Good morning! I hope you’re making this a great week. We had a great kick off to Oasis@Midweek last night.  We had a good crowd of excited and happy kids out to enjoy the program our Kid’s Church team had put together reminding them they are treasured by God.  Most exciting was we had a family out from Oasis Camp who’d never been here before.  Thanks for your prayers!
 
 
Fall Small groups launch!
There’s still time to join one of our fall small groups! Please check out the GBC Small Groups page on our website to sign up.
Unless you’ve confirmed with a specific Small Groups facilitator, please indicate your interest in a particular group through the “Small Group Signup” option. If you have any questions, please contact Jacob Ginter – [email protected] or 519-803-4453.
 
 
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 new series for the fall: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  Jacob will be looking at the challenges the early church faced as he looks at chapter 2 and 3. How does this apply to what we’re facing today?  We’ll see on Sunday!
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: Growing fruit takes patience!
On Tuesday I introduced what the Fruit of the Spirit is and how to get it.  Now let’s jump in and try to understand what this means for our journey as followers of Jesus.  As with any fruit, we won’t see it and enjoy it right away. We won’t see evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives the second we surrender our lives to Jesus. Fruit starts from a seed and that seed contains everything for the plant to begin and produce more fruit. In order for a tree to yield fruit it goes through a cycle where it must be planted in good soil, it must be nurtured, it must have a light source; it must be watered until it reaches maturity. The fruit is initially a seed, then a seedling, then a sprout, until it’s a fruit (ripe for picking!). What does this mean for our spiritual condition? First comes the planting, which happens when we accept Jesus into our life and then the WAITING for the fruit to grow and then ripen.  We’ll look at that process next week. Until then, be patient and allow God to grow fruit in you in his timing.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning!  There’s lots of ways to serve or be involved this fall here at GBC and in our community.  I’m sharing a few of those today. Regardless of whether its these opportunities, or something else, find ways fall to let your light shine. We as a society desperately need the hope we possess but if we don’t do anything where people are we can’t share it. Pray and ask God how he’d have you be a lighthouse this fall.
 
 
Outreach opportunities and Update
We’ve been sharing a bit lately on our outreach initiative with the Junction Neighborhood Association but that’s not all that’s going on.  We’re also looking to do a ’door hanger’ campaign to introduce our new neighbors in the new housing subdivision across the Hanlon from us.  In order to do this we need a champion for this outreach. Someone with good organization skills and heart to pray for our new neighbors would be perfect to work with me in putting this together. Let me know if that’s you!
In addition, we have an opportunity to serve with an organization called Start2Finish which is a children’s reading and running program. There is a chapter in the Willow Road area where a number of our Oasis kids come from so this is a great opportunity.
This could be for a full year or semester during the year.  Here is how you can serve:
Coach (2 days/wk) - Assisting with program activities and mentoring (online) 
Parent/Guardian Liaison (1hr/wk) - Connecting with families for check-ins (online) 
Coach (1 day/wk) - Assisting Club Director to deliver programming (in-person) 
*Both online and in-person Coaching (3days/wk).
If you’re interested, or would like more information, contact Ashanthi Joshua ([email protected]) who is heading this initiative for us.
 
 
Oasis@Midweek
Our first Oasis@Midweek kid’s gathering is tomorrow night (Wednesday!) at 6:30pm.  O@M is for children JK to grade 6 and follows up on the themes, fun and Bible teaching of our Oasis Summer Camp. It’s a great opportunity for kids to be reminded that ‘you are treasured’ by God in an enjoyable and practical way.
O@M is now happening twice a month, on the 2nd and last Wednesday monthly.  It’s not just for kids who were at Oasis but for any who are looking for a great night out so feel free to invite grandkids, neighbors or friends.
 
 
Thought for the Day:  What is the Fruit of the Spirit and How Do I Grow It?
Its fall and harvest time. Patrick will be starting to pick his grapes as usual and expects another big yield of fruit.  I’ve been thinking about fruit lately and will be talking about it her for the next few weeks.  If you’ve been around the church for a while you’ll likely have heard of the Fruit of the Spirit.  The Fruit of the Spirit is comprised of the following character traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and we find it in Galatians 5.
But what is it?
It’s like a rubber band ball tightly woven together, each band interconnected.  The only way to produce the Fruit of the Spirit though is to have the Holy Spirit in you. This initial step happens when we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  If a person doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, they don’t belong to Jesus, it’s really that simple.  The key here, if this is the case, is it’s impossible to grow the fruit of the Spirit in one’s life if you don’t have that connection. We receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, when we make a conscious decision to follow Christ and let Him be the Lord of our lives.  Then, through the Holy Spirit, you can begin to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit.  We’ll look more at this in the weeks ahead.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good afternoon!  I hope you’re making this a great week.  Not surprising after our ministry launch on Sunday I have a lot to share today so please read carefully.  God is moving here at GBC.
 
