​Good morning! I hope you’re making this a great week.  Last night, as many of you know, we held our Oasis@Midweek Oasis Reunion edition. It was an AMAZING night!  We had 33 kids out (our biggest ever for this event) and there was a TON of energy. We had a number of new kids out plus many from our GROWING Children’s Ministry.  Thanks to the Kid’s Church and Youth Ministry teams who put on a great program and let their lights shine as we looked at the theme of ‘you are treasured by God’.  Thanks also to all of you who prayed for the Lord’s blessings on the event.  God’s doing some great things here!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we look at a church in motion
This Sunday at 11am I will be continuing our fall series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  I’ll be looking at the beginning of the missionary movement in chapters 13 and 14.  What did it look like and what can we learn from it for 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: God chose us before we chose him.
We are to be a people of hope as followers of Jesus.  No matter what’s going on we should be the most hopeful of people.  I’m going to share some thoughts on hope in the next few updates. 
Not sure that you’re hopeful? Okay, fair question!  Why else should we be hopeful despite everything going on? How about this?  Even with everything happening and even with all the mistakes we sometimes make, God chose us before we chose him. AND he even knew how we’d turn out!
Peter tells us, “You were chosen according to the purpose of God the Father and were made a holy people by his Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by his blood.”. Long before you chose God, he chose you. Your salvation was his idea. God took the initiative. And you were chosen for his purpose—to make you holy and get you ready for heaven and what you’d do in his name until that time comes.
We all know what it’s like to feel chosen—whether you’re chosen for a team, a job, or as a spouse. But the highest honor you will ever receive is this: God has chosen you to spend eternity with him. That’s a big deal and that gives us hope on a cold, overcast day!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris 

​Good morning!  I suspect my announcement on Sunday was a bit of a shock to some of you. If you weren’t there or didn’t watch the livestream read below (this is another reason you want to be part of Sundays here, you don’t know what you’ll miss!).  I’ve shared some thoughts below and attached the letter Jacob read.  We’ll have lots of time to talk about this in the days ahead but for now, lets remember, God is doing some amazing things here at GBC and I’m excited to be part of it.
 
 
Update on my transition
“Hey, did you hear that Pastor Chris is leaving GBC???”
No, its not true, I’m not leaving. 
Most of you likely heard the announcement on Sunday about what’s going on with me and how my role here at GBC will be changing over the next couple of years. I don’t want you to misunderstand what’s happening though. I’m not leaving and I’m still VERY passionate about what God is doing here at GBC and want to be part of it.
That being said, God has opened an amazing opportunity for me with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Canada to be their Director of Coaching.  Our strategy is “to and through the coach” which will allow me to work with and develop coaches across Canada and help them grow in their faith, serve their athletes and help others discover the Good News of Jesus.  If you’d like to know more about FCA Canada here’s our website:
FCA Canada (canadafca.ca)
We’ll talk more about what this all will look like over the next couple of years at our fall information meeting but I wanted to ensure you of my continued commitment to GBC and all of you now and in the days ahead.
 
 
Join us for our fall general meeting
On Sunday November 7 after our 11am service will be holding our annual fall information meeting. We will be sharing more about my transition and what that will look like in the days, months and years ahead plus some other items.
You do not need to be a member to attend, this is open to anyone from GBC who calls this church home.
 
 
Thought for the day: As faith grows, fear goes!
Our trust in God is based on His promises and His faithfulness. The Faith Chapter, Hebrews 11, is full of stories of men and women who grew to believe that God would do exactly what He promised. Their trust in a faithful God helped them face their fears and act in faith. It helped them wait patiently and courageously endure terrible and terrifying trials.
 
The greatest example is Jesus Christ Himself. Hebrews 12 reminds us: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.  That’s powerful!
 
Like the faithful people from days past, we should focus beyond this fearful world onto the positive future God has in store. We can also meditate on and appreciate the comfort and peace God gives now. Even more, we can go to God and ask him for more faith. We should then act on that faith in obedience to God, since the Bible tells us “faith without works is dead”. If our focus is on God’s Word and His eternal promises more than the temporary physical circumstances, we will increase our faith and decrease our fear.  Give it a try!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

 Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week!  How do I do this when things aren’t going my way? It all comes down to attitude. I hope yours is a positive one this week.
 
 
Outreach service opportunity
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 neighbors in the new housing subdivision across the Hanlon to 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!
 
 
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 fall series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  Jacob will be looking at Peter’s opportunities to share his faith to an unlikely recipient. Does this have any relevance to what we’re facing today? I think it does!  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: Go to God with your fears
The Bible instructs us many times to “fear not.” God doesn’t want us to be debilitated by fear.  For those who have the proper awe and respect for God and who strive to obey His commands, God makes some wonderful promises. We read in Isaiah 41: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”.   
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”.
 
