January 2012
| Vol 6, Issue 1
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|  January Newsletter
A New Year!
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| Dear , |
Our hearts are full as we think back on the blessings of this Christmas season! Though the story is an old and familiar one, each year, one or other aspect of the story seems to spring fresh from the pages of Scripture. This year, we've found ourselves challenged by Mary's unqualified response of "May it be to me as you have said" to Gabriel's astonishing news. Her complete abandon to God's ask of the unimaginable resounded in our hearts again and again. And so did the angel's response of "...nothing is impossible with God" to Mary's sincere question. Oh, to follow Mary's willing heart in response to the omnipotent One who loved her! Though she could not have know the full extent, there is no doubt that she knew her choice to accept His will would be costly and bring titanic changes to her life. But she deemed the call worthy of the sacrifice, and the One who called, trustworthy. (Philip's Message on Mary's Response)
We might think that if we knew God was asking us to do something big that we would respond as Mary did. But how often do we argue with Him over His requests, and by our worry demonstrate our doubt in His ability to help us with even minor challenges? We do not know what the new year holds, but we know that the One who walked with us through the past year will continue to walk with us. And so we pledge ourselves anew to respond to our Father with "be it unto me" for that is the place of greatest blessing.
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| Prayer Request | |
Snow Camp with our Youth
Discipling the New Believers
Growth Groups Being Faithful
Planning the New Year
Vision for the New Year
Funding the New Vision
New Leaders
Grasslands Church
Jeremy Norton
Getting to Know Neighbors
Finishing Home Organization
Ministry Leaders
Personal & Spiritual Health
New Depth for Church
New Church Planters
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Christmas Happenings
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We started CoH Christmas celebrations with special program on December 11th with the play, "Blessings". The story was told in several scenes that showed as a movie, with music provided by our children. Jason and his team did a wonderful job, and you can see it yourself here www.gethope.ca. The girls and Elijah all had parts in the movie, and we know we're biased, but we think Elijah stole the show when his class was singing - it appears we have a performer on our hands! We were very happy to have many visitors, and a number of occasional attenders who we haven't seen for a while!
Our next event was a Christmas Banquet, and it was also very well attended with almost everyone who attended bringing friends and family who don't yet know Jesus. Much fun had by all; the planning team did a great job of organizing a truly enjoyable event.Philip had the privilege of speaking for Cedar Grove Church's three Christmas Eve services, (Video Link Here - you may need to check back for it to work) and Alissa did a very good job with a reading from Luke. On Christmas Day, we had decided to hold a service (though just a simple time of sharing the Christmas story and singing carols) and were very pleasantly surprised by how many people attended! It was fun to watch Lydia sing her first solo - Breath of Heaven. We have always encouraged her to sing, and was so happy to see her have the courage to start. |
Fruit
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We have been so blessed to see continued evidence of God's hand at work; over the past few weeks, we have had the joy of seeing 3 people come to a point of decision to follow Jesus! They and several others will be baptized on January 5th; our daughter Alissa is one of those who has stated that she desires to openly proclaim her faith and confirm a decision made as a much younger child. Another of those being baptized is a woman who came to Christ several years after Philip had done a Bible study with her and several others in a half-way house. After two years without contact, she began coming to church about a year ago, and it has been a joy to see the amazing growth of her faith! We have published their stories in this document linked here: We publish these with each baptism so that people can know those who are getting baptized and know their story. It was amazing last night to see all that God did. We hope to have the video done soon to share.
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Family
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We thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas together; since we so seldom have Christmas with our extended families, we've tried to establish traditions of our own, and it's been fun to watch the girls begin to anticipate and ask for those things. With Christmas coming on a Sunday this year, a few things had to flex; Christmas Day brunch became Christmas Eve brunch, and opening presents didn't happen until 3:30 pm! Elijah had evidently taken to hear the "don't touch!" admonitions because as we gathered in the living room and the girls began to distribute the gifts, we had to convince him that yes, we could open the gifts now - it was finally Christmas! Josiah opened two or three gifts, and then walked around in a daze, not knowing quite what to do with all the things around him - he still has yet to open all his gifts! It was such fun to watch the girls bring out the things they had so carefully selected for others in the family; we love watching their creativity and thoughtfulness in their selections for us and each other - and of course, they spoil their brothers rotten!We were able to see some family thanks to the beauties of the internet and Skype, and though it was hard to not be able to give hugs, it was wonderful to hear and see them.
Christmas break was filled with fun; we spent the better part of several days in lengthy vis
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New Life
| We've been enjoying the challenge of developing coaching relationships with several church planting families, and are once again being reminded of how little we know... We're very grateful for God's grace as we attempt to go back and fill in some gaps, and set in place things that will be helpful for the next teams that come together! Grasslands is continuing to strengthen, and had very good attendance for their Christmas Eve service; pray for those who are currently beginning studies in the book of John!
 Early in December, Philip had the chance to travel to Walla Walla, Washington with Chris Carlisle for on-site discussions with those who would be working with him on a church plant there. It was time well spent, and we covet your prayers for the planning and preparation as things move ahead for relocation and team building.
In another exciting development, we have been talking with Jeremy and Nicole Norton from the Peninsula Grace Brethren Church in Soldotna, Alaska. Jeremy is Canadian, originally from Ontario, and has been feeling a burden to start a church in Whitehorse, Yukon. He is currently on staff at the church as youth pastor, and the church and district are excited about partnering with him in this adventure. We're in the early stages of planning, and will be working toward assessments and all the things that are part of the beginnings of a church plant.
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Winter is here, but spring is coming - this was the title of my New Years day message. As I have reflected on all that God has done and is doing in the past year. I realized that if winter is to do its work, we need to persevere. Much like what James tells us in James 1:4 "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Wouldn't it be fantastic if we were mature and complete and not lacking anything? We really need to let perseverance finish its work. Staying in winter and working hard here. For us that means Growth Groups, a place of personal accountability and being in the scriptures. It also means growing more in love with our Saviour and His body the church, especially here at Community of Hope. We have put 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." as a key verse to focus in on this New Year.
Spring is coming and I am amazed at all the God through His Spirit is revealing to me about our future and the future of church planting here in the West. I can see so much outreach and touches into the lives of the people in our community. I believe that as our church continues to gain health and strength our ability to reach only becomes greater. From school events, to servant evangelism projects to opportunities to share God's love with our community. The opportunities are growing and we look forward to a harvest.
If you are supporting church or an individual that wants to help us move from winter to harvest, please contact me as we will need your additional assistance in our churches ability to reach out to our community. E-mail me philip@gethope.ca if you are interested in helping with this years projects. I should have something ready by next week.
It was fun to see Einer & Laura in the FGBC World this edition: Link Here
We are gearing up for District Conference in March and I get to visit with our FGBC pastors at the Southwest Focus retreat in late January. We are excited about conference being in California this summer and praying about all that God wants to do in this New Year.
Thank you for your love and support. We know God is fully at work and we are blessed to be part of His great plan,
Philip, Beth, Lydia, Anastasia, Alissa, Elijah, and Josiah Bryant
You can support us by sending a gift to:
GBCanada USA, P.O. Box 836, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 |
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