Thoughts on Thanksgiving

This morning I had the privilege of preaching at my home church - Sherbrooke Mennonite Church, Vancouver. The text was Psalm 105. The psalmist begins by calling the people of Israel to "Give praise to the LORD and make known among the nations what he has done." Then the psalmist proceeds with a recitation of the story of God's people from the promise of the land of Canaan to Abraham to their entrance into that land, ending with a statement of purpose for this story - "that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws."

When we celebrate God's goodness at Thanksgiving, we cannot be focused only on our own benefits. As with the people of Israel, we are called to make known among the nations what the LORD has done.

God's gift of grace is so generous, that often our only way of saying thankyou is to pass on another gift of kindness to someone else.

The Covenant

It gives me great pleasure to announce that First Mennonite Church, Burns Lake has voted to sign the MCBC Covenant.  

This has not been an easy journey for them and it will not be without pain and difficulties ahead.  But, MCBC is committed to walk with them.  They are in the process of searching for a pastor.  What I believe is needed is someone with strong Anabaptist belief and practice, someone who can help re-establish unity, and is able to nurture healing and new hope.

Dave Friesen (and Doris) is going to serve as interim pastor for a month, starting October 24th.  MCBC is helping to provide interim ministry as well as working with their search committee to find long-term pastoral leadership.

A Covenant-signing service is being planned for November 23rd, so if any of you are interested in going up to Burns Lake to celebrate with them, let me know.  We are hoping to take a 15-passenger van, driving up on the 22nd and returning on the 24th.

Election Primer

Remember to vote on October 14th!  Check out the Election Primer put out by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).  It has been added to the bottom of the Homepage of our MCBC website.  This article discusses issues on the Canadian scene that are important to Anabaptist Christians.  Take a look at it before going to the polls on Tuesday.  

There was also a very helpful comparison of the party positions on 15 important issues in Saturday's Vancouver Sun.  Check it out.