Grande Prairie Alliance Church
15502 102 Street T8X 0J6 Grande Prairie, AB, Canada

Merry Christmas Rising Above Ministry,Grande Prairie!

If you missed any of the messages in our recent series on Human Sexuality, you can catch up here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist A reminder that your value is not dependent on your relationship status. <3

Have you entered our Advent Gift Basket Giveaway yet?? You still can! Go to the original post , like and share, and comment with a favourite memory of a gift you’ve received. Contest closes Tuesday, December 22 at 12 pm MST, and we will post the 4 winners that afternoon!

Link to RSVP for this Sunday’s service: https://buff.ly/3pIA0KD Join us as we hear Pastor Anthony talk about what Paul, Jesus, and many today have in common: the call to be single. Please join us online if you are feeling unwell.

As we finish a series on Human Sexuality with singleness, let’s be challenged to love and honour the single people in our life. Here are some ways that we can do that: 1. Ask them what they are passionate about in their life. ... 2. Reach out to them on holidays and typical family holidays to see if they want to join in. 3.Celebrate their life and what they have chosen to do with it. 4. If you have already asked them if they’re seeing anyone, maybe wait until they bring up the subject themselves to ask again. Even if they aren’t currently seeking a romantic relationship, single people desire emotional connection because they’re human.

But the angel reassured them. Don’t be afraid! he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 NLT 10 Days left until The Gift of Christmas: A Family Event!... Premiering on December 24 at 6 PM on YouTube. See more

Do you want to see your kids this excited? Be sure to pick up an Advent Box for your family this Sunday! This is a kit created by our GPAC Kids team filled with fun activities for all ages along with Scripture readings and family-friendly devotions for each Sunday of Advent. ... You won’t want to miss out on the fun! The boxes will be available in the Atrium for pick-up during both services, this Sunday, November 22!

"Deep-down, inside-out, constant joy cannot be found outside of Jesus."

This week we have been talking about the what, the who, and the where of missions. Today we’re talking about the when and why. Why have we been called to be missions-focused both locally and internationally? Because ‘how can they hear the message of life if there is no one to proclaim it?’... This is a cause that needs to be paired with an authentic heart. We keep repeating that ‘all are called to missions but all are not called internationally’ because as with all callings, God needs to be involved in the decision. Are you wondering where your heart stands on missions? Are you wondering how you can learn more about what’s happening around you? Are you interested in exploring whether or not this is your calling? 1. Pray about it. Ask God for clarity. Pray for direction as to how God wants you to partner with the mission field. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring local or global organizations, opportunities, or possibilities He has planned for you. 2. Talk to someone about it. Ruth Nilsson is the Director of Global Impact at GPAC and she is passionate about connecting curiosity with calling. Send her a message at [email protected] 3. Learn more about it. We will be offering the Kairos course in the spring. Click this link to let us know if you’re interested in participating and we will contact you when details are available: https://buff.ly/35JzR0r

Check out this article written by our very own Michael Siggelkow in the Daily Herald Tribune! He gives a wise and thoughtful perspective on how we can simultaneously "hold this tension of current circumstances and an unchanging reason to celebrate." https://www.dailyheraldtribune.com//column-faith-in-times-

3 ways that the devil can intervene in your marriage: 1. Isolation 2. Secrecy 3. Silence... 3 ways that God can intervene in your marriage: 1. Community Isolation is defined as detaching or separating. The devil wants nothing more than to find ways for you and your spouse to isolate. The antidote to isolation is human connection. You would be shocked to know that other couples suffer similarly to you. No one is exempt from hardship in one way or another in marriage. We were meant to journey on this walk together. 2. Honesty Secrecy in the natural world never yields growth of the good variety. Like the fungus that grows and spreads over a rock unturned, secrecy results in a rotting foundation that either has to be gutted or completely rebuilt altogether. Our spouses are human and yet we are meant to offer each other the closest reflection of Jesus’ kindness, love, understanding, and forgiveness on earth through our relationship. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you don’t turn over the rock; it means that love and mercy is present with every rock, secret, and hidden thing visible. 3. Communication Suffering in silence, giving the silent treatment, feeling like you don’t have a voice or that your voice is disregarded or not heard: these phrases and common feelings in marriage all reflect an absence in communication and connection. Marriage inevitably goes through periods where you have to realign to your vision - pivot your purpose to align with God’s for your relationship. Staying silent reveals stubbornness. Refusing to speak suggests contempt. Snuffing your voice is a passivity that needs to be replaced with a passion to fight for your relationship. Does your relationship need an intervention? Do you identify with any of the strongholds listed above? We encourage you not to suffer in silence, in secrecy, or in isolation. Seek wise counsel. Pastor Elmer is our Life Care Pastor whose heart is to partner with couples and advocate for healing in their relationships. You can contact him at [email protected]

