News from Isabel Acheson for issue of July 27, 2023
The weekend of July 21-23 about 10 church families set up camp in a tent loop at Stephenfield Provincial Park. Friday afternoon included the closing activities of the week long Day Camp for ages 10-15.
Speaker for the week of Day Camp was Jamie Small. He introduced, by way of “time travel” visits: Thomas and Peter of Jesus’ disciples, Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus and Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) as they told of their encounters with Jesus of Nazareth.
The worship service Sunday morning July 23 took place in the campsite “tent loop” with just as many more families coming in for the day to join the camping families. With the audience in lawn chairs in the shade and a portable podium on a picnic table for a loud speaker, the program began with a few announcements, and prayer.
Kevin Friesen with acoustic guitar led the singing. Song sheets had been handed out. “I Will Not Be Shaken”, “This is the Day”, “Open the Eyes of my Heart” and “Solid Rock” were followed by the Prayer Focus and offering (literally “pass the hat”). “Faithful Now” and “Jesus Messiah” led to the sermon time.
In the summer sermon series “Coffee Cup Verses” Pastor Jeff Peacock skipped from Joshua 1:9 to the last chapter, to Joshua 24:14-15. In the intervening chapters, the Hebrews who have entered the Promised Land have claimed their territory and become the nation of Israel. Joshua 24:1-13 describes the gathering Joshua addresses in his farewell as he is ‘old and advanced in years’.
“Choose this day whom you will serve”…”As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” At the time the people commit to fearing God and serving Him, but they will soon fall away. Romans 1:16-32 was read to note the many exchanges of good for evil that take place in human society.
Living the Christian life to honour and obey Almighty God may sometimes seem easy, but, can quickly become a battleground of good against evil requiring the believer to stand firm.
The closing song was “You Are My All in All.
Monthly bulletins and previous reports are available on the website www.somersetbiblechapel.com .