The Church is increasingly seen as irrelevant and outdated. What I mean by “Church” is that I am referring to a group of people banded together for the express purpose of worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ. It is tolerated by our liberal world, but most in our post-modern world would be hard pressed to see any value in the existence of Church. The Church used to be important for many different functions such as:

• Weddings (Not so much any anymore, now we just move in together.)
• Funerals (That too is increasingly becoming “a do it yourself” version that has no religious overtones to it.)
• Spiritual help (Not anymore, now it is yoga, meditation and Buddha).

It used to be that the Church was the central pillar in the community. I am not talking about a particular Church, but more accurately the Church universal. It was the place to go for spiritual help, emotional support and social activities.

Hospitals, orphanages, widows, the poor, and community minded institutions like schools and retirement homes, etc. were all operated by the Church. It is not that everyone went to Church, it was just that everyone accepted that the Church was there to help if you needed it.

So what changed? Slowly but incrementally the work the Church used to do has now been replaced by government. Our social programs, schools, and medical profession are all government operated and controlled. The work the Church used to do is now done by those without faith. The Church still has faith, but not works. And that is the problem. Communities see that form of faith as dead just like the Bible says, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 (NIV) 

Deadness is often the way people without faith view the Church. They want to see action, some proof of your faith. If we believe that God loves people, our faith should translate into acts of love to people. If we believe that God can heal, restore, and make whole, then our faith should propel us to do acts of kindness, mercy, and care; both voluntary and professionally.

Generally speaking, the Church has emphasised personal development and spiritual enlightenment; but not demonstrations of our faith in a community desperate for the manifestation of God’s love and care.

Interestingly, when we begin to do works as an extension of our faith, our faith grows, becomes vibrant, and we make a difference in our world.

This Sunday, I will be continuing on my Living Faith Series, and keying in on Faith and Works. We will be talking about practical ways our faith can influence a skeptical world as we add substance to our faith.

Haiti Mission

Next Sunday, Trevor and I will be heading out to do our mission work in Haiti. We will be gone until March 14^th.

Please start praying now for the following:

Safety in the travel and ministry time.

Physical health and spiritual protection.

A moving of God’s spirit as we preach in the open air service.

We can be a blessing to the Haitians.

All our needs will be met.

During my absence, Sharon Verishine, Anne-Marie Haynes, and Brad Wilson, respectively will be providing the teaching while I am away.

I am sure they would welcome your prayers too.

Communion

This Sunday is Communion Sunday. It is when we come together as a family to eat at the Lord’s Table.  Our theme at the communion table will be“the work that God requires is to believe in the one he sent.”

Growth Groups

For those that are interested in following along with the sermon study, but are not able to come out to Growth Groups on Thursday evenings, we invite you to visit our website and click on the Growth Group tab. There you will find the study questions. Sermons are also posted under the Sermons Tab by Wed mornings each week. Here are the direct links for your convenience.

http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/images/2018-02/living-faith---faith-to-live-an-ordinary-life.pdf

http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/?w=kcf-sermons

People from the KCF congregation are meeting on Thursday evenings for Growth Groups to grow deeper with God and each other.  These groups are now full and will run until March 15^th. 

The next group start-up will be April 5^th.    

To sign up for the next round of groups starting on April 5^th, just contact the office.

Our Daily Bread

Most days at ODB, quality donated fresh vegetables and fruit as well as bread etc. is available to take home for free. Firstly, we welcome you to come and select from this abundance of food. Secondly, people often require plastic bags to take this food home in, and so we have an ongoing need for plastic bags.  If you have extra plastic bags that are overflowing in your closet or cupboard, please keep ODB in mind and drop them off anytime during our open hours or on Sunday mornings.

S.H.A.R.E. Nelson

Want to know how to get a good deal on some great items? Follow the S.H.A.R.E. Nelson Facebook page and don’t miss out on any sales.

S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities.  Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire.  Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! Check out FB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM

Calendar of Events

• Easter Celebrations, Sunday, April 1 – Son Rise Service and Brunch at KCF
• KCF Annual General Meeting, Sunday, April 15, 1pm at KCF
• Family Camp, July 2 – 6 at Dutch Harbour, near Riondel
• Growth Groups, Thursday at 6:45 – 8:30pm, registration required.
• Bright Lights for Kids K to Grade 4, Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5pm at KCF.
• Junior Youth for ages 11 – 15.  Fridays, 4pm – 5:30pm at KCF. 

Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.

Pastor Jim