ICYMI: Slow Fade (the truth in the yellow ceiling)

This week's throwback devotional is from May 2018: Slow Fade

Painted Ceiling.JPG

This week's throwback devotional is from May 2018: Slow Fade

I consider myself to be a pretty clean person. I do regular chores at my house and like to keep thing tidy. But something pretty horrifying came to light last week while Rob and I started a small kitchen renovation. We were about to begin the process of painting the cabinets and I decided that it was probably a good idea to paint the ceiling since everything else was being freshened up. I could see that the section around the stove had yellowed a bit so I bought a can of ceiling paint and got started. Within a few strokes of the roller I was equally horrified and fascinated. When compared to the rest of the 14 year old ceiling, it wasn't bad... but compared to the fresh, white paint, the ceiling was a perfect shade of EW!

Immediately, I saw the metaphor on my ceiling. When we compare ourselves - thoughts, actions, attitudes - to others, to our surroundings, or to who we were yesterday, we simply can't see clearly what needs to be changed. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word to us, to speak truth to us and to show us His ways, we have the opportunity to be truly transformed. That's why we're so passionate about meeting together, about knowing the Word, about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and, in this series, how to be people of prayer. All of this works together to help us see more clearly how to be transformed into the image of Christ.

Looking forward to being transformed by the Word with you on Sunday,

Pastor Tracy

PS - Speaking of Sunday, Jeremy Feller will be here as our guest speaker and I CAN'T WAIT!!! You will not want to miss this service. Be here live if you can, join us on livestream if you can't!

This Sunday

NOW WHAT?
Guest Speaker: Jeremy Feller

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ICYMI: The Power of Inefficiency

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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

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ICYMI: Surprised By Beauty

This week I want to throw back to a devotional I wrote back in August of last year. It hits on similar themes from my message two Sundays ago but from a bit of a different point of view. Enjoy!

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I was delighted when we moved into our new house last fall that there were simple perennial gardens around the fence. I love how gardens warm-up and finish outdoor spaces. They're so welcoming and beautiful. But then early spring came and I was meeting a neighbour outside of my house. She glanced at my yard and said, "So, do you like gardening?" Uh...

She knew something I didn't. These simple gardens require a lot of maintenance. I got to skip the construction and planting stages, I hardly have to do anything to make the plants grow, but that is far from the whole picture. My neighbour had seen the old owners working away in those gardens on a consistent basis and was wondering if I was going to do the same or bring the neighbourhood property values down.

I've spent more time gardening this year than ever. While it has been backbreaking at times, I've actually been surprised by the joy I've found watching those plants develop over the past weeks and months. I really didn't know what most of them were since the season was over when we moved in last year. But one day I looked out at my garden and realized that two of the plants were lilac bushes. I love lilacs! A few weeks later my street smelled like lilacs again... turns out that the trees in my boulevard are white lilac trees. Sweet!

I've been watching one plant grow that I thought might be rhubarb... then it wasn't. It was very, very slow to come to life and after several months of waiting it suddenly took off and is now blooming purple flowers. Nice. And if that weren't enough, just when I thought I had seen it all, two unknown bushes started to flower with pink hydrangeas (I think...see photo above!). What?! Gor-geous.

I know that some of you reading this are wondering how I didn't know what a hydrangea plant or lilac bush looked like before they flowered. If you want to come by and identify all the plants in this garden for me, I welcome you. We'll have tea. My only gardening strategy is to keep things tidy, pull the weeds and prune anything that gets out of control. 

But back to the point. How much is this like our lives in Christ? God has created us in fearful and wonderful ways. He has done the work of planting His calling and gifting into our lives. He keeps speaking and moving, giving us every opportunity to grow and mature into all that He designed us to be. When we join in with what He has already done, the beauty that is produced in our lives is sometimes surprising and always amazing.

So how are you cooperating with what God has planted in your life? Do you see the miracle of His grace in your life? Are you noticing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control growing, flowering and being produced?

Let's not ever take for granted the power of staying in step with the Spirit every day and what is produced in our lives through that diligence. And let's not ever take for granted the incredible things that God makes beautiful in His time.

To quote Psalty the Singing Songbook:
Beautiful, beautiful, Jesus is beautiful
And Jesus makes beautiful things of my life 

Thankful to be in Christ,
Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
East From The West

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ICYMI: Asking for Time (wisdom from Daniel)

This week I want to throw back to a devotional I wrote back in April of last year. Considering what our 2020 has been like so far, April 2019 seems like a decade ago! The wisdom of Daniel's response to the king continues to be a poignant challenge every day and it a great set up for my message on Sunday so here it is again: Asking For Time

In my devotional reading a verse caught my attention in a passage I've read many times before. It's found in the story of Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2. Daniel was under extreme pressure. Not only did the king want his dream interpreted, he wanted someone to tell him what his dream was to prove they weren't making something up. In fact, the king was so angry with and suspicious of his astrologers that he was planning to end all of their lives unless they could do what he asked. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were on the hit list (v.13).

It's under this kind of stress (threat of death!) that Daniel goes to see the king. And here is how scripture records this interaction: "At this, Daniel went into the king and asked for time so that he might interpret the dream for him." (v.16, emphasis mine)

I know that my first instinct wouldn't be to calmly ask the homicidal king for some time. I would try to find a solution and bring it to him or hide and beg God for an answer that would save my life. Both of those might be valid action plans but Daniel asks for time.

My heart was challenged by this. How often do I rush to a solution without taking the time to really ask the Lord what His heart is? How often do I make plans and then ask God to bless them instead of spending time in prayer, waiting in His presence until I know the direction that He wants me to take?

Andrew Murray says it like this: "Learn to say about every want, failure, or lack of grace you need, 'I have not waited enough on God. He would have given me all I needed in due season.'" (from Power in Prayer & Waiting on God)

So let me encourage you to ask for time. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you take the time you need to pray for your needs and wait for His answer. Ask for time from those around you who are pressing you for answers that you don't have. And then take the time to slow down in a "tyranny of the urgent", stressed-out world to hear the voice of God speaking. And then, step out in obedience to what He says.

Asking for time along with you,

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
In The Waiting

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ICYMI: Letting Love Root Deeply (truly "more than a song")

This month we're going to throw back (ICYMI = In Case You Missed It) to some devotionals that IMHO (in my humble opinion) deserve a second visit. Let's start with the wisdom of Psalm 1 because our series this summer is all about how the Psalms are more than just songs, they are biblical poetry that instruct, lead and equip us to follow Jesus. Here we go!

Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither - whatever they do prospers."

Meditating on the Word allows our minds to be transformed by God (Romans 12:2). It's counterintuitive to the break-neck pace of our culture but the Bible assures us that it worth every moment. As I thought about how we need to know and be changed by the love of God, I also thought about how our minds need to be renewed in order for us to truly understand it. So, this week, I've simply put together several verses for you to meditate on. I encourage you to take some time with each of them - read it over, read it out loud, journal some thoughts, sit and think about it quietly. 

As you meditate, "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:18)

Pastor Tracy

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Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.

Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
Search Me

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Gathering at the Table (a Communion refresher)

While Rob and I are on holidays this week, there is a beautiful service taking place on Sunday morning. I'm glad that I can watch online! (Or maybe I'll sneak in the back... after I register, obviously. LOL!)

Margaret is working on her final assignment for a homiletics (preaching) course and is going to be using this opportunity to bring us a message from Ephesians 6 called "Suit Up". I have every confidence that it will be A+ and challenge all of us to know where our true strength comes from. If you're on site for the service, be sure to shout amen so her professor hears it on the recording. :)

And Pastor Erin will be leading us through Communion. So, I want to take this opportunity to share a refresher in what Communion (or the Lord's Supper) is and why it is so valuable to us as believers. We have a very clear and helpful lesson on Communion in our First Steps course so I've included Lesson 4 here for you to either learn about this beautiful act of worship for the first time or to give yourself a refresher.

Speaking of which... if you're participating at home, be sure to have some Communion emblems ready for 10am on Sunday. Any kind of juice and bread/crackers will work nicely.

Ah, it's going to be a great weekend as we connect, train, and impact from wherever we find ourselves.

Be blessed,

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
Beautiful in Time

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More On Ecclesiastes (readscripture.com)

I'm writing this between speaking two messages from the book of Ecclesiastes. To help give context I used a Bible Project video like we did back in our Bible Says Whut? series. They've been helpful to us several times already this year and I wanted to be sure that all of you had these resources at your fingertips.

What are you reading in scripture right now? Ever feel like you're a little lost in the text or wonder where it fits into the bigger picture of the book or the biblical narrative? Jump over to the Bible Project website or download their Read Scripture app. So. Helpful.

If you haven't had a chance to watch last week's Ecclesiastes video, I've attached it here. Also, there is a second equally great video on the same book that I highly recommend. And since I'm attaching things, it's here for you as well.

I can't encourage you enough to take these or other resources like them to help you dig and root deeper in the scriptures that you're reading. I'll tell you that it quite simply will teach you to fall in love with the Word in new ways every day.

Enjoy!

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
Beautiful in Time

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Acts 2:42-47 in Quarantine (Part 2) (staying devoted to the fellowship)

I can't tell you how much I have learned over the past four months. There have been so many lessons in life and leadership and I'm desperate to not forget any of them as we move into new stages of recovery from COVID-19. My attitude is that it's been a difficult time so I want to get out of it as much as I possibly can.

Last week I challenged you to take a look at Lesson 5 from our First Steps course and ask if you are staying "devoted to the fellowship" through this crisis.

This week, it would be great to collect some ideas of how we are doing this in real time. I'll share a few ideas and feel free to add yours by emailing me or leaving a comment on our blog or socials.

  1. Attending a service if you are able. Yep, we're wearing masks. Yep, there are some things to check off and assigned seating when you get there. But the experience of being with other believers, responding to the same message, worshiping at the same time and experiencing the presence of God with real, live people is more powerful than I can put into words.

  2. Serving others in a tangible way. Knowing about needs and meeting them is an amazing way to express your devotion to others. Through this pandemic we've had a coordinated effort to meet needs by dropping off meals, giving gift cards and household items to ones who were struggling, and financially supporting our food bank. I've heard about some of you who are doing this in an uncoordinated way by having a person on your heart and reaching out to them in similar ways. Yes!

  3. Praying intentionally. Many of you have asked to be added to our Prayer Network and check into that list of requests faithfully, bringing every need to God. Some of you have adopted a posture of prayer in the last few months that has been challenging and rich for you. Prayer not only connects our hearts, minds, actions and attitudes to God, it connects our hearts with one another in a very, very special way.

Those are some of the things I'm seeing and participating in. And with that list in place, I'm going to finish this the same way I did last week...

Without question this has been the most challenging time to figure this out in real life. But we obviously do not stop being the church when there are obstacles in the way of gathering as the church. For me, that offers up the opportunity to check my relationship to the body and ask the Holy Spirit to show me how to stay connected in new and meaningful ways.

I would love to hear from you. How are you staying devoted to the fellowship when gathering is such a challenge? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you and your family? Let me know! (tracy@freedomkw.com)

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Pastor Tracy

PS - Here is Lesson 5 from First Steps. It was your homework the week. If you haven't already, I challenge you to choose a day and make it your devotional. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know how to be Devoted to the Fellowship during a pandemic. Rob and I are doing the same.

PPS - Want the whole First Steps course? It's available in hard copy or PDF.

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
Meaningless

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Acts 2:42-47 in Quarantine (how?!) (or, devoted to the fellowship)

This last few months have brought a few things to the forefront. In our context, one of the major ones has been what it means to be the church when you can't meet as a church. Everything about gathering has changed in every part of your life and what used to be normal seems to be a thing of the past.

In some ways this has made us appreciate the simple beauty in a dinner with friends or family, a hug or an unplanned chat when you see someone you know.

