Newsletters - Safe Haven Community Churc

Dear Safe Haven Family,

I want to thank you for your prayers for me this past weekend. I thank God He allowed me to complete my sermon on Sunday. My mind was just not functioning well. As the message unfolded I found it more and more difficult to follow the notes before me and by the time I came up again for the Benediction, I was unable to express it to completion. Your support to me was overwhelming. Thank You.

After returning home, I called Telehealth where the nurse urged me to go to the hospital ER. Expecting long waiting lines, we were surprised to find things very quiet at Centenary. Before long they were running various tests, including a CT scan. It took a couple of hours to get the results, but there were no indications of any brain damage or blockages. They followed up very quickly and just after we returned home we already received an appointment to a neurologist at the Stroke Clinic at the Birchmount hospital for the next day. It appears that I may of had a TIA (a temporary slowing of the blood flow to the speech part of my brain), but there was no apparent damage. Thanks be to our Faithful God! I will need some further tests next week and our family doctor has adjusted my blood pressure medication, but I will not be allowed to drive a vehicle for the next month. Henny will help out as Chauffeur.

Please continue to pray that I will not have any further episodes, that His Peace will calm our fears, and that I will be able to continue preaching at your worship services for the coming months.

To God be the glory!

Pastor Chris Platteel

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God's Word:

Isaiah 43:25

"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and I will not remember thy sins."

Why does God choose to forgive us? Sometimes, it's mind boggling to consider. He is completely and perfectly holy, and we can never measure up. Yet, in Jesus, He imparts righteousness on us that we can never produce on our own. And He is glorified by each rescued soul, each transformed life, and each sin forgiven and forgotten. WHAT GOOD NEWS FOR US!

The King James app. January 18th, 2023 morning prayer

Sadness Hits Safe Haven and Canada

On Saturday January 14th, 2023 we learned of the passing of our beloved David C. Onley. As a congregation we mourn our loss not with despair, but knowing that he has joined our Father in His glorious realm above. In December, we lost Elizabeth Mattson.

Elsa Downie read a poem to us, and I find it is worth stating again (although it references Christmas, its meaning is very much appropriate).

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees

around the world below

with tiny lights like Heaven's stars

reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away the tear

for I am spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear

but the sounds of music can't compare

with the Christmas choir up here

I have no words to tell you

of the joy their voices bring

for it is beyond description

to hear the angels, sing

I know how much you miss me,

I see the pain inside your heart

for I am spending Christmas

with Jesus this year

I can't tell you of the splendour

or the peace here in this place

Can you just imagine Christmas?

with our Saviour face to face?

I'll ask Him to lift your spirit

as I tell Him of your love

So then pray for one another

as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful

and let your spirit sing

for I am spending Christmas in Heaven

and I am walking with the King

Church Attendance

As church attendance numbers fade across the nation and online services become very convenient, it's important to remember why church attendance for you and your family matters so much.

You can't serve from your sofa. You can't have community of faith on your sofa. You can't experience the power of a room full of believers worshipping together on your sofa.

Christians aren't consumers. We are contributors. We don't watch. We engage. We give. We sacrifice. We encourage. We pray by laying hands on the hurting. We do life together.

The church needs you.

And you need the church.

Birthdays:

Week of January 16th - January22nd, 2023

January 20 - Elsa Downie

January 22 - Logan 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.

Fundraising:

The coin collection results will now be updated every 2 weeks.

Wednesday Night Services:

Alex explained last Sunday that the Wednesday Night Services will continue with a slightly different format. These evenings will focus on Prayer & Praise, hosted by Alex and his partner Cami. The starting date will be soon, so stay tuned for further announcements.