Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom,
 do not let the mighty boast in their might,
do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth;
but let those who boast boast in this,
that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord;
 I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth,
for in these things I delight, says the Lord.          - Jeremiah 9:23-24
 
At the center of the Christian understanding of revelation and redemption stands the person of Jesus. Of him we say that he not only brings us the revelation of God, but that in his person he is the revelation of God.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
 
 
When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
 
Local News
1.  United Way Seeks Volunteer Presenters for Leadership Development Program
2.  All Nations Church to Launch New Services for Children and Adults
3.  Celebration 2007
4.  "Amazing  Grace" movie is on at Rainbow Cinemas now
5.  Sudbury Ministerial Lunch                     April 18/07
6.  Walk for a Second Chance         Press Conference          April 23
7.  Cercle Missionaire de la Vallee            May 5
8.  Iris Addiction Recovery for Women        Fundraising Event           May 10       
9.  "Jesus in Film"         May 14-19/07 
10.  Women Mentors Needed                     May 16/07
11.  March for Life            May 10/07        Buses heading from Sudbury to Ottawa
National News
1.  Christian government activist website launched
International News
1.   Rick Warren Defends God against Atheist Challenger
2.  New UK Survey Shows One in Seven Attend Church Regularly—Three Million More Would Attend Church if Invited
3.   Texas to Vote on Legislation to Have Bible Taught as Elective in Public Schools
4.  Hollywood Could Become More Christian-friendly, if Christians Became More Hollywood-friendly
5.  Passion of the Christ inspires two to start Christian film company in UK
6.   Appeals Court to Hear Groundbreaking Argument on Whether Abortion Ends "Human Life"
Words of Wisdom
1.  Daily Devotional - We need each other
2.  God's Cake
 
 
 
Local News
1.  United Way Seeks Volunteer Presenters for Leadership Development Program
 
Hello-
 We are currently recruiting for volunteers who will  train for the United Way’s Leadership Development Program. We are looking for community-minded individuals with some training experience who have some expertise to share with the non-profit sector. Training will be provided.
Please contact Linda Dupuis of the United Way for an application form.    The form shows the many areas in which trainers are needed.
Thank you for your support!
 
Linda Dupuis
 Programs and Initiatives Director
United Way/Centraide Sudbury and /et district
105 Elm Street Suite E-6
Sudbury, ON  P3C 1T3

Phone: 705-560-3330 x 222
Fax: 705-560-3337

 

2.  All Nations Church to Launch New Services for Children and Adults
April 15th will launch the next chapter in the life of All Nations Church.
At 9:30 a.m., children from JK - Grade 6 will attend a video experience called KidMo…you can check it out at www.kidmo.com   
while the rest of the family attends a quiet, reflective time, with communion, called The Gathering.
At 11:00 a.m., while children attend  Rock City Kids with its Faith Weaver curriculum, the rest of the family will attend the
upbeat, alternative service called Fusion.
Coffee and muffins will be available to purchase in the Holy Grounds Connections Cafe before and after services.
Pastors, staff, and congregation are praying that Sudburians who do not attend church will give All Nations a try, and feel welcome
and comfortable in these new services.

 

3.  Celebration 2007         3rd Annual Event               Sunday, June 3, 6:30 pm.
April 5, 2007
 
Dear church leader,
 
Plans are well underway for our third annual “Celebration” event at the Bell Park Amphitheatre. The date for Celebration 2007 is Sunday, June 3 at 6:30 pm. As you probably remember, these “celebration events” are nation-wide in scope and hundreds of other churches in dozens of other cities across Canada will be celebrating in various ways during the same time period.
 
We are again asking local churches to transfer their evening service (if they have one) to the amphitheatre that night. We had a good turnout last summer and our desire is to fill the amphitheatre this summer for the glory of God and the proclamation of His Word in the heart of our city.
 
It will again be a family event with lots of good music, a children’s feature, a drama and an evangelistic message. The 6:30 pm start recognizes the need of families with children to be home in good time for school the next day. We’re hoping many evangelical pastors can sit on the stage as a visible expression of our unity in Christ.
 