In other ways it has made us evaluate the most mundane activities in terms of their risk and what we deem "worth it" has probably changed.

So what about the church? How are you evaluating your connection with and participation in the body of Christ in light of all that is happening in the world?

If you know me, you know I'm not asking to pile on guilt or pressure. My heart is stirring over these things and it seems to me that this is a perfect time to align our hearts with the why of what we do. Why do we gather at all? Why do we make an effort to stay connected when we can't gather? Why isn't my discipleship a journey that is just mine?

In our Life Transformations course, First Steps, Lesson 5 is incredibly helpful as foundational learning when it comes to being a part of the church. If you are a follower of Christ, you are a part of the body of Christ. He's the head and we are all called to be connected to one another. It's of vital importance.

Without question this has been the most challenging time to figure this out in real life. But we obviously do not stop being the church when there are obstacles in the way of gathering as the church. For me, that offers up the opportunity to check my relationship to the body and ask the Holy Spirit to show me how to stay connected in new and meaningful ways.

Here is Lesson 5 from First Steps. It's your homework for the week. I challenge you to choose a day and make it your devotional. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know how to be Devoted to the Fellowship during a pandemic. Rob and I are doing the same.

I would love to hear from you. How are you staying devoted to the fellowship when gathering is such a challenge? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you and your family? Let me know! (tracy@freedomkw.com)

Glad to be in the Body with you,

Pastor Tracy

PS - You have an opportunity as congregation member to invest some time into the practical workings of this local church, hear what's going on between Sundays and ask any questions you have. We'd love to see you in person or on Zoom this Sunday evening - links below.

PPS - Want the whole First Steps course? It's available in hard copy or PDF.

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
Unchanging

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Working On Our Praise Habit (in church life and my life)

This Sunday I'm kicking off our new series (see beautiful new graphic above) by talking about one of the secrets of a happy life... building a praise habit. We're using the Psalms to help us develop in our faith as we follow Jesus and get to know Him more.

These last few days have kind of been all over the map for me. There has been a lot of reading financial statements and other administrative work, we had a holiday in the middle of the week, and we're trying to keep up with the latest health and safety rules/recommendations during the pandemic. Something tells me your days and weeks can be a bit unpredictable, too.

And through all of it I was writing my message and remembering the power of praising God through every task, in every circumstance and during every interruption. I haven't perfected it but this habit is a powerful one.

Here are some examples that will also serve as reminders for church life. I'm not even contriving these, they represent the genuine praise habit that I was working on this week!

  • We got our audited financial statements in time to process them and get them out to our members by the deadline on Tuesday. Sometimes we're tempted to brush aside reports and their timing, but I'm thanking God for His help and the excellent help of our Treasurer, Mary Lynn, who does a lot of heavy lifting in this area.

  • We purchased a picnic table for the church to test out the ones we're considering for the pavilion... and so I ate lunch outside with Margaret. We had a chance to look at the property and talk about how incredible it was to be able to dream for and use this 10 acres. We even tried to imagine what it would look like when the new pavilion was built. And, Margaret bought us some of those new donuts from McDonalds. Simple things that when you pause over them bring a lot of gratitude to the God who pieced it all together.

  • On Sunday, we are gathering both here at the church and in our homes around the Lord's Supper. This moment of remembrance is centred on praise and I will get to lead my church family in it. That's a good thing. #getyouremblemsready

  • While I was working this morning, I was texting Matt about something I want to do for my message and he walked me through how we will do that with the live site and livestream. Meanwhile, Walt and Rob were making a bunch of noise in the sanctuary, testing and tweaking the audio to work out the last of the kinks for livestreaming from our sanctuary (coming soon!). These guys are simply the best - joyfully serving and working to make the message of Jesus accessible to everyone and as effectively delivered as possible. So much to thank God for!

And listen, friends, it's only Thursday afternoon. Not everything is easy - not by a long shot. Not every day is your best - not by a really long shot. But every day God is good and this habit of praise helps us to calibrate our hearts to that truth moment by moment.

Lots more on that this Sunday and in the coming summer series of messages!

See you at 10am on Facebook Live for our service... if you have a praise song request, let me know. You never know what Rob and I might do during lobby time!

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

MORE THAN A SONG
Praise Habit

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Rebuilding My Life (how I'm thinking about post-pandemic life)

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Rebuilding Our Lives

Everything came skidding to a stop three months ago. We lost the ability to go out and do what we wanted to. We rearranged everything to have it centre from home - church, social interactions, school, and work. Some of us were bored and some of us were busier than ever. Our assumptions, emotions, mental health, and spiritual fortitude have been tested and challenged.

As we creep toward something that looks a little more like pre-pandemic life, how do we know how to rebuild the parts of our lives that are so different than they were before? How do we decide what we're going to do and not do, resume or leave behind forever?

Here's how I've been thinking about this.

Spiritual Life

Since my relationship with God isn't a piece of my life but the foundation and centre of my life, this one has to come first. I wrote this in first person and then in third person and then back again, and again... it was tough to know what voice to use so I left it in third but on almost every point I am using first person to ask these questions of myself as well!

What does your relationship with God look like right now? Have you picked up any habits or practices that have been making a positive impact to your discipleship? How can you protect those things in your calendar and strengthen these habits?

Think about what your bible-reading app streak looks like or the bible study that you've been working through daily or how your family has consistently been "attending" church together or the Connecting Point group that you engaged with online or the way that you've been able to pray for people and meet practical needs like never before.

What will it take for those kingdom-centred things to stay in first place as restrictions to our movements are easing?

Family Life

What have you learned about your closest relationships over the past few months? What areas have been shown to need some work? What beautiful things have come out of spending so much time together? How can you lean into those issues that have come to the surface and schedule your week to preserve the family time that you've come to love?

Work Life

Think about the time you spend at work and what it has meant to work from home or go into work during a pandemic. How has God used you in this environment? What have you realized about your strengths and weaknesses as you serve your employer? How has gratitude for a steady job increased? Or, how has your ability to trust God to be your provider increased? How will these insights help you live out Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..."?

This crisis has an obvious silver-lining; we have the chance to rebuild our lives with new intention. We have an unlimited resource of wisdom to help us with this (James 1:5-6) and the Holy Spirit who is able to use every circumstance to shape us into the image of Christ and produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Take these questions with you on the next walk you take, the next time you open your prayer journal or the next time you sit quietly with the scriptures. Who knows what the next six months, year or decade might look like when a global pandemic gives you the catalyst you needed to allow the Lord to shape your life in new ways.

Walking with you,

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

IN MY FEELINGS
It’s Not Okay

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Re-Opening the Church: What to Expect (take a tour with me!)

This Sunday we are opening 55 seats in our building to allow you to watch the livestream service with others. Frankly, while testing this last week, we wondered if it was worth the effort since we are still not yet going to be having a live service from the platform. But the overwhelming feedback from those who were here is that while they may have had the same questions before gathering, they were so very glad that they were able to be here. It was more moving and valuable than we could have imagined.

So, we're ready to open the church this Sunday for the first 55 people who register to be here and watch the service together.

Go ahead and watch the video tour and if you'd like to be a part of this livestream host site, click below to register. If the service is full, please register for the Waitlist because it will be so helpful to us in planning for future Sundays.

Questions? Ask away! Just email us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Wherever you're joining us from on Sunday, I'm looking forward to seeing you!

P. Tracy

This Sunday

IN MY FEELINGS
I’m Not Strong Enough

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What Does 30% Mean? (what you need to know about church this weekend and next)

We were in the middle of a Zoom staff meeting when the Premier announced that places of worship could reopen to 30% capacity. Wow - we had planned for a lot of possibilities but hadn't expected that one just yet! Within a few hours I started to hear from some of you asking what our service would look like on Sunday. I'm so glad that there was so much interest - yeah church!

Take a look at this video for an overview of how our plans are coming together so you'll be totally in-the-know. Here are the highlights:

  • Livestream will continue on Sunday as it has been for the past few months. Continue to share, comment and interact as much as you can!

  • Next Sunday, June 21, we are hoping to open the church as a livestream viewing site. Service will still be livestreamed as normal but there will be an option to RSVP to come and view it together with others. In other words, the service won't be live from the church, but we'll show the livestream on the screen in the sanctuary. (Seating capacity is 50 people at this time.)

  • Many new protocols will be in place for gathering at 30% of capacity. These will be easy to find on our web page early next week and will be a part of the RSVP process as well.

We really want to see you and be together again. At the same time we are proceeding with caution to ensure that we do everything with much care and in compliance with our governments guidelines... which are still being issued and clarified as you receive this email.

These are INCREDIBLE times in so many ways. We will not be looking for the best way to get back to doing everything exactly the same as it was before. We're looking for all the ways that this tragic pandemic has allowed us new opportunities to share Christ and "go into all the world and make disciples". (Matthew 28:19)

I want to urge you to consider these next few weeks very carefully and think about the new connections, friendships and opportunities to serve your neighbours that this crisis has created. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to share the message of the gospel in new and creative ways and use every opportunity for the Kingdom. What could our community look like if we all invited someone to church with us who has been checking out the livestream, or, as restrictions allow, invited a neighbour family over for a meal and got to know their story, or offered to take someone through First Steps who has been asking questions about faith over the past few months? What could happen???

I pray that the Holy Spirit, who is alive and active in each life, would have the hearts, minds and ears of this church and we would be changed forever for the sake of Christ and doing His world in the world around us.

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

IN MY FEELINGS
I’m Hurt

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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David + Feelings + Quarantine + You (getting emotional)

First, I want you to know that we are going to be sharing Communion on Sunday morning so be sure to have some emblems ready at home. (Any juice and crackers/bread is fine.)

Second, this has been a very emotional and tumultuous week as the world responds to anti-black racism and its implications that are brought to light with this issue. If you don't know what to say or how to respond, I'm with you. But let me say very simply that even if you aren't sure what to add to the conversation, first and foremost be a person of prayer. Pray for justice and equality for all people who are created in the image of God and pray that your own heart would be humble and repentant so that we can truly represent Christ and His Kingdom in the world. We invite you to join us for corporate prayer about this and many other things on Monday night for Deep Roots - 7:00 Worship on FB Live, 7:30 Prayer in Messenger Room.

Finally, the combination of the above two things has come as a divine setup for our service on Sunday and for the month of June. The cross is the great equalizer. No one earns their way there. No one has failed so many times that they can't make it there. We're all invited.

Isolation has done something uncomfortable to a lot of us - exposed some big feelings. Anger, frustration, anxiety, hurt, fear, loneliness and injustice to just name a few. Crisis has a way of exposing what is just under the surface, amplifying what was already there and even causing us to experience emotions we've never had before.

What do we do when we all these feelings swell up and threaten to overwhelm us? How do we respond as Christ-followers to our big emotions?

We are going to look to the life and writings of David to help us navigate through this season. Or, if what we're teaching doesn't apply to you, it may help your friend, family member, child or co-worker.

There is a way to be #inmyfeelings while trusting God and responding to Him.

Let's talk about it. And invite someone to join us.

This week: FAILURE

Can't wait until Sunday,
Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

IN MY FEELINGS
I’m A Failure

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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The Pentecostal Mission(ary) (a chat with the Aragons)

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It was my great privilege to talk with Ruth & Hector Aragon, Global Workers in Guatemala that we support as a church. They are a JOY.

We were supposed to be hosting them in our 5th service this Sunday and even though we aren't able to do that, I didn't want to miss an opportunity to still be able to hear from them.

Specifically, as we get ready to celebrate Pentecost this weekend, I asked them to share how they see the Holy Spirit at work on their mission field and in their ministry. Take a listen to our conversation by clicking the image below.

We love this couple and I know you're going to be so encouraged by them!

See you on Sunday morning,

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

5th SUNDAY - PENTECOST SUNDAY
The Advocate
The Promise

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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Need some help praying? (the Advocate helps with that, too!)

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Have you found yourself a little lost in how to pray lately? There are a lot of needs all around us and some are struggling emotionally and spiritually.

Keeping in step with our series about the Holy Spirit this month, I want to simply remind you that He has already promised to help us to know how to pray when we are weak and don't know what to say. Check out Romans 8:26-27.

And not only that, there are so many prayers in scripture that you can go to at any time when you don't have the words. What a gift.

Pastors Erin prayed many of these prayers in our service on March 29th and these passages always speak deeply to my heart. No surprise, of course, since the words of these prayers are literally breathed by God Himself, illuminated to us by the Holy Spirit.

So I offer these prayers to you again as anchor for your hearts this week. The Holy Spirit continues to be our advocate!

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

The Advocate
The Giver

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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What are YOU thinking? (we really want to know)

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This week, we want to hear from you. We've linked up with a great resource from the Barna Group and Gloo that has been constantly polling churches and pastors through this crisis and keeping a pulse on how things are going. I've been tracking this this for several weeks and have found it extremely helpful.

Now there's a new assessment that helps churches understand how people are feeling about getting back together in person. We've heard anecdotally from some of our Freedom family, seen some posts on social media and are thinking these things through for our own families as well. But what would really help us is to hear from each and every one of you, for yourself or on behalf of your household.

Click here to take the Returning to Church Check-In.

NOTE: Question 1 can be understood as, "When," not "As," since restrictions regarding church gatherings are still in place in Ontario at this time.

We'll be sending out something similar again the future so that we can better understand how things are changing in real-time as this pandemic evolves and our governments lift and change restrictions going forward.

There are no right or wrong answers. It's okay to say that you're not sure. It's okay if your spouse take the assessment and answers differently than you.

Thanks for participating!
See you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

The Advocate
The Work

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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A Week for Honouring Others (thank you, Freedom Staff!)

Mother's Day is all about taking a moment to honour the amazing women in our lives. I know you're thinking about how you will do this on Sunday for your mom/grandma/aunt/mentor. (Kudos to Rob, he's already asked me what I want for lunch on Sunday.) In that spirit, I want to publicly honour a few people who are making a huge difference in how we are able to connect, train and impact as a church.

Pastor Erin is connecting everyone together in dynamic ways as this crisis evolves. She facilitates our Connecting Point Facebook Group, receives and deploys prayer requests to our prayer teams and keeps track of everyone in our church family and how we can help one another.

You may not see or hear from Kaitlin while we're socially distanced but she's moved her work station to her house and keeps the wheels on the bus. For real. And she's doing it while homeschool her elementary aged kids.

If you don't have kids you may not know that Margaret is facilitating a fun and engaging digital kids ministry. From her strategically chaotic KidzConnect Zoom calls, to the weekly challenges on the Freedom Kids Facebook Group, to surprising families with treats, and, of course, preparing engaging Sunday School teaching every week, our kids continued to be discipled.

Our Youth Pastor has been so intentional to meet our youth where they are online... mostly Instagram! Besides a super engaging IG channel with devotionals, mid-week teaching, and fun content, our youth and youth leaders continue to meet weekly on Zoom where they have had spiritual challenges, guest speakers and all kinds of crazy activities to keep them connected with each other and growing in Christ.

And beyond Rob's main ministry of keeping me sane as we work from home, he continues to bring the church together on Sundays through the livestream. Coming alongside the critical weekly contribution from Matt Jamieson, he is supporting all of the elements that make services dynamic and tell the great stories of what God is doing.

So, I honour each of these leaders and their contribution to equipping the church for the work of the ministry. Thank you, team, for leaning into this season with flexibility and dedication and love for the Church. You make my heart very happy.

Thank you, church, for praying for each of us as we work together with you for the Kingdom.

Pastor Tracy

PS - DIGITAL MOTHER'S DAY! Last chance to record a short video for an amazing woman in your life. Email rob@freedomkw.com to record with Pastor Erin between 10:30-11:00. Let's do it!

This Sunday

The Advocate
The Comforter

Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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Missions and Our Mission (the gospel keeps advancing)

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Want to hear some good news? Our global workers are still seeing the gospel moving! Click the video link for 90 seconds of encouragement from Jeremy Feller, our mission partner in Ethiopia.

Whenever I hear from someone like Jeremy I think about my life and my mission right here in Kitchener. How can I see the gospel advance in my neighbourhood? How can my life be counted as making a difference for the kingdom?

Like Jeremy says, while we're not able to go too far from home, there are so many ways to continue to be the church that we are. As you invite someone to church online and interact with them, as you reach out to that person who has been on your mind to be a listening ear, as you financially support those who are in need, as you meet practical needs in the lives of people around you, you continue to make a statement about the grace and care and love of Christ.

We pray that this kind of effort makes a huge impact on the hearts of everyone this church reaches, that people would understand who Christ is and trust Him with their lives. We pray that every person who is discouraged or overwhelmed would learn through the encouragement of this church that He really has given us everything we need for a godly life.

How is your life on mission today?

Some of you know exactly how to answer the question, some aren't sure where to start. Here's a short list of ways to get moving in the right direction if you need some help!

  • Get on the Prayer Team (freedomkw.com/prayer)

  • Offer to help as needs arise (freedomkw.com/freedom-responds)

  • Reach out to someone you haven't heard from in a while

  • Invite someone to church and text with them during the service or have lunch with them over FaceTime afterward

  • Give - invest your finances in the work of the ministry

  • Join a CP group so you can connect with and encourage others as you learn

  • Make a meal and bring it to a family who needs a night off of making dinner

  • Really, whatever the Lord has put on your heart to do!

And that making a meal one is more than an idea, it's a plan we're working on. So many people in our lives don't need grocery pickups or financial assistance necessarily, they need a break from working from home while trying to homeschool their kids. It's a simple, beautiful way to extend hospitality in this season. Want to get involved in it? Just email Pastor Erin... and we'll talk about it more in the coming weeks.

Church, the gospel is advancing all over the world. Let's continue to commit ourselves to being a part of that advancement right here in KW.

Pastor Tracy

PS - More information about our 2020 Missions Giving Plan can be found here.

This Sunday

The Advocate
The Truth

Join us this Sunday at 10am on Facebook Live as Pastor Erin starts our new series.

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Consider This (love and good deeds in spring 2020)

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I know that the shine has worn off of this social distancing thing... if it ever had any shine at all. This forced pause has had some up sides and the rush to take our world (church, work, school, social lives) online has settled into something we never could have imagined a few weeks ago.

I get that it's less exciting to comment on every Facebook post and follow every IG story.

So can I invite you to add something to your online life that will stay with you long after we are able to meet in person?

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging on another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Connecting Point isn't the only answer to the command in these verses but we offer it to our church as a really effective way to be in community, encourage and be encouraged, challenge and be challenged, not giving up on meeting together and all the growth and inspiration that comes with that.

Consider joining a group for May and June. This is a new season with new opportunities to learn and grow, redeeming all the crazy for God's good purposes in our lives!

Here are some options for you:

  • Life in the Spirit: taught by Pastor Del, moderated by Pastor Tracy via Zoom - Tuesdays @ 7:30pm (if the group is big, we can break into small group "rooms" for discussion after the lesson!)

  • First Steps: groups will be arranged as registrations are received.

  • Sisters Women's Group: led by Pastor Erin via Zoom - Wednesdays @ 8:00

  • NEXT Courses: self-directed studies that can be coordinated into groups upon request.

How are you considering how to spur yourself and others on toward love and good deeds this spring? We may not be in the same room but we are just as passionate about CONNECTING, TRAINING and IMPACTING!

Looking forward to seeing you in a CP group,

Pastor Tracy

This Sunday

Revealing Jesus
Righteous Judge & Coming King

Join us this Sunday at 10am on Facebook Live as Pastor Tracy continues our Easter series.

Follow along with the message on YouVersion.