GBC Community Update: Focus on the positive

Good morning. I hope you’re making this a great week!  Seems like the cool, fall temperatures are finally here after a warm month to date.  Things aren’t cooling down here though with lots going on. Please read the updates below.   Also, don’t forget we’ll be having a potluck and communion service on Sunday.  There’s still time to sign up for this unique event.
 
 
Monthly Giving Update
As promised (and requested by many) below is the current state of giving for this month. Here are the numbers:
General Fund offerings: month-to-date September 19
Budget: $14,595    Actual: $13,398
 
Year to date Offerings - Sep 19,2022
Budget $144,990
Actual  $133,055
Deficit  9,935
As you’ll see, we’re running behind this month which doesn’t help our year to date.  If you could help us out with a financial gift I’d sure appreciate it.  You can give through EFT or drop a check/cash off in the offering box at the back of the auditorium
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream for a chance to meet and hear our pastoral candidate Dan Andrade
As has been mentioned, our pastoral candidate Dan Andrade and his family will be here for the first of two visits Sunday. He will be speaking this Sunday from the Book of Ezekiel and again next Sunday.   You will have an opportunity to get to know them better next Sunday at a bit of a ‘meet and greet’ luncheon. In the meantime, if you have questions for him you can share them with either Dan Chapman or myself.  
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.
 
 
Oasis@Midweek craft supplies needed
This has come from our Oasis and Oasis@Midweek craft leader Krista Schito:  “We are in need of 30 little glass jars by Oct 9th.  Jam jars.  Mason jars, etc.  We have collected 2 so far. A size that a bunch of standard-sized popsicle sticks can fit in and stick out the top. We don’t need the lids. The jars will be primed so that the kids can paint and make “Praise Jars” on Oct 12th.   Krista Schito is collecting these. Thank you!
We would also love donations of any craft supplies for this ministry.  Thanks to everyone who has been donating supplies.  The kids love being creative with your generous donations!”
If you can help out with this, that would be great.
 
 
Thought for the day: Focus on the positive
Like the faithful people of old, we should focus beyond this fearful world on the positive future God has in store. We can also meditate on and appreciate the comfort and peace God gives now.
Paul directed our thinking toward the positive in Philippians 4: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Later in the scriptures he reminded us to rejoice always and gives thanks in everything.
Here's a positive take on fear from the scriptures: “perfect love casts out fear”.  As a result, fear is conquered. John summed up the ultimate goal this way: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear”.
We can go to God with our fears. We can seek more of His Spirit. We can grow in faith in His ability to defeat anything that threatens us. We can find comfort and security in His loving care.  The fear and loathing of this age will be replaced with love and rejoicing forevermore.  What a great thought to carry us through the day.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris