Once a month at the local church in Jesús MarÃa, we have a special service that we call an “Adoration Service”. Well, except we say it in Spanish.
Sometimes the sermon is a little shorter – or longer – or there is no sermon. We have a communion service. Maybe some extra songs. Maybe some testimonies. It’s basically an opportunity to do things a little differently. And the entire church is together – all ages.
So this year the adoration services were assigned to me – leading the service, and preaching.
Now although we’re studying the Gospel of John this year in our regular services, the adoration service is not part of the series. Which means I can make the theme whatever I want (within reason… until someone gets mad and tells me to shape up!).
I was thinking this through while I was also thinking about what to do for a Sunday school series I’ll be doing later in the year. So I finally decided to do a series of themes from the Bible that would be especially relevant to the church here. Topical, that is – not focused on a specific passage, which is what we usually do (and which I usually prefer).
So last month we went through what the Bible has to say about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – dividing the service into three parts, of course.
This Sunday our theme will be “What is God like?” – hopefully a very different service from the last one. If I can get it all ready in time. 🙂
I would appreciate your prayers for this service – and for the first service of every month (which is when we have our adoration service). It’s a bit of a challenge to put together something that everyone will enjoy – and that will truly point everyone to the Lord.
I have something really special planned for the first Sunday in April – Resurrection Sunday (which will probably be a sunrise service – will anyone be awake enough to enjoy it? It’s also the Sunday of the time change – will half the church be an hour late?).
Anyway, I’d better run. We have a special outing today with friends – service prep will have to wait until tomorrow! That’s Saturday, right?
Thanks so much for your prayers as Camino Global Canada has been searching for a new director over the past few months. The search has ended, and we’re pleased to welcome Keith Elliott as our new director! His wife, Ruth Ann, is also coming on board as Administrative Assistant.
Charlene de Haan, our previous director, will be stepping down from her previous role, but staying on as Mobilization Coach.
Below is the official press release from Camino Global.
Toronto, ON [February 20, 2015] – Following much prayer and an extended search, the Canadian Board of Directors of Camino Global announces the appointment of (Gordon) Keith Elliott as National Director, effective March 2015.
Strong Spanish language and cultural experience with a passion for pastoral care accompanied by abilities in preaching, teaching and writing were central to the Camino Global Board’s selection. “We are delighted that Keith and Ruth Ann are eager to serve as a team, with Ruth Ann assisting with administration. Their desire to continue using their skills to serve Spanish-speakers across Canada is an encouragement to the future of Camino Global” says Chair Marvin Srigley, speaking for the Board selection committee. Elliott takes the reins from Charlene de Haan, whose five years of dedicated service transformed Camino Global into a viable ministry across Canada. Elliott anticipates shaping a vision for the future as the public voice of Camino Global to seminaries and churches, both English and Spanish, across Canada. He sees clearly how Camino Global is positioned with real opportunity to go global with Spanish-speakers.
Sandra Tjart, Director of EMCC World Partners shares commendation. “The Elliotts dedicated servant ministry has effected change in the lives of many people in Canada and Latin America. They have served the Lord in a variety of roles including pastoral ministry in Canada, church planting, pastoral training and field leadership in Ecuador, Director of Missions and Administration of the EMCC in Canada, and pastoral care with sister denominations of the EMCC in Latin America. We pray that Keith and Ruth Ann will continue to be fruitful as ever learning disciples; we pray God’s richest blessings upon them.”
Elliott served with the Evangelical Missionary Church in Canada, Mexico and Ecuador. Both raised in Ontario, Keith studied at Emmanuel Bible College (B.Th.) and Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A. & M.T.S.) while Ruth Ann trained as a Registered Nurse and later studied counselling to further her passion for women’s ministry.
Founded in 1890 as the Central American Mission, Camino Global has always focused on ministry among Spanish speakers. Today, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world! The scope of Camino’s outreach is international, spanning four continents with missionaries serving on-site or online. As Camino Global celebrates 125 years in 2015, David Ruiz, Vice President of Global Ministries, says “This is a time when the Lord wants to make a deep impact in world evangelization through the Spanish speaking church.”
From Mexico to Canada to ISIS to Kleenex to Community Centre… just a wee bit of variety over the past couple of weeks. The good news – reading the first tweet about how cold it was – it’s changing! The warm weather is coming at last. 🙂
Inside, wearing four layers. Heater. Hot chocolate. In a few weeks it’s going to be HOT. Looking forward to it! (7 February 2015)
Preparing the Sunday School class for tomorrow. 🙂 (7 February 2015)
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent ~Acts 17:30~ (9 February 2015)
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ~Romans 8:32~ (16 February 2015)
Sometimes you’re encouraged, sometimes you’re discouraged. But there are some interesting things happening at the new community centre, so I thought I’d share a little encouraging news.
Some of the classes have been well attended – some not. This Tuesday my keyboard class was one of the not-well-attended ones, and I thought I’d be packing up early because there were no students.
Then a few junior high boys stopped by. One of them asked me if playing the keyboard was anything like playing the melodica.
I didn’t even know what that was – and in case you don’t, here’s a picture. Photo courtesy of Sarah JoyThat’s a melodica in the case. You take it out, attach the mouthpiece and blow through the tube, and then play the keyboard. It’s a “free reed” instrument, similar to an accordion. It’s light-weight and small.
And it’s used in the schools here for music education! Which means there are hundreds of junior highers who are already becoming familiar with the keyboard.
So this guy came back and showed me his melodica. And I asked if he wanted to take a keyboard class. And he did.
Because he was already familiar with the keyboard concept, I taught him some chords – 96 chords in all. And it was a blast to see his eyes light up as he realized how many chords he had learned in only a few minutes. And I flipped through a music book and showed him – “Look, now you know all the chords for this song. And this song. And this song. And…”
I guess I gotta get me a melodica to add to my class.
Shari has been handing out cookies – a “demonstration” of her upcoming baking class. Well, the class was today, and four women came! A great improvement from zero last time.
And Shari too was reminded of the joys of teaching something new. When you’ve never baked before, and you realize that yes, you can bake cookies – WOW! 😉
So Shari really enjoyed her time at the class today. Teresa helped out too, but escaped from the camera lens.
Speaking of Teresa, she apparently had a good time in her English class today. Shari said that the students seem to really like her. Teresa is getting a lot of English teaching in, and she’s making friends and connections which I’m sure will yield fruit in the future!
And activities continue with Tina, and Rod and Mayra Fry as well. Lots going on!
Yes, there has been plenty to be discouraged about. But God is working, and it’s gracious of Him to give us some encouragement along the way.
Reminds me of the verses we memorized in Sunday School a while ago. We were talking about how the Spirit is Someone who goes with us on the journey, encouraging and exhorting us.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Philipians 2:1-2)
I was playing a little before the keyboard class tonight and was reminded of this hymn – in Spanish Oh Verbo Encarnado. Here it is in English … a great missionary hymn when you think about it…
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance that from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.
The Church from her dear Master, received the gift divine, And still that light is lifted o’er all the earth to shine. It is the sacred vessel where gems of truth are stored; It is the Heav’n drawn picture of Christ, the living Word.
The Scripture is a banner before God’s host unfurled; It is a shining beacon above the darkling world. It is the chart and compass that over life’s surging tide, Mid mists and rocks and quicksands, to You, O Christ, will guide.
O make your Church, dear Saviour, a lamp of purest gold, To bear before the nations Your true light as of old. O teach your wandering pilgrims by this their path to trace, Till, clouds and darkness ended, they see You face to face.
Thanks so much for your prayers as Camino Global Canada has been 
And Shari too was reminded of the joys of teaching something new. When you’ve never baked before, and you realize that yes, you can bake cookies – WOW! 😉 