5th Sunday

Kids Liking & Following Jesus (be inspired!

This scripture was quoted in a book I was reading this morning and I was struck by the context. When the disciples wanted to know who the greatest was, Jesus turned the conversation on its head and told them to change and become like children. Children had no status and no voice in the first century. They were completely under the authority of their fathers and essentially had no rights that he didn't give them. So, Jesus' challenge would have felt like a punch in the gut while they were jostling for position in His kingdom.

What a beautiful reminder that we never outgrow humility. We are adopted into the family of God and are His children (thank you, Jesus!) which means we are under His authority. We need reminding sometimes just as the disciples did.

I wonder if that's why we love it when our kids participate in "big church". Watching them sing or dance or do a skit is always a highlight of any service. Is it just because they're cute? Okay, it's some of that but certainly not just that!

When our kids worship, we are reminded of how beautiful that act of surrender is and how pure it can be. When our kids learn, we are reminded about the simplicity of the gospel and how powerful it is. You may have heard it said that there is no "Jr. Holy Spirit". The same Spirit who lives in each believer, who was poured out on Pentecost, is the same Spirit who is moving in and transforming our kids to know and serve Jesus.

We love our Freedom kids and we are extraordinarily grateful for all those who teach them in Kids Church and KidzConnect each week. On Sunday, we're celebrating this generation and Miss Margaret is going to lead us in a Kids Emphasis Service... she's calling it a Kids Takeover!

Come ready to engage with the younger generation and have your own faith built while you're at it! Join us for a potluck after the service... our theme is "kids favourite foods" if you need some inspiration.

Looking forward to learning and worshiping across all generations with you!
Pastor Tracy


THIS SUNDAY

SUNDAY, APRIL 30 @ 10am
LIKE & FOLLOW
Kids Emphasis Service
Margaret Pfeiffer

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+Church Online)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Celebrating (& Needing) One Another (5th Sunday Generation Service!)

This 5th Sunday, Frank Patrick will be our guest speaker. We're celebrating the older generation in the church and how vital they are to us all. Frank has an article coming out next month in SAGE magazine that I've asked permission to share here as a primer for our time together on Sunday. I trust it (and our service) will encourage you all, regardless of the generation you're a part of!

Blessings,

Pastor Tracy

________________________________

I’ve noticed something recently. I’ll be seventy-six years old this coming March, and a number of people aged twenty and thirty-something are willing to include me in their company, both individually and as a group.

The reason that I was a little surprised at first is that my generation, the so-called Baby Boomers who were born from 1946 to 1966 (Canadian stats), largely came of age in the fifties and sixties.

During that era I remember well listening to the Beatles as they sang tunes like “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?” Another popular group told high school students “don’t trust anyone over thirty!”. Teens of that day ‘spoke’ the language of the music that they listened to, and very often took the lyrics to heart.

There were many other contributing factors, of course, but the fallout from the overemphasis on youth led to what became known as the “Generation Gap”. This phenomenon was largely found in western Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America, and grandparents, parents, teachers, authority figures of any kind, and pastors were viewed with suspicion. Teens and young adults relied on what they heard from their peers to guide them, and the idea of having a mentor was out of the question. Teen-only youth groups were popularized.

Fortunately for me, I served in the Army Reserves and the Regular Forces during my teen years and experienced the tremendous value that came from having older and more experienced people in my life to guide me. Coming from a broken home I especially benefitted from those influencers in my life. Many of my peers didn’t have any input of that nature in their lives, and it showed.

Ever since my early twenties I have sought out godly women and men for their advice and encouragement. I wouldn’t be who | am today without their influence in my life.

Here’s an example: I was asked by the late James MacKnight, who was the General Superintendent of the PAOC at the time, to attend a special committee meeting at our head office. At the coffee break, I asked Bill Griffin how it was that about eight leaders in their own right could sit at the table and make major decisions together without open conflict.

His reply wasn’t what | expected. “Do you see that door?” he asked. “When you come through that door, you leave your personal agenda out in the hallway and you ask yourself this question ‘What's best for the Fellowship?’”. In that moment he mentored me, and over forty years later I can still recall what he said. Powerful!

In our senior years, it’s easy to sit back and say that ‘we’ve done our bit’ for the kingdom. May I suggest something to you? That’s called peer mentoring, by the way.

We have untold millions of younger Canadians, both in the church and not, who’ve reaped the whirlwind of our generation insisting that ‘drugs, sex, and rock and roll’ was what life was all about. Many are not only from broken families, their peers are as well. So where do they go for guidance?

The media? Social networking? Their friends, who are usually no better off than they are? There is another option, of course. Us!

The Bible is replete with examples of younger women and men benefiting from the guidance of those older than themselves. Unfortunately, many of our churches do virtually nothing in terms of intergenerational relationships (one of the things that I notice, in my work as a church consultant), so the possibility of developing quality mentoring relationships is difficult. Unless...unless we do something about that ourselves, outside of the structure of our church.

This weekend take a moment and notice, I mean really notice, those who are attending your Sunday services. Are there any younger singles, or couples? What about single parents, or students? Don’t assume that they are already connected in some way with your congregation. Many are not. Invite them out for lunch following the service, or during the week. Offer to be of assistance to them in some way. Find out what their needs are, and help them with those. Most importantly sit with them and really listen to their story. Ask leading questions. Don’t judge them. Love them. My young friends say that it’s precisely because of my age and life experiences that they seek me out, and once they know that you really do care about them they’ll want to be with you as well.

Author: Rev. Frank Patrick
To Be Published: SAGE, February 2023


THIS (5th) SUNDAY

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 @ 10am
MIXED MESSAGES
Listen Up
Frank Patrick

Potluck to follow the service!

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+Church Online)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

A Step of Obedience (water baptism on 5th Sunday)

In the fall of 2020, Pastor did an excellent job helping us understand what it means that we are new creations in Christ and how water baptism symbolizes this amazing truth. If you didn't get a chance to listen or watch, be sure to check it out here, including the Q&A afterward.

I hope that you've heard by now that there will be an opportunity to be baptized in water on 5th Sunday, May 29th, during our service. If you or someone you know is considering baptism, allow me to reiterate what it's all about. Here is the first page of what you'll find on our website:

So if you've made a decision to follow Jesus and you've never been baptized in water, this is the perfect opportunity. Just click the image above and read about your next step. And, of course, don't hesitate to give me a shout if you have any questions!

In Christ,
Pastor Tracy


THIS SUNDAY

EMPOWERED
The Holy Spirit in Old Testament Leadership
Pastor Erin Jamieson

Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!

10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+YouTube Live)

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Drive In & Check Your Gauges (it's 5th Sunday!)

Rob has a very consistent habit of resetting the trip odometer in the vehicle every time we fill up the tank. The idea is that every week or two we can do a check in to see how the gas mileage compares to the last few weeks and over the long haul. I'm told that if your mileage is getting worse it can point to an issue that you need to have looked at: tire pressure, air filter, fuel system... and a bunch of other things that came up when I Googled it.

We're using our 5th Sunday services to act like a bit of a trip odometer this year. We started in January by creating a Life Transformation Goals for 2021 and lots of you took the opportunity to download and fill out the form. If you did, it's time to pull it out, look at where you're at, make any adjustments that the Lord is leading you to and pray about where you'd like to be by the time our next 5th Sunday rolls around (August!).

If you haven't started using this resource, it's available to you any time at www.freedomkw.com/next-resources.

It's not about perfection, it's about intentionally investing in your discipleship this year.

And to push the mileage analogy even further... we're having a DRIVE-IN SERVICE on Sunday!!! We're so excited!

Here's what you need to know:

  • Come a few minutes before 10:00 to get parked and settled.

  • The Host Team will meet you in the driveway with a special kit for your car and will let you know where to park.

  • Please stay in your vehicle while you're on the property.

  • Once you're parked, take a look a the fun stuff in your car kit!

  • The service will be about 30 minutes in length.

  • The Host Team will assist in dismissing vehicles from the parking lot in an orderly way.

We can't wait to see you!

If you can't be with us, we will still be livestreaming the service on Facebook Live as usual and you can join us from home.

