KGF Church

1 Corinthians 12 Ever feel like there's a melody still within you, waiting to be played? Or have you ever wondered why some believers seem to be joyfully and effortlessly serve others well, while you (or someone you love) struggle and meander through life? This Sunday, we'll journey through the biblical origins and importance of spiritual gifts. We'll see God's beautiful intention for His gifts in our own lives and within our body of believers. Find out how easy it can be to discover new joy and passion through the unique part that only you can play. Todd Ringness

Have you ever looked at one of the Kelowna's sports fields, buzzing as they do this time of year with kids in neat uniforms, and asked, “Hey, what's with all the teams?” Or, have you been to the food court, or walked through our beautiful downtown, and asked, “What's with all the restaurants anyway?” In the same vein, have you scooted around the city, noticed all the church buildings and wondered, “Hey, what's with all the churches?” If there is one body of Christ, why all the churches? Why the diversity, and at times disagreements? This weekend we raise these questions in our exploration of “The Body.” And, perhaps, we'll see the church and our city differently. Phil Wagler Interim Pastor P.S. Here's a challenge: count how many churches you see on the way to KGF on Sunday.

Ephesians 2:19-22 What does it really mean to belong to the Church? Is it just about showing up on Sundays or volunteering in ministry… or is there something deeper God has in mind? This week, we'll explore a powerful vision from Ephesians 2:19–22: that we're not just attendees — we're citizens in God's Kingdom, members of His household, and stones in a living temple where He dwells. Christ hasn't just saved us from something, He's saved us into something: a people, a place, a purpose. Whether you're new or deeply invested, come ready to be reminded that God is building something beautiful, and it includes you. Pastor Devan Scollon

Here's some pre-work for Sunday... Ponder an answer to this question:  Why does the Church exist? How would you answer that for someone in your life who is wondering why the Church matters today? This is the question we will explore this Sunday when KGF gathers.   Phil Wagler Interim Pastor

Acts 2:42-47 Jerusalem after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus was marked by the explosion of a new religion. Jesus' disciples sparked a revolution unlike any other in history as people from all over the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe witnessed the events of pentecost, and heard the gospel in their own languages. About 3,000 people became followers of "the way" that day and became new creations in Christ Jesus. Their faithful lives as the early church was marked with trials and persecution, but nothing could stamp out the movement of God's Kingdom. So what made these radicals so effective? And how can we learn from their way of being an unstoppable worshiping community?

1 Corinthians 3:11 500 years ago, a fire was lit in the hearts of young believers who dared to follow Jesus with radical conviction. Born in the midst of persecution, the Anabaptist movement defied the norms of its day—insisting that faith must be personal, Scripture must lead, and discipleship must be costly. This Sunday, we'll trace the Spirit's movement from the Reformation to those early house churches, to the birth of the Mennonite Brethren, discovering how their story still shapes ours. Come ready to be challenged and inspired as we remember our roots and reclaim our calling to be people of the Book, the towel, and the basin.

This Easter Sunday, we celebrate the truth that changes everything: Jesus is alive! The tomb is empty, death is defeated, and hope is alive because the risen Christ is reigning! We know what the resurrection means but are we actually living like it's true? Are we walking in the freedom, identity, and calling Jesus secured for us, or are we still letting shame and fear write our story? We'll look at two disciples: Peter and John. Two different men. Two different stories. But one Risen Saviour who met them both where they were, brought them freedom, rooted them into new identity, and called them into kingdom purpose. As we enter into these stories, our hope is that something awakens in us. A fresh awareness that the resurrection isn't just a moment in history, but the very reality we live in now. Jesus still restores, still redefines, and still calls. May we be awakened to our resurrection calling, to live as those made new, for the sake of those around us. - Devan Scollon & Anthony Tisher

Mark 14:32-42 In the garden of gethsemane, Jesus faced humanity's ultimate crossroads - surrender or self-preservation. His choice illuminates a paradoxical truth; Our greatest victories often emerge from difficult moments of surrender. We'll explore how letting go becomes a revolutionary act of claiming God's best. Discover the surprising power hidden in surrender, and why the things we desperately cling to, might be the very barriers to our breakthrough. Join us this week for an honest look at how we can transform “giving up or in” into a significant mission upgrade - where surrender becomes our gateway to freedom. Todd Ringness