We encourage local churches to support this event in the following ways:
 
1. in prayer -- for the preparations, spirit of unity, good turnout, good weather, effective ministry etc.
2. in promotion -- by putting C2007 inserts in your bulletins in May as well as verbal and written announcements
 
If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. Thank you and may God bless you, your church family and your ministry to the Body of Christ in Sudbury!
 
                                                Pastor Rob Weatherby
                                                Chair, Celebration 2007
                                                robw@onlink.net     866-0847
 

4.  Sudbury Interfaith Dialogue Notice
The date of the next regular meeting is Tuesday May 8 at 7 p.m. We’ll keep you informed.  JFA  
Reminder : The Manitou Collection: Celebrating the Spirit of the People (touring exhibition of Anishinaabe art) will be featured on Spirit Connection, Vision TV on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 6pm. EST.
J&S Arbuckle

5.  Movie    "Amazing Grace"    on now at Rainbow Cinemas, Sudbury
Story of William Wilberforce of Britain, who led the drive to bring in anti-slavery laws.
He was inspired by his church leader, John Newton, who wrote "Amazing Grace".
It's a wonderful film!    Well worth seeing and supporting!

6.  Sudbury Ministerial Luncheon             April 18

Dear Friends in Ministry:
We had a wonderful time discussing theology and worshipping together last month. Let’s do it again this coming Wednesday, April 18th.
We will meet at Grace Family Church (468 Antwerp, off of Kathleen) from 11:30-1:00. From 11:30-12:00 we will worship together. From 12:00-1:00 we will eat together (a local Pita place will provide Pitas at $7 each). Every clergy person and lay-leader of a para-church organization is welcome to attend. If you are planning to attend and would like to order your Pita in advance, select one of the following choices and email it to me. (Falafel is back on the menu!) It will be waiting for you at Grace Church!

Souvlaki Pita
Hummus Pita
Black Forest Ham Pita
Veggie Pattie Pita
Gyro Pita
Garden Pita
B.L.T. Pita
Garden With Cheese Pita
Seafood Pita
Tuna Pita
Falafel Pita
Please tell me if you want any or all of the following: peppers, salt, pepper, onions.
You may of course also come if you don’t make an order, but then you need to bring a bagged lunch. (Drinks will be provided.)
Peace of Christ,John Harvey (Pastor of St. James Anglican Church)

 7.   PRESS CONFERENCE RE: WALK FOR A SECOND CHANCE
                            
v  Every 3 days someone dies waiting for a transplant in Ontario
v  40 citizens of our community are waiting for a transplant
v  Currently 1742 citizens of Ontario are waiting for an organ
 
AN INVITATION TO OUR PRESS CONFERENCE
WHERE:  CITY HALL
WHEN:   MONDAY APRIL 23RD
TIME:    10:00A.M.
THIS YEAR WE ARE:
   "WALKING FOR A SECOND CHANCE"
40 CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT!!
HIS WORSHIP, MAYOR JOHN RODRIGUES, WILL SIGN THE PROCLAMATION TO DECLARE THE WEEK OF APRIL 22ND TO THE 28TH
 "NATIONAL ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK"

Thank you, Tony Sottile
Publicity Chairman (O.D.A.C.)
Organ Donor Awareness Committee
Ph 673-2854

sottile.tp@persona.ca

8.  Cercle Missionnaire de la Vallée is having an Open House on Saturday, May 5, 2007 from 1 to 4 pm at 4614 Desmarais, Val Therese (Valley East Municipal Garage – left at the Pizza Hut.)
For more information, please contact Jackie Laforest, VP, at 897-0030.
The Missionary Circle gathers up and ships supplies to Sister Therese Lamoreux of the Missionary of Christ The King order in Sigueneau, Haiti. Over 60 tons of important every day items and medical supplies are sent to the Sisters to help the patients at Cardinal Leger Hospital and people living in desperate poverty. 

 
   9.  IRIS ADDICTION RECOVERY FOR WOMEN INVITES YOU TO ATTEND OUR 2007 FUNDRAISING EVENT HELD AT THE SUDBURY THEATRE CENTRE ON
Thursday, 10 May 2007 at 8:00 p.m. COME OUT AND JOIN US IN THE FUN WITH THE AWARD WINNING canada-maple-leaf Two Pianos, Four Hands canada-maple-leaf By Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 6 AND UP
Hors d'oeuvres will be served during intermission -- (catered by Alexandria's Restaurant).
Tickets:          $35.00 per person
Available at: Iris Addiction Recovery for Women - 674-4193 AND Black Cat Too
 
10.   "Jesus in Film"           May 14-19           Course at Thornloe

Dear Friends:
Here’s a fine way to spend some of your summer vacation (or continuing education money):

From May 14-19 I will be teaching “Jesus in Film” at Thorneloe University. The course will include viewing various Jesus films (“Passion of the Christ,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Life of Brian,” “The Last Temptation,” “Jesus of Montreal,” and snippets from others). Among other things, we will discuss the way that Jesus is presented in each, our own Christologies, and the historical bases of Christology.

Please see the attached forms to register and for more information. You may also contact me at 522-3025.
While individuals may receive credit for this course from the Thorneloe College School of Theology, they may also audit the course. That being the case, I encourage non-theologians to take the course as well. (Perhaps you will announce this in your church and put up the attached poster.)

Peace of Christ,
John Harvey
(Registrar of the Thorneloe College School of Theology and Pastor of St. James Anglican Church)



WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
To inspire and motive young girls at risk and encourage them to explore career opportunities and help build their self-esteem
Can you re-send my request as a second request for table facilitators?
May 16 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at Cambrian College
Ruby Lougheed

 

11.  March for Life          May 10/07       Buses heading from Sudbury to Ottawa March for Life supporters are praying to send two or three buses to Ottawa from Sudbury. $20.00 per person; brown bag your lunch; stop on way back in Pembroke for supper. Departure at 6:15 a.m. from La Touissant Church in Minnow Lake on Bancroft Drive; Return at 10:30 p.m. Please call Therese St. Denis to reserve your spot:   566-0707. Would you please inform your local faith group youth/school youth, about this opportunity?




National News
 
1.  Christian Government activist website launched
 
Check it out at         www.christiangovernment.ca
 
 
International News
 
1.  Rick Warren Defends God against Atheist Challenger

"He's betting his life that he's right. I'm betting my life that Jesus was not a liar..."

Michelle Vu/TN (April 5th, 2007)

According to a Christian Post report, Pastor Rick Warren defended the existence of God against the intellectual probe of bestselling atheist author Sam Harris in the latest issue of Newsweek which covered the four-hour long symposium moderated by Newsweek editor Jon Meacham. (Photo: Getty Images for Newsweek/Charles Ommanney)

Harris reportedly challenged Warren with a number of conventional arguments in the April 9th issue including the Bible's Old Testament morality, evil done in the name of Christianity, unanswered prayers, and scientific proof of evolution.

During the discussion, reporter Michelle Vu noted that the atheist advocate used the term "spirit" but said he is unsure if there is an eternal soul although he approves of "spiritual activities such as meditating and contemplating the mystery of the universe and the power of love."

"Can you have spirituality without a spirit?" countered Warren.

Warren also was quoted as saying Christianity's benefits to the world far outweighed its evil deeds, noting that it was Christians who helped abolished slavery, achieve women's suffrage, lead the civil-rights movement, and drafted the Bill of Rights.

"We're both betting," concluded Warren. "He's betting his life that he's right. I'm betting my life that Jesus was not a liar. When we die, if he's right, I've lost nothing. If I'm right, he's lost everything. I'm not willing to make that gamble."

Source: The Christian Post

 

 

2.  New UK Survey Shows One in Seven Attend Church Regularly—Three Million More Would Attend Church if Invited

"Britain at the beginning of the 21st century is a nation seeking identity. At first glance the past has been left behind to wholeheartedly embrace individual choice and secular consumerism prominently among its modern-day gods. But research is beginning to show that there is more, far more, going on out of apparent sight in everyday life in Britain today."

