July/August 2022
Quick Calendar WEEKLY Sun
10am Sunday Worship Online or In-Person
pg 21
Tue Wed Thur Thur Thur
10am-12pm Pastoral Team Meeting
pg 21
10am Refresh, Women's Group
pg 21
10am Bible Discussion
pg 21
10am Moms' Meet Up
pg 21
8:30pm Evening Prayers - Online
pg 21
UPCOMING July 3 July 10, 24, Aug 7, 21 July 10, 24, 31, Aug 14, 28 July 1829 Aug 15-19 June 10 Aug 2226 Sept 10 Sept 11
Daily Online Summer Devotional Starts pg 10 Sundays at the Park pg 9
YOUTH: Sunday Lunch and Fellowship
pg 16
Day Camps
pg 10
SGC Camping Trip YOUTH: Encounter Week
pg 10 pg 16
Parent and Caregiver Info Day Fall Launch Kick-off and BBQ
pg 16 pg 11
See more at www.springgardenchurch.ca/events. Delve submissions are due Aug. 22nd. Delve submissions are due on the MONDAY before the LAST Sunday of each month. To submit for the next issue of Delve, e-mail: delve@springgardenchurch.ca
Features Introducing the book of Hebrews 3 Meet Our Summer Mission Team! 6 Learning from the Monarch 7
Community Corner Sunday at the Park 9 Lemonade Time 9 Summer Study Series 9 Daily Online Summer Devotional 10 Day Camp & Camping Trip 10 Community Garden 11 Fall Launch Kick-Off and BBQ 11 Heart 2 Soul Fest 11 Help a Ukraine Refugee Family 12
Discipleship Ministries SGC Kids 13 Spring Youth 15
The Resource Centre Book Recommendations 17
More Info How to Give 19 Life Groups 12 Leadership Directory 19 Weekly Calendar 21 Upcoming Calendar 22
Our Values
(back page)
Design, Cover & Editor: Dale Forder Contributors: Ben Reynolds Eva Sham Abby Davidson Brenda Forder Clem Lee Jeremy Ranasinghe Karen Cassel Copy Editors: Sam Lee Karen Cassel Esther Penner
Introducing the book of Hebrews by Ben Reynolds
During July and August 2022, Spring Garden’s preaching series will be on the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews is one of the New Testament letters, and it begins the second section of letters. The second set of letters – Hebrews to Jude – are called the “catholic” or “general” epistles because they are written to general audiences. Paul’s letters, on the other hand, are written to specific churches or individuals, such as to the churches in Rome and Philippi or to Timothy and Titus. Hebrews has always overwhelmed me, but the letter has grown on me the more I have studied it, even if I still remain overwhelmed. I see Hebrews as a beautiful and powerful challenge to believers. The letter is primarily concerned with encouraging readers to remain firm in their faith in Jesus and not to drift away or fall into disobedience. These concerns are repeated throughout Hebrews. Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (ESV). The author writes that we are of Jesus’s household “if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Heb 3:6). There are calls to “hold fast to the confession” (4:14) and “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (4:16). These same ideas are repeated toward 3
the end of the letter: “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (10:22-23). The main message of Hebrews is to remain faithful to Jesus and not turn away from him. The author supports this message with arguments that Jesus is greater than the angels and is greater than Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and the priests (3:3; 4:8; 8:6). Jesus is greater than the angels because he is God’s son (1:4-14), yet Jesus is able to represent us as high priest in heaven because he became human and is like us (2:17-18; 4:15). Because he suffered as a human being, Jesus can help us in our need (2:14-18; 5:7-10; 12:3). The well-known chapter on faith in Hebrews 11 serves as a long list of people who are examples or witnesses to what it means to remain faithful under hardship and difficulty. The author says, “we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (10:39). The author follows this statement with the examples of those who have faith (11:1-39; also 6:11-12). The goal of the letter is to encourage believers to hold onto their faith and not to drift from it. The words “perfect,” “complete,” and “mature” are common descriptors throughout the letter of what believers are striving to be. Holding onto faith and continuing to believe in Jesus leads to the perfection and maturing of our faith and our relationship with God. We must look to Jesus and consider him as our example as we learn to become children of God (12:1-7, 12-17). The author of Hebrews is never named. Because Timothy is mentioned in Hebrews 13:23, many in the early church, and since, have thought that Paul wrote Hebrews. Others argue that the letter was not written by Paul and suggest that Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, or someone else close to Paul wrote Hebrews. No one knows for sure who wrote the letter to the Hebrews. Even the audience is not clearly known. The book received the name “the Letter to the Hebrews” because it was thought that the citation of many Old Testament texts and the emphasis on Old Testament law and events indicated that the audience was made up of Jewish (or Hebrew) believers in Jesus. 4
