“Jubilant Pentecost!”

Merry Christmas! Happy Easter! Jubilant Pentecost! We are familiar with the first two, not so much with the last. And yet it is through the coming of the person of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that we experience the presence of God and all that we know and enjoy regarding Jesus and the Father. It is through the Holy Spirit that we have revelation of who God is and what he has done. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are born again and experience new birth. The Holy Spirit was the long-awaited promise of the Father that the world so desperately needed. As the curtain was torn in two through the death and sacrifice of Jesus, it forever opened the way to the presence of God. It is through the Holy Spirit that our hearts are warmed and filled with love and passion for Jesus. It is through the Holy Spirit that we hear the voice of God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we overcome sin in our lives and the work of the enemy, gaining victory. It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience the love of God and know that we are children of God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience the peace of God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience the leading and guiding of God. And it is through the Holy Spirit that we experience the power of God. The Holy Spirit is to the Christian what air is to the lungs of the body – it is the most elementary of needs and sustains all of our life. Now we understand why He is described as a ‘gift’. And… WHAT A GIFT!!! Jesus promised to never leave us as orphans (John 14:18) and he absolutely held true to his word. He sent us the Holy Spirit to be with us always, that we would never be alone.

Recently, when I was in Africa, I heard from a guy who had been part of my church in England, who has worked for 20 years in an Islamic nation in Africa, that 1,000 Muslims have come to faith in that region that was previously considered ‘unreached’. However, when they were doing some baptisms, unknown to them, someone was videoing and released the footage to authorities. 25 members of the church leadership were arrested and imprisoned with the mandatory punishment of execution looming over their heads for leaving the Muslim faith. Each one was interrogated individually and pressured to try to make them renounce their faith in Jesus. Before each one went into the interrogation, they said that they were very afraid, but as they entered the room, each one testified that they were filled with joy and peace!!! Absolutely remarkable! Absolutely miraculous! And absolutely by the Spirit of God! Only the Holy Spirit can bring such confidence, peace and joy when facing death. Because none of them backed down, and because the authorities did not want a mass execution, after a month in prison they released them unharmed.

The Holy Spirit is not just a phenomenon of the Bible but a living, active reality today and one that God wants us to experience the fullness of. So many times, I have experienced His help in my life, guiding me, speaking to me, lifting heaviness and filling me with joy. We can’t live without His life-giving presence and this Sunday we celebrate that just as the Father promised he was poured out.

And one last thing… the Holy Spirit is already at work in the lives of people who don’t even know Jesus yet, to show the realness of God’s love and to cause faith to arise in their hearts. My brother-in-law who was not a Christian at the time, visited us last year in Canada and we talked about faith. He asked, “I understand the disciples who were with Jesus believing in him, but how was it that those who had never even met Jesus believed in him?” My response was, “It can only be by the Holy Spirit!” Something happens when people hear the truth about Jesus, like a spark ignites the tinder, suddenly faith is born in the heart of the hearer by the Holy Spirit and they cross over from death to life, from darkness to light. So even today, even this Sunday, if you are not yet a believer in Jesus, as you hear the story, faith may well burst into flames in your heart, changing you forever, and bringing joy unspeakable. We look forward to connecting with you on Sunday @ 10:30am – Pastor Andrew Freeman.

 Communion

This Sunday, we will have communion, so if you are joining us online, be prepared at home with some grape juice and bread as we share in this special time together.

Children’s Wing

We are busy renovating and getting ready for a vibrant children ministry. You can help and leave a legacy for generations to come. How? By financially partnering with us and volunteering by cleaning and providing physical labour. Please consider financial donations of any amount. Please etransfer to office@kcfoffice.com or provide a cheque or cash at the office marked children.   Do it for the kids. If you want to volunteer your time, connect with Pastor Jim. Thank you.

Summer Retreat 2025 – It’s Time to get Registered!

Are you longing for long, warm days spent enjoying Kootenay Lake-splashing, paddling, floating, wading, walking forest trails, digging your toes in the sand, reading a good book, napping after a good meal, great inspiration from the evening services and time spent after with friends by the fire or playing cards. Come for adventure and chilling out - consider booking a week at The Harbour at Riondel for a vacation this year.

Aug 18 – 22. 

Food Bank

Our Food Bank is in regular operation every Thursday from 9 to 11am!

We are always accepting donations of non-perishable food items, so feel free to drop items off that have been lingering in your cupboards.

Volunteers are needed Thursdays from 8:30 – 11:10am. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Tyler Bethune at odb@odboffice.com.

Our Daily Bread

If God is leading you to help someone not be hungry, to have a safe place to go for community, and to experience the love of God, please consider Volunteering or sending Our Daily Bread a financial gift today.

Etransfer: odb@odboffice.com

Here is a video link that captures the heart of ODB. We hope you can take a moment to click on the link and watch it. We also invite you to share this link far and wide. https://youtu.be/BNJbNrIdQkY?si=I5Yip9tu08MoYKvf

Tithes and Offerings

Those who are wanting to support our Church with offerings (during this time, it is very much appreciated) it can be done by etransfer to office@kcfoffice.com, through our website via PayPal, or by calling in to the office with a credit card or mailing in your cheque. Thank you for your continued giving to the church with your tithes and generous offerings.

Anne-Marie Rasmussen – Administrator