February 2018
640 Grosvenor St. London Ont N5Y 3T4 519-858-4123 churchalcc1@gmail.com #abundantlife_london Twitter: @LifeALCC www.alccnet.com
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Every once in a while, I come across a thought that stops me in my tracks. I have chewed over this thought in my mind for a few days and it has arrested me. “God will prune your life back and lead you into outwardly-unproductive wilderness seasons to gain a greater grip on your heart.” I am always amazed at how God longs to go after our hearts. He will do what it takes to get our attention. This thought reminds me of this scripture: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[ so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2 When God works on our heart, it may seem painful at the time but the results are beyond anything we ever imagined. Have you ever done something and looked back and seen God at work? Knowing full well, there was no way without God, we could get there? It is the same for us as a church. We need to continue in prayer for our future. God is doing some amazing things in ALCC. I am grateful. When I look back, I say, thanks God. Today I sit now saying, ok God, what is next? How are we going to get there? Do you need some pruning? Good questions to ask and much more painful to live. What in your life is God trying to prune in you? PB and Kathy We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you. Now, let’s meditate -- once you saw that word, meditate, you thought of your eyes closed, legs crossed, your middle finger and thumb gently pressed together on your lap and repeating words over and over again. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the word that pops up in the Bible and we immediately and easily brushed it off as something that it’s not. Biblical meditation is not emptying your mind, it’s about filling your mind (Philippians 4:8). Biblical meditation is not removing thinking, it’s about renewing thinking (Roman 12:2). Biblical meditation is not about just being present, it’s about being with God continually (Psalm 1:2). Biblical meditation, essentially, is focusing (Psalm 119:15), pondering (Psalm 119:27) and absorbing (1 Timothy 4:15) the works, wonders and the Word of God internally (Psalm 143:5). As we meditate on the eternal internally, we begin to live it out externally (Joshua 1:7-8). That’s a benefit from it. Sometimes, you are forced to eating your food as fast as you can that you don’t enjoy it. You forget what you ate. You don’t taste all that is in it. You don’t digest it well. It’s not an experience. You aren’t enjoying what was thought or created for your enjoyment. We do that with God’s Word. One way you can mediate more on God is to not take in so much. When I first started reading the Bible, I tried to get through the entire book or letter as fast as I could. I’d jot some notes down but once I took time to go through the context, the content and allowed the Spirit to convey His message, I took in the richness of His work, wonders and Word that deepen my walk with God (Romans 11:33-36). Is that what we all want? A deeper walk with God Almighty? Why not: slow down, focus and be enriched by God (Luke 10:38-42/Psalm 37:5)? Meditate: take care of yourself by taking in what or Who truly matters (Colossians 3:12). Now, let’s meditate, Tony Mejia
We are glad you are here, and we trust that feel at HOME. It is our hope and prayer that you will join in as we share our lives, struggles and celebrations of faith together. We believe life is about discovering our faith and purpose, and using this discovery to live out His plan for us with passion. We call ALCC our HOME. We are intentional about relationships with God and each other to bring this message of HOPE to our community.
Good Morning Café When we wake up in the morning, we all have our rituals, traditions and “must do’s” before we head out the door. That’s why we offer our to you at 10 am.
Good Morning Café
You will be greeted by a warm and friendly smile from one of our weekly hostesses and you can choose a beverage of coffee (hazelnut or regular), tea (regular or seasonal favourite), juice and not to mention a homemade snack from our dedicated Café Team. So come a little early to enjoy this time of relaxing and the opportunity to get to know your fellow Lifers!
Good Morning Café@ 10 am
people matter to God
Sundays 10:30- noon
Ages 0-3 years Welcome Care Givers! Feel free to sign your child in at any time during the service. Some care givers would like their child to stay with them for the music or until they (the child that is) gets restless. Once you have signed them in, you can pick them up at the end of the service by signing them out again. Ages 4-11 Your kids will enjoy the variety of stations and Bible learning activities offered in the PlayRoom. It’s a fun and diverse time of games, Bible story, application and snack.
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
THE STORY PLayRoom & Paridise Kids Do you sometimes wonder what goes on downstairs? Our dedicated workers are providing a safe, fun and Bible based experience for our kiddos!
people matter to God
Board Day Apart Our day apart was informative, inspiring and unifying. God has given us a beautiful purpose and plan. Our leaders are serious about God’s part, our part living out PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD!
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Breakfast & Seminar
Our Breakfast Fund Raiser and Spiritual Disciplines Seminar was smooth, informative and transforming. Our discussion and application of the Word is ongoing.
people matter to God
Sisterhood Ladies Night Our annual SISTERHOOD with Sue Keddy. Music, communion, and hearing Sue’s story of DREAM BIG WITH US ministries. There is nothing that our GOD cannot do!
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Baby Shower Welcome to our newest LIFER! We finally got to meet this little bundle of cuteness! Thank you everyone!
people matter to God
Monday February 19 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthian 13:7 Music Practice Mon. Feb. 12 Mon. Feb. 26 7pm discovery| simplicity |
discovery | simplicity | empowerment Our second value is simplicity. This year we are simplifying our Annual General Meeting (AGM) by having a shortened service, followed by a soup and sandwich lunch and the AGM. Parents are responsible for kids during lunch time. What is an Annual General Meetin (AGM)? It is an the time we set aside as members and adherents (non-members), to be unified on the upcoming year, bring any proposals or voting matters, learn of any changes to staff/board/elders. Do I need to attend? Yes. If you are a member it is part of your responsibility, if you are an adherent (non-member) you are welcome and your input is valuable to us. ALCC functions better when we are all on the same page and know our successes, what is ahead, what is expected. What do I do to become a member? Good question! We have an application you can get from Kathy in the office. Once your application is accepted, we have an orientation/information session, and then a welcome from our church community. More questions: please call the office (519)858-4123 or a staff member.
people matter to God
Since 2005
12 Step Recovery Program Based on Matthew 5:2-12 (The Beatitudes) The spiritual principle of Step six is Willingness. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10) Step (6) is all about discovering hope. When we are upset, we often depend upon our addiction to make us feel better. As we get rid of our addiction, we face the deeper character defects that God wants to heal. Our addiction functions as a place of “shelter” from our pain. But when that “shelter” is removed, deep anger may surface, exposing even deeper character flaws that need healing. Jonah had a glaring defect of character: he couldn’t forgive and have compassion on the people of Nineveh, whom he hated. When God decided not to destroy them, Jonah threw a temper tantrum. “The Lord replied, Is it right for you to be angry about this? Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city… And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. The next morning ..the plant soon died and withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die.” God did this to show Jonah that the real problem wasn’t the loss of his shelter. Hatred was the real problem. The removal of our sheltering addiction may expose deep problems. This may spark defensive anger as God touches our deepest hurts. It is all right to let the anger out. But it is also important to let God take care of the real problem. Jonah 4: 4-8. NLT How can we honestly say that we are entirely ready for God to remove our defects of character? If we think in terms of all or nothing, we may get stuck here because we will never feel entirely ready. It is important to keep in mind that the twelve steps are guiding ideals. No one can work them perfectly. Our part is to keep moving, to get as close as we can to being ready. Most of us have made numerous attempts at selfimprovement. Perhaps we have consciously tried to improve our attitude, our education, our appearance, or our habits. We may have had success in self-improvement on some level. However, when it comes to our struggles with defects of character, chances are we have experienced only deep frustration. There is a reason for our frustration. These character defects can only be removed, never improved. The illustration given us in the bible is that our sins and defect of character must be put to death, as Jesus was, with the hope of new life to follow.
Thursday’s 7 pm Closed Women’s Group Mondays 7-9 pm POTLUCK February 22 @ 6-7pm discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Doors open 5:30 pm Come early & join in the PRE-YOUTH activities
Student ministry 11– 18 years
finding connecting belonging
IGNITE equips teens with personal faith to take on our changing world. We are taking a journey from Sept-May to read the Bible from cover to cover with THE STORY. We will explore God through history and the world around us. IGNITE is a space where we can be ourselves without fear of judgment. Group activities, music and talks geared to inspire us to live a God filled life. people matter to God
9:45am—10am Downstairs
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
For God so loVed the world thAt He gave His onLy begottEn SoN so thaT whoever belIeves iN Him shall havE everlasting Life. John 1:16
$20 Includes continental breakfast See Marty or PBill people matter to God
This easy-to-use and fun mobile app will help keep you on track with a video and a reading plan THEBIBLEPROJECT
Abundant Life Community Church Abundant Life Church @LifeALCC
@abundantlife_london
Abundant Life Community Church – London