December 2015
640 Grosvenor St. London Ont N5Y 3T4 519-858-4123 churchalcc1@gmail.com Week at a Glance
Twitter: @LifeALCC
10am CafĂŠ 10:30 Service
www.alccnet.com
Nursery & The PlayRoom KidMin 10:30
discovery faith and purpose
LIFE Groups 6:30 pm
connection sharing and caring
Tues: Ladies Coffee Hour 10:30
response serving and generosity
Wed: Ignite Youth Group Thurs: Celebrate Recovery 7pm
simplicity
The simple message of Jesus bring healing and rescue to all people
The Unforgettable Christmas Instagram #abundantlife_london
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Christmas is…. Christmas means different things to different people. It’s interesting to hear the diverse traditions people practice over the season. Some people put up the tree on Christmas Eve and still others after thanksgiving. Presents are opened in some homes on Christmas Eve, still others wait to purchase their gifts on Boxing Day. Personally I love turkey and all the trimmings and others love honey ham and scallops. With all the traditions that surround us, there is one thing which is still in common. 7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 Traditions aside, it is my prayer that this December, God would so something Unforgettable in your life! The series we are sharing in December is called the “Unforgettable Christmas”. Personally, I desire to have God do something unforgettable in my life. Many years ago at Christmas, I watched a Christian program and it changed me. Watching and listening to the man of God on TV challenged me to think I was missing something in my life. It was only a few months later, that I discovered how much God was missing and recommitted my life to Jesus. That Christmas set the stage for an incredible life changing experience. What will God for you this season that will be unforgettable? I will never forget that moment alone in front of the TV wondering, can Jesus really forgive me of the things I have done wrong? Unforgettable moments lead to unforgettable choices that lead to unforgettable forgiveness! From our family to yours, Merry Christmas! PB and Kathy
Imagine, Joseph building his home for Mary and the future they would have. He would’ve worked hard and couldn’t wait to be with Mary. Joseph would’ve been full of excitement. He’d be thinking of the children, the gardens, the gifts of marriage and we all know what happened . . . Joseph heard from Mary that she was pregnant and it wasn’t his (Matt 1:18). I Imagine, the sorrow and uncertainty in Joseph’s mind. It reads that Joseph was going to divorce Mary quietly (att 1:19). Joseph’s agenda was devastated. I can see him, thinking to himself, “yeah, right, it’s the LORD’s”, “what a waste of time”, “I really thought she was the one” then the LORD spoke to him in a dream. In this dream, Joseph gets God’s agenda that replaced his. “Joseph, you’ll have a son, Jesus and He’ll save His people from their sins (Matt 1:20,21). Not only was this is replace Joseph’s agenda, this was to fulfill a prophecy. (Matt 1:22,23). His uncertainty and sorrow would turn into a great event in history. Joseph wakes up and follows the LORD’s instructions (Matt 1:24,25). That was the first Christmas for Joseph and he embraced the uncerson. Joseph’s agenda turned into God’s. Friends, let’s embrace the of our Christmas season. You might be facing a layoff, you might lack of funds or don’t have a place to go, you feel uncertain about something, etc. Let’s turn to God for an UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS! God has a plan and we can choose to live in that! Merry Christmas, The Mejias
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Welcome! We are glad you are here, and we trust that are feeling at HOME. It is our hope and prayer that you will join in as we share our lives and celebration of faith together. We believe our life is about discovering who God is, using this faith to live out His purpose and His plan and to live it with passion. We call ALCC our HOME. We are intentional about relationships with God and each other to bring the 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
Good Morning Café
to you at 10 am. 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 Sunday’s 10– 10:30
am
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The
Kidmin PLAYROOM is
excited to present
SPIN IT TO WIN IT Kids will play fun games and win awesome prizes as they learn who Jesus is and how we can be like Him! Our dedicated team of volunteers are waiting to share the love of Jesus
Sundays
“In all these things we will do even more than win! We owe it all to Christ, who has loved us!”
Sunday December 20
10:30 am
The PlayRoom Saves Christmas
Welcome Care Givers! The purpose of our nursery/toddler room is to provide you with a safe place to nurse/change your baby, and eventually leave them in the loving care of our
Nursery/Toddler Team 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.
Newborn—JK 10:30—noon Please sign your child in & out
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The Playroom Remembers… It’s important that the PlayRoom kids remember and acknowledge the sacrifice that many of their ancestors have made. In this respect, the kids collectively made a thumbprint wreath and wrote thank you letters the veterans at Parkwood hospital, and Lisa brought them to shard with these brave men. Adina leading us in O Canada
Jarrat: In Flander’s Field
Lisa took the card s from the PlayRoom and shared them with the vets
Welcome Meredith! We hope you will enjoy Meredith’s insights and honesty as she journeys in her faith, and shares her thoughts/feelings and relationship with us as a completely committed follower of Jesus. Mer aka Murt
Follow Meredith on Facebook @HeidenMerandCarol
His torch “Burning bright and lighting a way with His Word; Let’s burn bright together for our Savior.” For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. Proverbs 6:23
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Our Abundant Life family is getting together to celebrate Jesus birth. $5 per person (PlayRoom and Nursery Kids free)
Kids Christmas Program Traditional Turkey Dinner Music & fun Every child will receive a Christmas gift
Tuesday December 15 Noon—1pm discovery| connection| responsibility | simplicity
Christmas Carrols Remembrance Candles Christmas Story The smell of warm cinnamon apples, candles glowing, Christmas music playing softly in the background...a beautiful way to spend Christmas Eve. A time for the whole family to enjoy and embrace the birth of our Savior. Maybe you know someone who will be alone, or maybe a friend who has lost a loved one, or a neighbour/coworker who has never experienced a Christmas Eve service?
Celebrate Recovery Christmas Pot Luck
Thursday Dec. 10
6 –9 pm
Bring a friend
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Doors open 5:30 pm Come early & join in the PRE-YOUTH activities
Student ministry 11– 18 years
finding connecting belonging
Tuesdays 10:30 –noon Our ladies that come together to pray & learn from the Bible, and from own journey. This unique group. We are made up of young and not so young, but that adds to the flavor of learning to follow Jesus in our everyday thinking, living, working. Our time of sharing/praying/caring is open to everyone. be a friend |make a friend |bring a friend
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Since 2003
STEP 4 COURAGE The spiritual principle that is the foundation of Step 4 is courage. In Step 4 we made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This means we take an honest look at ourselves so therefore this takes courage. Nehemiah 9: 1-3 ‘Now on the twenty-forth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dust on their heads. Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God. As we make our moral inventory, we will probably find ourselves listing our destructive habits, our defects of character, the wrongs we have done, the consequences of wrong choices that we now live with, and the hurts we have caused others. It’s like sifting through all the garbage in our past. This is painful, but it is a necessary part of throwing away those rotten habits and behaviors that, if not dealt with, will almost certainly spoil the rest of our life. There have probably been times when we have ignored our own sins and problems and pointed a finger at someone else. We may be out of touch with our internal affairs because we are still blaming others for our moral choices. Or perhaps we avoid self-examination by making moral inventories of the people around us. When God asked Adam and Eve about their sin, they each pointed a finger at someone else. “Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?” “Yes”, “Adam admitted, but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it.” “The serpent tricked me, she replied” (Genesis 3: 11-13. It seems to be human nature to blame others as our first line of defense. We also may avoid our own problems by evaluating and criticizing others. Jesus tells us, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?”…Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7: 3, 5. While doing this step, we must constantly remember that this is a season of self examination. We must guard against blaming and examining the lives of others. There will be time in the future for helping others after we have taken responsibility for our own life.
We meet every Thursday 7 pm Christmas Pot Luck Dinner Thursday December 10 @ 6 pm
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membership There are lots of things that we put our name on, but when you add your time, strength and hope to our Abundant Life family; it is a blessing. Congratulations Joseph & Grace, Gladys, Rachel, Jenn, Meredith, and Carol on joining with us and strengthening us with your talents and love.
baptism Dunked! Dipped! Submerged! Plunged! No matter how you describe it, being baptized is a declaration of your transformed life and a demonstration of your decision to be a Jesus Follower; to be living with Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Congratulations to Meredith and Claire!
life lunch Jesus spent valuable time eating with people. Something happens when you are talking with your mouth full (because the conversation is just so amazing) and being encouraged in our faith and lives. So this is our LIFE LUNCH, come and join us every last Tuesday of the month. (except for December 15th)
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ladies fall tea Beautifully decorated, warm comforting aroma, lively conversation, fun fellowship. Once again, the Tea Team did an excellent job organizing, preparing and executing the Tea. And a huge THANK YOU to the men who came and served our ladies and their friends/family. Joanne Goodwin again was hilariously spot on in giving us hope in Jesus, and encouraging us onto living our life completely devoted, committed to God.
WHAT CAN I DO? Providing the comfort of a caring heart and warm feet Phil and Donna Williams
The Neely Family
Servant Heart Ministries
YWAM International
Dominican Republic
Bringing hope
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During one of our recent worships I was more emotional than usual, it happens on occasion and I find myself overcome at times by His presence in, around and with us. I find in the presence of Him I literally feel like a child. I can't find the words to speak, and when I do it doesn't come out the same as when I write it down on paper. But children need to grow and even God knows that, He has even showed it to us, with the birth of Jesus and sometimes we just need to look a little deeper than just looking on the surface to see it, every time we give up a chance or a moment to dig a little deeper is another moment we give up on a treasure that God is holding for us, a treasure that is more rare than the rarest diamond and it is a treasure that God gifts to each of us personally if we choose to see it. When I first walked into Abundant Life I was like a baby, God carried me through the doors and although God has always been with me I was only a fan, but now after digging deep God was holding my treasure and I sense that He is showing me how to feel my growth, to become one with Him, he has even showed me how to be a follower of Him..Hallelujah! God helps us grow if we let Him in and when we do, amazing things start to happen, life's little miracles, and everything in between starts to get attributed to Him, because that moment clicks and you realize that there is something bigger beyond this, you. So, I've never been much of a "crier", that's because when I was young I learned to hold it in, crying wasn't really a much liked emotion in our family and I really wanted a close relationship with my earthly dad and he didn't like crying much either, "you're bladder is getting close to your eyes"...he'd say to us and even today I still find myself trying to hold in the tears at times. December 24th is my earthly fathers birthday, these used to be the most festive times of the year, but dad passed away on January 22nd 09 and my fiancé Paul passed away November 20 09 so it just seems like the great loneliness overtakes the holidays, and we still have each other mom and I but it's not the same so with Halloween over and Christmas on its way, December has to be the best time to start to hold onto God's hand and let Him guide us like the true father He is, with our emotions and all, and now I feel God doesn't want anymore holding back. As a child of God we have to learn that having emotions is healthy, what does the bible say? a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, - Ecclesiastes 3:4 And even Jesus cries. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. - John 11:33-35 So nothing compares to the gift God gave us through the birth of Jesus Christ. God has been guiding us all along. The fact that Jesus does show us what it is like to experience emotions and shows us how he deals with them and that he consistently glorifies our God through it all and teaches us that as well before and during his crucifixion on the cross is amazing. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. - Matthew 26:37 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. - Mark 14:32-35
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And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. - Luke 22:44 Jesus does also teaches us by showing us what it's like to feel utter loneliness. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). - Matthew 27:46 Jesus grew up in an extremely emotional environment while he was alive. This is God's gift to us so we can learn how to handle and live day to day through the word as Jesus did. Tradition says we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th and that makes me think of how it was for Jesus, how even he had to be carried, and when he had his first baby steps, and how he was God's child and then how he became a true follower of a great God, and ultimately if we allow it, the circle continues and Oh God I want that circle of life to continue; In the hand of the Lord is a cupful of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. - Psalm 75:8 Jesus knew he'd drink that cup. “At one tremendous draught of love , He drank damnation dry,”~Spurgeon. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” - Matthew 26:39 And so by drinking the cup God placed before him, Christ transforms the cup of wrath into the cup of life. So let it be God that if I feel the tears, let them flow from me, for this is you in me speaking to my heart giving me life when I do not have the words for a prayer, for you know its the right time because you know me better than any other.
Dear Papa, Thank you for allowing me the choice to take this journey with you Lord, this circle of life, the circle that only you can complete God. Please give us the strength each day to take our steps and walk in the light of your grace. Oh God, I know sometimes we have to be carried but let the strength you provide to us be that beacon of hope for those who you know need to be provided with faith, victory, love, peace, joy, health and success. In this coming year, I pray that our faith, friendship, love, and families continue to grow and we continue to fear you God. Thank you God for gifting us with Jesus, a real treasure and the rarest diamond. Amen.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Merry Christmas Meredith (Mer aka Murt) discovery| connection| responsibility | simplicity
WE BELIEVE the Bible is true, inspired by the Holy Spirit WE BELIEVE there is one God, the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. WE BELIEVE in the virgin birth. That Jesus is the only Savior of the world. He lived, died, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and He is coming back. WE BELIEVE that we can’t do it on our own. We need God and each other to live a healthy and happy life. We are here to love, accept and encourage those who God brings into our lives our church, and to show everyone God’s unconditional and everlasting love. WE BELIEVE in holy living. Everyday we aim make good and right choices that lead to a life pleasing to God. Jesus is our perfect example of loving God, yourself and your neighbor. WE BELIEVE that Jesus is Lord. Baptism is a symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrates our desire to live a life pleasing to God in our words, deeds and actions.
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