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March 31
March 31
Mercy 5
by Tom Zawacki
Serving This Sunday
Greeters Jane and Parnell Watts Worship Team TBA Communion Preparation Bernice Gallant OFFERING COLLECTION Kimble, John, Bernice Speaker Tom Zawacki Sound Bram Hamming Media Willy Hamming Toddler Ministry Carol Sudsbury & TBA CHILDRENs Ministry Laurie MacPhee & TBA Prayer Ministry Teams TBA Clean Up - TEAM F Greg & Debbie MacKinnon (lead), Errol & Shelagh Campbell, Garfield MacDonald, Cleve & Heather Meyers, Anthony McAndrew, and Brian Read.
This past Sunday I continued my series on Mercy by taking a look at the prophet Hosea. Jesus quotes Hosea twice in Matthews gospel, first in Chapter 9 and then again in Chapter 12. In both accounts hes challenging the Pharisees understanding of Hosea 6:6: For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. The Pharisees repeatedly complained about Jesus apparent violations of their religious regulations. Jesus responds with the example of Hoseas incredible prophetic life. Some prophets speak prophetic words; others are required to live prophetic lives. Hosea was the latter. The call on Hoseas life was to be a living example of Gods love for Israel. In Hosea 1:2, God tells Hosea to do something very unusual, especially unusual for a publicly recognized holy man of God. Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord. In great obedience and at great personal sacrifice to his heart as well as his reputation, this holy man of God, this well known prophet does it, he marries Gomer. Gomer betrays Hosea again and again with her unfaithfulness. Scripture says she had many lovers; she abandoned her husband and their children and entered a life of prostitution.Yet, still Hosea loves her, still he provides for her. According to Mosaic Law Hosea could have had Gomer stoned to death for her unfaithfulness but instead he chose mercy over the sacrifice of Gomers life. Hosea made the decision to NOT give Gomer what she deserved. As time went on Gomer lost her beauty and was no longer able to make money as a prostitute so she was sold into slavery. Again God speaks to his prophet Hosea. continued on page 2
HAPPY EASTER
Then God ordered me,Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife whos in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy. 2-3I did it. I paid good money to get her back. It cost me the price of a slave.Then I told her,From now on youre living with me. Hosea 3:1-3 (The Message)
As an example of Gods great love and mercy to us Hosea pays the price to set Gomer free from her slavery, takes her home and loves her again. My friends, Gods ways are not our ways. May we take Jesus words to heart and learn for ourselves what it means when he says: I desire mercy not sacrifice. Happy Easter, Tom
PRE-SERVICE PRAYER
Sundays 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. in the Farm Centre boardroom (second floor to the right at the top of the stairs). Anyone interested is welcome to join.
Becoming
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Womens Becoming Group There will be no meetings until April. See Lindsay Perry for more information Mens GROUP 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 17th Location - Tom Zawackis Movie Night Braveheart See Tom Zawacki for more information YOUTH GROUP 7:00 PM, Friday evenings Location - Carl & Sheryl Friedrichs This group is for teenaged youth. For information, contact Carl or Sheryl Friedrich. MOMS & TOTS GROUP
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CHILDRENS MINISTRY If you are interested in volunteering in Childrens Ministry, contact Laurie MacPhee. If you are interested in working with the Toddler Ministry, contact Marsha McAndrew. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Sunday morning service requires a large number of volunteers. If you can help, email cccnews2012@gmail.com, put a note on the Facebook page, sign one of the sheets in the lobby, or mention it to one of the leaders. Positions we are often looking to have help with are:
OFFERING COLLECTION, GREETERS, WORSHIP TEAMS, CLEAN-UP TEAMS, KIDZ CHURCH & TODDLER MINISTRY, PRAYER MINISTRY
10:00 AM, Wednesday mornings Location - Contact Michelle Barton for location For information, contact Michelle. The Parenting Children Course 7:45 PM, Wednesdays starting March 6. 10-week small groupfor those parenting 0-10 year olds For more Information please contact Ian or Natasha Hall at 314-9395 or email Natasha at natasha@ mountainstudios.ca OPEN TABLE Weeks of March 25th and April 4th For information, contact Shelagh Campbell or Natalie Simmons. LADIES BOOK CLUB 7:00 PM Wednesdays at Linda MacFarlanes Home 51 Candlelight Park in North River He Loves Me by Wayne Jacobsen This week theyll be discussing Chapter 11.
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IN OUR AREA
Habitat for Humanity PEI looking for volunteers Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers to help with the construction of homes, in the ReStores, on their committees and in the affiliate offices as well. If you are interested in becoming part of their volunteer team, or would like more information, please contact Emily at (902) 367-3041 or volunteer@habitatpei.ca
REACHING OUT
CAN SUNDAY DONATIONS FOR THE FOOD BANK Weekly, a box is placed in the lobby to collect donations for the Food Bank or for families that we recognize are in need. Any non-perishable items are greatly appreciated.
Part of the Vineyard Network in Canada P.O. Box 1081 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7M4
If you would like to get something in the newsletter (prayer request, FACEBOOK announcement, etc.), please email it to cccnews2012@gmail.com by Joining the Charlottetown Community Church Facebook group is the fastest way to get up to the minute news, prayer Wednesday of each week. requests and get in on discussions. Check it out today!
Our desire is to be a community of grace that presents Jesus in a relevant way reaching our city and beyond with the love of God.
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