|
One Snowy Saturday Morning & FFAC’s Alliance Men
When I looked out the window the other Saturday morning, it would have been perfect for Christmas Day. But, when we’re in the first week of March, snow is the last thing one wishes to see. Budding trees, snow melting, living things sprouting from the ground would be the preferred sight.
From the vigorous snowfall, I knew it would be a treacherous drive to church. I jumped into my car and headed towards the church building.
There’s no way I would miss this first meeting since Amor Abad’s (hereafter Kuya Amor – “kuya” means elder brother) re-appointment as President of Alliance Men Ministry. The meeting started promptly. Given the inclement weather, we had a pretty good turnout. That was a pleasant surprise.
Watching Kuya Amor facilitate the meeting and seeing him encourage the men to think about FFAC’s mission statement was quite refreshing. The meeting opened with a devotional about “Why We Work,” which is particularly relevant for guys, as the traditional bread winner, given our tough economic times. As I sat through that meetings one of the men, I can’t help but relish the great feeling of being a pastor. Our men are getting it. We need to align ourselves, our families and all that we will say and do according to our mission statement – bringing people to Christ and building them up in Christ for the glory of God (okay, that is my paraphrased version – look it up in the front page of this bulletin).
Leadership Huddle
Your elders, deacons, deaconesses, presidents of the Alliance Women and Men, and other coordinators and key players in the various ministry teams in FFAC met last Saturday evening.
Your elders are still in the process of approaching persons whom we sense have the potential to serve and lead in our ministries or what our current bylaws refer to as our standing committees.
Moving Forward
As I write, some of our elders are out visiting. Just this past week, they have already met with at least three parties to listen and to encourage FFAC folks. Your elders are intent in listening to God and following His direction and taking the lead role in FFAC. Similar plans are underway for deacons and deaconesses.
It’s no longer business as usual because these leaders are determined to do more than what has been the status quo. Care groups among contract workers in St. Albert and Clareview are in full swing. They meet primarily to look into God’s Word, listen to each other’s concerns and needs, pray together and even sing and eat together.
Rest & Recreation in the Pacific Northwest
As you read this, Beth and I are away for a short break west of here. Instead of the usual overnight drive, we got enough air miles points to fly the two of us free – okay, we paid the taxes.
Flying instead of driving makes this trip more restful than our usual road trips. As I’m writing this Thursday evening, we fly out the morning of Friday to Vancouver. We head down to Portland and Seattle and spend Friday and most of Saturday there. Then on to Vancouver until Tuesday evening.
In a sense, I feel like a little kid going to Disneyland (never did go there as a kid, but took the girls when they were still young enough to marvel at the magic of that place). Here’s why. Beth is giving me a treat to visit an actual guitar factory run by a Canadian luthier named Jean Claude Larrivee, who is the founder and CEO of Larrivee Guitars.
While in Vancouver, I will get the chance to meet new friends who will be travelling to be at the factory tour. Friends from all sorts of backgrounds and viewpoints with a common passion for acoustic guitars and Larrivees. I look forward to meeting these real people from Toronto to Texas face to face and many others around the globe, who are vicariously enjoying this tour through pictures and messages posted in the internet.
I guess one could say that I may have found a hobby in acoustic guitars that has lasted more than two years now. I thank God for this gift that has allowed me to rediscover the kid within me, which I believe is in every grown up man and woman. In Christ, even hobbies are a delightful spice of life, to be enjoyed and engaged in for God’s glory.
Warmly,
ricky p. mapa, pastor
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
For more information, contact our church office at (780) 468-1743 or
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
|
|