Let's drive in and check our gauges this weekend! (Too far?? LOL!)
Pastor Tracy


This Sunday

5TH SUNDAY
In Common

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

5th Sunday... Let's Celebrate the Church in 2020! (all the hope, love, joy and peace)

I don't know about you but I'm happy to have some reasons to celebrate at the end of this year. I always love the Advent and Christmas season but I'm looking forward to understanding it even more and deepening my gratitude as we go through it together.

There are lots of great resources to help us understand this season. I've included one below that does a great job with teaching and with a great soundtrack. :)

So this Sunday, we're going to use our 5th Sunday service to celebrate some things as a church and get our hearts ready for the days ahead.

We're hoping to celebrate some baptisms, have some fun with new vs. old, celebrate our new normal, introduce you to our new Freedom Church campus, talk about the exciting opportunities to impact the world for Christ this Christmas and more.

On that note, I have a few action items for you this week:

  1. If you would still like to be baptized, I need to hear from you today. Just click the button below.

  2. If you have a question for one of our pastors, email it to question@freedomkw.com.

  3. Whether you're in person or online, get ready to participate. We have built the service to be fully interactive and we can't wait to hear from you!

  4. If you're watching the livestream and have an Advent wreath at home, wait and we will light the Hope candle together during the service.

Are you ready for 5th Sunday!? We are!

Looking forward to celebrating with you,
Pastor Tracy


This Sunday

THE NEW NORMAL
The New Pastor

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Or, REGISTER TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AT THE CHURCH.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

The New Creation (all about water baptism)

Pastor did an excellent job helping us understand what it means that we are new creations in Christ and how water baptism symbolizes this amazing truth. If you didn't get a chance to listen or watch, be sure to check it out here, including the Q&A afterward.

I hope that you've heard by now that there will be an opportunity to be baptized in water on 5th Sunday, November 29th, during our service. If you or someone you know is considering baptism, allow me to reiterate what it's all about. Here is the first page of what you'll find on our website:

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So if you've made a decision to follow Jesus and you've never been baptized in water, this is the perfect opportunity. Just click the button at the top of the page and read about your next step. And, of course, don't hesitate to give me a shout if you have any questions!

In Christ,
Pastor Tracy

PS - Fast & Pray Days are still happening and it's not too late to join in. Jump into our Connecting Point Facebook Group for guided prayer and other encouragement for the week!


This Sunday

THE NEW NORMAL
The New Tithe

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Or, REGISTER TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AT THE CHURCH.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

ICYMI: The Power of Inefficiency

This week's throwback devotional is from July 2018: The Power of Inefficiency

But first... it's 5th Sunday! We have a great service planned and are so excited about celebrating how LOVED we are by God. Even if you can't be here for the service, why not join us after service for a socially-distanced picnic? We will have our lawn setup and ready to host up to 100 people for lunch outside!


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I love efficiency. I get a little giddy when I find out that there is a better or faster way to get something done. I don't drive anywhere without considering how many lights I might have to sit at or how much traffic I will encounter. I organize my grocery list so that I don't have to backtrack through the store. I don't pack for a trip until every piece of laundry is cleaned, folded and put away so that I don't have to return to the job over and over again. If I can order something online for the same price, I definitely will... and let it just come to my door. I like checking off lists and feeling accomplished at the end of the day. You get the picture. I suspect I've just divided you into two groups: those of you who are breathing an amen and those who feel a bit suffocated.

While our family was away doing worship ministry at Sunset Point Camp in Alberta, we had the chance to take a canoe out on Lac St. Anne. Rob is a very proficient canoe-ist and I knew all I'd have to do is paddle and he'd get us where we wanted to go. Before we set out I had just finished answering a bunch of emails and generally having a productive afternoon. After we'd been paddling for about ten minutes I realized a couple of things:

1. The noise of the shoreline was disappearing. (Canoes are so quiet!)

2. The water was beautiful and the setting incredibly peaceful.

3. Paddling is extremely inefficient.

Sure, we were moving through the lake but we weren't getting anywhere quickly. Pretty soon, the only sound we heard was our wooden oars dipping in and out of the water. And that's when I had this thought: times of inefficiency are so very good for the soul.