 
Fall Small groups launch!
We’re excited about our Small Groups starting up again shortly! Please check out the GBC Small Groups page on our website to sign up.
Unless you’ve confirmed with a specific Small Groups facilitator, please indicate your interest in a particular group through the “Small Group Signup” option. If you have any questions, please contact Jacob Ginter – [email protected] or 519-803-4453.
 
 
Oasis@Midweek
Our first Oasis@Midweek kid’s gathering is this Wednesday, the 29th, at 6:30pm.  O@M is for children JK to grade 6 and follows up on the themes, fun and Bible teaching of our Oasis Summer Camp. It’s a great opportunity for kids to be reminded that ‘you are treasured’ by God in an enjoyable and practical way.
O@M is now happening twice a month, on the 2nd and last Wednesday monthly.  It’s not just for kids who were at Oasis but for any who are looking for a great night out so feel free to invite grandkids, neighbors or friends.
 
 
A new book from Gord Martin
I don’t normally ‘advertise’ in this update but this is a different circumstance.
Most of you know Gord Martin as a friend of GBC who spoke recently here in August.  He has recently written a book we’d like to make available to purchase for those who are interested
Doing It Afraid’ is my life story – so far! It is full of accounts of how God helped me do things I would naturally have been afraid to do. It is my conviction that many of us would trust and obey God, if we were not afraid. I believe this is especially true of church leaders. I have written this book to encourage you to dare, to risk – Doing it Afraid. Gord Martin
You can purchase a copy for $20 this Sunday after the service or from me during the week.
 
 
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 new series for the fall: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  Patrick will be looking at the coming of the Holy Spirt and formation of the church as we know it in chapter 2 and 3. In addition, we’ll also be having communion. 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: Pray to God
As you hopefully know, prayer has been one of our key focus areas for the last while as a church. So, I wanted to share a thought on the subject today.
Here it is: pray to God!
This may seem obvious but its also one of the things we often forget when things get tough.  One of the best ways to overcome fear is to simply surrender all your fear to God in prayer.
We can only do so much. There comes a point in our life that we are powerless, that the situation is beyond our control. So, what we can do, and really, we MUST do, is present our fears in the hands of our heavenly Father.
Psalms 34:4 tells us: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”  When King David’s spirit was out of balance, when his fears were too difficult to handle, when his mind was tormented by worry, he “sought the Lord.”
When we seek God with all our hearts, he will hear us and deliver us from all our fears. When you are fearful, bend your knees, put your hands together, and pray to God.
God is more than willing to deliver us and eliminate the disturbance produced by fear. It seems so simple, and it is, but remember, it was Jesus dying on the cross for us that opened this door to God’s peace and provision. Are you afraid of something right now? Pray to God!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week.  This is the last update before the election on Monday. While I have my own personal political preference, as you know, I don’t share it. But I do encourage you to prayerfully and with wisdom get out and vote on Monday. We are at a critical stage as a nation right now and so we as members of God’s church need to be involved through voting.  May the Lord direct us all.
With our ministry launch and ‘lunch on the lawn’ Sunday it would be a great time to come to church if you’ve not been out for a while. While we love having the livestream option it doesn’t replace being together in person. We miss you!
 
 
Ministry Kick-Off and “Lunch on the Lawn”
As mentioned previously, this Sunday will be our official launch of fall ministries.  We’re going to have several ministry updates and what’s happening plus launching our new teaching series for the fall.
In addition, we’ll be having “lunch on the lawn” which is an opportunity to hang out with your church family after the service. Bring a picnic lunch or go grab something to eat and come back, as we reconnect.   We’ll be providing drinks so no need to worry about that. 
Hope you’ll come out and celebrate what God is doing here at GBC!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at a church in motion
This Sunday at 11am we begin our new series for the fall: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  I’ll be looking at the time right before the formation of the church and why Jesus implemented this organizational structure as God’s visible representation on earth.  Why did he do it and what does it mean for us today?
We’ll find out Sunday!
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: Be filled with love
On Tuesday I talked a bit about fear.  Here’s another way of looking at this issue.  God is love and those who follow God must also be filled with love.  If we want to get rid of fear, we must replace it with something. If we keep our minds empty, fear can easily return.  That’s why we read in I John 4:18: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  Now, here’s one of the most important keys to getting rid of fear: We must be filled with love.  We can cast out fear with love.
But how?
Love is an affection and emotion that does NOT produce any fear. In fact, if we truly love God, we should not fear anything.  We don’t need to fear death because after death, if we are secure with God, we can be confident that we will meet our Creator during our next waking moment.  As long as we have love in our hearts and lives, we can expect fear to never bother us. The moment that our love wavers, that’s the same moment that fear starts to creep in again.
When love prevails, fear stops from existing.
When love overcomes, fear is suppressed.
And when love reigns, fear is banished.
Sounds pretty good, huh? Let’s be filled with love!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning!  I hope your week is off to a good start.  I’m looking forward to “Lunch on the Lawn” on Sunday.  Remember to bring a lunch and join your church family on the front lawn for a chance to connect or to reconnect. Drinks will be provided. As I mentioned Sunday, its amazing the simple things I used to take for granted such as opportunities like this. God sure has a way of changing our perspective, doesn’t he?  I hope you’ll make the time to stay around after the service as we seek to grow together.
 
