GBC Community Update: May we be people of hope

​Good morning. I hope you’re making this a great week!  I want to send a special shout out to Linda and Marj for the amazing job they have done in the last month looking after hospitality for the funerals we have hosted. In talking to a funeral director about this he told me that fewer churches are offering this option and resorting to caterers.  I am SO thankful for these ladies and their willingness to undertake this tangible act of service and let their lights shine in this way.  Thank you and those who help you so much, we appreciate your ministry a lot.
 
 
Please Welcome GBC's New Administrative Coordinator
After a faithful career of service to GBC, Elaine Finlay will be retiring from her role at the end of this summer.  We are pleased to announce that, following a competitive application process, Andrea Thornton has been chosen as GBC's next Administrative Coordinator.  Andrea has been a part of the GBC family since 2016 and in that time has been active in many areas of ministry including the Outreach Team, the Junction Neighbourhood Group, and the music ministry.  Prior to her time in Guelph, Andrea worked for McMaster University in Hamilton as a Senior Research Coordinator for 20 years, where she coordinated medical research studies involving thousands of patients in hundreds of hospitals across dozens of countries.  Her administrative, financial and communications skills will be a great asset to the staff, volunteers, members and ministries at GBC.  Andrea's first day in the office will be July 31 which will provide for a period of transition and learning before Elaine's last day at the end of August.  Please join me in congratulating Andrea on her new position!
 
 
Welcome the Iles Family at a Dinner and Hymn Sing this Sunday!
We are grateful to welcome Jamie, Emily and their family as part of the GBC congregation as Jamie takes on the role of Music Director.  Please plan to join us this Sunday, July 23rd, for a pot-luck dinner and hymn sing.  Bring a salad, main course or dessert and join us at 5:30 p.m. for dinner.  Then stay around for a hymn sing at 6:30 p.m.  This will be an opportunity to introduce the Iles to the congregation, sing some favourite hymns and gospel songs, and more!  Please add your name to the sign up sheet in the foyer - you can indicate what you will bring and also include a favourite song request as well.  We hope to see you on the 23rd!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we finish our 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? We continue to look 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 I will be wrapping our series up as I look at chapter 16 and tie it back to all that Paul has taught us.
Want to prepare? Read the text for Sunday ahead of time: Romans 16.
If you can’t make it 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: May we be People of Hope
Hope has been on my mind a lot recently. Having done another funeral this week and with camp coming up soon and the theme of shining Jesus light I have been reminded how huge the need for hope is.
Early in Covid I did a series called ‘joy in the storm’ and in some ways that’s what Oasis Camp is for many- finding joy in the CONTINED storms of life.  Whatever your circumstance is or looks like, in the macro of the world or micro of ours we need to seek the joy that comes from hope.
 
It becomes easy to despair and lose hope.  We must face days of fear and testing since 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”.  And you know what? He has!  The result is we should be overflowing with hope.  What a great thought to carry us through whatever it is we face!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris