November 29, 2024
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is the beginning of Advent which is more than a celebration of “waiting for baby Jesus,” it’s waiting for Jesus to come again at the end of time. I know sometimes this is hard for many to imagine and believe, and yet this is the message that Jesus tells his disciples in Luke 21:25-36. Be alert! Be watchful! Be expectant! Jesus’ apocalyptic language about the cosmos being shaken to its core at the end of the world tells us that the visible world is transient and insecure. Jesus says that there will be hardship and trouble. Sometimes gradual, sometimes quick and disastrous. He was speaking in the context of the 1st century, but also into our own time as well. However, in the midst of this hardship and chaos, Jesus says that he will intervene and return to redeem creation and all those who live in the hope of his second advent…fully and completely. Jesus offers a positive direction to change. No one knows the date or the time of the second advent, however as Jesus says to his disciples, even though the present circumstances of the world (and perhaps our lives) can lead us to deeper anxiety and despair there is hope. Jesus challenges us not to speculate, but to be on the alert for his coming, being sure that we aren’t led astray from the confidence that God has the future under his sovereign care. So I want to encourage you to worship with us on this fist Sunday of Advent with a message called “Advent: A time of Hardship and Hope”.
After 27 years George Ryder is going to step down as our Clerk of Session. It has been my joy and privilege to work with George over these many years. George has been a faithful leader, a wise counsellor and a good friend to me over my 25 years as a pastor. The good news is that George is going to continue as an active elder on Session. Our hope is that we will be able to announce a new Clerk of Session by the Annual Meeting. (Feb 9th)
My thanks to David Winn, George Thompson, Det Braunshweiger and Steve Khan for decorating the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season.
My thanks also to the congregation and to friends of GPC concerning your stewardship for our congregation. For the months of January through October we have a surplus of approximately $14,000.00. There are some expenses that will come due over the month of December. One of the blessings of serving GPC is the generosity that you have shown not only to our GPC family but also to those with who we partner with in mission. So thank you. May God be praised!
Some have been inquiring about the installation of our street road sign. The EMCC Campus Board have been diligent in their follow up with this project. Currently this project is being processed for a minor variance approval from the City of Mississauga. Our Campus Administrator Ingrid Brown and Board have been given the understanding that our new sign will be approved for installation as early as February.
Have a good weekend
Pastor Ian
