News from Isabel Acheson for issue of July 31, 2025
Somerset Bible Chapel
The last Sunday of July 2025 the worship service opened with Rejean Picard reading the announcements. Jamie and Brianna Small were the music team. Byron Timmerman served as usher. James Friesen led the Prayer Focus and Rick Ross did the scripture reading.
“His Mercy is More”, “What He’s Done” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness” were the first set. A song, new to the congregation, “Build My Life” was introduced in the second set.
Pastor Jeff Peacock completed his sermon series on Matthew 18. The chosen text, Matt. 18:15-17 - Pattern for Church Discipline - is set in the context of illustrations and parables. Four distinct steps are set out. 1. One to one privately. 2. With 2 or 3 witnesses (small group). 3. Before the church (larger group). 4. Loss of fellowship.
The motivation for the process is always to be in love and caring for the other, to recognize a need for help, and with a desire to restore. Pastor Jeff noted that there are offences that we forgive without using this process, that it is not always necessary.
Jesus’ instructions are for the church, the fellowship of believers. If the parties dealing with an offence do not know the Lord, why involve the church?
Pastor Jeff also noted the value of keeping communication simple, direct, and clear. The goal is repentance and restoration. The steps denote an increasing level of awareness. If matters are dealt with privately, there is no reason for others to know of the offence.
The transitions from one step to the next are conditional. The person maybe “does not listen”, or “refuses to listen”. Pastor Jeff then opened the floor to questions, comments and discussion. A number of good questions surfaced and were dealt with. Pastor Jeff closed the worship service with prayer.
Sunday August 10, the quarterly congregational meeting will follow the worship service. Later that afternoon, a community carnival is to take place on the churchyard. This will be the third year for this event. Details available through Rachel Picard at 204-245-0491 or Brianna Small at 431-374-5690.
Monthly bulletins and previous reports are available on the website www.somersetbiblechapel.com