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Bible Reading

1 John 3:1a ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

Welcome - Kids Out

Commitment Day

Intro

What is CD? Over 15 years, 1.1 mil in donations

Theme - Greater. A sense that God is working to continue to fan the flames of the places and people where we have been working over the past years, expectant that He is doing something greater.

CD - Video (5 minutes)

Live hosting

How good! The missional heart of the projects this year has me particularly excited.

Last year I got to visit a significant church in the heart of Vancouver. One of the most progressive and secular cities of the world which was particularly hostile toward the church when it was planted. For 14 years they longed for a building of their own, yet felt the pull of God in their heart to instead finance the building of churches particularly in Mexico and Malaysia.

For a fraction of what their own building would eventually cost, an entire church could be built.

We get to do the same thing. For what is really a drop in the bucket for us in our economy, restore water supply to an entire school, pay the wages of a pastor for multiple years and for only $20k we can build entire churches in the philippines- that’s cheaper than a bathroom reno!

I’m excited, are you excited? Last year we got to see footage after the fact in Limunsudan.

Would you like to see not only the place where this new church will be built in Migpait, but also the belivers who would call it home?

Please turn your eyes to the screen.

Migpait Video

These aren’t just projects of numbers or finacing a bill- they’re people. Our brothers and sisters.

And it’s a true honour to put forward our offering to what God is doing in these nations.

I’m reminded also, though, that though these are missions being funded in mission fields abroad, we’d be remiss to thinking that the mission fields are only out there.

Here at Whitehill is also a mission field. In our suburbs, on our streets, God is calling us to action. To pray, preach and teach, to evangelise, serve and give in the local church for the local mission.

Our last two projects will focus on what God is doing here and we’re excited to look at them also, next week.

I heard it said once, that of all the mission fields we can tend to- the most important one is in our own homes. Our kids, our marriages and families are the primary gift and calling which God has called us to pour our efforts of dicipleship and service.

So, it’s an honour today to pray for a wonderful couple who will be married this time in two weeks, Sam and Willow could you please join me on the stage as well as Bradand Julia as we get to pray a blessing over you.

It is one of our great loves, here at Whitehill, to invest in and strengthen our marriages and families as being building blocks of community, faith and security. God has given us the institue of marriage as a way to experience in part God’s love, devotion and care for us through the love of the other. Marriage is not easy and requires a great deal of sacrifice and contribution of each person to fuel and preserve it.

To this end, Sama nd Willow have faithgfully committed themselves to each other and to regularly meet up with Brad and Julia for premarital counselling through a program we use here called Prepare & Enrich. We know as well many of you have been in prayer and have encouraged these guys on their journey together.

We are so excited for you both. Not only are we excited to see your marriage flourish but also to see each of you grow as you are both challenged and strengthened by each other to daily become more like Jesus, your great and first love. God has given you each to each other for a future of growing and serving Him side by side.

If you’re willing, please stretch out you hand as a sign of solidarity with us. Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father

We thank you first and foremost for the saving faith that Sam and Willow have in you. We thank you that each of them have been redeemd and restored and made new. We thank you that they get to bring that newness into the sacred union of marriage, to form a family that is made in your likeness and lived for your purpose.

2. We pray Lord that your love would abound deeply for each other. That the love they hold now would grow and overflow in their hearts for the other. That they would desire more deeply to serve each other and put the other before themselves. In this way Lord, we pray and thank you for the example they would set- you us, for their friends, family and colleagues. Lord we pray that their love would reflect your love to everyone and anyone they meet.

3. We pray God that you would protect them also. Protect their hearts and minds, protect their home, protect their love. Would you bless their hands as they seek to serve you God, to partner together to build and facilitate community. We thank You for bringing these two together. Bless their home with your presence, their table with gratitude, their hearts with forgiveness, and their future with hope. May they walk hand in hand with one another and with Christ all the days of their lives. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Steve Gray & CoC intro

Bible Reading

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.