Something else worth noting about Hebrews is that, although it is called a letter, it is not written like a letter. The author calls is a “word of exhortation” or a sermon (13:22; cf. Acts 13:15). Hebrews opens in 1:1-4 like a grand introduction to a sermon or speech: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke…” I encourage you to read Hebrews this summer as we learn together from God’s Word. Suggested reading on Hebrews: Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas K. Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour. New edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014. [Church library] Gray, Patrick, and Amy L. B. Peeler. Hebrews: An Introduction and Study Guide. Tamp;T Clark Study Guides to the New Testament. London: Tamp;T Clark, 2020. [Church library] Guthrie, Donald. The Letter to the Hebrews: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press, 1983. Stedman, Ray C. Hebrews. IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. Wright, N. T. Hebrews for Everyone. 2nd ed. New Testament for Everyone. London: SPCK, 2004. [Church library]
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Meet Our Summer Mission Team! Project Serve is organized by Youth Unlimited to expose young people to the realities of poverty and injustice here in Toronto. The team completed a workshop entitled “Understanding Homelessness” at the beginning of June, and in July we will head downtown to serve alongside organizations that are serving people experiencing homelessness. Please keep our team in prayer from July 4-6 as we volunteer alongside: • The Dale Ministries • St. Francis Table • Light Patrol • Adam House Pray that all our team members will be challenged and transformed to become catalysts for change in their communities.
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Learning from the Monarch by Eva Sham
One morning, while waiting for the traffic lights to change, I was captivated and spellbound by a few monarch butterflies dancing high above me in the open space of the quiet intersection. I paused for a few moments to enjoy that rare sight. It was a rare sight because the monarch butterflies are an endangered species. Their young (or caterpillars) feed on milkweed leaves. A variety of wildflowers provide nectar for them as they migrate south to their winter habitat in Mexico and California. But their survival is threatened because of at least three reasons. First, there is a loss of their sources of food due to pesticide use, urbanization, and drought. Second, their winter homes in Mexico and California are being threatened by deforestation and land degradation. Third, extreme weather conditions (or the effects of climate change) kill them. They are dependent on the actions of human beings to protect them from any drastic decrease in population and even extinction. At the same time, we depend on them and other pollinators to enable 7
all plants to flourish and to provide us with food. In other words, human beings and insect pollinators are interdependent on one another while we live together on this planet earth. Even though it is for just a short period of time, the beauty of the monarch butterfly brings us great joy. However, its shortlived splendour (the longest time it can live is less than a year) is but a shadow of the beauty of God’s majesty and holiness. Furthermore, the ultimate purpose for which the monarch butterfly is created is the glory of God. I suggest that the monarch butterfly has a twofold “mission” in glorifying God. Its beauty proclaims the magnificent creative power of its Creator. Second, its work as an insect pollinator demonstrates God’s love and care for all his creatures (humans and non-humans) through creaturely interdependence within the web of life. Thus, in its unique way, the monarch butterfly glorifies God like the mountains and the hills which “burst into song” of praise and the trees which “clap their hands” (Is. 55:12) as they joyfully respond to the Lord of all creation. I am learning from the monarch butterfly to worship our Triune Creator in a way that I am created to glorify him. Anything that is created can become the false object of our worship. Therefore, we must seek God’s help to be faithful in worship within the community of God’s people. The annual flights of groups of monarch butterflies to their winter homes may be viewed as a celebration of their Creator who adorns them with the vibrant colours of orange, black, and white. I am also learning−−as a member of Spring’s Community Garden team−−to participate in what God is doing to care for his entire creation, humans and nonhumans. While you reflect upon the beauty of God’s holiness and his works of creation, providence, and redemption, may you be encouraged to participate in the ways that God is calling you to glorify and serve him. Note: For more information about the monarch butterfly, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/ species-risk-education-centre/fact-sheets/monarch-butterfly.html 8
Life in and around Spring Garden
Community Corner
Summer at SGC Sunday at the Park
New for the summer, we will be hosting ‘Sundays at the Park’ twice a month. Join us soon after the Worship Gathering at the park next door: • Bring a picnic lunch (plus your supplies such as picnic blanket, utensils and such). • Enjoy fellowship, getting to know each other and the neighbours. • We will bring some sporting equipment such as volleyball and soccer. • Children, bring your bathing suits and enjoy the splash pad and the playground. • We will provide freezies and sports equipment. Hope to see you there on July 10, 24, August 7 and the 21!
Lemonade Time
ALSO after Worship starting in July, enjoy Lemonade time on our lawn all summer long. Lots of ways to enjoy fellowship here at Spring this Summer! Lemonade on the Lawn Volunteers Needed If you or your Life Group are interested, please find the sign up sheet in our lounge to sign up for the days you or your group wants to help or email SamLee@ springgardenchurch.ca.
Summer Study Series The book of Hebrews 9 9
Join us Thursday evenings at 7:30pm as we dig deeper into the book of Hebrews to learn
about Jesus as High Priest, keeping the faith and why you can't be a Christian 'alone'. This is a 5-week study that will begin July 7th and will be held in-person in the church building. Email Abby at abbydavidson@springgardenchurch.ca.
Daily Online Summer Devotional
Starting July 3rd you can join us in a daily online devotional. There will be a reading in Hebrews each day as well as a devotional and a space to share your thoughts with the group. We are doing this plan through the Bible App (YouVersion). http://tiny.cc/SGCdaily.
SGC: Day Camp 2022
We are planning 2 weeks of day camp and 1 week of our Adventure Camp, July 18-22, July 25-29 & Aug. 15-19. Following the success of our in-person camps from 2021, we are doing so with the same intent but will have virtual camp back-upplans if we cannot meet in-person safely. Our Day-Camps strive to create a safe, loving, and inclusive atmosphere (both online and in-person!) where children can engage in a variety of activities to experience and learn God’s love for them. We believe that this is done through intentional relationships and thoughtful programming. Our day camp runs from 9 am to 3:30 pm and is created for children in JK - grade 5 (ages 4-10) for the upcoming school year (September 2022). WEEK 3 IS FULL. Sign up at: springgardenchurch.ca/daycamp
Spring Garden Camping Trip 2022
Welcome to our 4th annual camping trip! We invite you to join us as we enjoy God's creation in community. Open to all ages and stages! When: August 11-14 or 12-14 Where: Port Burwell Provincial Park #402 If you have any questions, please email Sam at samlee@ springgardenchurch.ca. 10
SGC Community Garden
This year the produce from the Community Garden will be donated to Neighbourlink's Food Hub. Our first delivery for the season was made this week (June 23)! Are you interested in volunteering with the SGC Community Garden? We can use help with weeding, harvesting, staking/ pruning tomatoes, and watering. Please contact Brenda at garden@springgardenchurch.ca. *We specifically are looking for volunteers to assist with harvesting on Wednesday evenings who can commit to volunteer regularly for July, August and September (ie weekly/biweekly.*
Future Event
Fall Launch Kick-Off and BBQ
September 11, 2021 Sept. 11 we will be starting our Children and Youth Ministry with a BBQ after our Worship Gathering.
Heart 2 Soul Fest, an
initiative of Youth Unlimited, is a one-day community drop-in event for the Jane-Finch neighbourhood and surrounding catchment area that brings together family friendly activities, great food, and the arts. H2S Fest is a celebration of the community by the community. Rather than letting the news cycles control the narrative, this event is helping share a larger story of hope. We are looking for people to get involved as volunteers and financial partners. If interested, please email heart2soulfest@gmail.com. 11
There are refugees arriving from Ukraine every day
now and many are asking for material help. One family (a mom and two teenage daughters) is looking for several items including a vacuum and a printer. If you can donate one or two items, please sign up by viewing the list here (tiny.cc/ukhelp) or by speaking to Abby(abbydavidson@springgardenchurch.ca).
Life Groups
Life Groups are a place where we do life together in a community centered around the gospel. They are designed for you to pursue spiritual growth, community and mission together. We offer Life Groups so everyone can have a place to belong. Life Groups are small gatherings of people who form a community. Kevin & Suzanna Group members Sunday afternoons, share life together Every other week through friendship, ONLINE and In-Person learn from the Bible and other Scott & Kate resources, pray for Sunday evenings Every other week and give support to ONLINE one another, and participate in God’s Anne & Garth mission together. Monday evenings They are safe places Weekly where you can ONLINE meet new people, Jeff & Phyllis discover your gifts Wednesday evenings for service, grow as Weekly a follower of Jesus, ONLINE and have a lot of fun together. David Webb
Thursday evenings Groups gather in Weekly homes or online Online and In-Person throughout the week. Each group is as unique as the people in it. No matter where you are in life, there is a Life Group for you.
Please email Abby at abbydavison@springgardenchurch.ca to join or for more information. EXPECT MOST OF THESE GROUPS WILL BE ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER AND MEETING AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER.
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Partnering with Families
Discipleship Ministries 13 13
SGC Kids: Summer Sundays! As June wraps up, we switch over to our summer Sunday kids ministry. During the summer, we give our volunteers a good and well deserved break while our summer staff continue to facilitate our children’s worship. This Summer our kids ministry will operate in 3 groups: Nursery - Toddlers (0 mo - 2 Years), Pre-K - Grade 2, Grades 3 - 5. Here is the overall flow: **Children’s Blessing Ends** • Children are escorted to worship spaces (see table below for drop off and pick up locations) • Music/Worship • Teaching • Small Group Discussions • Craft and Games Rotation • Home Time Groups: Nursery Pre-K Grades 3 - 5 Toddlers Grade 2 Drop Off: Orange Room Youth Youth Lounge Lounge Pick Up: Orange Room Blue Room Multipurpose (Children’s Room Theatre)
Here is what we will be talking about on Sundays!
JULY: Up In The Air- We learn about so many incredible humans—
past and present—who have changed the world using their influence, their voice, their dreams, and their passion. Kids might find it hard to relate to these dreamers, though, and ask themselves, “Can God use me for something that grand?” In Up In The Air, kids will learn through the stories of Elisha that we can dream big with God, have faith in God, count on God’s promises, ask God for what we need, and be used by God. The sky isn’t the limit anymore . . . not with God’s promises at work in our lives!
WEEK1
WEEK2
WEEK3
WEEK4
WEEK5
This week, kids imagine what it was like when Elijah was taken up to heaven.
This week, kids imagine how God was with Elisha during the famine.
This week, kids imagine being there when Elisha healed the Shunammite’s son.
This week, kids imagine how God was with Elisha during the famine.
This week, kids imagine how God healed Naaman through Elisha.
THE BIG IDEA: I can dream big with God
THE BIG IDEA: I can have faith in God
THE BIG IDEA: I THE BIG IDEA: can count on God’s I can ask God for what I promises. need.
THE BIG IDEA: I can be used by God.
