Living Faith Community Presbyterian Church

Ignoring the warning signs…

heather malnick — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:45:22 +0000

Hello all,

Earlier today, I was blinded – literally! – by a migraine headache. This is about the third time in my life I’ve had a migraine, and the second time it’s been accompanied by “migraine aura” – weird, swirly, patterns in my vision; sort of like the haze that forms over the pavement on a hot, summer day. The aura started early this morning, and it should have been my warning that a migraine was on its way, but I stubbornly chose to ignore the warning signs. I’m sure if I had taken some medication at the time the aura appeared, my headache would not have been as severe. But I stubbornly forged on – only to spend the majority of the day in my darkened bedroom, wishing I had heeded the warning signs.

So often we ignore the warning signs in our lives – the “little voice”, the sick feeling in our stomach, the advice of friends, or simple common sense – and we forge ahead with a decision or activity that we know is wrong. Then, we face the consequences. Today’s headache has reminded me to heed the other warning signs in my life, and hopefully avoid pain – for myself and others – in the process.

On to Sunday….

We are going to have the opportunity to worship God in a really unique, uplifting way on Sunday as we welcome “Chaverim” to Living Faith. Chaverim is a Christian-based youth choir consisting of young people from 12 – 20 who travel around Ontario sharing their love of music – and their love of God – with others. Chaverim’s music director is Christine Boyd. Christine and her husband, David, have been friends of our family for years so it’s wonderful that we are able to welcome them to Living Faith. I hope you won’t miss out on this unique worship opportunity, and please feel welcome to invite your friends, neighbours, and family members.

Hope to see you on Sunday,

Heather

Feb. 28th sermon – “So, now go!”

heather malnick — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:37:12 +0000

You can listen to the message here:

Or download it here:

LFPC – So Now Go! – 01. Track 01

This week at Living Faith – Feb. 26th edition

heather malnick — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:42:20 +0000

Hello all,

I hope you are all safe and warm on this blustery Friday! I actually got stuck coming into the church parking lot today and am most thankful for Larry and Brandon (a youth volunteer at Living Faith) for digging me out.

This weekend at Living Faith we will observe the 2nd Sunday in the season of Lent. Last week we discussed the idea that Lent is a time to draw ourselves into a closer relationship with God as we prepare to celebrate His Easter resurrection. We took home Scripture passages to memorize as a Lenten activity, keeping God’s Word close to our hearts. This Sunday we’ll participate in another Lenten activity — this one will require some action. I hope you’ll come and join us on Sunday to discover what your Lenten activity will be.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Annual Meeting last week. We had some great discussion and received some valuable direction. We are hoping to have the minutes available for you within the next few weeks.

May the peace of Christ be with you all,

Heather

Feb. 21st sermon – Our Wilderness Journey

heather malnick — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:15:07 +0000

You can listen to the sermon here:

Or download it here:

LFPC – Wilderness – 01. Track 01

Feb. 14th Sermon – What is Love?

heather malnick — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:05:18 +0000

You can listen to the sermon here:

Or download it here:

LFPC -God’s Valentine to Us – 01. Track 01

This Week at Living Faith – Feb. 12th edition

heather malnick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:24:25 +0000

Hi Friends,

This weekend, two special days blend together – Valentines Day and Family Day. While Family Day is a rather new observance, being instituted in Ontario in 2007, Valentine’s Day has a much longer history. Valentine’s Day was established by Pope Gelasius 1 in 496 AD to observe the sacrifice of the early Christian martyrs, specifically one named Valentine. Somehow through the course of history, their martyrdom has turned into a holiday which sees us sending flowers, chocolates, and cards to our loved ones. I guess celebrating LOVE is a wonderful way for a life to be remembered – especially a life that has been martyred for the sake of faith.

There is another life that begs to be remembered in love, and that is the life of our Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. His name is synonymous with love, and His life is an example of what love looks like; and, if we choose to follow Him, our lives should be the same.

I hope you will come and join us for worship this Sunday at Living Faith, as we celebrate LOVE!

In Him,

Heather

p.s. Our Annual Congregational Meeting is coming up on the 21st. All the reports from our various committees and teams will be available THIS WEEK for you to take home and review in preparation for the meeting on the 21st. Please know that EVERYONE is invited to attend this meeting as your input is vital to our future vision at Living Faith.

Feb. 7th Sermon – It’s All About HOW We Run the Race

heather malnick — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:01:57 +0000

You can listen to the sermon here:

or download it here:

LFCPC – Perserverance – 01. Track 01

This Week at Living Faith – Feb. 5th edition

heather malnick — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:32:12 +0000

Some of our favourite family memories come from times gathered around the dinner table. Laughter, stories, and good food serve to bind us to one another. This Sunday at Living Faith, we – as a family of Christ – will gather around the Lord’s dinner table, as we participate in the sacrament of communion. Please know that everyone is invited to participate. It has become our tradition to gather for breakfast before our worship service on communion Sundays, and this Sunday is no exception. Breakfast will be served starting at 9:30am with a free-will offering going to support the relief effort in Haiti through Presbyterian World Service and Development.

Communion Sundays are also Intergenerational Sundays at Living Faith, meaning that the children of our Sunday School will remain in the service. We’re going to examine “perseverance” as seen at the Olympics – so I hope you’ll join us to hear some amazing stories concerning our Olympic athletes.

May Christ’s peace be with you all,

Heather

This Week at Living Faith – Jan. 29th edition

heather malnick — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:11:20 +0000

Hello, I am really looking forward to this Sunday’s service at Living Faith. We will be visited by Ruth Stewart who is the Ministry Development Coordinator with the Canadian Bible Society. Living Faith is a partner congregation with the CBS and, let me tell you, it’s a great partnership – we receive free Bibles for those being confirmed in their faith and we agree to host a Bible Society Service once a year. It truly is a win-win situation! This Sunday, Ruth will be sharing with us about the work of the CBS, which is involved in publishing and distributing Bibles in Canada and around the world. I hope you will come and hear Ruth’s message for us. Special offering envelopes will be available if you feel inclined to make a financial donation to the work of CBS.

Donations are starting to arrive at our church in response to the plea for infant and children’s items which will be sent to Haiti through Emmanuel’s Wish. Thanks so much to Mel Shields who is coordinating the collection. The full list of needed items is included in last week’s emailing (which is also available on our new website, the address is listed below). Please bring your donations to church on Sunday – or drop them off through the week – and Mel will pick them up and deliver them to Emmanuel’s Wish. The goal is to fill a shipping container with these much needed items. As well, we are continuing our financial collection for Haiti through Presbyterian World Service & Development. Offering envelopes for PWS&D are available in our church foyer, and all donations will be matched by the federal government until Feb. 12th.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said “whatever you do for the least of these brothers of mine, you do for Me.” Let’s take this opportunity to serve Christ by serving others in His name.

Peace be with you all,
Heather

Jan. 24th Sermon – Praying in Difficult Times

heather malnick — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:19:34 +0000

To listen to this sermon, press the play button on the audio player below:

Or you can download the mp3 version here:

Praying in Difficult Times