What a Waste! Mark 14:1-11 Waste of time.  Waste of resources.  Waste of energy.  Waste of talent.   What do you see as wasted?  It can be very frustrating to see something go to waste. We can also be quite critical of such things. This week we journey with Jesus on the way to the cross and discover a waste that raised quite a debate. Check out Mark 14:1-11 and come along for the ride! Phil Wagler Interim Pastor

Whether we realize it or not in each moment, the world is full of chaos, war, persecution, and trials. The disciples thought that the coming of the messiah would bring order, peace, and restoration; that things would get better, not worse. And just like us, they looked to traditions, institutions and leaders for their hope. If things are only going to get worse before they get better, where are we going to turn? Where does our hope lie? How are we going to know what to do? Joel Lise Worship Pastor

God. What is your first response or thought to that word?  A.W. Tozer said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."  There can be various responses to "God." What was yours? Does it reveal something important about you? What does God command? What comes to our mind about God will probably shape what we begin to list about what God expects of those made in His image. Some argue about what should be on such lists. Some reject such lists altogether and find a God who makes demands unreasonable.  This week we continue on the way with Jesus to the cross of Good Friday and the rise of the King on Easter Sunday. Jesus makes a pretty startling comment about what God actually commands in Mark 12:28-34. I wonder what you think about his Great Command to love?  Phil Wagler  Interim Pastor

Mark 11:15-18 Familiarity can lead us to miss the incredible. For instance, do you take the beauty of this valley for granted? It's our everyday normal, but people come a long way to spend just a week here. Familiarity can also lead us to neglect the incredible. We get used to the person who is just "there" and neglect the heart of the relationship. We get used to enjoying what others have built and neglect to make the good thing even better. Even worse than neglect, we can turn the tables on the incredible and use it for selfish purposes and corrupt the incredible. It's time to see the incredible once again! This week we journey with Jesus toward the cross of Easter and enter the incredible first-century temple in Mark 11 and find tables that need to be turned. But why? What does prayer have to do with it? And, what are we incredibly called to make sure we don't neglect in this incredible time and place? Phil Wagler Interim Pastor

John 1:14 John 1:14 is a familiar verse for many Christians as it offers a concise, if not profound, description of the “Good News” - God with us. But the incarnation is not only the “content” of the good news (God with Us) but it is also the model for sharing that news with the World. Darrell Guder says the incarnation is both the “what” and the “how-to” of the gospel. Jesus came to Earth not just as a redemptive fix for a broken Creation - but to lead the Church into a new way of living - to be about the business of His Kingdom. And how do we do it? He rooted himself into the local neighbourhood - its customs and culture. He lived and worked in Nazareth where He engaged with all walks of life, loving them deeply, and simply living his counter-cultural ethos for all to see. So what does “the neighbourhood” mean for KGF? Think local…and global. Think grocery store and soccer field. At work and with neighbours. Mission is quite simply being who you are; where you are. Jamie Munday

Genesis 12:1-3 Imagine being told by your spouse or a close friend that they're taking you on a vacation, but they won't tell you where. Would you be excited, or nervous? And how would you pack? What would you bring with you? What would you make sure to leave behind? Kinda hard to know when you don't know where you're going, but that's the call that Abraham, and indeed all off us, receive from the Lord. Abraham had to leave all he knew, pack his stuff, and go. The promise, when Abraham accepts this invitation, is that God would lead him and bless him, but not just bless him, but use him to bless all nations! God calls each of us to follow him to places and settings we cannot yet know, what will we leave behind so we can journey unhindered? And what will we be sure to pack in our suitcases? Let's find out together on Sunday! Pastor Joel

Genesis 11:10-32 Have you experienced life at the crossroads? How did you get there? How have you discerned which way to go? Who have you asked for directions? Have you made a wrong turn? Doesn't it seem like the whole world is at the crossroads these days? How do you see people responding to the uncertain rhetoric of our southern neighbour, not to mention the complexities we're all facing in our own lives? What do you see happening to relationships, hopes, and expectations? This week we follow the scattered peoples after Babel's bluster and discover a family on a journey that ends at a crossroads in Genesis 11:27-32. What might we learn from them that can help us today? Phil Wagler, Interim Pastor

