Greetings my dear friends, thank you so much for taking a few moments to read this week's Pastoral Hello to catch our church family news.
1. Palm Sunday is Coming
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday and it's been an honour to be reading again this week the Gospel passages alluding to and describing this event in Christ's life and ministry. Two of the portions of Scripture I've been meditating upon are in the Old Testament book of Zechariah 9:9 that foretells Christ's arrival into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and John 12:12-26 which describes the actual details taking place on that day. Though there are many thoughts that have gone through my mind as I've focused upon these verses, I've been struck again by the fact that the people of Jerusalem expected a conquering King, but Jesus' humble entry challenged those ideas.
Indeed, like some of the people on Christ's route that Palm Sunday so long ago, I too, have expected the Lord to reveal Himself to me in a certain manner - only to find Him leading me in an unexpected direction. Perhaps you've experienced God in a similar way? Were you initially disappointed? How did your perspective change? Or perhaps, there is a current expectation you're tightly holding onto? If so, can I encourage you to write down your specific expectation and beside it write, "God, I surrender this to you, show me YOUR amazing way even if it's different from what I envision."
May I exhort you to pray the following prayer as you do:
"Dear Lord, help me let go of my tightly held plans. I trust that YOU have something far better in mind.
Guide my steps and open my heart to the unexpected ways You work. Amen!"
2. Praise Report
1.) We continue to thank the Lord for His blessing upon this past week's ministry moments in Griefshare, Young People's Bible Study, On-Line Ministry Prayer Time, Ladies Bible Study, and the Ladies Care, Prayer and Share fellowship times. Praise the Lord for His constant blessing.
2.) For the safe return of Jeff Johnsson from his short-term mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. We look forward to him sharing with us on Sunday, May 4 about the seeds planted, fields watered and fruit harvested.
3.) Though I can't share any confidential information, we can say that three individuals within our church family experienced God's blessings, care and miracles in their lives. Praise the Lord.
3. Prayer Requests
- DUSTIN B. - His wife passed away unexpectedly, leaving him to raise five children.
- JANE L. - Pray for her and the entire family as they grieve the passing of Earl.
- SHERAH B. - Is in need of Employment.
- JACKIE - An acquaintance of the Fraietta's - Her young adult autistic son just passed away after medical complications. Please pray for Jackie and the family.
- ELAINE, Jen K.'s friend has an aggressive Lymphoma. Since starting chemo, she has developed a large blood clot in her lung. She had a procedure to rectify this but has had a set back since. Continue to pray for her.
- LEONARD S. - Leonard has been moved to Hardisty Nursing Home. Please pray for his adjustment and for Lily as she adjusts to this new way of living. .
- HELEN L. - She had fallen a few weeks ago and is recovering. Pray for her husband Ed as he cares for her.
- CHRIS S. - Has found out he has cancer, please pray for a miracle.
- MARY L. - She is in the process of biopsies and will be going back in May. Continue to pray for healing.
- RUTH D. - Has been dealing with a blood disorder which has resulted in a growth. Her hemoglobin has stayed the same level for 5 months. Continue to pray for healing from anemia
- JULIA - She has been moved to Palliative Care..
- JANE L. - She has Osteoporosis causing compression fractures. She is also suffering from diverticulitis and an infection. Pray for healing.
- Unspoken requests for others who have some serious health issues.
- LEANNE B. - Zhenya is still in the Ukraine. Pray for direction as he has left the rehab center. He needs a job and a safe place to live. Pray against temptation of drugs and alcohol. Also for her daughter Jennifer as she prepares to give birth due April 22.
- Praise Report - Leanne's children, Kira and Arthur,had their visas extended and have their new passports. They now wait for permanent residency for everyone..
- KIRA B. - Leanne B's daughter is having dental surgery on April 15 and also closer to getting a kidney transplant. She requires dental surgery before the transplant.
- ARTUR B. - Pray for his eyes and wisdom to know what to do with the non-seeing eye and wisdom to know how to keep it healthy as well as the seeing eye.
- CHERYL - Doug P's cousin, has finished chemotherapy. The CT scan shows she is free of cancer. She will continue with some infusions. Pray for strength/peace for the family.
- MARGARET S. – Pray for her to regain her strength and have better balance, after suffering from a lengthy illness.
- BARB M. - She has Macular Degeneration. Pray for her eyesight.
- RUTH P.- Pray for a continual touch in her body.
- PHIL B. - Is healing from shingles.Pray that God grant him strength and energy.
- JAN F. – Continued prayer for better sleep and energy recovery. Also for Glen - healing of his MS.
- FAMILIES in our church who have family members struggling with addictions and homelessness. Pray for strength and comfort and wisdom.
- A friend of many HVPA and staff at Taylor Seminary: Alex & Lori M. - Lori's cancer has returned and her husband, Alex, has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
4. Ministry Events This Coming Week
1.) Griefshare Ministry - Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30 PM, MCCE overflow area.
2.) Young People's Bible Study - Tuesday, April 15 at 7 PM, MCCE downstairs
3.) On-Line Prayer Time - Wednesday, April 16 at 7 PM via www.heritagevalleyassembly.com
4.) Men's Fellowship Time - Wednesday, April 16 at 7 PM, Tim Hortons (Roper Rd/75 St)
5. Ladies Care, Prayer and Share Ministry
On Saturday, April 12, the ladies will be gathering at Dianne D's home for their monthly time together. God bless you ladies for your faithfulness to the Lord and one another.
6. Palm Sunday, April 13
This coming Sunday will be a joyous time as we come together onsite and online to rejoice in Christ, as we remember His coming triumphantly into Jerusalem 2000 years ago - but remains our King today! We will worship in song and prayer for others and around the Word as I share a message honouring Christ on Palm Sunday. Please stay with us afterward as we enjoy coffee fellowship with one another. Pastors and elders will also be available to pray with you following our gathering.
7. Annual Church Business Meeting
On Sunday, May 4, 2025, we will be holding our Annual Church Business Meeting, covering the year of 2024. Please plan to join us for this important and informative meeting. It will be held immediately after the Sunday morning service (with a short refreshment break between the service and the meeting).
ABM Booklets will be available on Sunday, April 20, 2025, two weeks before the meeting, as per our Constitution.
If you are unable to attend in person, we will have Zoom available for your viewing. Please indicate your desire to join in via Zoom by emailing Janice at heritageva@gmail.com.
8. Concluding Thoughts
1.) Palm Sunday heralded a week that changed the world, so may we walk in faith with Him today!
2.) "Chuckle for the Week" - With the world in challenging times, we need to enjoy laughter. This past week, someone shared with me a groaner, a dad joke, that went like this:
" What do a tick and the Eiffel Tower have in common? They're both Paris-sites."
Have a beautiful Passion Week and may God bless you and yours.
Pastor Larry/Colleen, Pastor Matthew/Rebekah, Pastoral Intern Joshua