THE BIBLE: II Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 66:1-9
THE BIBLE: II Kings 4:1-7; Colossians 1:3-14
THE BIBLE: II Kings 4:8-37; Genesis 18:1-10a
THE BIBLE: II Kings 5:1-14; Colossians 3:1-4
THE BIBLE: II Kings 4:38-44; Luke 11:1-9
August: Wonder-Full - From the Northern Lights to the Great Barrier
Reef, our world is full of so many incredible wonders! In this fourweek series, we’ll explore the natural wonders of the world while learning from the book of Psalms about how all of God’s creation is evidence of how wonderful our Creator is! Each week, we’ll invite kids to worship because of all the “wonder-full” things God has done by putting their hope in God, asking for God’s help, remembering what God has done, and living for God!
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WEEK1
WEEK2
WEEK3
WEEK4
Kids learn from this week’s psalm that worship can look like waiting in hope.
Kids learn from this week’s psalm that worship includes asking God for help.
Kids learn from this week’s psalm that a big part of worship is remembering God’s faithfulness.
Kids learn from this week’s psalm that worship is all about how we live for God.
THE BIG IDEA: We can worship by putting our hope in God.
THE BIG IDEA: We can worship by asking for God’s Help.
THE BIG IDEA: We can worship by remembering what God has done.
THE BIG IDEA: We can worship by living for God.
THE BIBLE: Psalm 33:12–22; Hebrews 11:1–3
THE BIBLE: Psalm 80:8–19; Hebrews 12:1–2
THE BIBLE: Psalm 103:1–8; Hebrews 12:28–29
THE BIBLE: Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1–3
Fall Ministry Launch: September 11, 2022 - As we begin a new ministry year, we want to celebrate together as a church community as well as welcome new friends from the community. Following our worship on September 11th, we will have a community BBQ and a time of fellowship. As we are still a few months away, we will communicate this in more detail as we approach September.
Spring Youth During the summer months we are taking a break from our regular youth ministry structure. Sunday worship gatherings and youth events will be paused during July and August, and will resume beginning September 11th, 2022. During our summer months we will have a few times of gathering which are detailed below. During Sunday Mornings we encourage youth to participate in the upstairs worship, or to connect with Jeremy about serving in and helping with worship.
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Sunday Lunch and Fellowship:
We are inviting our youth to join us for lunch following worship during the summer. We will provide the food, and refreshments, and all youth need to do is let us know they’re attending. If you have any questions about this please contact Jeremy for more information. Dates: July 10th, 24th, 31st, August 14th, 28th Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm Address: 100 Burbank Dr, Toronto, Ontario, M2K1N4
August 22 - 26th Encounter Week - As the summer comes to an end, we want to enjoy the time left before school begins. We are planning daily hangouts during the week of August 22nd. Each day we will meet in different locations and venues (wonderland, AGO, etc) to enjoy time together and participate in different activities. As we plan, the cost and timing of each day will vary. Please contact Jeremy if you have any questions. Time & Cost: TBD
September 10th, 2022: Parent and Caregiver Info Day
As our ministry year begins, we want to meet with the families of our youth to know you and share what we have planned for the coming year and to answer any questions you may have. This information night is open to all parents and caregivers of youth in grades 6 - 12. Time: 11:00am-2:00pm (lunch provided) Cost: Free
Staying Updated: To stay up to date on what is happening for your youth, please visit our google calendar which has all our planned events. http://tiny.cc/YouthCal
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Recommendations
The Resource Centre 17
How to read the Bible book by book: a guided tour, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart For each book of the Bible, the authors start with a quick snapshot, then expand the view to help you better understand its message and how it fits into the grand narrative of the Bible. Written by two top evangelical scholars, this survey is designed to get you actually reading the Bible knowledgeably and understanding it accurately. In an engaging, conversational style, Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart take you through every book of the Bible using their unique approach. Hebrews: an introduction and study guide, by Amy Peeler and Patrick Gray This volume offers a compact introduction to one of the most daunting texts in the New Testament. The Letter to the Hebrews has inspired many readers with its encomium to faith, troubled others with its hard sayings on the impossibility of a second repentance, and perplexed still others with its exegetical assumptions and operations drawn from a cultural matrix that is largely alien to modern sensibilities. Long thought to be Paul, the anonymous author of Hebrews exhibits points of continuity with the apostle and other
