We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

January 6, 2012

Last Sunday we had an excellent start to the new at Cascade with a meaningful time of worship when we considered what sort of ‘new things’ we might be expecting from God in 2012. During the service a number of people took the opportunity to share a personal testimony and some made mention of the richness of fellowship at Cascade and an appreciation of the  prayers and practical love they had experienced from others in our congregation. This is always a great encouragement to hear these stories! We also heard from Blanche who told us that she is going to start a prayer journal in 2012. This is something she has never done before even though is quite advanced in years. What is that God wants you to do for the first time in 2012?

Christmas Kettles Campaign

A huge thank you to each one of you who participated in supporting our Kettles and Angel Tree ministries throughout December.. Many families in our Community were able to receive toys and gifts for their children through the Angel Tree and at this point we are more than $4,000 up on last year’s Kettles campaign. We give thanks to God for the opportunities this funding will give us to further serve the people of Abbotsford and Mission in the year 2012.

Transformed People, Connecting to God through Prayer, Releasing His power

Jesus taught us that prayer is a vital part of our relationship with God. Jesus spent much time in private prayer with His Heavenly Father and taught His disciples how to pray using the model that we now call The Lord’s Prayer. We also know from the model in the early church that the first followers of Jesus spent much time in corporate prayer and that the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples as Pentecost and the gospel was preached with power and many people gave their hearts and lives to Jesus.

For these and other reasons prayer needs to be central to our personal lives in the 21st century, and also to the life of any local church. Last year we took some small first steps at Cascade to put prayer as the priority it should be. We held prayer gatherings on Monday evenings and an occasional prayer meeting was held on a Saturday morning. For the past several years we have had a special prayer focus during the season of Lent leading up to Easter. I want to experience a deeper relationship with God in this coming year, and I want my life to be further transformed and refined in the coming days. I also want our Cascade Church Community to be a place where God’s love, presence and power is experienced regularly. I want others outside of our community to come and share this experience of God with us. What is that you want in terms of your relationship with God in this coming year? What do you want, hope and pray to see in Cascade Community Church this year? These things need to be the subject our earnest individual and corporate prayers.

For the past several weeks I have been meeting regularly with Reg Burks and Barb Reynolds to pray and discuss our prayer strategy for 2012. Starting on Monday evening(tomorrow night) 9 January , 630pm, in the church sanctuarywe will commence a series of fortnightly (bi-weekly for the non –British) meetings. Also on Saturday morning 21 January at 10am we will hold our first of some occasional Saturday prayer meetings.

We will have an added concentrated prayer focus once again during the season of Lent starting in February.I urge you to give serious thought to revitalizing your own prayer life and to joining our prayer movement for 2012!  Reg Burks, assisted by Barb Reynolds, are volunteering to coordinate these gatherings and to recruit prayer partners for this special season. Please speak to them if you need further information. 

Hope to see you worshipping with us on Sunday!

Ross

 

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

LEAVING YOUR MARK – Who is this King? – Mark 9:30-50

November 18, 2011

In just over a week’s time we will be in full swing with our Christmas Events and the Kettle Appeal. Thank you to so many of you who have already volunteered to stand on a Kettle for this coming season. It is vitally important that every Kettle is manned every day so that we can reach our financial targets which enable the extensive work of the Centre of Hope to continue, serving the needs of the homeless and hurting our City. May I suggest that parents with younger children consider ‘manning’ a Kettle as a family, therefore teaching your kids the value of helping others.

Dedication on Sunday

On Sunday morning at 10am we will dedicate Lincoln Nelson to the glory of God and his parents, Wendy and Bruce, will promise to teach him to love God and to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you will be able to be present to witness this meaningful ceremony and to join with his parents in nurturing the spiritual life of Lincoln.

Men’s Breakfast at Centre of Hope

The monthly Men’s Breakfast will be held at the Centre of Hope on Saturday morning at 8am. All men are invited to join in on this occasion and the guest speaker this month will be Lt Colonel Peter Roed.

Home Missions

Thank you for the donations that many of you made recently to support the work of The Salvation Army in the Northern Regions of British Columbia. The total given to date stands at $2,778.06

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Thank you once again for the wonderful response to this year’s appeal and this comes with a reminder that the shoe boxes are due back this Sunday 20 November.

Bake ‘a thon

On Wednesday, November 23 @6pm Cascade Church will be hosting the first ever Bake O’ Thon. Nine volunteers from the church will be teaching families and youth how to bake their favorite recipes.  This is great family event – all ages are welcome – bring your sweet tooth!

Volunteer’s Christmas Appreciation Dinner

Last evening we shared in a wonderful Christmas Celebration with our Centre of Hope volunteers. Around 200 people were in attendance to experience a fantastic meal prepared by Chef Rob and the Culinary Arts Student Chefs. Sylvia Antonescu (Volunteers Coordinator) had also arranged a delightful musical program to go with the meal. Thank you Sylvia and thank you to our amazing Volunteers.

 

Hope to see you worshipping with us on Sunday!

Ross

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

LEAVING YOUR MARK – Religion Vs The Gospel, Mark 7:1-23

October, 28, 2011

Last Sunday evening I returned home from a week spent at The Salvation Army’s Conference Centre at Jackson’s Point, Ontario. I was attending an annual event entitled the ‘Brengle’ Conference which emphasizes The Salvation Army’s teaching on living a Holy Life. I found the experience to be a valuable one and simply reminded me that we all have a responsibility to live like Jesus in our everyday life and relationships. There was also time for rest and personal spiritual reflection which I valued very much. Thank you for supporting Agnes in during the week I was away and I heard that last Sunday’s worship meeting was a real highlight.

Bro. Ed Wolfe

It would seem that about the very time I was arriving back in Abbotsford last Sunday night, that Ed was leaving his earthly home for his eternal home in heaven. We sometimes refer to death in The Salvation Army as being ‘Promoted to Glory’ We will miss Ed around the Cascade Community Church. 2 weeks’ ago we celebrated 25 years of ministry in the City of Abbotsford and Ed has been involved for everyone of those 25 years in one way or another. Along with Marion, Ed has been a faithful Salvation Army warrior/soldier and together they have influenced many lives for good and for the Kingdom of God. Ed was a real character,…God doesn’t seem to make people like Ed any more!  In the office this week and around the Church, many ‘Ed Stories’ have been told, usually with much laughter and affection. Our love and prayers go out to Marion and the extended Wolfe family.

The Celebration of Life for Ed Wolfe will be held at the Church tomorrow (Saturday) morning, commencing at 10.30am. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ed may be made to The Salvation Army Cascade Community Church in support of Children’s Ministries. You are especially requested to park either BEHIND the church, over the road at the Zion Chinese Church or at New Life Church. There will be another Funeral Service commencing at 11am (Held in the Dining Room) and we want to respectfully reserve the front of the Church for the family involved in this service.

Home Missions Sunday

As you arrive at church on Sunday you will receive, along with your bulletin, an envelope in which you are invited to place a donation for Home Missions. In the BC Division of The Salvation Army, Home Missions donations go towards the work of The Salvation Army in the isolated Northern Regions of British Columbia. This ministry is underfunded and is a continuing challenge to maintain, and it is through the Home Missions Appeal that the work is enabled to continue. Please come prepared to support this appeal! You can place this envelope in the offering plate as it comes around.

Christmas Kettles

Marcia Serrano, one of our own congregation members, commenced work this week as our Kettles Co-ordinator for this year’s campaign. This is also to remind you of the opportunity we each have to support our Kettles Campaign this year. I hardly need remind you of the amazing ministry that  takes place at the Centre of Hope, and this service is very dependent on the money that is raised at the Christmas Season. Please consider taking at least 1 two hour kettles stand this year…maybe 2 if possible. It is not a difficult task…in fact it is tremendously rewarding to be on the receiving end of the generosity of the public. Pray that our appeal will be successful and raise the money we need to be able to continue to support the homeless and disadvantaged of Abbotsford.

Hope to see you worshipping with us on Sunday!

Ross

 

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

October 24, 2011

Dear Friends,

 

I am writing to inform you that Bro. Ed Wolfe passed into his heavenly reward last evening, or as we often say in The Salvation Army, he was Promoted to Glory.

 

We give thanks to God for Ed’s life and for the way in which God’s grace was channeled through his life in the service of others. Ed and Marion were active in The Salvation Army for many years and over these past 25 years have served unstintingly here at Cascade Community Church.

 

Ed had been suffering quite considerably in recent months and we give thanks to God that he is now at peace, safe in the arms of Jesus.

 

AS soon as I have details about a  service to celebrate Ed’s life I will let you know.

 

Ross

 

 

 

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love.

 25 Years of Amazing Things!

October 14, 2011

Some of you have been aware that Agnes and I had an enforced week in Seattle so that our permanent residency application could be processed at the Canadian Consulate. Last evening we came back through the Sumas border and we were granted Permanent Residency Status after an 18 months long process. Like it or not you are stuck with us! Seriously, Agnes and I prayerfully entered into this process so that we might have an option of living in Canada into retirement for family reasons. We are grateful to God and to the Canadian Government that we have been granted this status and we do consider it to be a privilege.

25 Years of Amazing Things!

We are looking forward to our weekend of celebration to mark 25 years of Salvation Army ministry in the City of Abbotsford. Tomorrow evening at 5.45pm we commence with a BBQ ($3 per head) in the rear parking lot, followed by an informal gathering in the sanctuary. We will worship in music and song and reflect with stories and testimony on the grace of God who enabled the beginnings of our ministry 25 years ago. On Sunday morning we will continue to give thanks to God for His provision and we will look forward to the future that He has in store for us. “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” We are pleased that Majors Ron and Toni Cartmell will be our guests for the weekend. Joshua 3:5 It is NOT TOO LATE to invite to a friend or family member who once worshipped with us. Please contact Julianne at julianne.newell@shawcable.com if you would like her to email you an invite for forwarding to a friend. You can also refer friends and family to our website (www.cascadechurch.ca) for details about the weekend.

Christmas is coming!

Christmas is just around the corner, and so is the busy time of ministry and fundraising. The Festive Season is a time of unprecedented opportunity for us to be out in the community telling our story of community service and inviting people to partner with us with financial donations and practical service. Our Community Ministries through the Centre of Hope is largely dependent on a successful Christmas season of fundraising and I urge every Cascade member and attender to get involved. Please watch for opportunities to be advertised in the next few weeks. Please pray for Deb Lowell as she heads up the Christmas Campaign and for the interview process as we seek to appoint a kettles coordinator for 2011. We are also needing a Volunteer Angel Tree Coordinator. If you think you can help or know someone who might be able to take up this role please speak to Deb.

Men’s Breakfast at the Centre of Hope

Tomorrow morning at 8am the monthly Breakfast will be held at the Centre of Hope. This is always an inspirational time of food, fellowship and worship. The guest speaker tomorrow morning is Jason, the manager of The Spaghetti Factory on Sumas Way. Re-designed Website Go to www.cascadechurch.ca and check out our newly designed website. I am sure you will impressed. Be sure to visit the site regularly to keep in touch and listen to our sermons! Please talk to Mike Cumiskey or Julianne Newell-Wease if you have any suggestions for improvement.

I will be leaving for Ontario immediately after Sunday worship to attend The Salvation Army Brengle Conference. I know that you will give your prayerful and practical support to Agnes during the week that I am away. Hope to see you worshipping with us on Saturday night and Sunday as we celebrate an amazing 25 years of worship and ministry in the City of Abbotsford!

Ross

LEAVING YOUR MARK – The Community of the King, Mark 3:7-45

September 30, 2011

During the last week we have had some Aussie friends of ours stay with us for several days. We had good times together including going to the movies and watching “Moneyball”, which is worth a look especially if you like sport. Maurice, Anne and myself go back about 40 years when we were young adults together in The Salvation Army church scene in Adelaide, South Australia. It was fun recalling different things we did together and recalling friends and catching up on where they are now etc. Agnes and I don’t have that opportunity very often,  because we only go back a few years with our new friends in the Abbotsford Community. I have been reading this week about the importance of knowing the Christian story that goes way back thousands of years and keeping contact with our ‘friends’ such as Abraham and Moses, Paul and the apostles who connect us to God’s great plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Saviour and Lord. I challenge you not to neglect your reading of the Bible and the great stories and the people who connect us to God and Jesus Christ today!

Abbotsford Connect!

Tomorrow (Saturday) The Centre of Hope is partnering with Sevenoaks Alliance Church and other agencies to provide practical services to the homeless and disadvantaged persons of our City. Mike Cumiskey has organized a team of our young people to entertain the children with face painting. It is always a good thing when our church and our Centre of Hope can work together to provide a service to our community.

The Salvation Cascade Community Church 25^th Anniversary

In just 2 weeks’ time we will celebrate our 25^th Church Anniversary on the weekend of October 15 and16.  On Saturday 15 October we will host a Celebration BBQ in the rear parking lot and this will be followed by a worship and sharing event in the Sanctuary (7 p.m.) in which we will highlight the story of the vision behind the commencement of The Salvation Army in the City of Abbotsford. Majors Ron and Toni Cartmell will be joining us for our celebrations! There are handouts available at the kiosk and the church office which advertise this event. We encourage you to invite family and friends who once worshipped with us. If you would like to email an invite to a friend or family member please contact Julianne at julianne.newell@shawcable.com  It is interesting to note that in November it will have been 15 years since the new Church and Cascade Court building was opened.

Small Group Bible Studies

We have recently updated our statistical information on church members and attenders and we discovered that almost 50% of our people attend one of our many small groups and once again you are offered the chance to participate in one of these groups for the purposes of bible study and fellowship. Watch out for the opportunities that are advertised or call the church office and visit our website.

Our Refresh series has re-commenced on Wednesday evenings in the church building.  There is still time to join the Women’s Bible Study Group which is studying the book of Philippians (The Umbrella of Joy) and another group under my leadership Studying the gospel of Mark. We look forward to seeing you at either of these study groups if you don’t have a regular group to attend. These groups start at 6.30pm and conclude at 8pm.

Congregational Giving

I thank God for the faithful and systematic giving that is practiced by many of members and Sunday worship attenders. We rely on the outside (of our church ) public to support of our Community Services but our Church work and its associated finances can only be supported by our internal congregation. Can I encourage those of you that have not yet committed to giving systematically to prayerfully consider doing so. Our ministry of the gospel to all ages requires financial as well as practical support. Please enquire at the Kiosk on Sunday about taking a set of boxed and dated giving envelopes or how you can give by direct electronic bank deposit.

Re-designed Website

Go to www.cascadechurch.ca and check out our newly designed website. I am sure you will impressed. Be sure to visit the site regularly to keep in touch and listen to our sermons! Please talk to Mike Cumiskey or Julianne Newell-Wease if you have any suggestions for improvement.

Hope to see you worshipping with us on Sunday!

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

LEAVING YOUR MARK – The Meaning of Free Grace, Mark 1:35 – 2:17

September 23, 2011

Cedar Springs Conference Centre is situated in Sumas, and , for the third year running, Agnes and I were privileged to spend a couple of days at a Pastor’s Retreat. Cedar Springs is a delightful setting in the midst of tall trees, a beautiful lake and neatly manicured and colorful gardens. The story of Cedar Springs is about a vision for Christian ministry that was planted in the mind of the original owner many years ago. As I talked with many of the pastors over lunch and between sessions I was encouraged that the work of God’s Kingdom continues to grow and flourish even amidst difficulty and opposition. We should be praising God that The Salvation Army Cascade Community Church has been proclaiming the gospel in our City for 25 years and we believe that our ministry in the strength of the Holy Spirit will result in many more people coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.  

Small Group Bible Studies

Once again you are offered the chance to participate in a small group for the purposes of bible study and fellowship. Watch out for the opportunities that will be advertised in coming weeks.

Our  Refresh series commenced last Wednesday evening. In the church building. There is still time to join the Women’s Bible Study Group which will be studying the book of Philippians (The Umbrella of Joy) and another group under my leadership Studying the gospel of Mark. We look forward to seeing you at either of these study groups if you don’t have a regular group to attend. These groups start at 6.30pm and conclude at 8pm.

The Salvation Cascade Community Church 25^th Anniversary

In just 3 weeks’ time we will celebrate our 25^th Church Anniversary on the weekend of October 15,16.  On Saturday 15 October we will host a Celebration BBQ in the rear parking lot and this will be followed by a worship and sharing event in the Sanctuary (7 p.m.) in which we will highlight the story of the vision behind the commencement of The Salvation Army in the City of Abbotsford. On Sunday you will receive an invitation to this celebration weekend and we encourage you to invite family and friends who once worshipped with us. It is interesting to note that in November it will have been 15 years since the new Church and Cascade Court building was opened.

India Mission Team

Last Sunday we presented our India Mission team to the congregation. Please remember the Mission Team fundraiser is on October 2. Tickets can be purchased after the service on Sunday ($10/psn or $25/family). If you wish to donate more than $10 a tax receipt can be issued. All proceeds go the general team fund.

 

Congregational Giving

I thank God for the faithful and systematic giving that is practiced by many of members and Sunday worship attenders. We rely on the outside (of our church ) public to support of our Community Services but our Church work and its associated finances can only be supported by our internal congregation. Can I encourage those of you that have not yet committed to giving systematically to prayerfully consider doing so. Our ministry of the gospel to all ages requires financial as well as practical support. Please enquire at the Kiosk on Sunday about taking a set of boxed and dated giving envelopes or how you can give by direct electronic bank deposit.

Re-designed Website

Go to www.cascadchurch.ca and check out our newly designed website. I am sure you will impressed. Be sure to visit the site regularly to keep in touch and listen to our sermons! Please talk to Mike Cumiskey or Julianne Newell-Wease if you have any suggestions for improvement.

Hope to see you worshipping with us on Sunday!

Ross

 

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in loving obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

LEAVING YOUR MARK – The Meaning of the Kingdom Mark 1:19-34

September 16, 2011

Agnes and I  recently spent a few days in Seattle with our 2 daughters and their husbands and children. It was the first time that we had our 4 grandchildren with us in the one place at the one time. Our family circumstances don’t allow for this to happen very often, and so we valued the time we had together. It was pretty full on at times with the grandkids ages ranging from 10 months to 6 years. It was great to be able to see our eldest grandson, Daniel, play his first ever soccer match for the Shorelake Sounders! It was a load of fun…his team lost by about a hundred goals (or it seemed that many at least!) but no one seemed to mind, including Daniel and his teammates! I love sport in its many different forms but I wonder what we adults have created sport to be, with its professionalism and big salary packets. I wonder what God thinks about professional sport, the big money involved and its side effects? What do you think?

Small Group Bible Studies

Once again you will be offered the chance to participate in a small group for the purposes of bible study and fellowship. Watch out for the opportunities that will be advertised in coming weeks.

Our Wednesday evening Refresh series commences next Wednesday evening, 21 September, at 6.30 pm. There will be a Women’s Bible Study Group and I will be leading a Bible Study on the gospel of Mark. We look forward to seeing you at either of these study groups if you don’t have a regular group to attend.

Preaching and Study Series – Leaving your Mark

I am excited about our new series that commenced last Sunday. We will be preaching and learning from the Gospel of Mark for the weeks leading up till the Advent Season. In addition to the Sunday preaching we will be providing some follow up study and discussion notes that can be used personally or in a bible study group session. These notes have been adapted from a study that comes out of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York. We are hoping that some existing bible study groups will follow this study in some form and that at least one new group will be formed to follow the Mark series.

September 11- 10^th Anniversary

I was pleased to hear that the 9/11 Anniversary was a very impressive event across the border at Sumas last Sunday and that The Salvation Army Abbotsford was well represented. Centre of Hope Director Andy Kwak prayed at the large gathering, and John Richardson, Fred and Hilary Jackson and Deb Lowell took part in the march through the border to the Commemorative site.

The Salvation Cascade Community Church and Centre of Hope Celebrate 25 years!

At 2pm this afternoon we celebrate 25 years of community service in the city of Abbotsford with an event at the Centre of Hope. There will be an open house BBQ, entertainment and speeches. Congratulations to PR Director Deb for the excellent publicity in the newspapers over the last week or so! On the weekend of October 15 & 16 the Church celebration will take place with Saturday evening event and Sunday morning worship.

Congregational Giving

I thank God for the faithful and systematic giving that is practiced by many of members and Sunday worship attenders. We rely on the outside (of our church ) public to support of our Community Services but our Church work and its associated finances can only be supported by our internal congregation. Can I encourage those of you that have not yet committed to giving systematically to prayerfully consider doing so. Our ministry of the gospel to all ages requires financial as well as practical support. Please enquire at the Kiosk on Sunday about taking a set of boxed and dated giving envelopes or how you can give by direct electronic bank deposit.

Re-designed Website

Go to www.cascadchurch.ca and check out our newly designed website. I am sure you will impressed. Be sure to visit the site regularly to keep in touch and listen to our sermons! Please talk to Mike Cumiskey or Julianne Newell-Wease if you have any suggestions for improvement.

Hope to see you worshipping with us on Sunday!

Ross

LEAVING YOUR MARK – Your Gospel is too small, Mark 1-15

September 7, 2011

Back to school, on to University, back to work! It’s a big week for many families and individuals whichever way you look at it. Summer is almost gone (although the weather this week flies in the face of that!) and the familiar routines of everyday life are kicking in for better or worse! I do hope that the summer time has been a good and positive experience especially for families with school age children. Our Church year will soon be swinging into action with our usual programs for all age groups. We are working together in the power of God’s Spirit to continually see lives transformed through the ministry of our church.

Small Group Bible Studies

Once again you will be offered the chance to participate in a small group for the purposes of bible study and fellowship. Watch out for the opportunities that will be advertised in coming weeks.

Preaching and Study Series – Leaving your Mark

I am excited about our new series that will commence on Sunday. We will be preaching and learning from the Gospel of Mark. In addition to the Sunday preaching we will be providing some follow up study and discussion notes that can be used personally or in a bible study group session. These notes have been adapted from a study that comes out of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York. We are hoping that some existing bible study groups will follow this study in some form and that at least one new group will be formed to follow the Mark series. Please reply to this email if you would like a copy of the notes left at the kiosk  for you on Sunday.

September 11 10^th Anniversary

Sunday marks 10 years since that awful attack on New York’s twin towers Trade Centre with hundreds of lives lost. The Salvation Army is involved in a service or remembrance to be held  at Sumas, just over the border in the USA. Andy Kwak, Director of Community Services, is taking part in his role as Fire Brigade Chaplain and he would like as many uniformed Salvationists as possible to join him. You would need to cross the border about 8am prior to the border closing for the ceremonies starting around 9am.

The Salvation Cascade Community Church and Centre of Hope Celebrate 25 years!

We will celebrate 25 years of ministry and service in the City of Abbotsford with 2 events in the coming months. Next Friday September 16 (Change of Date!) at the Centre of Hope there will be an open house BBQ, entertainment and speeches. This event will commence at 2 pm. I know that many of you are current or former employees/volunteers at the Centre. Mark the date in your calendar. On the weekend of October 15 & 16 the Church celebration will take place with Saturday evening event and Sunday morning worship.

Children’s Ministry Leader

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Colbourne as our new Children’s Ministry Director. Heather comes to us with a strong background of Salvation Army ministry service. She officially commenced her role (25 hours per week) last Wednesday. Heather and her husband Luke began worshipping with us several weeks ago along with their young daughter Eden. Please welcome Heather and the Colbourne family when you get a chance. On Sunday 18 September Heather will be publically installed and dedicated into the Children’s Ministry Leader position.

Brunch Sunday

It’s always a good day to come to church when it’s Brunch Sunday! Hope you can make it!

Agnes and will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for a few days in Seattle to spend with our family. I will be back on Tuesday and Agnes on Friday.

Until then!

Ross

SUMMER SERIES: HEROES – JOSHUA

September 2, 2011

Some of you know that Agnes and I spent last weekend at Penticton (my first time past Hope!) with our 3 kids and most of our grandchildren (and 1 son in law) to watch our son Darren take part in Ironman Canada. I must say that it was a tremendous experience and a joyous one for us to see Darren complete the course in just under 12 hours. We were able to rent the house of some friends of Darren with an amazing view over the Okanagan Lake! The Okanagan is definitely another BC beauty spot. We were tremendously impressed with the spirit of encouragement that was evident amongst participants and spectators alike, urging  athletes on to finish the race. It reminds me of the importance of encouraging each other in the journey of life and our walk with God. All of us experience some form of discouragement in life and sometimes we falter in our faith and need a word of encouragement to keep on going. Sometimes we need others to walk closely with us and help us through the dark times. The writer to the Hebrews exhorted the readers to “encourage one another daily”! Let’s all get involved in the ministry of encouragement and strengthen God’s people in their faith.

September 11 10^th Anniversary

Next weekend marks 10 years since that awful attack on New York’s twin towers Trade Centre with hundreds of lives lost. The Salvation Army is involved in a service or remembrance to be held on Sunday September 11 at Sumas, just over the border in the USA. Andy Kwak, Director of Community Services, is taking part in his role as Fire Brigade Chaplain and he would like as many uniformed Salvationists as possible to join him. Please phone Andy at the Centre of Hope (604 852 9305) for more details if you would like to attend.

The Salvation Cascade Community Church and Centre of Hope Celebrate 25 years!

We will celebrate 25 years of ministry and service in the City of Abbotsford with 2 events in the coming months. On Friday September 16 (Change of Date!) at the Centre of Hope there will be an open house BBQ, entertainment and speeches. Mark the date in your calendar. On the weekend of October 15 & 16 the Church celebration will take place with Saturday evening event and Sunday morning worship.

Children’s Ministry Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Colbourne as our new Children’s Ministry Director. Heather comes to us with a strong background of Salvation Army ministry service and we look forward to her taking up the 25 hour position on 8 September. Heather and her husband Luke began worshipping with us several weeks ago along with their young daughter Eden. Please welcome Heather and the Colbourne family when you get a chance.

Summer Sunday worship Series – OT Heroes

On Sunday morning we will conclude this series by looking at some lessons to be learnt from life and ministry of Joshua.

 

See you Sunday!

Ross