It is worth sharing and tucking into your hearts as you finish out your week. Here are William Barclay's notes about Ephesians 1:5-6 in his book "The Daily Bible Study: The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians".

I simply just have a lot of things I want you to know about this week. They are the stuff that connects us, encourages us, challenges us and inspires us. They are the stuff of a community that does life together. 

I've been looking back at our summer series and thinking about all of the incredible testimonies coming from the ancient stories of scripture.

The stuff that God makes in us is beautiful, it's real, it lasts and it catalyzes Christ-centered change in the world around us. The sinful nature... not so much. 

On Sunday, I gave you the three pointers that help the Bible to stay "alive and active" in my life: Stop, Drop, Roll On.

Baptism is a beautiful expression of what has happened in your life because of Jesus.

I wanted to take a moment to remind us to be prayerful.

Church life is almost a living, breathing thing. It goes through seasons, change and all kinds of metaphorical weather.

One of the best things about maturing in your faith is how the Bible continues to humble and surprise, unnerve and challenge you.

What needs to be accomplished in your life that is humanly impossible? What is something that cannot be done through any manmade solution or method? Not only is it possible for God, it is divinely simple. For God, nothing is troublesome, difficult, worrisome or hard.

I've come to realize that being a Canadian in July and August is a unique experience. We grin and bear months of arctic temperatures and icy roads (some of us even enjoy the snow... weird) and then we get an incredible few months of beautiful weather to enjoy.

A church that recognizes who they are in the body of Christ and willingly and joyfully serve the team over the long run, that's a very exciting church to be a part of.

I'm still trying to process all that happened this past weekend. It was overwhelmingly beautiful how many things came together at the same time... I'm going to try and put it into words.

It’s hard to believe, but this Sunday will be my last day as your senior pastor. Time has gone by quickly when you look at the big picture.

In this final message of our series from 1 Thessalonians, I want to show you how you can revolutionize your everyday world for Jesus.

Let us believe, then, that without Him we can literally do nothing. We must believe it, for it is true. But let us recognize its truth, and act on it from this time forward.

Have you ever been really excited about starting a new venture and then lose the passion for it sometime later?

Make it a priority to seek to please your God above all else every day. That is the sure way to stay on track with your spiritual growth and kingdom service.

It seems somewhat surreal, but this Sunday I will begin my final series of messages as your senior pastor.