New Testament writers in the letter's (or sermon's) vision of life in the light of the crucified Messiah, but one also finds distinctive perspectives in such areas as Christology, eschatology, and atonement. Gray and Peeler survey the salient historical, social, and rhetorical factors to be considered in the interpretation of this document, as well as its theological, liturgical, and cultural legacy. They invite readers to enter the world of one of the boldest Christian thinkers of the first century. Hebrews for everyone, by N.T. Wright Writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us to find our way around the letter to the Hebrews, one of the most challenging writings in the New Testament. He acknowledges that people often find it difficult, because some of the ideas it contains are strange to us. Yet, like meeting a new friend, Wright helps us to find Hebrews full of interest and delight, with a powerful message that comes home to the church of today and tomorrow just as much as it did to the church of yesterday. Additional Hebrew commentaries available in our Resource Centre: Christ above all: the message of Hebrews (The Bible speaks today Series) by Raymond Brown 227.87 BRO The Epistle to the Hebrews: an introduction and commentary (Tyndale New Testament commentaries Series), by Thomas Hewitt 227.8707 HEW Exploring Hebrews, by John Phillips 227.8707 PHI Timothy I and II, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James (Understanding the New Testament Series), by Leon Morris 227.83 MOR 18
Directories and What's Happening
More Info
Leadership Directory PASTORAL TEAM
(alphabetical order by last names)
Ext. 226
Abby Davidson Missional Discipleship Pastor
abbydavidson@ springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 221
Dale Forder Office & Communications Administrator
daleforder@ springgardenchurch.ca
Greg Kay
*Greg Kay is on Sabbatical (away) from April 19 - Aug. 19th 2022*
Co-Lead Pastor
Ext. 227
Sam Lee Co-Lead Pastor
samlee@ springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 223
Jeremy Ranasinghe Pastor of Students & Young Adults
jeremy@ springgardenchurch.ca
Spring Garden Church
112 Spring Garden Avenue, Toronto ON M2N 3G3 www.springgardenchurch.ca Tel 416.223.4593 office@springgardenchurch.ca Fax 416.223.6126 Prayer Line 416.223.4038
Giving is one of the ways in which we can
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respond to a generous God. We give because it is a part of our discipleship and an act of worship. Please give as you feel led. For more information please go to our website at: https://www.springgardenchurch.ca/give.. https://www.springgardenchurch.ca/give
DEACONS
(alphabetical order by last names)
Darlene Boyd
647.224.2483 darlene.boyd@gmail.com
Missions
Krysten Cameron Chair
416.399.0493 krystencameron@hotmail.com
Cheryl Chapman Worship
cheryl.chapman@live.ca
Jeff McGee
416.493.2102 jeff.mcgee@sympatico.ca
Finance
Scott Moore
647-227-5465 scottgmoore@mac.com
Vice Chair, Secretary & Property
Esther Penner
Adult Discipleship & Membership
esther.penner@sgc.ca
Ben Reynolds Property
bereynolds@gmail.com
Debbie Tempelmeyer
905-301-2323 tempelmeyerdeb@gmail.com
Children & Youth Discipleship
ELDERS
(alphabetical order by last names)
Anne Barron Gonzalo Librado
416.724.9329 anne.barron020@sympatico.ca 416.435.9691 gonzlibrado@gmail.com
Shannon Loewen shannon.loewen@sgbc.ca Margaret Sutton margaretsutton242@gmail.com Myrna Frost
416.225.4986 frost2254986@rogers.com m 20
What’s Happening Life in Spring Garden
Weekly LIFE GROUPS - Connect for Community ALL WEEK LONG
Together through bible study, prayer and sharing. Meet online and in-person. Please email abbydavidson@springardenchurch.ca for more information or to join one. See more on page 16.
Sundays
Tuesdays
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
10am
PASTORAL TEAM MEETING
10am 12pm
Join us Sunday mornings as we go through different series (read more). Join us at: www. springgardenchurch.ca/live or come in-person.