 
Community Volunteering Opportunity
As was mentioned on Sunday, we have recently had the opportunity to connect with the Junction Neighborhood Association.  This has many exciting possibilities the Outreach Team is exploring and you’ll hear more about this in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, they have an immediate need for several volunteers for a jazz festival they are hosting at Norm Jerry Park in the Willow Community area.  This is short notice but they need several people to help.  The event is being held on Thursday and Saturday.  They are in need of the set up and break down shifts for both days:   
4:15-6:00pm in need of  1 more volunteer 
6:00-7:30pm in need of 1 more volunteer
If interested, please contact Shauna Brown, the festival co-ordinator, directly (and let me know too!) [email protected]
 
Join in prayer on Wednesday night
Our last weekly prayer gathering for the summer led by Patrick happens here at GBC on Wednesday at 7:00 pm this week.  The focus is to be on praying for the gospel to reach people in the city of Guelph, and more specifically the Junction Neighborhood. The gathering will be held in the Adult Ministry Room.
 
​
 Thought for the day: Seek the peace of God
With talks of a ‘fourth wave” and the Delta variant starting to kick into high gear and begin impacting things, fear seems to be sticking around.  Fear brings turmoil in our hearts and minds. When we’re filled with so much fear, we can’t think properly. It seems everything that we do is subject to danger. We’re constantly stricken with the thought that things can go wrong.
Thankfully, God left us His peace. Jesus said this: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Jesus gives us a reason why we shouldn’t be afraid. He gives us peace and this should ease our fear.  But you might ask, how can peace extinguish fear in my heart?
Great question!
The simple answer is that the two are contrary to each other. You can’t have both peace and fear at the same time. It is either you are peaceful or fearful.  It can’t be both.
The peace that Jesus brings originates from Him. It is NOT something that you ordinarily get from the world. For most people, peace is the absence of conflict and war. But for God, peace is having an intimate and close relationship with Him.  Peace is having God in your life. Peace comes from the assurance and belief that God is always in control.  When you are filled with this type of peace, then you can cast away fear from your heart no matter the wave or whatever else is going on. Get the peace of God!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning!  I’m excited about our “Lunch on the Lawn” coming up on Sunday September 19. I hope you’ll bring a lunch and join us. It’s been a LONG time since we’ve been able to do something like this. It’s amazing the things we can take for granted until they’re gone. Covid has given us lots of opportunities for this, let's take the time to appreciate what God has given us.
 
 
Fall Ministry: New Bible study launching
As we enter into fall, many ministries are starting up including our Precept Bible Studies.  Here are some details on what’s being offered.
JOB - WHEN THE PAIN IS GREAT
Job explores pain, suffering, and God's sovereignty - and by the end of this study, you'll leave with a stronger knowledge of the God who walks with us through everything.
 
Available Classes for the Job study
Wednesday, October 6, 9:30 a.m. *IN PERSON* (first class is orientation)
Wednesday, October 13, 7:00 p.m.  ON-LINE ON ZOOM (No orientation)
Thursday, October 7, 9:30 a.m. ON-LINE ON ZOOM (first class is orientation)
Leader:  Ann Clark
Course Length - Orientation plus eight lessons
There are two workbooks to choose from the more in depth Precept Upon Precept – (cost $24) or the less rigorous In & Out  (cost $20)
 
For more information or to register, contact Ann Clark- [email protected]
 
