Where are you choosing to pay attention?
I was struck by a quote I read recently from the poet W. H. Auden, “Choice of attention—to pay attention to this and ignore that—is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences. Tell me to what you pay attention, and I will tell you who you are.” More than anything or anyone else, we who are disciples of Jesus need to pay attention to the one who pays attention to us.
Turning our gaze to the competent gaze of Jesus throughout our day isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a practical action. Discipleship to Jesus is a learning way as he taught us consistently in the gospels. With Jesus’ leading and the example of his people down through the ages, we make tangible plans to reorient our minds to Him and his Father’s kingdom resources in the midst of daily life, regardless of what’s going on.
So then what does this mean for me?  Where are you choosing to pay attention this day? This moment? That’ll show a lot about who or what you follow!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​I will be away on holidays next week (yes, Jennifer and I are finally getting away, for those who have been asking) so I will not be doing the weekly updates.  Patrick will be picking up the torch for the week- thanks Patrick!
 
Here’s a quick reminder, Joan McQueen’s celebration of life is on August 29th, not this Sunday. There has been some confusion about this, hope this clears it up.
 
 
Happy Birthday to Barbara Thomson
As you know, I don’t normally bring birthday greetings into my updates (maybe I should?!?) but this one is special.  Mrs. Thomson is turning 100 years young today. I’m not sure if I should say congratulations or well done but this truly is an incredible thing but more importantly also marks a great legacy of faithfully serving and following the Lord.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  May you enjoy a rich and blessed day.
 
 
 Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at what it means to be at the Junction
This Sunday at 11am Jacob will be speaking as part of our summer series, Living at the Junction.  He’ll be looking at the same text I did Sunday, Joshua 1, but will be bringing in a different perspective. It should be interesting!
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.
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey: Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!
The author of Hebrews writes, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who…has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1–2). The Apostle Paul urges the same orientation of mind, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). We are encouraged to fix our mind’s eye on King Jesus, who is seated in a position of rest, power, and all authority. Jesus is not pacing back and forth, wringing his hands, and wondering what to do. Our Lord, savior and friend is paying attention to us, the human situation, our needs, and the needs of those around the world. We need to pay attention to him—fixing our eyes, setting our minds, waiting—while we attend to the news, our needs and the needs of those around us. Take this perspective but when you get it, watch things change!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning! It’s nice to see more of you returning to in-person services on Sundays at GBC, and it’s been great to welcome some new people as well to our church family. God is good and God is moving here.
 
 
Celebration of Life for Joan McQueen
Next Sunday, the 29th, the family of Joan McQueen invite any of you in the Chapel family who knew Joan to join them in celebrating her life at 1pm here at GBC. Joan attended GBC since the family moved to Guelph in 1969 and was an active member touching many lives in the process. Her friends and social life were here as well.  I’d like to encourage anyone who knew here to come out for this opportunity for the sharing of memories along with her favourite hymns and choruses.
We will follow COVID guidelines for the service and refreshments.
 
 
Join in prayer on Wednesday night
Our weekly prayer gathering will be led by Donna Chapman this week at GBC on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  The focus continues to be on praying for the gospel to reach people in the city of Guelph, but also allowing for specific requests.  This week we will be praying for upcoming ministry and for God’s direction of our church.  Will you join us in praying?
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey: When Tempted to turn inward, turn your gaze to Jesus
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 2:4–5).

Under threat, scarcity and stress we sometimes find ourselves understandably becoming self-protective. We turn inward. And yet, the demands of these days call us outward. The needs of those around us—whether children, aged parents, neighbors, a spouse, those who are sick—require our time and energy. This puts us in a bind. We want or need to move outward in love to others, especially those in greatest need, but our own internal resources feel strained and thin.
 
How should we act as followers of Jesus in times like this?
 
We must remember that we are disciples of the living, ascended, and enthroned God. When Jesus called his followers to go and make disciples, they did not make followers of themselves. Rather, Jesus called them to announce the availability of an ongoing discipleship relationship with himself. Every Christian is currently in an intensive, interactive, discipleship relationship with the person of Jesus, and that school of discipleship is always in session. The Jesus who said, “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” remains with us today by his Spirit. When we are tempted to isolate and turn inwards, we need to repeatedly turn our gaze to the availability of Jesus. Throughout our days we need to develop the habit—now more than ever—of finding encouragement and comfort in the real presence of Jesus’ love. It’s hard to look inwardly when we’re looking at Jesus!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good afternoon….or should I say, good steamy, humid afternoon?!?  I hope you’re making this a great week.  With Oasis wrapped up things start to slow down a little bit but before you know it we’ll be into fall. There’s a lot of exciting things on the horizon so get your rest now because God is moving!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at what it means to be at the Junction
This Sunday at 11am we bring back in focus our summer series, Living at the Junction.  I’ll be looking at the early career of Joshua, before the wall fell, to seek to understand the junction he faced and how he moved onto God’s track.  Hope you’ll join me!
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.
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey: Facing Fears
Yes, this was another thing I addressed in ‘Hot Bible Adventure’ at camp last week. You’ll likely be getting my reflections from this for the next few updates!
Despite our society reopening, there’s still a lot of fear out there- fear of the latest Covid variant, fear for the economy, fear of the ‘new normal’.
To find peace in trying times we have to face our fears like King Hezekiah did. Fears can be healthy or exaggerated—and sometimes paralyzing. It takes wisdom to admit that there are dangers around us that need to be properly, and fearfully, respected, and it takes wisdom to see through the exaggerations and fear-mongering of those who use the pains of others for their benefit.
Let’s be honest, we will not have all the answers we could hope for, nor will we fully anticipate all that’s going to happen in the coming days. That can increase our fear. Yet despite that, all of us must accept the responsibilities we have in our given spheres of influence where we are called upon to serve and to lead. We must seek wisdom and make the very best decisions we can as we all seek to act generously and selflessly, in ways consistent with all that we believe as followers of Jesus. 
King Hezekiah, when faced by the seemingly unstoppable Assyrian army took his fear and went to God in prayer. That’s the first place we should go in times like that.
God tells us in Isaiah 41- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  So, face your fears and let your light shine!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good afternoon!  After our week of Oasis I’m back with my updates. As you saw on Oasis Sunday, it was a blessed and amazing time.  Thanks for praying! I’d encourage you to continue praying for those who were at the camp. Pray for our sponsored campers as well as those new (there were LOTS!) who were exposed to GBC for the first time.  Our desire is to see lives transformed so pray for ways to keep connected.
 
 
“Marriage Celebration” for David and Caroline
On Saturday August 28 at 7:30 pm at GBC we’ll be having an opportunity to celebrate the marriage of David and Caroline that happened in June.  It’ll be a great time to celebrate this great couple and to bless them as their church family.
If you’d like to contribute to a group gift towards their furniture, see Patrick or Andrea Thornton.  You can also drop off money at the main office or send an e-transfer to Andrea.  Please email her for details: [email protected]
 
 
Join in prayer on Wednesday night
Our weekly prayer gathering led by Patrick happens at GBC on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  The focus continues to be on praying for the gospel to reach people in the city of Guelph, but also allowing for specific requests.  This week we will be praying specifically for our Oasis camp, leaders and campers coming. Will you join us in praying for them?
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey: May we be People of Hope
Hope has been on my mind a lot this recently. With camp last week and the aftermath, I have been reminded how huge the need for hope is. Last year you may remember I did a series called ‘joy in the storm’ and in some ways that’s what Oasis was- finding joy in CONTINUED storms.  With talks of the Delta variant, a fall 4th wave and such there’s still storms on the horizon for us.  We need the joy that comes from hope as our experience with Covid continues to drag on as does the grind of life.  It becomes easy to despair and lose hope. 
We must face these days of fear and testing, we really don’t have a choice. So, may we not passively accept them or capitulate to them. These can and should be days of renewed worship, rededicated service, care, friendship, work, and love. We must be alert to the stranger among us, and we must love one another and be kind to one another as God has been merciful to us.
To follow Jesus is to be a people of hope. And our hope is not in vain, because it’s invested in the creator God of the universe, who has given us life and hope through Jesus. He is worthy of our trust, and He can aid us in conquering our fears. Jesus said the night he was arrested: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world”.  What a great thought to carry us through the week!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris