GBC Community Update: God's power will protect us

Good afternoon. I hope you’re making this a great week. It is SO nice to see the sun again. I’ll even take the colder temperature.  I don’t know about you, but the sun also helps my disposition.  It’s the same when you experience the SON (okay, not so witty, but I hope you get the point!)
 
 
Open Altar prayer time returns
I’m excited that we are returning to Open Altar.  For those who are new to GBC, this is something we did regularly before Covid.  Once a month I, or one of the elders, would be available at the front of the auditorium after the Sunday service for prayer. This could be for a personal prayer need, something that moved you during the service or even for direction from God.  It was a special time that was very impactful for many.
Well, it’s back!
Starting this weekend, there will be two elders or pastors who will be available to pray for you. We’re going to do this on a weekly basis for a bit and see how it goes. So, don’t be shy, come on up and pray with us!
 
 
February Calendar
The February monthly calendar has been posted for your information but also to know how to pray for what’s going on at the church.  There are also copies available on the info table.

 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as continue our winter series, “Firm Foundations”-a study of the book of Romans
The foundation of a building is critically important for the stability of the structure that sits on it. In many ways our faith and relationship with God needs the same thing.  How is your foundation? This winter we’ll be looking at this idea as we study the book of Romans, perhaps the best book of the New Testament for this kind of thing. 
This Sunday Jacob will look at what justification that leads to salvation looks like.
Want to prepare? Read the text for Sunday ahead of time: Romans 3:21-31
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the day: God’s power will protect us.
I’ve been looking at the issue of hope the past couple of weeks and I’ve appreciated the positive comments from many of you.  I can see from it we all are looking for the same thing- answers that will give us hope. 
People often ask me, especially in the times we’re in, what I think is going to happen in the days ahead. Prior to Covid hitting I had a lot more confidence that I had things figured out. Now though, I have a LOT less certainty.  That can lead to a lot of discouragement and distraction. It can also lead to a loss of hope.  Here’s my concluding thought on this subject: no matter what the year ahead has in store, you can always count on God to help. How do I know?  Peter writes in his first letter to the early church: “Through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see” Here’s the key: By HIS power and through OUR faith, we can always have hope since God is not only working out his purposes and plans but he’s also protecting us as we go through all of this.
Sometimes we all feel helpless and powerless.  It even happens to pastors. But when God is in your life, he has mighty power to help you. His power is bigger than anything you will face this year and that gives me a lot of hope. I ‘hope’ it does for you too!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris