Last weekend was a real highlight for Cascade Community Church. I thought Jeff Lucas was an outstanding guest and blessed us with good messages and challenged us on the need to be an authentic ‘prodigal friendly church’. As a bonus he was genuinely funny!…and we enjoyed a lot of laughter which was really good for the soul! We are producing DVD’s of each session and these will be available for sale or for borrowing from the library very soon. We also have some of Jeff’s books for sale if you missed out last weekend. Phone Julianne at the office on 604-556-7000.    

Christmas Musical

Next  Sunday morning at 10am we back up with another special presentation ’Christmas Where, When and Why.’ Don’t miss this musical event featuring our own Cascade kids and others a little older! The cast will also take part in the 6pm service and there will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday afternoon at 1pm

Kettles

Thank you for the commitment many of you have made to our Christmas Kettles appeal. We are off to a good start , but lagging a little behind last year’s total to date. If you haven’t yet offered to help on a kettle stand please give it consideration. As I said on Sunday we can’t afford to fail when to comes to this annual appeal. Last year we raised just over $100,000 and we have to do  this and better if we are to keep pace with the demands that are placed on our services to the community. The people of Abbotsford and Mission are very generous towards The Salvation Army. Please contact Dave at the office, 604 556 7000, if you can volunteer some support. Help us to ensure that every kettle stand is manned over these next few weeks.  We also  require more volunteers for the Angel Tree in Sevenoaks Mall.

On a personal note…

Agnes and I are thrilled that our newest grandson has arrived into the world in Melbourne, Australia. He arrived  yesterday morning ( BC time), 8lbs in weight , and his name is Samuel Jude Kean. Agnes flies out tomorrow to meet him and give support to our daughter Fiona and son–in -law Matthew. Thank you for sharing in our joy!

 Prayer Points this week: Christmas Musical, Kettles Campaign and Angel Tree.

 Be Jesus to your friends and community this week!

 Ross

A final reminder to pray for our special weekend with Jeff Lucas.

 There’s still time to phone up a  friend and invite them to join you at some or all of the sessions on Friday night, Saturday morning and Sunday.

Jeff will remind us that God is a missionary God, a searching out and seeking God who is always looking for the lost. Unless we are a ‘prodigal friendly church’ we are not fulfilling the mission that God has given us.

Christmas is a message about God sending His Son into a hostile world to show others that he is a God of love who calls people into fellowship with Him. This seminar will encourage us to move out into this same world and show God’s love to others in practical ways. There is no entrance fee to the seminar but free will offerings will be taken in each session.

Friday night starts at 7pm, Saturday morning sessions are at 9am and 10.45am, and 10am on Sunday.   

Kettles

Our Christmas Kettles appeal has got off to a good start with an early lead over last year at the same time. As I said on Sunday we can’t afford to fail when to comes to this annual appeal. Last year we raised just over $100,000 and we have to do each this and better if we are to keep pace with the demands that are placed on our services to the community. The people of Abbotsford and Mission are very generous towards The Salvation Army. If you have not already volunteered, please contact Dave at the office, 604 556 7000, Please help us to ensure that every kettle stand is manned over these next few weeks.  We also still require volunteers for the Angel Tree in Sevenoaks Mall. Again, phone our office on 604 556 7000 if you can help.

Prayer Points this week:

The ministry of Jeff Lucas and our kettles campaign.

Be Jesus to your friends and community this week!

Ross

Christmas starts for me once we have celebrated the first Sunday in Advent. That’s what we did yesterday at Cascade when we launched our Emmanuel preaching series. Mike got us of to a good start and reminded us that God is always with us, even when it seems like he is absent and even when things are at their lowest ebb. Perhaps these are the times that God is closest!

Jeff Lucas

I am looking forward to Jeff’s visit this weekend. I know its already the busy Christmas season, but it will be worth your while to come and hear Jeff on Friday night, Saturday morning and then next Sunday morning. Encourage your Bible Study/ Care Group to come together! Jeff will remind us that God is a missionary God, a searching out and seeking God who is always looking for the lost. Unless we are a ‘prodigal friendly church’ we are not fulfilling the mission that God has given us.

Christmas is a message about God sending His Son into a hostile world to show others that he is a God of love who calls people into fellowship with Him. This seminar will encourage us to move out into this same world and show God’s love to others in practical ways. There is no entrance fee to the seminar but free will offerings will be taken in each session.

Friday night starts at 7pm, Saturday morning sessions are at 9am and 10.45am, and 10am on Sunday.

Kettles

Our annual Christmas Kettles appeal start tomorrow. As I said on Sunday we can’t afford to fail when to comes to this annual appeal. Last year we raised just over $100,000 and we have to do each this and better if we are to keep pace with the demands that are placed on our services to the community. The people of Abbotsford and Mission are very generous towards The Salvation Army. If you have not already volunteered, please contact Dave at the office, 604 556 7000, Please help us to ensure that every kettle stand is manned over these next few weeks. We also still require volunteers for the Angel Tree in Sevenoaks Mall. Again, phone our office on 604 556 7000 if you can help.

Bringing Hope to Abbotsford

Last Friday we held our 4th annual Bringing Hope to Abbotsford luncheon. More than 70 business, community and church leaders gathered to hear police officer Shinder Kirk speak about the crime, drug and gang problem that is so prevalent in our City. He reminded us that we each have a role to play in reaching out to young people at risk of gang involvement. Any young person who has at least 2-3 positive role models in their life is less likely to finish up in the crime and gang scene. Deputy Police Chief Rick Lucy thanked me for the continuing role that The Salvation Army played in fighting poverty and injustice in our City.

Prayer Points this week:

The ministry of Jeff Lucas and our kettles campaign.

Be Jesus to your friends and community this week!

Ross

November 9, 2009

Yesterday we enjoyed another meaningful time of worship together. It is always a an emotional time when we gather each Remembrance Sunday and remember those who have  paid the supreme sacrifice in defense of the freedom of our great nation of Canada. Let me repeat the Ode of Remembrance that was recited yesterday:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
LEST WE FORGET.

On Wednesday, 11 November, let us pause again at 11a.m. and remember those who have paid the supreme sacrifice for us and our nation.

Transformed People

Our Remembrance Day theme was: The Call to Embrace the Cost

We looked together at Item 1 of our Core Beliefs and Values Statement:

We believe in One eternal God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit
… therefore we will put God first

Luke 9:51-62

In each of the conversations Jesus gave warnings about the costs involved in following Him. In fact, it appears that Jesus tried to dissuade them from following him. He at least made them think very seriously about whether they were prepared to pay the price that is necessary to walk the path that Jesus walked. The point Matthew was making in recording these 3 short interactions with Jesus, was that following Jesus has to be a priority,  that following Jesus involves making tough choices, and that sometimes mean choosing Jesus over other worthy activities and responsibilities.

Read Luke 14: 25-33

Again Jesus uses exaggeration to highlight the fact that nothing should come before following Him.

There are no half measures involved in following Jesus, “any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33) He didn’t say, give up a few things, or some things, but give up everything.

Read Matthew 13:44-46  Both these brief parables leave us in no doubt that God’s kingdom is discovered by those who are prepared to give everything for it.

“To be crucified with Christ means 3 things. First, the person who is crucified is facing only one direction; she is not looking back. Second, the person who is crucified has said goodbye to the world; he is not going back. Third, the person who is crucified has no further plans of his own. He is totally in God’s hands.” (David Watson)

For Reflection and Prayer

Can you think of ways in which it “costs” you to be a follower of Jesus today?

What do you think it means to “carry your own cross”?

Is it possible to give up everything to follow Jesus?

Start small! Is God asking you to give up something to follow Him?

Think and pray about these things. Discuss them in your small group. Encourage each other to share the good news of Jesus Christ!

Ross

Our special weekend with Jeff Lucas, December 4-6, is now just a little more than four weeks away! I am excited about Jeff’s visit and especially about the topic he will address with us. The theme is “How to Be a Prodigal Friendly Church!” Are we a church that actively seeks the lost? Are we a church that goes looking for those of our friends and family who have wandered away? How can we become focused on this important mission that was central to Jesus’ ministry? Pray for Jeff and for this weekend of ministry. Plan to be there, and invite others to come with you.

Transformed People

Last Sunday our theme was The Call to Stewardship. We looked together at Item 6 of our Core Beliefs and Values Statement:

We believe the church is a community of believers who serve others, lead people to Christ and make disciples.
… therefore we will actively participate in and contribute to church life

Read Matthew 25:14-28

God expects us to use what we have. None of us is empty-handed. We all have something in our hands that we can give to God. Whatever we have belongs to God anyway. Some of us may feel as though we have less. Less money, less possessions, less talents. God is not concerned about whether we have less or more, but He is concerned about whether we are willing to give what we have, to share what we have with others in order to advance His Kingdom.

Think about your willingness to show God’s love by sharing what you have with others!

Are you moving towards God in joy or moving away from Him in sadness?

Through this story, Jesus was teaching that each of us has a responsibility to use what has been given to us, to develop our talents through using them. To do this is to be a wise and responsible steward.

Are you faithfully using what God has given you?

Read Matthew 19:16-23

The issue was not so much about how much money he had as about his attachment to it. It seemed that his money and possessions possessed him, and he was locked into an attitude of protecting what he had. His attachment to His possessions prevented him from following Jesus. This story is not just about money and possessions but it does remind us that an over-preoccupation with money and the things money can buy can be a huge barrier between us and God.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;

If this is true, how will you live today?

Remember to “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can” (John Wesley)

Think and pray about these things. Discuss them in your small group. Encourage each other to share the gifts and talents God has given you!

Ross

God is always with us! He has promised to come alongside us in the person of His Holy Spirit. Sometimes that presence is hard to feel. Other times, however, God seems to be close, and that is what we felt on Sunday. Through the gathering of His people, through the message from God’s Word, through the sincere worship that was offered, God drew near! We should pray that God would visit us personally and corporately in this way again and again. May our lives be transformed by His continual presence!

Transformed People

Last Sunday our theme was The Call to Reach Others for Christ.
We looked together at Item 3 of our Core Beliefs and Values Statement:

We believe the Son, Jesus, is the only way, truth and life, reconciling people to God. (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 11:27, John 3:16)
… therefore we will introduce people to Jesus

Mike referred us to Ezekiel 37:1-14.
¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.

The need for Christ is more than for the sake of hope. Christ brings a transformation of the mind, a renewed Spirit, a new outlook on life and a glimpse at God’s will for our lives. Paul says in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

If we truly are in the spirit and living a life that is wholly dedicated to God, how is it possible that we resist the need to tell others of this faith that saved us? In our complacent lives, some of us have become numb to God’s call on our lives. Can we say that “the joy that fills my heart is like a river overflowing its banks”? If we can, we can’t help but tell others of this joy!

Now, it’s not to be understood that we must go overseas to bring Christ to others. There are opportunities here in our own community. And the emphasis is not to rush out and start preaching, but to bring Christ to others every day through service and love.

You can view the notes from Sunday’s sermon as well as the two videos that were featured by clicking on the Notes and Quotes tab above. Included are links to the two videos,  Asleep in the Light and That’s My King. After the sermon notes you will find the full text of Ways to Share Christ with Others.

Think and pray about these things. Discuss them in your small group. Encourage each other to share the good news of Jesus Christ!

See you Sunday!

Ross Hailes

I am sending out this week’s “Edition 2” of Cascade Online just to highlight a couple of things! 

Visit of Jeff Lucas – Weekend of December 4-6, 2009

We are now just 6 weeks away from Jeff’s visit. The theme for the weekend is “How to be a prodigal friendly church”. Jeff has written a book with this title and here is a summary:

This book focuses on the issues behind why people leave the church, how we can retain them, how we reach those who’ve already gone and the principles of making those who return feel like they belong. Most of us have prodigals in our lives, whether a child, brother, sister, husband, wife, or friend. The ache for these dear ones is like no other. They may hurt us and disappoint us, but somehow we cannot stop loving them. And yet we cannot live their lives for them. The Prodigal-Friendly Church looks at why people leave the church, how we can retain them, how we can reach those who have already gone, and how we can help those who return feel like they belong. Jeff Lucas offers no easy recipes for success, but plenty of truthtelling, hope, and encouragement.

Jeff will speak at three sessions, one on the Friday night and two on Saturday morning, as well as preaching at our Sunday morning service.  Please begin to pray about this event and  tell your friends and family. This weekend represents a wonderful opportunity to hear from one who has such  an effective worldwide speaking and writing ministry.

Elvis is Back !

Tonight Mr Steve Elliot will perform “the sacred songs of Elvis Presley” at Bakerview Church, commencing 7.30pm (Doors will open at 6.30pm). Tickets are available at the House of James or visit the website www.elviselite.com. Price is $20 per ticket and part of the proceeds will go to the work of The Salvation Army in Abbotsford.

H1N1 Flu virus

No doubt you are each taking precautionary measures to lessen your chance of contracting this flu virus. May I remind you that it is important to wash your hands on entering and leaving our building. Sanitizers are placed at the entrances to our buildings

See you Sunday!

Ross Hailes

Thank you for praying for our youth who were away at Youth Together 2009. Reports are that a challenging time was experienced, and that our young people are ready to move forward with God under the leadership of Mike and Amy. Will you pray daily for Mike and Amy as they begin to make an impact on the lives of our youth and young adults?

Transformed People

Last Sunday our theme was The Call to the Word of God.

We looked together at Item 5 of our Core Beliefs and Values Statement:

We believe the Bible is God’s inspired word of Truth revealing Himself, His plan and His purpose for all people

… therefore we will study and teach the Bible, living by its truth.

Every part of scripture is God breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word of God we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 The Message

Paul Baloche, songwriter and singer, states that he was brought up to love the Lord, but reading the Bible wasn’t part of his life. Why? Didn’t anyone ever guide him to this book?

Are you reading the Bible regularly? Have you joined a small group to discuss your reading and to help you to obey what you read? Invite a friend or two to join you each week, or join one of our existing small groups at Cascade. Phone Mike Cumiskey at 604-556-7000 for more information.

Commissioner Jim Knaggs, leader of The Salvation Army in southern Australia, states “My day begins with a reading of the Word of God, the Bible. In this word I find life in many forms. My soul is invigorated. My hopes are realigned. My understanding and relationship with God is nourished. Let me recommend a regular reading of the Bible for you.”

Maybe, like Paul Baloche in his younger years, reading the Bible hasn’t been part of your everyday living. How can you change this? The best advice is to open your Bible. Pray about what you will read. Ask God to show you what the verses mean for you personally. Begin with the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Read from the Psalms.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Let the word dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:16

Think about these things. Discuss them in your small group!

See you Sunday!

Ross Hailes

October 16, 2009

I thought that our worship together last Sunday was really special. It was one of those occasion that the presence of God very evident. The participation of the children in the offering of fruit helped to launch our worship with the focus on Thanksgiving.

Transformed People

Last Sunday our theme was The Call to Life in the Spirit

We looked together at Item 4 of our Core Beliefs and Values Statement:

We believe the Holy Spirit is God’s transforming presence empowering believers to live like Jesus.  (Galatians 5:16-25, Romans 8:1-17, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Ephesians 3:14-19, John 14:15-17, 1 Corinthians 2:12-16)

…therefore we will submit to the Spirit’s leading

One essential feature of a person whose life is being transformed is that he or she is indwelt with the presence of the Holy Spirit. A disciple of Jesus is living partly in the realm of the natural and partly in the realm of the supernatural

Jesus told his disciples that after he was gone that they would do greater miracles than he had done. Was he thinking about us as well in the year 2009? Are we able to do greater miracles today? If so, in what ways do we see ‘greater’ miracles today than what Jesus performed?

We need to experience spiritual birth, followed by spiritual growth. We need to open our lives to receiving spiritual gifts and the power that only the Spirit can bring.

English journalist Malcom Muggeridge  once said,
“I come back to the Christian notion that man’s efforts to make himself permanently happy are domed to failure. He must indeed, as Christ said, be born again…as far as I am concerned it is Christ or nothing.”

“We need urgently to recapture the vision of living daringly for the Lord, throwing ourselves totally upon the power of his Spirit, without whom we are nothing. This is the greatest and most pressing need of the church today. Everything else we do is liked trying to sail a boat when the tide is out, and the wind is still.”
~ David Watson (Discipleship, p. 115)

Youth Together

13 of our youth and young adults are attending this event at Camp Sunrise this weekend accompanied by leaders Mike and Amy Cumiskey. Please pray continually from this moment on until Sunday afternoon that God will visit our young people with His presence and speak to them in a powerful way.

See you Sunday!

Ross Hailes

As we approach Thanksgiving weekend, Agnes joins me in praying that this will be a special time for you and your families.The apostle Paul encourages us “give thanks in all circumstance.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Sometimes it is hard to give thanks when life and circumstances seem stacked against us. However, there is a healing power that comes from giving thanks to God in the dark days as well as the days that are full of sunshine! Try it today!

Transformed People

Last Sunday our theme was The Call to Prayer.

Agnes drew our attention to Item 7 of our core beliefs and values statement:  

We believe that prayer is an intimate conversation with God through which we align ourselves with His will, enjoy His blessing and release His power. (Ephesians 3:14-19, 1 John 5:14,15, Matthew 6: 5-13, John 14:12-14, Mark 11:24-25, Philippians 4:6-7)

…therefore we will make prayer a natural part of everyday living

Someone has said that prayer keeps us trusting God for everything, opens the way for the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus and enables God to touch the lives of others whom we meet.

Agnes also referred us to three hints that Phillip Yancey offers in regard to prayer. He says. “Keep your prayers honest, keep them simple and keep them going.”  How has your prayer life been going this week? Don’t be afraid to share your successes and failures with your friends. Ask your small group to have a discussion about prayer. Using the Phillip Yancey guidelines, try talking to God for a few minutes each day.

Small Groups

The pastoral staff is really excited that we seem to now have about 120 people connected into some kind of small group at Cascade Church. Many of you have taken up the challenge to join a group for the first time. This means that there is a real widespread desire amongst Cascade members to get to know each other better and to be accountable for your walk with God.  It’s not too late to connect with a small group. Speak to Mike Cumiskey or phone the church office to find out what groups might be best for you.

Good News!

City Council voted this week to postpone a decision to withdraw our exemption from Council Taxes related to our Centre of Hope property on Gladys Avenue. This represents about $50,000 we would have had to find (over the next 3 years) if the exemption was withdrawn. The issue will come up again next year so we will keep your posted in terms of prayer support.

I encourage you to join in a Thanksgiving Celebration at Cascade on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and again at 6:00 p.m.!

See you Sunday!

Ross Hailes