As we grow in the faith to believe these promises, we can increase our ability to turn our worries over to God.  Consider this biblical principle in your battle with fear: We can ask God for His strength and peace. David, a man after God’s own heart, faced many frightening situations. After escaping one terrifying incident in the midst of Philistine territory, he wrote in the Psalms, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”.  Paul gave us this advice and reassurance: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ”. 
Do you find yourself fearful? Go to God with your fears by applying these principles and I bet you you’ll find things get a lot better.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Hello!  It’s nice to see the rain pass and the sun return.  It was great to be out with our youth Sunday as we served the Junction Neighborhood through our Surge community service initiative. We helped them close their community garden in Goldie Park. It was a practical way for us to build relationship with them and let our lights shine.
 
 
Prayer Gathering Sunday: GBC Pizza & Prayer for the City of Guelph
 - 12:15 pm to 1:30pm (After the service on October 24th) 
Join us to eat pizza and connect after the service; and then pray for only 30 minutes outside on Chapel property (weather permitting) for the City of Guelph. 
(We will provide you items of prayer relevant to the City of Guelph (e.g., human trafficking, gospel outreach, etc.)  
Please RSVP with Patrick Thornton via email at thornton.patrick@gmail.com if you are interested in participating so that we know how much pizza is necessary.
 
 
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Jeremy Muehlbacher and Andrea Brown who were married on Friday at Violet Hills. It was a beautiful day and such a joy to be part of it.  What a joy to see these two amazing people launch into their new adventure as ‘one flesh’.  God bless and keep you in the days ahead.
 
 
Thought for the day: Fear creeps back in
I’ve noticed there’s still a residual fear going around the Christian community. I’ve not talked about this for a while so I want to revisit the issue of fear for a bit.  It seems like the relief from Covid concerns over the summer and reopening have given way to a renewed, continued and persistent fear of wave after wave, that this will never end.
What do we do?
Let’s look at this from a biblical perspective.
Here’s the reality- the things we fear grab our attention. It gets us ready to fight—or flee. Whether we mask our fear with macho bravado or slink away to seek refuge, it can have a powerful effect on our thinking, decisions and actions.
A healthy fear can keep us from harm. But too often fear keeps us from doing what we want—or need—to do. Sometimes it provokes us into wrong or dangerous responses. Biblically speaking, fear can contribute to obeying—or disobeying—God’s law. Do we fear God or do we fear the things around us?  God reminds us in Isaiah 41: “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.”
What does this mean?
When fear creeps in, like it will do, remember, God is with you, He’s here to strengthen you and help you.  You’re in His hands.  In times of fear, keep your eyes fixed on Him.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning. I hope you’re making this a great week.  We’re well into our fall ministry now.  Small groups have launched, youth group is rolling, our Precept Bible studies are going, we’re making connections in the neighborhood through our Outreach Team, Care Ministry has been doing visitation and Oasis@Midweek is going too. Whew….that’s quite the list!  While there’s lots of great things going on and we’re seeing a lot of blessings too that doesn’t mean we sit back and congratulate ourselves. No, we continue to press on towards the prize that is before us. Where is God calling you to let your light shine in the days ahead and how?
 
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 fall series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  Patrick will be looking at chapter 9 which is pretty key.  Paul’s conversion is a critical event for the New Testament church.  But does it have any relevance for 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.
 
 
Last call to purchase Gord Martin’s new book
I mentioned a few weeks back about our making Gord Martin’s book available.   This is the last chance to pick one up.
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 from me if interested.
 
 
Thought for the day: Closing thoughts on fruit
The last couple of weeks we’ve been looking at the fruit of the Spirit, how to get it and what it looks like.  Let’s look at the text, in full, one last time.  Paul writes in Galatians 5: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
We often will read (or maybe even memorize) the components of the fruit but we don’t often look at the impact of it which we see in the verses that follow. I could write probably a bunch of blogs on this but instead I’m going to encourage you to read it reflectively and talk to God about how this applies to your life.  May we all seek to live in this manner and let our lights shine!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning!  I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving and took some time to reflect on what you’re thankful for. For me, I’m thankful for all of you and the opportunity to serve here!
 
