Announcements

“For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.”
~ Exodus 40:38

The LORD sent His cloud and fire to the people of Israel, so they could see that He was with them “…throughout all the stages of their journey.”  Does He still do that today?  Maybe not in such obvious signs like a cloud or fire, but I believe that He does still lead and make Himself known, to those who are WILLING to see and hear.  

Sometimes, I don’t see or hear because I become distracted or self-absorbed, noisily following my own agenda instead of God’s.  I find that I need times of quiet, to put my noisy world aside, to truly be able to see and hear what God is saying to me.  However, sometimes the problem is that I simply DON’T WANT to see or hear.  

Recently, my hubby and I needed to make a decision about something that we had been wrestling with for a while.  This decision was causing all sorts of stress inside of me.  As I was journaling about it, I realized that I hadn’t really been asking God about what He would have us do.  And it was because I was afraid of what He would say – especially if His answer was ‘no’- because honestly, I didn’t want to hear a ‘no’!  So I acted like a spoiled child, grasped the situation and the outcome that I wanted to see, and internally yelled “mine” at God.  (Ya, wasn’t a pretty sight).  When I finally came to my senses and realized how ridiculous I was being, and how deep down I really did desire His way in this, the stress began to dissipate.  I humbled myself to a posture of listening and laid out the situation before Him.  And you know what?  He answered.  Clearly.  And there’s no doubt in my mind that it was Him.  

So yes, God still makes Himself known to us, if we are willing to let go of our own agendas, and earnestly seek His voice.  He’s there and I believe with all my heart that He will continue to be faithful in making Himself known.

Your own ears will hear him.
    Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
    whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

This weekend, delegates and pastors from all over Canada are meeting at the Lighthouse Community Church in Sarnia, Ontario for the Canada Conference’s Annual meeting.  Would you be in prayer for these meetings?  For the leaders and the decisions that will be made – that the business and decisions would be done in God’s way and for His Glory.  

This Sunday, Chad Krahn from Hope Mission in Red Deer will be here at Malmo, sharing God’s Word with us.  He’ll also have a table set up, highlighting the work and ministry of Hope Mission.  We’re looking forward to having him with us.

Bring your family and join us at 9:45am for Sunday School and 11:00am for our Worship Service.  (Coffee and tea is available in the front entryway.)

Have a great weekend Folks!
Delora

This Sunday is our “Gideons Giving Sunday”.  Wayne & Lise (two of our resident Gideons) will be sharing about the work that is happening through the Gideons across the country.  (If you’d like to financially support this work, please make your cheques payable to ‘The Gideons’.)

This Sunday is ALSO our 2nd Annual “Pastors Are Tired of Winter” Potluck!  Please bring a main dish and a salad or dessert to share.  After the Potluck, there will be a Pie Auction, with all proceeds going to the Youth Missions Trip that is happening in March 2020. (If you’re able to help out in the kitchen – either before the potluck or after – your help would be much appreciated!)

See you on Sunday – 9:45am Sunday School and 11:00am Worship Service.

Have a super weekend!

Delora

We have been informed this week that Geneva Christensen is in her final days of life.  We announced a couple of weeks ago that Jenell is collecting cards/notes to send to Geneva.  Because of Geneva’s quickly failing health, Jenell will expedite your cards to Geneva this next week.  Please give them to Jenell on Sunday OR Jenell will have a card available for you to sign with your thoughts & wishes, if you prefer.  Thanks Folks for your care and love for Geneva and please keep her and her family in your prayers. 

Holy Week is upon us and there’s a number of services that you can partake in, as we remember and reflect on all Jesus has done for us.  

• Tonight at 7:00pm we have our Maundy Thursday Service here at Malmo.  This is a quiet and reflective service as we recount the last evening that Jesus had with his disciples. 
• Good Friday morning we’ll be meeting at the New Sweden Mission Church at 10:00am to consider the crucifixion and the great love that Jesus has, as He willingly sacrificed His life for us.
• Easter Sunday Morning, “He Is Risen!” – an exclamation of hope and life!  We’ll be celebrating this jubilant day together in our Worship Service at 11:00am.  (Sunday School begins the morning at 9:45am).

May Jesus meet you right where you are today, as we walk through Holy Week together.

Delora

The Deacons have chosen this next week as our “Week of Prayer” here at Malmo.  There’s 3 different gatherings that you can take part in.  (or 4 if you’re a guy).  

• Monday evening at Dennis & Ruth’s at 7:00pm
• MENS Prayer, Tuesday morning at Malmo at 6:30am
• Wednesday evening at Malmo at 7:30pm (notice the change in time)
• Friday evening at Lorne & Eunice’s at 7:00pm

The Conference has published a Prayer Booklet for this week.  We’ll be using that in our prayer gatherings – but it could also be used as a devotional supplement for you throughout the week.  Copies are printed and available on Sunday on the Malmo Info table in the foyer, or you can download it here.

Take a look at your bulletin.  Lots of different announcements in there!

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday – 9:45am Sunday School and 11:00am Worship Service.

Enjoy this first weekend of April!
Delora

There’s been some changes this week to the landscape, here at The Field.  Our trees on the Northeast side of the property have been aging and deteriorating, showing increased signs of disease and ‘deadness’.  So to make room for the younger trees (that are just south of that row) – to grow strong and unencumbered, the old trees have been removed.  The company that removed the trees did a fantastic job and everything looks clean and well landscaped.  Here’s a few pictures of the event…

We hope that you and your family can join us this Sunday: 9:45am for Sunday School and 11:00am for our Worship Service.