We meet mostly on Tuesday. Please pray for us for wisdom and inspiration.
Wednesdays REFRESH (ON SUMMER BREAK)
10am 11:30am
Thursdays
BIBLE DISCUSSION (ON SUMMER BREAK)
10am 11:30am
MOMS' MEET UP
9:30am 11pm
EVENING PRAYER (ON SUMMER BREAK)
8:30pm
Friendship, care & spiritual growth for women. Contact Jen Chrystman (jenchrystman313@ hotmail.com ) or Faith Holwyn (faith. holwyn@gmail.com) for more info. Join us this coming fall as we learn and discuss different stories about God and His people. Contact Victoria Shipmaker for more information at victoriashipmaker@gmail.com. Mothers coming together for fellowship in a baby and kid friendly environment. Contact Abby at abbydavidson@springgardenchurch. ca You are invited to a virtual time of liturgical prayer. More information at springgardenchurch.ca/events.
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What’s Happening Upcoming
Life in Spring Garden
July 3
Daily Online Summer Devotional Starts
pg 10
July 4 - 6
Toronto Mission Experience
July 7
Summer Study Series - The book of Hebrews
pg 9
July 10, 24, Aug 7, 21 July 10, 24, 31, Aug 14, 28 July 18-29 Aug 15-19 June 10
Sundays at the Park
pg 9
YOUTH: Sunday Lunch and Fellowship
pg 16
Day Camps
pg 10
SGC Camping Trip
pg 10
Aug 22-26 Sept 10
YOUTH: Encounter Week Parent and Caregiver Info Day
pg 16 pg 16
Sept 11
Fall Launch Kick-off and BBQ
pg 11
FUTURE EVENTS: Day Camps -Go to springgardenchurch.ca/daycamp. Camping Trip -Go to springgardenchurch.ca/upcoming-events/camping-trip-2022
If you would like to receive a weekly e-mail update on what’s happening in Spring Garden, please visit the SGC website (www. springgardenchurch.ca) and add your email address at the bottom of our home page (scroll down). Also keep your eye on our Events page at: www.springgardenchurch.ca/events.
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Our Values We believe in a humble God who came not to be served, but to serve. Therefore we engage in sacrificial and active service to those around us. We strive to be good stewards of God’s gifts and talents by serving one another in humility. We aspire to regard others as higher than ourselves, which liberates us to creatively take risks in serving others for God’s glory. We believe in a God of grace who came to save the world, not to condemn it. Therefore, as we are continuously receiving the gift of God’s grace, we seek to grow in that grace and extend it to others. We strive to define ourselves by what we are for, not what we are against.
We believe in a God who knows us, and who desires to be known. Therefore we embrace a journey of faith that requires us to constantly strive for a personal, intimate and transformative knowledge of God. We strive to be led by God’s Spirit in supporting and encouraging one another in working out our faith.
We believe in a creative God. Therefore we are open to expressing our faith in new and creative ways that reflect the beauty and complexity of our creator. We are called to use our creative gifts in worship and service as we engage with our world. We take joy in the diversity of gifts that allow us to delight God and participate in His ongoing story. We believe in a triune, relational God who calls us to come together as a diverse community of believers. Therefore, we want to walk together, supporting one another physically, emotionally and spiritually. We strive to be a welcoming, inclusive family that goes through the joys and the trials of life together, acknowledging that God uses this community to deepen and mature our faith.
We believe in a God who loves this broken world and wants to reconcile us to Himself. Therefore we are commissioned by Christ to go out into the world, meeting the holistic needs of the local and global community. God calls us to participate in a redemptive work that he has already initiated; in humility, we will partner with others to work alongside and chase after Him.
We believe in a God who is our centre. Therefore where we are on the journey is less important than that we are moving towards a deeper relationship with Christ. We believe and participate in God’s redemptive work in all people, which gives us the freedom to come as we are, and to accept others as they are.
We each are on a unique journey to become who God has created us to be.