Genesis 11 After the flood, Noah and his family were saved through God's good promise. But humanity quickly moved on to a new building project - this time, not an ark of salvation, but a tower of rebellion. What was their goal? To reach the heavens? To make a name for themselves? To build a backup plan in case of another flood? At Babel, we see the human heart striving for significance and security apart from God - only to find confusion and judgment. Yet even in this act of scattering, God was working toward a greater plan of redemption that echoes throughout Scripture and finds its fulfillment in Christ. Join us as we explore how Babel isn't just an ancient story - it's a mirror to our own hearts and a signpost to God's greater plans. Devan Scollon

God of Promise Genesis 6-10 Floods. They make a mess and overflow. They make the news and reveal human vulnerability. They leave us longing for a way out. Rainbows. We see them on sidewalks, T-shirts, jewelry and bumper stickers, but there's nothing quite like the ones that hang in the sky and stop you in your tracks. Promises. Have you made them? Have you kept them? Have you been disappointed by them? Why do we so long for a promise to be kept? What does a flood and a rainbow reveal about who God is and who we are? What to they have to do with a promise that is as true for you today as it was in the days of Noah? This week we float with Noah through Genesis 6-10. Come along for the ride. Sail on... Phil Wagler  Interim Pastor

Genesis 4-5 Last week in Genesis Chapter 3 we met our Adversary - Satan - through the narrative, and Steve unpacked for us how Satan uses doubt about the goodness of God's gifts, and doubt of our own goodness to undermine our trust in God. This weekend we are going to look at the original sin of our adversary - pride - and how Chapter 4 of Genesis teaches us to see pride and ultimately resist it's pull. What is pride? How can we recognize it in ourselves? And most importantly, what is God's plan to deal with the sin of pride, both within us and within the world? Joel Lise, Worship Pastor

Genesis 3 In our day and age, there seems to be a lot of “How To's” ·         How to Lose Weight ·         How to Become Wealthy (sometimes overnight!) ·         How to Dress for Success ·         How to Make your Hair grow back ·         How to Train Your Dragon… you get the idea Yet in all the overwhelming piles and piles of information, you will rarely hear a message on HOW TO RUIN YOUR LIFE. Join us this Sunday to hear how Satan tempts, tricks and deceives and how we can PREVENT this from happening.   Looking forward to sharing the Word together! Steve Perry

Genesis 2:4-25 The map on your phone allows you to zoom in or out with ease. You can see the whole world or zero in on a street corner - it's pretty amazing!  What do we notice when we zoom in on humanity?  We come to Genesis 2:4-25 this Sunday in our adventure in the first book of the Bible and discover the cosmic and universal view of creation in Genesis 1 suddenly narrows to a specific place - a garden - specific trees - a tree of life and a tree of the knowledge of good and evil - and specific people - Adam and Eve.  We zoom in on us, humanity, in a particular place. What are we to make of Eden? Well, what are you to make of who you are and where you live and who you share yourself and that place with?  Now there's a timeless question! Phil Wagler, Interim Pastor

Genesis 1:3-2:3 What did your Mom say? What did your Dad say? What did the boss say? What did the teacher say? What did the celebrity say? What did the politician say? Though we don't always like to admit it, we can't deny that it matters a great deal what people with authority say. Isn't it quite amazing that we do many things - positively or negatively - based on the invisible words that come from people we respect or have been granted some position of authority to speak? We especially long to hear people we care about speak and the "silent treatment" is not therapeutic at all!  We venture further into Genesis 1 this week and discover that God speaks - and that God's speech is powerful and foundational for life and all that is good. What does God say in the beginning? What does he say to us and the world? And why does that still matter? This is what we'll explore together this week.  Phil Wagler, Interim Pastor

Genesis 1:1-3 We're beginning again. Last week marked day one of another new year, and the rest of your life.  Every new year begins with hope and expectation, potentially new commitments, and yet it's just another day on a calendar that builds on the many that have come before us. As a church family we are going to begin 2025 where Scripture begins - in Genesis. Over the next few weeks we'll unpack Genesis 1-12 to ground us and challenge us to understand who God is and what he is calling us to in a new year that is part of an old world. This week we begin with God who was there, in the beginning, and invites us in these days entrusted to us to remember that wherever chaos reigns the Spirit is hovering. Happy New Beginning!   Phil Wagler, Interim Pastor

Luke 2:1-2; Revelation 12:1-6 Bahar al-Assad is gone. Trump is back. Trudeau is in trouble.  Netanyahu. Putin. Milei. Zelensky. Rutu. Xi Jinping. The world is ruled by powers that shift and change. Some cheer the transitions. Others rally to protect them. The world seems like a hot mess! What is going on? Who is really in charge?  We're less than a week away from Christmas Day when we Christians celebrate that in the days of Caesar Augustus, a baby was born and Herod lost his mind. How can we understand the massive impact of the arrival of the Prince of Peace? Does his arrival still send shock waves or have we settled for Hollywood holiday sentimentality? And, what on earth does Revelation 12 have to say about all this where we see a Dragon seeking to devour a child? It's been an interesting year! Should be an interesting Sunday.  Phil Wagler, Interim Pastor

The Book of Daniel This Sunday, as we look at Daniel, we'll explore what it means to endure suffering, to hold on to hope, and to pray. We'll also discuss coming to the end of ourselves, Jesus power to save, and the work of the church to stand in solidarity with the suffering. This Advent, as we reflect on joy, we face a sobering reality: sentimentality won't sustain us through the hardships of life. Drawing from the powerful stories in Daniel and the hope found in Jesus, we'll explore how God meets us in our suffering—not from a distance, but in the midst of the fire and the lion's den. Discover how Christ's presence transforms our struggles into hope, and how we are called to live as his church, standing in solidarity with those in need.    Together with you in Christ, Levi Simpson Director of Spiritual Care from Kelowna's Gospel Mission

Luke 1-2 At the start of Luke, we see God breaking into the ordinary—through the routines, relationships, and responsibilities of people like Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds. Astonishingly, Jesus, the Son of God, entered the world not with domineering power, but in humility, as a baby, born into a common family for the common good of all. Do we recognize Christ's presence in our everyday lives? Do we wrestle with a tension between longing for clear signs of God's work and the humble, common ways He often reveals Himself? 

 Too often, we seek God in mountaintop moments but lose sight of Him in the mundane. Yet, could it be that our everyday faith, offered through the simple routines of life, is precisely where God works to accomplish His kingdom purposes… let's discuss this Sunday! 
Devan Scollon 
Student Ministries Director

Have you seen the news lately and wondered, "Where is God?" Have you assessed your life and our community and wondered, "Where is God?" From Kelowna to Jerusalem the question can be asked, pondered, and prayed.  Advent is here. Four weeks of preparation for heaven's answer to the question, "Where is God?," if we slow down and listen, we might understand that God's response is, "Christ is here." What's happening in the land once called Judea is dominating today's headlines. Jerusalem and Bethlehem once wondered "Where is God?" and almost missed the message that Christ had arrived. This week, we begin advent with a special guest from Jerusalem, Dr. Salim Munayer. We'll explore how the message "Christ is here" is still the hope for the Holy Land and right here too.  

John 6 In John 6, Jesus performs an incredible miracle, multiplying loaves of bread to feed thousands, enough for everyone to be fully satisfied with leftovers to spare! The crowd was amazed by His ability to provide bread, but Jesus wanted to show them something far greater. “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” With these words, Jesus reveals the heart of the miracle: He is not just the giver of bread—He is the true Bread. Only He can satisfy the deepest hunger of our souls. Jesus invites us to partake in a life-changing feast: to delight in His presence, find our fulfillment in Him, and take our place at His table as followers, friends, and family. Are you hungry for something more?  Devan Scollon, Student Ministries Director

