Monday Again

Yesterday launched another year of great promise for the Kingdom since we all understand that the Word will not return void. This will be a year of change for me personally as I conclude my service as Atlantic DS and look with soaring optimism to the next chapter in the life of our amazing district. Onward and upward!
My prayer for all of us in 2017 is borrowed from the writings of another – “God lead you; God feed you; God seed you; God weed you; God speed you.” In the powerful words of Oswald Chambers, “Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with him.”


Yesterday was an historic day on Grand Manan. The merger of our three churches there has moved to reality with the first service of The Lighthouse – A Wesleyan Fellowship – with 175+ present.  As you can see from the photo, the former Central Wesleyan property is the temporary home of the new church. This has been an amazing journey to date and there are many very significant decisions  to be made going forward.
Thanks to Kenda Wilcox for preparing the beautiful cake pictured above.
My respect is profound for the Grand Manan Wesleyans (especially the pastors) who have faced this epic decision with such grace and courage. The earlier unanimous vote to move forward to yesterdays’ launch is a testimony to the Great Commission commitment of the people – their deep love for their heritage and their profound belief in a new tomorrow of Island impact. Once again I say, onward and upward.

• Due to financial considerations growing out of immigration complications, Jamin Melanson has resigned at Fort Fairfield and he and Naomi have moved to Truro. He will be working there in the community for the immediate future and the ongoing pastoral arrangements at the Fort are in the hands of the district and the Local Advisory Council.
• The reports about Christmas services from across the district are quite outstanding. With Christmas being on a Sunday, there was a variety of approaches to services that day. Some had a regular schedule, the churches with multiple services had adjusted schedules and a number of churches observed a sabbatical. All reports received re Christmas Eve services are universally positive.
• The children’s ministry at Fredericton Corbett  – Kids@Corbett – raised more than $1,600 for water filtration systems in support of Compassions H2GO project.
• Gloria and I were present at Moncton on Christmas Eve for an excellent service with a full house.
• Fredericton Crosspoint held two capacity services at the Convention Centre and also received a gift of $271,000 with which they retired the debt on property purchased a few years ago.
• Shelburne Hope which was reopened by the Brewers a year and half ago had 100+ present for their Christmas service.
• Hammonds Plains Cornerstone had 755 at their multiple Christmas Eve services and raised more than $18,000 in a matching grant through World Hope Canada to cap springs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Kings Church held 5 services in the Imperial Theatre in the days leading up to Christmas. There were a total of 2,600 present and 271 people signed commitment to follow Jesus. PTL!!
• The 820 present at Presque Isle and 730 at Yarmouth are further notes of praise as we honoured the birth of the Christ child.
• The DBA will be meeting this week as the nomination process for our new DS moves forward. More word in IMA next week.
• I will be in Florida this week for the annual DS Institute with the General Superintendent. I will return on Saturday.

Fishing boats in Newfoundland celebrate Christmas.

A half dozen THOTS from others for the new year…..resolutions even…..
“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above little things.” – John Burroughs
“Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.” – William Shakespeare
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Don’t judge me by my past. I don’t live there anymore.” – Petteri Tarkkonen
“God promises a light unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future.” – Mx Lucado
“Jesus Christ lived obscurely for much of His life and yet billions now follow Him – I am one of them.” – Queen Elizabeth II in her Christmas message
 

Join Hugh Halter (author, speaker, church planter, consultant) for a full day of learning how to join in God’s mission to change Atlantic Canada, one neighbourhood at a time.
January 18, 2017
9:00am-4:00pm
Highfield Baptist Church
Register: http://thresholdministries.ca/resources/workshops/hugh/