Stories of Hope

  Fall has arrived: two indicators that this is true is that the tree leaves are turning colours, and we have returned to two worship services each Sunday. Along with the need to rake the leaves, the subject of why we have two services returns to the foreground. I would like to explain why we hold two services.

  Let me say first off, that this story is not of the usual calibre of Hopeful Stories. But, it is a story of hope! As I interact throughout my week, I encounter many peoples, and their situations. (names have been altered to provide confidentiality).

  Last week’s Hopeful Story , as written by Kim, and inspired by Dylan’s message on July 8 is indicative of what happens in the kingdom of God that we participate in. But let’s look a little closer and broader here at Hope Fellowship.   Most of you know the story of how I came to become the pastor here at Hope. Most of us know the back-story to Brian’s acceptance to become our second pastor.  Some of you know the behind the scenes promptings for Nicole to become our Worship Director. Lots of you know the Lord’s promptings for Dylan not only to become our Connections Director, but more so to pursue Seminary training to become a full fledged pastor. Deanna, our newest staff person as the Children’s Director, compliments well the ministry staff here at Hope.   And then there is the faithfulness of Chris, Ron & Linda, and the almost twenty years of dedicated service that Evelyn brings to the church.   Do you see where this is going? Yes, The Lord has his hand...

  2B blessing others is, of course, a highlight for me. It is one of the ways in which I delight in the Lord, and I believe He delights in me. But even richer is seeing that God delights in others and he asks me to be involved in delighting in them. This was so very evident on June 10 in our worship service that morning. 

  And who is my neighbour? The teacher asked Jesus. (Luke 12:29) And with these words ringing in our ears, we are reminded to be a good neighbour.

We are enjoying a series of devotions written by Pastor Dale. The focus of these devotions is the “kingdom of God” and what that looks like for us.

We are enjoying a series of devotions written by Pastor Dale. The focus of these devotions is the “kingdom of God” and what that looks like for us.

Today we begin a series of devotions written by Pastor Dale. The focus of these devotions is the “kingdom of God” and what that looks like for us. On Earth as it is in Heaven The Kingdom of Heaven is Within Us

The Month of Lasts   It was the first Sunday of April, it was Soup’n Buns Sunday. The people were crowded in the fellowship hall, sipping their coffees and teas, having conversations of days gone by or days to come. I stood up on a chair, like I always do on this Sunday, to speak a blessing over the food and fellowship we were about to enjoy. I asked someone to whistle for me, to get everyone’s attention… and in that moment, I realized, this would be the last time I do this at Maranatha. And it sunk in … this would be the first of many ‘lasts’

GOD’S TIMING   Hello HOPE! Dale and Gloria here.   Thank you for praying for our transition from Alberta to Ontario.   You may have heard that we were in Ontario on the weekend of March 24, 25.   Our prayer was that God would lead us to a house that would become our home, but also a home that would be exactly where God would want us to be a light – a beacon of Hope. Gloria also specifically asked God to let us know, somehow, which house that might be. That prayer was answered, let me tell you how.