I'm not talking about idleness or laziness, I'm talking about strategically spending time accomplishing nothing but quieting your heart.

Our calendars are full, our inboxes are full, our kitchen sinks are full and we strive for better strategies to get it all done and keep it all in order. And truthfully, ordering our worlds is an important discipline for effectiveness in our life and ministry. But ordering your life is about more than that calendar or inbox. There has to be time "wasted" doing whatever it is that quiets your mind and soul.

So go out and inefficiently paddle to the middle of the lake... or whatever you do to move away from the noise. Maybe it's tea on the porch swing (without your phone!). Maybe it's a walk through your neighbourhood with worship in your heart and/or on your iPod. Maybe it's a hike with your family or day at the beach unplugged from the calendar. I can't think of a better season to be intentional about this life-giving practice. Use this beautiful summer season to get this habit into your DNA.

Looking forward to connecting with you on Sunday,

Pastor Tracy


This Sunday: 5th Sunday!

MORE THAN A SONG
Loved

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Or, REGISTER TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AT THE CHURCH.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

How are you different? (this week's call to action!)

In this series we've been celebrating the Word. We had lots of great things planned for 5th Sunday, March 29th, not the least of which was a potluck after the service, but, you know, our plans have definitely changed!

But even in the midst of change (and even better than the dishes that we would have shared that Sunday), we still want to find ways to celebrate the Word. Here's what I'd love - to hear the stories of how Scripture has made an impact in your life. Have you had a moment of encouragement, direction, correction or anything else from reading the Bible?

I can't tell you how helpful it would be to your church family to hear your story.

We don't need to be in the same room to share this kind of celebration.

Here's your call to action. Click this link and tell me about a time when the Bible has made a significant impact in your life. It doesn't need to be long or complicated, just a simple testimony of how incredible the Word of God is that will challenge and encourage others. (I'll be sure to get your permission before we share any story publicly.)

I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to hearing from you. Yeah, you. Don't leave it to someone else. You have a story to tell and we're ready to hear it!

Also, here's an outline of what you can expect from our livestream service on Facebook this week...

  • A couple of songs of worship

  • A kids moment with Miss Margaret

  • A message from Romans 7

  • Closing thoughts and live Q&A with Pastor Tracy

The service will run about 45 minutes. We'll be live a few minutes before 10:00 so jump onto our Facebook page and be sure to CHECK IN, SAY HI in the comments and let your church family know that you're watching with them! Our staff will be online with you to respond to your thoughts, comments and questions as we worship together.

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Tracy


Our Easter series starts on Palm Sunday, April 5th. Who are you inviting?

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This Sunday

The Bible Says Whut? Part 3
Romans 7

Join us this Sunday at 10am as Pastor concludes our series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Finding Out WHUT the Bible Says (and prizes to boot!)

On Sunday we started part three of our Bible Says Whut? series. It's all about digging into difficult or neglected parts of scripture and building up skills and confidence to study the Bible for ourselves. It is always so much fun for me to prepare for these messages!

This time around we're going to add some incentive to dig deeper into the Bible. We've created age-specific challenges that will encourage good habits in the Word and also make you eligible to win a sparkly new study Bible of your very own. (Don't count yourself out if you already have a Bible that you love because if you win you could give the best gift ever to someone that you care about!)

Here's the challenges for each age group in our church family...

JK - Grade 2: Learn & recite the books in the New Testament in order.
Grade 3 - 6: Learn & recite the books of the Old and New Testament in order.
Miss Margaret will be sending some more information for our kids so check your inbox.

Grade 7 - 8: Take notes in four sermons in the month of March (Friday or Sunday).
Grade 9 - 12: Complete the YouVersion reading plan assigned by Pastor.
Pastor will be talking to the youth about this so listen and watch for that.

Adults: Complete a 28-day streak in the YouVersion app.
Read whatever you want, just be sure the "streak" on your home page reaches 28.

We'll have some stations set up on 5th Sunday, March 29 when you come to church so that you can show your work and enter your name to win one of the Bible prizes.

Um, yeah. This is going to be fun. I. Can't. Wait.

And, of course, 5th Sunday is going to be themed around how amazing the Word of God is and we're planning a great service and potluck that you won't want to miss. Yeah!

In the Word with you,
Pastor Tracy



This Sunday

The Bible Says Whut? Part 3
Jude

Join us this Sunday at 10am as Pastor Tracy continues our series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Outside of Our Walls (and say hey to the Pennings)

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This Sunday we're going to be outside of our four walls... literally. (Okay, weather permitting.) It will be great to be under the shade of our beautiful trees but more importantly we'll be able to see our neighbourhood. Come ready to talk about the incredible place that God has planted us and to pray for our community. It's going to be amazing! (Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic lunch.)

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One family that is making an impact in their community is the Pennings. Barbara and Anthony and their kids live and serve on Manitoulin Island, deeply passionate about sharing Christ with their indigenous neighbours. The Pennings were sent out from our Freedom family seven years ago and continue to make inroads on their mission field. They are a vital part of our mission giving plan this year and it is our privilege to support them financially and in prayer. Join me today, as you receive this email, to pray for this great family.


This Sunday

Speaking The Truth
"Our Mission Field is Right Here (Sharing My Faith is Too Hard)”

Join us on Sunday at 10am as our Pastor Tracy concludes our series… outdoors!

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

No Substitute (the necessity of sharing hope in Christ)

This Sunday is the fifth Sunday in March... so, we're ready to celebrate something great about the life of the church with you. This week's theme is: the church's mission. We're going to explore the major ways that we reach beyond our own family and church community and impact the world for Christ. I know it's going to be encouraging and challenging. And, of course, there will be food! How can we celebrate being a part of the body of Christ without a meal? This potluck is all about bringing your favourite international dish. We will feast!

As plans were coming together for this service, I read this article by Tim Keller: How to Be More Public with Your Faith. It briefly outlines some of the reasons that it is difficult to share our faith while reminding us that there has perhaps never been more of a need to. Challenging to say the least. I wanted to leave this with you as food for thought as we prepare to meet together on Sunday and be reminded about the mission that we've been given as believers.

So go ahead and prepare your heart, your mind and your meal for Sunday morning!

See you then,
Pastor Tracy


This Sunday

5th SUNDAY
The Church’s Mission

Join us on Sunday at 10am as we celebrate church life together!

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

What are you doing New Year's Eve Eve? (all about what to do with your blessing)

5th Sunday means…

If you're new to Freedom, here's the deal. When a month has five Sundays we take the fifth one and do something special that emphasizes church life and we take the time to share a meal together.

So, as you're eating leftover turkey and trying to figure out where to tuck away all of those stocking stuffers, here's what you can look forward to on Sunday.

See you there!
Pastor Tracy


Prayer for 2019

Last Sunday and on Christmas Eve we made ornaments that shared our prayers for 2019. This Sunday we're going to do something special with those prayers that will encourage you all year long. I can't wait for that!

Plus, at the end of the service we will give you and/or your family the opportunity to receive a prayer of blessing from one of our leadership couples. This is such a highlight of my year.

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Water Baptism

If you have made a decision to follow Christ, it would be our absolute joy to facilitate your water baptism. Click the button for all the information you need or give Pastor Tracy a shout.

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Soup Potluck

Back by popular demand... the soup potluck. You know what to do. Bring your favourite soup to share and perhaps a dessert to help us finish off this amazing meal. We'll provide the buns!

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This Sunday

THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS
Blessed & Blessing

Join us on Sunday at 10am as our Speaking Team shares.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

A Step of Obedience (a great way to end 2018!)

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Talking about our faith can be intimidating. It brings up a bunch of insecurities and worries about whether we are equipped to answer questions, how people will respond and if we're going to alienate our friends, families and co-workers. And yet, I don't think anyone would argue the point that we are definitely called to boldly share our faith and tell others about the life-transforming power of Christ in our lives.

One of the incredibly important ways we do this is to be baptized in water. When we choose to get into that water we are saying to everyone gathered that Christ is the centre of our lives and we are committed to living for Him and in Him forever.

While water baptism isn't usually done in front of a crowd of unbelievers, it is a testimony to your friends, family and church (and whoever you invite!) of who Jesus is. It builds our faith and reminds of the importance of setting our lives apart for God. It's absolutely one of my favourite things in church life.

If you have made a decision to follow Christ and have never been baptized in water this is your chance to take that step of obedience. We have set aside time in our 5th Sunday service on December 30th for baptisms and it would be our JOY to facilitate this for you!

If you want to learn more, here is a link to the information we provide to people who are interested in getting baptized - it's a great resource.

I know we have a lot of things on-the-go between now and the end of the month but don't miss your opportunity to tell everyone about your decision to follow Jesus on 5th Sunday.

Looking forward to continuing to celebrate Advent with you this weekend!
Pastor Tracy


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This Sunday

THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS
The Gift of Grace

Join us on Sunday at 10am as Erin continues our Advent series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

The Gifts of Christmas (what you can look forward to this season)

Around here we are in full Christmas season mode. Our decorations are being pulled out, our website graphics are changing, our rehearsals are in the works... it's going to be a lot of fun!

There are three really important things happening that we want to make sure you have on your minds, hearts and calendars over the next few weeks. Let's get ready for Christmas!

Looking forward to beginning Advent with you,

Pastor Tracy


Warm Gloves Tree for Ray of Hope

In continuation of our support of Ray of Hope, this year we will be collecting warm gloves for them to give to those in need. Starting Sunday you'll see a Christmas tree in the lobby that you can decorate with the gloves you bring in to donate.

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Christmas Eve Invitation

We have added some fun, interactive and family-friendly activities to our Christmas Eve service. We want everyone in our community to hear about Jesus and we're making it as easy as possible for you to invite everyone you know. I mean, you wouldn't go to a party unless you knew you were invited, right?

Invitation cards will be available soon!

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5th Sunday Celebration

Did you know that December has five Sundays? That's right! So we're planning a very special service for December 30th that will celebrate church life and help to launch us into the new year. Here are the highlights...

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This Sunday

THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS
The Gift of Expectancy

Join us on Sunday at 10am as Pastor Tracy begins our Advent series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

Vision & Values (5th Sunday is happening!)

Today is Thursday. Things are happening around the church that have my heart beating a little faster. Tables are being set up, the printer is whirring, lights are colour-coordinating and yes, balloons are being ordered. It must be 5th Sunday.

When a month has five Sundays we use the fifth one to celebrate some aspect of church life and we make sure that we seal it with a meal together. This one will be no exception.

Our theme this week is VISION. What do we see God doing here at Freedom and how can we be all in? As I was putting my message together I couldn't help but type a little faster and blink away a few tears. It's more than a little exciting to be talking about God at work in us and through us. I can't wait to share it all with you.

And, of course, there will be something interactive. You are going to get a chance to talk to ministry leaders and find out how you can jump in, take next steps or find a new challenge. That's where the balloons come in... but I'll explain that on Sunday.

Here's what you need to do to be prepared for church this week.

  1. Come ready to be inspired.

  2. Come expecting to be challenged.

  3. Bring a "family favourite" dish to share after the service.

In the meantime, I'll be trying to stay calm.

Can't wait to see you on Sunday,

Pastor Tracy


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This Sunday

5th Sunday
Vision Emphasis

Join us on Sunday at 10am as Pastor Tracy shares the vision and mission of our church. Be sure to stay for lunch after the service!

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

🙌 5th Sunday is Here! (you're going to want to get excited)

Why do we make such a big deal about a month with five Sundays? We know it's great every time that we get together and we celebrate life-change through Christ every Sunday. 5th Sundays just give us an excuse to celebrate in a bit of a different way.

So, this Sunday, come ready for something a bit out of the ordinary. Come ready to celebrate being a part of the Church who worships!

We're hoping to have an outdoor service in church picnic style so here's what you need to know to get ready...

  1. Dress for the weather.
  2. Bring a lawn chair and umbrella or sun shelter if you have one.
  3. Bring a couple of picnic-type dishes to share.
  4. We'll provide a popsicle/ice cream-type dessert and lots of water.