 
Oasis@Midweek Schedule for fall
While the schedule for the fall gatherings of Oasis@Midweek went out on Sunday in Kid’s Church I thought I’d confirm the dates until the end of the year for those who are interested.
Wednesday October 27- OASIS REUNION PARTY- starts at 5:30pm
Wednesday November 10
Wednesday November 24
Wednesday December 8
…all events start at 6:30pm and are done at 8pm.  This is for children from JK to grade 6 whether they were at Oasis Camp or not
 
 
Thought for the day: Growing fruit takes exercise!
Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4 that we are to train ourselves to be Godly.  This means that growing the fruit of the Spirit is like growing a muscle. The muscle is already a part of us but we have to choose to use it if we want to see any growth. We have to exercise faith and believe that we have everything we need for growth. When we exercise our ‘spiritual muscles’ the resulting growth will make us more compassionate, more empathetic, kinder, more joyful, more peaceful, and gentler, with the common strand of love. That’s the Fruit of the Spirit!  As we choose to seek to mature, we’ll see evidence of this growth and the impact it makes on others. Here’s an important point though: growing the Fruit of the Spirit relies on the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us, with the Holy Spirit's power making changes in our lives day by day. Seek, and then work, to BUILD your fruit!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning! I hope you’re making this a great week. I find it hard to believe we’re already at Thanksgiving weekend.  I hope that in the hustle and bustle of whatever you’re doing you take some time to think about what you’re thankful for and then give thanks to the one who made it possible.  Despite everything going on, we have a LOT to be thankful for.
 
 
“Oasis@Midweek Craft Help
As you heard, our kickoff for Oasis@Midweek went very well. One of the components added was a monthly craft led by our Oasis Craft station leader Krista Schito. Thanks Krista!!  As we move forward she’s shared the following request:
“Do you have craft supplies around the house that you’re willing to donate, to be used by the kids to make a fun craft to help them reinforce the Bible lesson? If so, please bring them upstairs to Kids Church and we will be happy to incorporate them.  Examples include: beads, yarn, glue, string, pompoms, stickers, hot glue guns & glue sticks, paint, popsicle sticks, gems, shells, special rocks, etc.  Anything that might fit the theme of treasure or “You are a priceless treasure to God” is useful.  Thank you for considering!”
If you have questions about this, or have something you think she could use, please contact Krista.
 
 
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 fall series: “A church in motion”: the book of Acts.  I will be looking at a big chunk this week dealing with some the pressures the early church faced as we look at chapter 6 to 9. 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: Ever think of fruit as a gift from God?
Let’s look at this idea of the Fruit of the Spirit in a different way.  Because the Holy Spirit is a gift to believers, God gives us the power to live fruitful lives. Christianity is not a rules-based religion (though there are some!). Our growth is not gained based on how much good we do, but it’s an outpouring of a relationship with a living God that forces and encourages us to live better; to aspire to be like Him; to be holy as He is holy. Growing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is evidence of these internal changes. When we nurture our relationship with God, we have access to the Son, and we water our lives with his Word.  When we do that, we grow and are equipped to deal with whatever the world throws at us. How practical! But then again, that’s our God!  I hope that is both an encouragement and challenge.  Oh, its also something for us to be thankful for.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning.  It’s hard to believe that we’re now into October. September just flew by, for me anyways. I’m reminded at times like this to stop and seize the moments that I have and not get so focused on ‘accomplishment’. How am I doing? Better, but I still have a way to go.  Growing as a disciple takes time and is a process, just like growing fruit!
 
 
GBC Kids Ministry Update
You’ve heard here, and on Sundays, some of the things that have been going on at GBC Kids, which is our children’s ministry. We’ve been blessed with significant growth the past two months as a number of new families have joined the GBC family so their children can participate in our kid’s ministry. In fact, we’ve doubled from July. God is blessing our heart for children and efforts!
Jennifer has been redoing our Kid’s Church room this fall to fit into the overall theme of the Children’s Ministry wing upstairs. It looks great! If you haven’t been upstairs for a while, go and check it out.
Finally, as Dan mentioned, we have a great turnout for our relaunch of Oasis@Midweek last Wednesday.  After an 18-month hiatus we were back with a new team and enhanced format.  While the participants were generally from the GBC family we did have one of our Oasis families reconnect and a new one from the community as well.
God is doing great things through Kid’s Ministry! Thanks to Jennifer and her team for all the effort and love they’re putting into this. It’s making a difference.
 
 
Thought for the day: Growing fruit takes time
We continue to look this week at how to grow fruit in our lives, the Fruit of the Spirit.  This is not just a ‘spiritual’ thing but very practical, especially in days like we’re facing. Growing in fruit means growing as a disciple of Jesus. This is not just about letting your light shine but also helps you to deal with the stress and pressure of our Covid world.  Sound good?
Here’s the thing, just like in nature, our spiritual growth takes time. Just like seeds, we must be planted in good soil, nurtured and watered. What this looks like, practically, is a lifelong work of submitting all of our life under God’s authority. We grow in knowledge of God through his Word, and grow our love of God through knowing him and obeying him. We come into spiritual community through our church and grow under the learning of other believers. We step away from old sin tendencies and through the power of Jesus’ strength, learn to walk in obedience. We die to our old selves and put on our new self in Christ Jesus. When we do that, we’ll find ourselves being transformed as the seed bursts forth into fruit.  While it takes time (and you all know how patient I am!) it’s so worth it!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris