COMMENTS???

Hey everyone,
Is there anyone checking in on this Blog?? Please let me know in the comments section....

Off to pray as it is Wednesday! PLEASE "Pray that I hear God’s voice every day and that I have faith and courage to obey Him." (Scott Hodge).
-K


Thoughts
"Large = legitimate? That inhibits us"

A Visitor At Church

Here is my article for our local paper...

Please read it and tell me what you think?

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This past summer my family was away from our church family for about 11 weeks. My church was agreeable (I greatly thank them for that) to giving me this leave of absence, in which we all have just returned. Being people of faith, we did not want to take the whole summer away from gathering with others for worship, and to hear the Word of God read and spoken. Not having our own church to be apart of though, we made several decisions about how we were going to approach Sundays. One, was we were going to go to church on the weekends. It is an important thing to stay connected with the family of Christian faith. We discovered that not all churches meet on Sunday morning. Some meet Saturday mornings and some have a Sat. evening service. We decided that no matter where we were, we would get to a church family sometime over the weekend. We also decided, to try to attend churches that were different than what we are used to in the expression (or in tradition) of our Christian faith. So, for this summer we became visitors. To make it fun, we found a worship service evaluation form on the internet so each family member, could answer questions ranging from how we were received as visitors, to how the church used it’s “worship space”. Armed with evaluation sheets, we set out like “secret shoppers” that stores hire to come into their stores to tell them what their experience was like. What a fascinating time we had! We went to 8 different churches all over western Canada. Some of the church families we visited were Presbyterian, Evangelical Free, Baptist, Anglican, as well as, several other well known faith traditions. One Sunday, we stayed at home and joined an increasing tread in Canada to not go to a church building on a Sunday but watch Christian ministry on TV in our pajamas! That Sunday the “how did people treat you as a visitor” question was not answered on our evaluation sheets. Over the next several times I get to write in this paper, (thanks again Linda for giving this space to communicate to your readership) I want to talk to you about our observations on being a “visitor to church”. I hope you will read them all. I also plan to post them on our blog at lpchome.blogspot.com after they are in the paper. I do want to cover one observation for this addition, and that is, how we forget. One of the problems that we as people who attend church regularly, or if we visit elsewhere and go only to a familiar church tradition, is that we forget what is it like to be a stone cold visitor. I wish I could say that it got easier to go to different churches week after week over the summer, but it didn’t. Often if was hard to find out what churches were in the town or city we were visiting, as most do not have any signage, anywhere. If we did find out what churches were there, we always had to have a “dry run” to find it before Sunday and sometimes it took a long time to find. We forget what it is like to not know anyone or what is going to happen in the service. We felt significant stress as we walked towards an unknown building filled with people, as close to the start of the service as possible. If we were too late, all the back pews or chairs were filled with the regular people and we would have to sit closer to the front. Walking to the front with the feeling like everyone was staring at you (which they were) was not a great feeling. Now here I am. A pastor of a church. I have gone to a church for most of my life. I am used to going to church and yet week after week I felt anxious. I had forgotten what it was like to be the new person, and so had most of the churches. Friends, I question a lot of what takes place on Sunday in our churches in Canada and wonder if it is really the best way for us to communicate the Good news of the Gospel. That being said, I do not foresee a big change in how we gather as church families in the new future. If we could just put ourselves into the emotions of those whom we hope will walk through our doors, and make some, any changes, to make it less difficult, that would be a GREAT start. To those who do not go to church, I am sorry that church going people have forgotten what it is like to try to go. This summer reminded me how hard it is. I ask you to please, give it another try. I’m sure you will find the people there, as wonderful as we found many of them to be. We need you to help us remember, what’s it like to be new. God sent Jesus to seek out people (Luke19:10) and He is still doing so by His Spirit. Let us do our part as His family to help, not hinder the work of God. More next time…

Reaching People

Are we still concerned for those who have not meet Jesus in a relationship as their LORD? Are we still praying for and seeking God for people that Jesus deeply Loves?

Here is yet another example of someone creatively trying to reach people for Jesus. It is a short Video Movie called "JUST Stop and THINK" . You can find it here

Watch it or, better yet, share it.

-PK

Pick One

Hello all,
Read this following post from Brad Abare from June 10th
What do you think??? Is he right?

-PK
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Pick One

You can't be the urban church and the rural church.
You can't be the men-friendly church and the women-friendly church.
You can't be the advocate and the antagonist.
You can't be the funny preacher and the serious preacher.
You can't be the one-site church and the many-locations church.
You can't be the Lutheran church and the Baptist church.
You can't be the hipster church and the church for people who need hips.

Well, you could attempt to be all these things at once, but it won't work.

Pick one. And be the best in your community at it.

You can do other things too, but they must support your primary cause, not compete with it.

Pick one.

Posted by Brad Abare at June 10, 2009 7:03 AM

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Comments???? Post them below!

Back Home!

Hello everyone! The Sawatsky "6" are back in Lanigan safe and sound! We had our first Sunday back at LPC this past week and it was great to see all the AMAZING changes to the building!! wow! What a enjoyable, but long, service! I did not know you all meet that late now... ha!

It has been even better to pray and listen to what God has been doing in your lives. I have so many more people to visit and celebrate with in the weeks to come.

A lot more posts this fall season... it is going to be a priority for me.

See you Sunday, if you can!

-PK








Hello everyone!
the Sawatsky are back!

NEW SONG...

I want us to learn this song...

-PK

Tribute to Mr. Denniss

This week, we sadly bid farewell to our friend and brother Mr. Alf Denniss, or "Alf" as he appreciated being called. Alf was one of the sweetest men on earth- he was always ready to greet you, with a firm handshake and a friendly smile. His welcome never ended there either. He always asked about your family and friends- how work was going, and what your upcoming week held in store for you. He never forgot a name or a face. Any place that Alf stood was instantly made warmer and friendlier, just by his presence there.

Alf always made a point of going to church. He and Florence drove from their family farm, a 48 mile round trip, made twice each Sunday to attend services. It didn't matter if it was 40 below or 90 above, rain or blinding blizzard, he very seldom missed a Sunday church service. Even Alf's failing health didn't stop him from coming- as only two weeks ago we could see him sitting in the back row, singing along to the choruses and hymns.

Alf was committed also to his family. Florence and he were as close in the end as they were in the beginning, holding hands during the services and special assemblies for the church. He needed her and she needed him, and that was a wonderful example to every couple. He loved his children and grandchildren passionately- taking them in whenever they needed, seeing them through school and extra-curricular activities.

Alf was always so willing to take part in activities, joining in at church picnics in the bag races and tug-of-war. Grandson Peyton loved playing street hockey with Grandpa, as well as having grandpa join him in many other things.

He was quick to offer his hand in any project that was going on. He took part in the new expansion of the church, where his excellent carpentry skills came in very handy. His patrons at Country Cycle appreciated his willingness and capability to fix any bike problems- from the smallest to the biggest. He enjoyed talking to the children especially, as they came to him with their cycling troubles. There wasn't a kid Alf met that didn't like him.

I think we can all agree, however, that Alf's greatest love was the Lord God. This was always clearly demonstrated by his actions and his knowledge of the Bible. Alf served his church in many ways, praising God through his talents in musicianship, and leading others to Christ by aptly confirming his faith through the words of scripture.

It is difficult to lose a gift like Alf Denniss. But how wonderful it is to know that the treasures he left with us, will remain in our hearts and memories for the rest of our days- until we see him again in Heaven. Then, Alf, with a brisk walk and a firm handshake will say, "Welcome here! It is so good to see you!" God bless you brother Alf- we love you and we will miss you.

Thank You

On behalf of LifePoint Church, I want to thank all who helped to make the 40^th anniversary weekend and dedication of the new building such a success. We hosted 5 events over the weekend. The first was Thursday’s community hymn sing (which we will do again soon). Thank you to our musicians (Jack, Brenda, Trevor and Andrew, Char and Rachelle) who played and sang so wonderfully. Friday night we saw over 175 young people from all over this region come together to celebrate. Thank you to all the youth and youth leaders who made the effort to come. THANK you to the many people from LPC who cooked pizza’s, cleaned, set up the stage (ETC). It was awesome! On Saturday we hosted our first ever fall supper. Thank you to all who came and supported the meal. THANK YOU to all who worked SO hard to make the food, cut the turkeys, served, cleaned (and cleaned) and decorated the dining hall. It looked and tasted AMAZING! On Saturday night we had a gospel concert with Canada’s Double Portion. Not only was the concert great but we had a wonderful opportunity to help the Jones family with a special offering. We saw over $3200.00 be given to help with Carson’s (age 4) battle with cancer. It was a great night!! Thank you for coming, giving and praying! Finally, thank you to all who made our Sunday services such a success. We loved Liz’s PowerPoint presentations of both the review of the last 40 years as well as building project. It was a great end to a great weekend. Thank you to so many who tirelessly worked and gave and served and cleaned. Thank you for coming and supporting us as we thank God for His great faithfulness to this church. We look forward to the next many years of ministry in Lanigan and to this Region that God has called us to. -Pastor Kevin Sawatsky

UPDATE

Hello everyone!

It has been a long time since I have taken some time to give an update as to what is going on here at LifePoint church. Wow what a time we have had! We have had a very busy summer working on the building project. In answer to MANY prayer for many years, phase two of the building project has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last three months! Our Mrs. Char writes " The people at LifePoint Church have continued to forge on with faith in the promise that God has a plan for each day, each person and place, each event, and each problem. To our delight, the Lord does continue to encourage and enlighten us with his miraculous helps toward this project- our new facility.

In May and June, the electrical for Phase two was nearly completed, which brought about the next step for building- insulation, vapor barrier, drywall and mud. A good portion of the insulation and vapor barrier was completed by one of our own, Mrs. Antypovich, who spent a great deal of time taking this project under her wing- along with the help of a few friends.

In June, word was received that a missions group from the Edmonton area, desired to purchase and install all the drywall as a gift to the Lord. WOW! They also wanted to try to mud and tape the building. The team arrived (7 in all) on July 26^th and worked for two weeks, alongside members from our own congregation, as well as some friends from the community. Through hard work, determination and the promise that “each day is new”, the group managed to completely board the entire phase two expansion, as well as apply the tape and the first coat of mud. Praise the LORD!

The new kitchen is nearing completion with countertops and sinks being put in just recently. The children’s ministries area in the basement of the old facility has taken on a new look- due in part to the new concentrated effort LifePoint is putting into reach the many new young families in our community.

As we look to the future, we are excited and enthusiastic about what God has planned for us. At present, we are searching for help to complete the mudding in the new expansion so that the electrical can be completely finished. Following that, plans are being made for paint and flooring. Time is a factor now, as we are planning to have our first service in the new hall on September 21, 2008.

We are also looking forward to the 40^th Anniversary Celebration being planned for Thanksgiving weekend, October 9-12. Many exciting events, activities and celebrations are being planned for that weekend, including Lifepoint’s first-ever ‘Fall Supper’! This meal is a ticketed event, and will see us serving up a full-course, Thanksgiving feast to all those who wish to attend! We are including our ad for this event. Please know that you are most welcome to join us! It is with a great deal of satisfaction that we look towards the future in our new facility. However, much work is still to be done!

It is with unwavering faith in God that we continue to “press on toward the goal”, knowing that He can make miracles happen! We rejoice and give Him praise for the many blessings He has put before us already. For friends and family- even strangers- who have come into the circle of this dream and helped make it happen. We continue to pray daily for His courage and wisdom to “stay in the race”.

Again, we thank each of you, our friends in this ministry, for your support May God richly, richly bless you as you continue to work and pray with us for the miracle of salvation for everyone!"

WELL SAID!!

Check out this video

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1137883230/bctid1509297822

Forward by Heather A!