Newsletters - Safe Haven Community Churc

From Pastor Chris Platteel

The account of the disciples in a boat with Jesus sleeping as the waves came crashing over them and Jesus responding to their fear, has drawn my interest again and again. Now as I have been digging into the scriptures, I realize that the themes "fear" and "faith" in the Bible are overwhelmingly huge subjects that impact our lives in so many ways. My message will centre on the event in Mark 4:35-41 (drawing on the parallel passage in Matthew 8:23-27) while attempting to understand what the Bible teaches about FEAR and how this is connected with FAITH. God's timing with a similar financial storm that the Safe Haven family finds itself in at this time, seems to indicate that God has a message as well in this story, for us as a congregation. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to us and encourage us as we follow the Lord's leading.

Have you experienced FEAR in your life? Good, bad, indifferent? And, how has this impacted your relationship with God?

I'm looking forward to gathering with you on Sunday - in person or online, as we worship our faithful God.

Pastor Chris

The Lord's Prayer: (please read)

Written by a 15 year old school kid who got an A+ for this entry.

The Lord's Prayer is not allowed in most U.S. Public schools any more. A kid in Minnesota wrote the following:

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights,

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That's no offence; it's a freedom scene..

The law is specific, the law precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all..

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the State..

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...

They've not outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the 'unwed daddy', our Senior King.

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul please take!

(thank you Dorai and Roy)

Donation Tax Receipts

Your donation tax receipts for 2022 are available for pick up after this Sunday's service, or at our office @ 82 Church St.

Also, offering envelopes are available at all Sunday services and also at 82 Church St.

Care Groups and Bible Studies beginning this Month:

Bible Studies

A reminder that our Ladies' & Men's Bible Studies are every Tuesday @ 9:30am.

Ladies are studying the book of Esther.

The men's group is continuing their study, "Unshakable Hope".

Care Groups

Doug Hill's Care Group will commence on Sunday, February 12th with a study on the book of Philippians.

Roy Smyth's Care Group will commence on Monday, February 13th with a study on the book of John.

Further information on joining these Care Groups is outlined below under its own title.

Birthdays:

Birthdays for February 13th thru February 19th, 2023

February 14th - Lisa Hettich

February 17th - Makayla Vanderknokke

If you would like to have your name included in our birthday announcements or if you do not want your name shown, please contact Sid at sid.snider@outlook.com. We do not need the year you were born.

Wednesday Night Services:

The Wednesday Evening Prayer & Praise Meeting began this week! Please join us every Wednesday at 7pm @ 82 Church St.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Coin Drive Fundraiser

Over the past couple of weeks our coin bottle drive at the door entrances have amounted to $55.95, bringing our total to date to $536.15. Every nickel is being used to offset Safe Haven expenses. Thank you for contributing and helping as we weather this financial storm.

Reflection

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Some like to quote Philippians 4:13 as if it had said simply "I can do all things." But it says that only through Christ strengthening us can we do all things. And it is not all things generally but all things God wants us to do that is in view here. It is those things that we could NOT do without Him, if we were not in Christ. It is good works that please God.

LET US PRAY:

God, You would have us be confident in Your strength but not in our own strength. Without spiritual life from You, I could do nothing truly spiritually good and acceptable in Your sight. But with You, I know I can do everything that You want me to do.

In Jesus precious and holy name, Amen

King James app. morning prayer February 6, 2023