1 Cor 1:10-17 Martin Luther King said, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools". And while we all know that division is painful, and sad, and ought to be prevented, most of us don't know how to spot it before it's begun its path of destruction. And what does the bible say about how to live out the fact that sometimes we just don't agree? Surely Jesus doesn't expect us to just agree about everything! How does disagreement differ from division? And what does the way of unity look like anyway?    Pastor, Joel Lise

James 1:1-12 This Monday, Remembrance Day, we will cherish the time to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Words cannot express how blessed we are because of their commitment to peace. As much as we value peace, it's impossible to live a life without trials and hardships. With trials come pain and wounds and times of loneliness and deep questions. Most of us would just like them to go away. On Sunday, let's come together to look at the book of James and see what it says about trials. God has a purpose for trials. It's hard to believe that anything good could come from something we instinctively want to avoid. But “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I encourage you to join us on Sunday. God's got you! Steve Perry Board Member  

Understanding the Way God Matures People Like Us Galatians 2:20 Have you looked at a picture of yourself as a child lately? Whether that photo is in high definition on a device in your hand or tucked away in a photo album in fading black and white, it's amazing to look at ourselves as we once were.  How did you manage to grow up? Who and what helped you through the scrapes of childhood, hiccups of puberty or, if you're far enough along, the crises of mid-life? And consider your spiritual growth: what has that been like? Who has helped - or hindered - you? And what about the celebrations and laments of growing up in fellowship with others in the life of a church family?  Today, we embark on a journey of discovering how God develops maturity in us. It's a glorious and bumpy adventure - come along for the ride!   Pastor Phil Wagler

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 As we continue navigating this season of renovation, it's important to return to the core of who we are as God's people. This Sunday, we will explore what it means to live out our identity as the Church in three essential roles: the Body, the Bride, and the Building of Christ.  Let us seek God's guidance in becoming the Church He has called us to be, not shying away from change or difficulty but deeply engaging with where He is leading us!   Devan Scollon Student Ministries Director

1 Peter 2:4-12 What do you do when life is not going as planned? Peter, in this letter to a suffering church, opens the door to help us understand what it means to find something permanent when life may be falling apart all around you. He points this church to the foundation of Jesus and then to their calling as God's chosen people. Even in the midst of the hardships, Peter gently encourages them with the purpose of living as witnesses of God's grace in hard times. Finally, he encourages them to examine their inner life and live an outward life that brings glory to God. My prayer as we both prepare for this coming Sunday, is for God's Spirit to guide and lead us through the hard times for His glory and our good.   Reg Toews, BCMB Executive Director

Ephesians 4: 1 - 16 One of the brilliant gifts of where we meet each Sunday is its visibility from one of the main roads in Kelowna. Each week I drive past the church a handful of times on my way about town for meetings, errands, and appointments. Yet we know that on a Monday as we drive past Gordon and Casorso we aren't passing by the Church (note the capital "C"), only a (mostly) empty building where a few staff work in the office.  The Church isn't a building, we don't need the walls to be the Church. After all, Jesus did not say to Peter "On this rock I will build my building". A building is just a meeting place for God's "Ekklesia" - gathering, congregation, community, assembly - and that's you and me.  So WE are the Church. What does that mean? How are we supposed to live? Ephesians 4 has a lot to say about that, read it before you come on Sunday and we'll unpack it together. Pastor Joel Lise  

In light of this new season at KGF, I believe God is inviting us to do one thing: Seek Him.  As a church, we are called to seek the Lord with all our hearts, trusting that when we do, He will guide us forward. This Sunday, we'll explore what it means to seek God together and how He reveals Himself to those who diligently pursue Him. Let's not miss the opportunity to witness His work in our midst.    Devan Scollon Student Ministries Director 

Jesus called God the Father, “Abba”, which means “daddy”. In this episode, we will explore what this means for His church and how we are called to walk with one another.   Phil Wagler at PRN 

Mark 4:26-29 Can you think back to spring when the soil was turned, seeds were planted and all felt fresh?  How about those warm summer months when gardens and orchards grew and needed tending and watering to survive? And now, how's the harvest emerging? As we look around our area we see apples hanging and Thanksgiving for all we have just around the corner.  There is a rhythm to the year and we have a role to play. And yet at the same time, our part is really quite small. We are a participant in something greater. The faithful flow of seasons finds us emerging from summer into another reality and invites us to consider that the Kingdom of God is also something growing in the Creator's own way. We are a participant in something greater.  This week we consider God's faithful tending to his Kingdom from the past and present, from the global to the local, and consider the ways we have been invited to participate over the last few months in something greater. Might we find new confidence and expectation to trust the Lord for what lies ahead? Guest Speaker: Phil Wagler Global Director at Peace and Reconciliation Network  

Mark 12:13-17 During His last days, Jesus had a number of run-ins with the religious elite of the day. He was hated by most of them to the point where they wanted Him dead. They just had to figure out a way to get Him killed, so they pose what they think are impossible questions. The way He responds ends in astonishment, not just for how he handles the questions, but how His answers point to something greater. Our passage this week has more to teach us than simply how to get out of an impossible question. Let's dive in together.   Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 12:1-12 As a kid, my mother would often read to us the famous Aesop's fables - The Mouse and the Lion, the Scorpion and the Frog, the Fox and the Grapes, and of course the Tortoise and the Hare. These were great stories, and their morals were usually quite obvious. "Every act of kindness counts", "A creature cannot deny its nature", "It's better to deem something undesirable than be bitter when you cannot have it", and "Natural talent is no excuse for laziness" are their lessons respectively.

 When Jesus spoke in parables, the people around him were often confused about their meaning, but not with the parable of the tenants - our passage for Sunday - which was a clear and harsh criticism of the Jewish religious elites. Speaker: Pastor Joel Lise

Mark 11:26-33 Jesus has always been controversial. He is today, and he was back in His time. He did things no one else was doing, and was teaching things that were astonishing. And when He got to Jerusalem, He upset the religious leaders by clearing out the Temple. Now those leaders will come face to face with Jesus and ask a probing question… “Who gave you the authority?” Let's explore together!   Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 11:12-25 There are more ways to communicate with people than I care to know about. Way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth we used to write letters to one another. Then came the phone and not that long ago we were introduced to the cell phone. With the cell phone came texting. And now, there are all kinds of communication tools at our fingertips. There are Facebook Messenger, What's App, BeReal, Linked In, Teams, Slack, Jabber, and probably another half dozen options I have either tried to forget or don't know about (which is fine by me). With time, technology has changed the way we communicate. But there's one form of communication that hasn't changed and that's prayer. We don't need a device, the internet, or wifi. We can talk to God anytime or anywhere. Anyone can do it, and God is always available whenever we reach out. Very cool! Examine some of the key fundamentals of prayer that Jesus describes in the book of Mark. Through the teaching of God's Word, our prayer lives will be enriched.     Speaker: Steve Perry

Mark 11:1-11 What does winning look like to you? Is it graduating with straight A's? Landing the corner office job with the hefty pay-check? Finding a spouse who's a perfect 10? Maybe it's just seeing gas come back down to a reasonable price! Whatever it looks like to you, you're probably very aware of how your idea of what should happen can be very different from what does happen. Our best hopes can be dashed with what reality sends our way.  Oddly enough, the crowds around Jesus experienced this often! And it's frequently because their hopes were different than the reality Jesus brought.   Speaker: Phil Wagler, Global Director at Peace & Reconciliation Network

Mark 10:46-52 “What do you want?”  We hear that question when we sit down in a restaurant, show up at the mechanics' shop, or enter a clothing store. Of course, it's asked in different words:
 “What would you like to eat tonight?”
 “What brings you in today?”
 “Can I help you find something?”
 Have you ever thought about how you would answer that question if it were God asking? What would you say to Him? Do you have an answer that quickly comes to mind, or would it take you a while to come up with something?

 We'll see Jesus ask a man that exact question. Let's see his response.   Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 10:32-45 It is Jesus' final days before the cross. He is about to make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He has spent three years teaching his disciples, yet as Jesus predicts his death a third time, things turn sideways. This is not the first time, however, as the disciples show each time Jesus predicts his death that they don't understand. Instead of asking to see clearly, two brothers make a bold request! It does not end there because the bold request turns into a heated argument with all twelve of the disciples! What will Jesus do? Come join us as Jesus experiences Groundhog Day with his disciples. As we journey with the disciples we will discover “What does it mean to be the greatest in God kingdom?”   Guest speaker: Phill Whatman

Mark 10:23-31 To see the amazing view, you'll have to hike up the mountain. To get a raise at work, you'll have to prove your worth to the company. To enjoy veggies from your garden, you'll have to plant, water, and weed. To get the results we want from life, we typically have to put in hard work. We've been conditioned from a young age to operate in a meritocracy - we get what we earn. What about when it comes to entering the Kingdom of God? How much giving, how much serving, how much bible reading, and how much church attending will open heaven's door for us?  Let's talk about it!   Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 10:13-22 “Time is a finite resource. Each of us has only a limited amount of it.”  That's just a fancy way of saying “We are all going to die one day”. We all know that's true, and yet we seem to do what we can to avoid thinking much about it. It puts our own mortality front and centre in our minds.. and if thoughts of mortality are present, surely thoughts of eternity soon follow.  One day, Jesus encountered a man who seemed to be thinking about that quite a bit. So much so that he ran up to Jesus and asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” … In other words “What will open Heaven's Door for me?” Let's see how Jesus responds!   Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 10:1-12 Every relationship is going to have problems. As long as people have different opinions, different approaches to finances, and different ways of handling conflict, tough times are guaranteed to happen… but what will you do with those tough times?  Will you look for a way out or a way through? We'll see Jesus tested with a question about divorce. What does He have to say about it?   Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 9:42-50 I remember adding a little "0" beside a "1" on a coupon to extend its expiry date. "I'm not lying – I'm simply adapting." We tend to downplay sin, but Jesus does not. He sees sin for what it truly is – a serious threat to our spiritual well-being and our relationship with God. Arriving at the end of Mark 9, we come across some of Jesus' most striking and visceral teachings, which serve as a profound wake-up call. Jesus addresses the severe dangers of sin, particularly self-righteousness, pride, and misleading others, and invites us to adopt His way of submission, self-denial, and servanthood. Are we willing to go the Jesus way? Let's ask Him for the strength to do so!   Speaker: Student Ministries Director Devan Scollon 

Mark 9:30-41 Time for an uncomfortable question: How do you want others to see you? What are some words that come to mind? …  knowledgeable, competent, accomplished, wise, talented, handy, clever, honourable, inspiring. Here's another question: How much time/effort/energy do you put into being known for that? We want others to see us in the best possible light; we want them to think we're great. Jesus notices that desire in His followers, and He wants to speak to that.  Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 9:14-29 Pause right now for thirty seconds and begin to list what you would put in the column of impossible situations right now in your life or the world.

 I suspect our collective list would be long. 

 As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark this week we follow Jesus down from the mountain-high of transfiguration and into the frustrating valley of argumentation and powerlessness in the face of impossible situations. Does that sound at all like your week, month, or year?

 Are you ready to ask Jesus to help your unbelief? Global Director,
Phil Wagler

Mark 9:2-13 Can you think of some absolutely amazing moments in your life? Events which left you stunned? Moments that awoke a sense of wonder and awe? Maybe it was seeing the northern lights above our city a little while ago. Maybe you were blown away while visiting the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls. Those moments are important, they stick with us. We're impacted by the sense of something greater.

 Jesus' disciples had a lot of those moments, and as we move through the Gospel of Mark, we'll discover that the one they're about to encounter is the greatest one yet… and it came at just the right time. Speaker: Lead Pastor Shawn Klassen

Mark 8:31-9:1 Using softened language is often an excellent way to converse. We'll express our desires and opinions in a way that they can be received easier by the person we're talking with. Instead of saying to a coworker, “Get that project updated ASAP”, we'll say something like “It would be really great if you had those project details ready sometime tomorrow. Once that's in, we can decide what's next. Do you think you could try to have that done?” 

 Then there are times when you need to be absolutely clear about what you're communicating. Some things are too important to be padded for politeness' sake. This Sunday, we'll look at something Jesus wanted to be crystal clear about, something too vital to use anything other than straight talk.   Speaker: Worship Pastor Joel Lise