February 15, 2024

News from Isabel Acheson for issue of Feb. 15, 2024

Somerset Bible Chapel 

Sunday Feb. 11 the congregation was augmented with some visiting families, others returning from extended holiday, and a guest speaker. 

The music team of six (plus 2 on A-V) was led by Kevin Friesen. Michelle read

announcements and sang vocals, Brianna shared duties on vocals and Jamie Small on guitar as well as Kevin. Parker and Addison on drums and piano completed the ensemble. 

Music choices began with “Rescuer”, “God So Loved” (Come all you weary), and “What He’s Done”. Erik Picard served as usher. 

Herbert and Shandi Ives, Site Manager and staff at Dauphin Bible Camp gave a brief overview of recent happenings. Several full time staff have been added. An apartment was built so that all the other full time staff live on site. Herbert and Shandi were able to attend the One Hope Canada conference in Halifax last fall along with 240 or so other missionaries from across Canada and shared a few highlights. Many of the camp facilities have been winterized and are being used beyond the summer season. 

Kevin Friesen led the Prayer Focus. The second music set included the Chris Tomlin composition “Our God”, the old hymn “Be Thou My Vision”, and “Living Hope”(How great the chasm). Kevin introduced the guest speaker, his nephew Braden Plett, now living in Manitou. 

Braden took John 15:1-11 as the Bible lesson - One of Jesus final teachings before his death - The Vine and The Branches. The analogy points out the Jesus is the vine, the disciples are the branches, and God the Father is the vinedresser. 

Braden pointed out the elements of vineyard husbandry that relate to Christian living. The branch must stay attached to the vine to stay alive, young vines must be trained and pruned to produce good fruit and then good wine. Galatians 5:17-23 list both the desires of the flesh, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Those who do not choose to remain in the vine wither and die, are gathered up and thrown in the fire. 

Obedience and abiding in Christ result in fruitfulness, distractions may need to be laid aside. Braden closed with a reading from “Practising the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. 

The closing song was “What Blessed Assurance” and Pastor Jeff Peacock read from 1John 1:5-9 in closing the program. 

Monthly bulletins and previous reports are available on the website www.somersetbiblechapel.com. 

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Prayer family of the week: Kevin Larson, Caitlyn and Benjamin, in Somerset. Kevin has been helping with the computer visuals at church, and with putting the bulletins and news reports on the website. 

Mission of the month: Millar College of the Bible Winnipeg Campus. 

Happy Valentine’s Day from me. 

Our study group meets tonight at Picard’s. Looking forward to having Rick and Val back from a few weeks in Florida. How is your group going? I hear very little about what the other groups are and how they are doing.