Inspire Staff/TN (April 5th, 2007)

Inspire Magazine reports that according to one of the largest surveys of churchgoing in the UK, one in seven adults in the UK attends a Christian church each month, with nearly three million more people saying they would attend church if only they were asked. The report also states that the findings by Christian relief and development agency Tearfund, show that Christianity is still the dominant faith in the UK with more than half (53%) or 26.2 million adults claiming to be Christian.

Dr Elaine Storkey, President of Tearfund, who also lectures on Theology at the University of Oxford, says: "This survey is a valuable contribution to exploring what people in Britain today think about church, why people attend and crucially, what is most likely to encourage people to make a connection with church."

Writing in a foreword to the report, Rev. Dr. Steven Croft, the Archbishops' Missioner and leader of Fresh Expressions, says: "There is significant encouragement for churches in this Tearfund research. A very substantial part of the population in the UK still attend church regularly or occasionally during the year. Christians are not (as yet) the tiny minority that some would suggest. This statistic alone has major implications not only for the churches but for public debate and public policy."

Rev. Lynda Barley, Head of Research and Statistics for the Church of England Archbishop's Council, comments: "Britain at the beginning of the 21st century is a nation seeking identity. At first glance the past has been left behind to wholeheartedly embrace individual choice and secular consumerism prominently among its modern-day gods. But research is beginning to show that there is more, far more, going on out of apparent sight in everyday life in Britain today."

Source: Inspire Magazine


3.  Texas to Vote on Legislation to Have Bible Taught as Elective in Public Schools

"If we don't have a moral people, our laws are not sufficient to govern an immoral body of people. It is important to every one of us that we have that moral society. In order to understand our society, you would need to understand the Bible."

Gary Scharrer/TN (April 5th, 2007)

Texas House Appropriations Committee Chairman Warren Chisum is hoping House Bill 1287 will become law, enabling the Bible to be taught as an elective in the state's public schools. (Photo by: Harry Cabluck—AP)

Chisum is quoted as saying the nation's Founding Fathers drew a link between morality and laws. "If we don't have a moral people, our laws are not sufficient to govern an immoral body of people. It is important to every one of us that we have that moral society. In order to understand our society, you would need to understand the Bible," he said.

According to a report in the San Antonio Express-News, Chisum said he's confident lawmakers will approve his legislation requiring districts to make a Bible course available if at least 15 students sign up for it.

In addition—the Christian Newswire reports that seven more public school districts in Georgia have voted to adopt the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public School's (NCBCPS) elective Bible curriculum, The Bible in History and Literature, since the passage of a recent state law. In 2006, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation encouraging public schools to offer an elective course that teaches both the Old and the New Testaments in the context of history and literature, using the Bible as the primary textbook.

Source: San Antonio Express-News

 

4.  Hollywood Could Become More Christian-friendly, if Christians Became More Hollywood-friendly

"When these studios are working very hard to come up with material for them, show up. Vote with your ticket sales and support those films."

Paul Strand/AH (April 4th, 2007)

Reporting for CBN News, Paul Strand explores the current rise of interest in family and faith-friendly films being produced by Hollywood.

Michael Patrick, who heads up Regent University's School of Communications and the Arts, recently held a forum in Hollywood to remind those working in the industry that there really is a "massive" Christian audience which could be tapped-into if the right movies were offered, and which could yield some lucrative results.

The interesting report included feedback from some of the Christians already working in Tinsel Town, such as Cheryl McKay, who wrote the screenplay for The Ultimate Gift—still in some theaters across the U.S.

"The executives in Hollywood have noticed there's a real market out there for Christians," explained McKay, "and for content that Christians and churches can stand behind. So I have noticed the climate seems to be getting better for us out here."

But Cheryl McKay also had an admonition for Christians. The screen-writer was disappointed at the dismal number of those who showed up to view her film, which paled severely in comparison to Chronicles or Passion. Warning that Believers might miss this "golden moment" to influence Hollywood, she added, "When these studios are working very hard to come up with material for them, show up. Vote with your ticket sales and support those films."

Andrea Wiley, who wrote and produced such shows as Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Parkers, told CBN News, that "if Christians would more often get out to the theaters to support faith-based films at their openings, Hollywood would produce many more."

 

5.  Inspired by the Passion of the Christ, Two U.K. Christians Start Film Company in England

"This is probably the first time that anyone [in the UK] has reached out to the Christian communities and said, 'There are a number of advantages to you, but the main thing is you will be spreading the word of the Gospel.'"

Louise Jury/TN (April 4th, 2007)

Two Christian men, David Fairman (who was inspired by watching The Passion of the Christ) and Jon-Paul Gates, launched Albion Productions this week in London. It's significance? Like America's FoxFaith and Walden Media, the company will focus on faith films. Albion has already garnered the support of some of Britain's top clergy.

According to a report in The Independent, the company is currently seeking funding for its first production, Darkness into Light, a story written by Mr. Fairman himself. Reportedly, it tells of a man propelled by a car crash back in time, to encounter Jesus in AD30. It is an exploration of what he calls "the biggest mystery of all time - the Resurrection."

Notes Fairman: "Investors will not only help to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world, but 10 per cent of the film's profits will go to Frishta, a Christian charity which builds orphanages for Indian street children. Films are an ideal way to reach the whole community. Many people won't attend church but you can reveal the Gospel to them in the cinema or through watching a DVD at home."

"This is probably the first time that anyone [in the UK] has reached out to the Christian communities and said, 'There are a number of advantages to you, but the main thing is you will be spreading the word of the Gospel'," said Fairman. "But the audience we want for the film is not just Christian, but non-believers and non-Christians."

Source: The IndependentWords of Wisdom

 

6.  Appeals Court to Hear Groundbreaking Argument on Whether Abortion Ends "Human Life"

"Someone who has a financial stake in performing abortions should not be allowed to represent women in a case challenging women's right-to-know laws..."

Patrick Goodenough/TN (April 10th, 2007)

CNS News reports that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit Court in St. Louis will hear arguments Wednesday in a potentially groundbreaking case that—for the first time, according to attorneys—addresses the question of whether an abortion terminates a human being's life. The case considers a 2005 South Dakota law that requires abortionists to tell women that their abortion will terminate the life of a living human being.

"Someone who has a financial stake in performing abortions should not be allowed to represent women in a case challenging women's right-to-know laws," said Jordan Lorence, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which filed the brief on behalf of the FRC. "Because an abortionist may earn a profit from women who abort their pre-born children, Planned Parenthood should be disqualified from representing the interests of women," he said.

Source: CNSNews

Word of Wisdom

1. We Need Each Other
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
(John 17:21)
It's time we, as believers, began to enter into the oneness Jesus prayed for in John 17:21. It's time we held onto one another in good times as well as bad. It's time we realized that we need one another.
We do, you know. I need your faith as much as you need mine. Together, we can face anything and win in Jesus.
Let me show you why. In John 3:34, God says Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without measure. He was more powerful than all the demons of hell and all wicked spirits of all classes, including Satan himself. He was able to defeat their power combined.
Now consider this. We are His Body. Each of us has been given the measure of faith according to Romans 12:1-3. That measure is enough to take care of our own personal needs. However, there is more involved here than just our own personal lives.
We have a world to win! We are the end-time generation. We need all the help we can get. But, thank God, we can get all the help we need!
How? By joining together. Ephesians 4:13 says that when we all come together in the unity of the faith, we'll have "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
In other words, when the Body of Christ comes together and begins to function as one, we'll have the Holy Spirit without measure--just like Jesus did! We'll begin to see ministries functioning in the fullness of their callings. We'll begin to see manifestations of the Holy Spirit in full measure. We'll see Jesus in fullness as we've never seen Him before.
Then the world will know the Father sent Him.
Step into that oneness today. Start today making a daily effort to make yourself available to God to pray for others. Start your day by saying, "Holy Spirit, use me to pray for someone today. I offer You my measure of faith."
Once we truly join together in faith, all the demons of hell won't be able to overcome us. We'll march right over them in the fullness of the power of Jesus and bring the age to a glorious close!
Scripture Study:  Ephesians 4:1-16

 

 

2.  God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God  do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong.
She's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake".
"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple of raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they  make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about. I did.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.