Help yourself to coffee or tea at our Malmo Coffee Bar, located in the front entryway.

Enjoy your weekend,
Delora

P.S. Any thoughts or feedback on the Malmo Coffee Bar?  Let us know what you think.  

“This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~Psalm 118:24

God has a sense of humour – I’m sure of it.  I read the above verse this week during a time where I had to do something that wasn’t much fun.  In the midst of my angst (& complaining), God led me to THAT particular Psalm and to THAT particular verse, gently reminding me that although I wasn’t having much fun in what I was doing, that today was STILL His day, and He made it for me to rejoice in – no matter the circumstances that I was in.  And that isn’t trite or flippant – it was a simple truth that I could either choose to accept or reject.  Well, I ended up chuckling and shaking my head – and agreeing that “Yes, God, EVEN today IS Your day and I choose to rejoice that you made it.”  God’s Word is true and it gives life when we choose to listen to His voice in the words that we read.  And I am so grateful for it.  

Hope you and your family can join us this Sunday — Sunday School classes for ALL ages at 9:45am and our Worship Service at 11:00am.

See you then!
Delora

“…but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds.”
1 Corinthians 8:2 (MSG)

Even if I think I’m right…”a humble heart can help me more than my proud mind.”
Even if I think I’m justified in what I’m doing…”a humble heart can help me more than my proud mind.”
Even if I have to repeat the same thing 100 times over…”a humble heart can help me more than my proud mind.”
Because the end goal is to LOVE.  And it DOES matter HOW I get to that end goal.  Jesus treats me with such love and compassion in my failures…and He tells me to “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37). 

The C.E. Talks: “Hospitality and Special Diets” that was originally scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled.  We apologize if this causes you any inconvenience.

I am currently working on updating the paper version of the Church Directory.  If you have any changes to your contact information please let me know as soon as possible.  You can email any changes/additions to: office@malmochurch.ca. 

This Sunday we will have two special guests with us.  Pastor Jeff Gooderham from Faith Covenant Church in Breton, will be sharing God’s word with us during our morning worship service.  (Pastor Randall will be in Edmonton at the Evangelical Fellowship Church, as some of the Alberta pastors are participating in a pulpit exchange.) . Jon Drebert from Covenant Bay Bible Camp will also be with us for our Camp Giving Sunday.  We’re looking forward to hearing about what’s going on at camp – with both the lodge and as they plan for the upcoming Summer Camp season.  (If you’d like to financially support the camp, please make your cheques payable to ‘Covenant Bay’.  

It’s going to be a great morning.  I hope you can join us!  🙂

Sunday School 9:45am
Worship Service 11:00am

Take care,
Delora

This Wednesday, March 6th begins the Lenten season – the six week period leading up to Easter Weekend.  (The actual length is 46 days, however 6 of these are Sundays which are not included in the traditional “lenten fast”.)  To help us engage in the Lenten season, our Canada Conference has once again published the “Lenten Reader  – a compilation of reflections on Scripture for the season of Lent from members of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada.”  The Reader is available online at: www.covchurch.ca/lenten-reader or you can pick up a printed copy on Sunday from the Malmo Info Table in the foyer.

I am currently working on updating the paper version of the Church Directory.  If you have any changes to your contact information please let me know as soon as possible.  You can email any changes/additions to: office@malmochurch.ca.  If you are unsure of what information you currently have in the paper version of the directory, click here to see a copy.

Have a great weekend – and remember to use the front entrance as you come to church on Sunday – for easy access to the’Malmo Coffee Bar’, which is now located in the front entryway. 🙂

Sunday School 9:45am
Worship Service 11:00am

Take care,
Delora

Tomorrow morning (Saturday), from 10am to Noon, we have our “Loving Your Online Neighbour” seminar.  Join us for a conversation about what it looks like to obey Jesus’ command to love our neighbours in the digital age (on Facebook, website comments, etc.). How should we speak? What should we “share”? Is social media the place for indepth discussion or debate? What relevant wisdom does the Bible contribute?  Child care is provided.

On Saturday evening from 7 to 10pm, there is a Youth Social: Games & Fun Night at Matt & Jeramie-Lee’s home.  Dress for the weather and bring a snack to share.

On Sunday, may I encourage you to use the Church’s front doors?  Why you may ask?  Because the “Malmo Coffee Bar” has found a new home.  It is now located in the front entryway, as you come into the church.  We’ve done this for a couple of reasons…but the most important one is so that our visitors can see it and freely access the coffee and tea – in the ‘spirit of hospitality’ that we have here at Malmo.  For all you regular attenders…thank you for your patience and support, as we’ve been trying some new things and figuring ouy the best location for the Coffee Bar.  

So on Sunday, come in the main entrance doors, hang up your coats, pour yourself a coffee or tea and join us for a wonderful morning of teaching, worship and fellowship.  9:45am Sunday School. 11:00am Worship Service

Enjoy your weekend!
Delora

This Sunday is our ‘Canada Conference Giving Sunday’.  We thought we’d take some time to share about the church planting initiative that is going on in the Conference.  I didn’t realize that there are six church plants that are currently active!  God’s work is alive and moving through the Conference, right across our country.  It’s pretty exciting and I’m looking forward to sharing that with you on Sunday.  (If you’re looking to financially support the Conference with it’s Church Planting initiative, please make your cheques payable to ‘E.C.C.C.’, and we’ll forward those on to the Conference for you.)

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday – 9:45am for Sunday School and 11:00am for our Worship Service.  Help yourself to coffee or tea from our Coffee Bar in the Fellowship Room.

Have a great weekend and stay warm out there!

Delora