We're going to celebrate how the church has worshipped together through the decades, have "special music", celebrate a water baptism and even have a chance for some testimonies. You won't want to miss it!

Service starts at 10:00am and the picnic will follow.
(We'll be indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate. Rain or shine, come excited!)

Can't wait to see you then,
Pastor Tracy


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This Sunday...

THE SUMMER OF COURAGE
Daniel

Join us on Sunday at 10am as Bjorn shares this incredible story of courage.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.

All Things New (Happy New Year!)

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This time of the year carries the expectation of reflection and I really love that. The days go by so fast that it's always a struggle to take time out to assess our goals and the big picture of our lives. It's built into this season and I always look forward to it.

As I reflect back over 2017, here are some of the things on my heart... a whole bunch of things that we can be thankful for as a church:

  • P. Del and Arlene led us so well and modelled Christ in every part of their lives. It was our privilege to be the church who celebrated their ministry and were able to thank them on behalf of 37+ years of people they have impacted.
  • Our staff, who were all brought onto the team after years of showing excellence in lay ministry. They each took on a new challenge and grace and passion. 
  • Miss Margaret remained a consistent, godly presence in our kids' lives and gave great leadership to her ministries even as many things changed around her.
  • Our board continues to be a picture of prayerful and gracious leadership. We are so blessed.
  • A congregation of people who genuinely like each other and care about each others needs. 

These are the people that I got to link arms with every day in 2017. You are a gift to me and to the rest of your church family. We know we won't ever be perfect in this life but I am confident of our ability to advance the Kingdom of God in Kitchener as the Lord enables us. It is my honour and joy to be your Lead Pastor. 

Grateful for this year and anticipating a beautiful 2018,
Pastor Tracy


This Sunday...

All Things New

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:22-23

As has become our tradition, our speaking team will take some time to reflect on 2017 and then look into what we're anticipating for 2018. It's always lots of fun and hopefully sparks some reflection for you as well. But, of course, that's not all we have going on... because it's 5th Sunday!

New Year's Eve AM - 5th Sunday Service @ 10:00 w/ Baptisms (yeah!)
New Year's Eve PM - Appetizer Potluck & Board Games - 4:00-6:00pm

You can also follow along with the message on YouVersion. Here's the link.

Expectation ('tis the season)

WebCome To Worship.jpg

As I put the finishing touches on my messages for Sunday morning and evening (Christmas Eve!), a theme keeps emerging... expectation. We've talked about Advent as a season for hope and expectation, anticipating the arrival of Christ and celebrating His birth. But now that we're so close to Christmas Day, what are you expecting? 

Some of us are excited about traditions or that special dish that Great Aunt Bertha makes. Some of us are excited for it to be over and have a couple of days to unwind after a busy season. But let me remind you, just one more time before Christmas, to set your hope in Christ. Expect to see Him in a new way this season. Expect for His love to capture your heart again. Expect to stand amazed in awe and wonder at the miracle of the Incarnation. 

I invite you to join in with the best tradition that our family has. On Christmas morning, before the presents are opened, we read Luke 2:1-20 and pause to thank God for the year behind us, seek Him for the year ahead and centre our hearts on the reason for the day. My family has done this since, well, always. So, I promise that even small children will not explode from the anticipation. Really. 

As you centre your celebration on Christ, I am praying that you will be completely full of joy!

See you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy

PS - Would you like to be baptized on December 31st? It's not too late... Click here.


This Sunday...

Come to Worship

Church is going to be alive with excitement on Sunday! For our final message of this series, I'm going to wrap it up with a part of the Christmas story that we don't hear very often. King Herod, the Priests and the Magi all have a very different response to the coming of the King of the Jews and there are some lessons and reminders in Matthew 2 for us as well.

And coming up, here are the exciting things happening in church life:

  • Christmas Eve AM - Service @ 10:00
  • Christmas Eve PM - Special Services @ 4:00 and 6:00
  • New Year's Eve AM - 5th Sunday Service @ 10:00 w/ Baptisms
  • New Year's Eve PM - Appetizer Potluck & Board Games - 4:00-6:00pm

You can also follow along with the message on YouVersion. Here's the link.