 
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 I will be finishing our summer series, Living at the Junction.  I’ll be looking at Joshua 24, the end of the story, and when Joshua challenges Israel (and us!) with the statement: “Choose this day who you will serve, but as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  Choice can be trickier than it seems. How do we choose and how do we serve the Lord?  We’ll find out Sunday.
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: Live in community with others
This is the last of the summer thoughts I’m going to be sharing. Next week I’ll shift focus.  The last thing I want to share is the importance of being in community as a church family.  Whether you are attending services here in person or are part of the livestream congregation, there can be a pull in these increasingly polarized times to withdraw emotionally. Allow yourself, as best you can, to feel the loss of community, the sadness of either not meeting in person or the lament of the changes and restrictions that are in place for our physical gatherings.  With these vulnerable feelings, communicate your longing and pain to those you miss or those who are on the journey with you. Whether by meeting together, sending a letter, making a phone call, sending a text, or having a video chat, let those close to you—or those you realize are closer than you thought—know that their connection is a significant part of your life. Perhaps you can send a card or note or simply send a text that expresses your heart for connection. That expression of relational need will itself be life-giving and will, hopefully, be received and returned. As Paul says, “For I long to see you…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Rom 1:11–12). Paul expresses his longing for mutual connection and there is mutual encouragement even in his expression of that desire.  Live in community with others no matter what that looks like!
Oh yes, and come out to Lunch on the Lawn next Sunday too!
 
In His grip,
Chris

​Good morning!  School is underway for both elementary and high school students while most post-secondary starts later in the week.  So, while the calendar says its still summer we know better!  Do remember to pray for all our students. There is still a lot of uncertainty around activities and sports this fall due to Covid concerns which is causing a certain degree of anxiety and upset for students. May we bring them all before the Lord.
 
 
Fall Ministry Launch
While a number of our ministries are getting ready to get underway, our official launch is on Sunday September 19.  We’ll be starting our new teaching series and having our first “Lunch on the Lawn” in a long time. If you are newer to the GBC family, this is essentially an opportunity for you to bring a picnic lunch (we supply drinks) and we enjoy a time of community building as we eat together on our front lawn (remember to bring a blanket too!).
In addition, fall small groups will start up again after that.
More details are to come but mark your calendars!
 
 
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:  To grow we need each other
An essential element of discipleship that needs to be remembered and especially in these times is that disciples of Jesus never minister alone. As Mark’s gospel records, “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two” (Mk 6:7). The one time the Gospels record a disciple doing something alone is when Judas goes to betray Jesus. The point is a much broader one and I’d sum it up this way:  it’s not good for us to be alone.   Particularly in times when we are tempted to turn inward, we must intentionally engage in practices of Christian friendship and community (like coming to “Lunch on the Lawn”).
 
Our church family is essential for our spiritual health and growth. Honestly, in times like this, we won’t make it without each other and we will certainly not serve others consistently or well alone either. In the best of times we appear to do alright in independence and autonomy, but we’re only fooling ourselves. The busyness and distraction of “normal times” keeps hidden our desperate need for spiritual family and the consequences of loneliness. The writer of Hebrews said this: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb 10:25).  We all need to be in community to grow in God.  Who’s in yours?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning! I hope you’re making this a great week.  Its nice to have seen the heat break.  These fall-like temperatures are perhaps appropriate for September.  The season is starting to change and with it a lot of ministry is starting up soon.
 
 
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 I will be continuing our summer series, Living at the Junction.  I’ll be looking at Joshua 7 and what causes a surprising defeat for Israel. What does it means when things don’t go our way?  We’ll find out Sunday. It should be challenging.
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: Spiritual Practices to help us draw closer to God
I’ve been talking about the choices that come from living at the junctions of life lately.  I hope you’ve been gathering that a key element of success is walking close to God.  This can be more than just an attitude, it can become a spiritual discipline or practice. There’s lots of ways we can draw closer to God.  One practice to consider is turning our hands up to God at various times and praying like the Canaanite woman, “Lord, help me” (Matt 15:25) or with blind Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47). Or we might consider meditatively praying the Lord’s Prayer morning, noon, and evening. The verse “Give us this day our daily bread” will seem more relevant than ever. Perhaps as we take in news updates, we could imagine presenting the need or concern found in it to Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Additionally, short prayers of lament can aid us in bringing our loss, anger, and confusion to God: “How long, O Lord?” (Ps 13:2), “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?” (Ps 10:1), “Come quickly, Lord, to help me” (Ps 40:13), “Lord, have mercy on us,” (Matt 20:21), and “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matt 26:39). These are not practices that are meant to take us out of the moment. Instead, they are practices that allow us to remain in the moment in a faithful, redemptive, life-giving way and that helps us walk closer to God.  Bring these ideas into your daily life and you can’t help but draw closer to God.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris