Bethel Crc Lacombe

Today we welcome the Cadets from Central Alberta churches for our regional Cadet Sunday. The focus of our reflection will be on Mark 10:35-45, Servant Leadership. The cadet theme this year is focused on leadership and how even cadets can be leaders, no matter their young ages. We will be reflecting on how Jesus reminds the disciples that leaders serve, they don’t lead for power or authority. We will look at what a leader’s character looks like.

Today we will reflect on Psalm 146, A God of Justice. Psalm 146 is one of the Psalms of Ascent, which the people of Israel would sing as they come up the road to Jerusalem. As they came close to the city they would see the temple, and near the temple, they would see the palace of the king. Psalm 146 reminds the people to place their trust in the eternal God over the kings who came and went. Kings were not always kings of justice, so the temple gave the people hope because our God is a God of justice, a God who hears the cries of his people.

Today we will reflect on Words of Life, Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is unique among all of the Psalms.  It is not only the longest of the psalms but also the longest chapter in the entire Bible!  In addition, this longest of all Psalms has one central focus: the Scriptures.  What insight did the psalmist have that compelled him to lovingly compose 176 verses on this one topic?  How can we share in his zeal in our own reading of God's Word?

Today we will reflect on Psalm 143, Teach Me. In Psalm 143, the psalmist asks God for his mercy as his spirit is faint and his heart is dismayed. He meditates on all God’s works, he hides himself in the Lord, putting his trust in God. He asks the Lord to show him the way and to teach him how to do the Lord’s will. This Reformation Sunday, we will reflect on the importance of sitting at the feet of God to learn, walk in the way of Jesus, and be shaped by God. We will also have the opportunity to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.

Today we will reflect on Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17, God: the Best, the Greatest, the Perfect Gardener! God gave us the mandate to rule over everything he had made on Earth. This morning we will reflect on what it looks like to rule over what God has made. What does it look like to be a steward of God’s creation and what part of God’s creation may He be calling you to take care of ?

Today we will give thanks to God for all his blessing through the year, and for the blessing of his presence during the difficult times. We will be reflecting on Psalm 66, Praise the Lord! In Psalm 66 we join the psalmist and all the earth in shouting for joy to the Lord for all the Lord has done for us, his people. As part of our service, we will be giving you opportunities to share some of what the Lord has done for you or who the Lord is to you. We will give thanks for God who hears our prayers and never withholds his love from us.

Today we will reflect on Psalm 91, Our Rescuer. This is another of those powerful psalms in which the psalmist is in awe of God and how God is always there for him as his rescuer and refuge. Psalm 8 gave us a “Wow!” look at God through creation. Psalm 91 gives us a “Wow!” look at God through how he is always there for us as our protector and saviour !

Today we will reflect on Psalm 73, Losing Our Foothold. The psalmist is looking at the world around him and he’s puzzled. Why do the bad people succeed more than the good people, why do God’s people suffer while the evil people do really well? These are still important questions that followers of God still wrestle with today. The psalmist decides to go into the sanctuary of God to find answers.

Today we will reflect on Psalm 46, Fortress and Refuge. Most of us, when we think of Psalm 46, think of the words, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s the context that makes these words so important. The psalmist amid uproar and chaos, and in spite, or even because of the chaos, he hears the Lord invite him to “Be still, and know that I am God ."

Today we will reflect on Psalm 27, Seeking the Lord’s Face. Psalm 27 is a psalm in 2 parts. The first part of the psalm is a hymn of confidence in the Lord, while the second part is a moving prayer for help. In this psalm, we see how the need for confidence and trust in the Lord helps us come to the Lord in times of need. Our prayers are important to God, and he calls us to reach out to him in all circumstances, especially in times of need.

Today we will reflect on Psalm 8, The Work of Your Fingers. In the middle of a group of psalms that focus on those experiencing oppression and powerlessness, comes this psalm of wonder and awe celebrating the majesty of God. We will also commission those involved in our children’s, youth, and teaching ministries in the upcoming church year.

Today we will be looking at Psalm 81, God’s Lavish Tough Love.  This psalm begins with praise to God for who He is.  It then moves into God talking about how He brought Israel out of Egypt and freed them from bondage and the burden of slavery.  Sadly, Israel didn't obey God, but God still longs to fill their mouths and feed them with the finest wheat and honey.  We will reflect on how all the way through, the Bible tells us what is good, who God is, and points us to the Gospel .

Today we are beginning a new series: A Journey Through the Psalms. Over the next few months, we will reflect on various psalms and their themes. The psalms are written for worship and to give us words and ways to talk to God in almost any situation. We will begin our journey by reflecting on one of the most well-known psalms, Psalm 23, also known as the Shepherd Psalm. In Psalm 23 we are given a look at our shepherd through the eyes and experiences of the sheep. It is a psalm that looks for the Shepherd’s presence, providence, and guidance through both the good and the difficult times of life. It is a psalm of trust and hope.

Today we will reflect on Matthew 24:1-35, Signs and More Signs. The Church has been fascinated with figuring out exactly when Jesus is coming back. We will take a look at a passage that many people turn to try to figure out Jesus’ timing. The problem is that even Jesus himself told his disciples that he didn’t know the time of his return.

Today we will begin a 2-week series on Eschatology. We will begin our series by reflecting on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, The King is Coming! This is the passage where the Bible talks about the rapture, in Greek the word is “Parousia”. But rather than coming to take us away, Paul tells his readers that when Jesus comes as King, we will go out to meet him to escort our king to his kingdom!

Today we have the pleasure of  Pastor Henry Steenbergen leading us in worship. The focus of our reflection will be on Luke 15:1-3;11-32, Extending Grace to the Lost. Often in this world, we can assume like the older brother in this parable, to be our own saviour. When in reality we need to recognize our need for God’s gift of forgiveness and how we can extend that gift to others.

Today we will reflect on Isaiah 30:1-22, Judgement and Joy. Without judgement there will never be the joy. These are the two irreplaceable core elements of the Gospel. Jesus echo's these words from Isaiah in the Gospel of Mark, as he starts His ministry on earth, "Repent and believe the good news!" Just like King Hezekiah in the Old Testament, we need to go to the Lord with full repentance, so that we may have rest in our salvation and experience the full joy of the Lord. 

Today Eddie Maguire from Central Alberta Youth Unlimited will lead us in a reflection on Hebrews 11:1-3,13, Commitment. When you make a commitment it is usually accompanied by the words “I will”. The words of Jesus in John 14:3, “I will return.” Many have committed to serving Jesus because of those words. In Hebrews, we see a host of people of faith who were committed to serving God but didn’t have those words-- no excuses for us. Commitment means clearing away all that hinders. Walking the way or running it…. Not standing still.

Today we will reflect on Hebrews 12:1-13, Run the Race Well. This past week we held our Athletes in Action Summer Camp. We will reflect on the authors use of a sports metaphor to encourage our faith life. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus as we are called to live our lives according to Jesus’ way.

Today we finish our series on The Covenants by reflecting on Revelation 5, Covenant of Redemption Fulfilled! We enter into a vision given to John of heaven’s throne room, where we find the Lion of Judah who is also a Lamb, a sacrificial lamb. Before the Lamb is a scroll that no one can open, containing the history of the battle against God by Satan. The Lamb is the only one able to open it because he’s the only one worthy to open it through the offering of his blood for his people. In this vision and what comes next we see how the covenants between God and his people all are fulfilled and the glorious future that lies ahead!