GBC Community Update: May we be people of hope

​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