One of the things Pastor Elmer mentioned this Sunday were the 3 greatest interworking enemies to the marital union as God had originally designed. How do we combat each of these elements in the battle for our hearts? Remember the sword of truth:... Forsake The World (1 John 2:15-17) Do not love the world or anything in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These things do not come from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Flee The Flesh (Galatians 5:16-26) (Romans 7:14 - 8:17) Walk in the Spirit - Ask God to help you discern what is the Holy Spirit and what is not. Actively pursue living and abiding in the Spirit. Living in the in-between is impossible. Fight The Devil (Ephesians 6:10-18) Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Remember and ask for help and He will give it to you. You have been properly armed and prepared with weapons far greater than what the devil parades.

For the consideration of others, we ask that you please wear a mask if you are attending with us in-person on Sunday. Link to RSVP: https://buff.ly/3e3hJCp **To all families, would you also prayerfully consider joining us during the first service at 9:15 am? We reached the maximum amount of children that we can welcome during the 11:15 am service last Sunday.

Mark your calendars for our second monthly Prayer Summit on Sunday, November 29 from 6-7 pm at the church. This is a time of prayer led by Pastor Anthony where we pray collectively for our world, the times that we’re in, and for each other. We will be abiding by the recent AHS restrictions in the following ways:... We will have spaced seating arrangement in the Auditorium. We will be asking you to pray with your cohort groups/the people that you came with. If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you join us online as this event will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel similar to our Sunday service. Satan knows the power of prayer and fears it; he will do anything he can to stop you from doing it - an unexpected schedule change, feeling ill, not feeling like it. We do not have to be in the same room to pray together. When we pray according to God’s will, He moves in action.

We are all called to missions, but we are not all called internationally. Above you will see a world map with the current breakdown of where the Christian & Missionary Alliance of Canada are currently divided and dispersed. Each icon represents a different region with different needs and circumstances. ... Would you consider choosing one of these regions to pray for today? Pray for opportunities for the gospel to be shared. Pray for the safety of our IWs. Pray for guidance upon entry and exit. Pray for the individual intricacies in every cultural difference and situation. Pray God, who knows all, sees all, and is in all, to be a blessing on all the nations listed here.

When we fast, our soul develops resiliency; it is one of our most powerful weapons in spiritual warfare.

Today we are celebrating individuals who have followed God into the international mission field. These individuals have sacrificed normal 9-5 jobs to be a 24/7 living example of Jesus to the people in under-reached communities. Some of these individuals have risked the casualties of underdeveloped nations to be among the people they are serving: limited access to medical and technological services, tougher living conditions, a lesser quality of life in terms of physical and... material goods. Most of them have also chosen a life physically separate from their family and friends. The reason this is a calling is because of how it makes their heart come alive; they feel called and chosen by God to do this work and as a result are living in the affirmation and joy that comes with aligning yourself to His will and purpose for your life. Take a second to comment, send well wishes, or even pray for one of these individuals and families who have stepped into this calling. If you have a youth who is interested or wondering whether this path is for them, we would encourage them to join the following youth events this week. We are privileged to have Murray and Michelle Derksen, previous Area Directors for Mexico for the Christian & Missionary Alliance, sharing their story with the Senior & Junior High Youth this week via Zoom. Remember for all of us: we are all called to mission but we are not all called internationally.

Have you ever realized how much is at our fingertips? The Gospel is available on our phones, in bookstores, online or via the co-worker sitting next to you. The key word here is accessibility, and amidst our varying degrees of affluence in the western world, we have it. ... It can be hard to imagine that life could be different for anyone else and when we look beyond technology or modern conveniences, even if other places don’t have those things, what they are also lacking more astoundingly is Hope. Over 6000 people groups are currently without the knowledge that there is a Saviour who died for them so that they may have hope and eternal life. Over 6000 people groups are stuck in spiritual darkness. We have been called to be a light - to be a beacon, a lighthouse, a source of leading to safety, to hope, to rescue. We have been destined to help other people find their destiny in Christ. We have been instructed to go. Today marks the start of Nations Week. Nations Week is all about Jesus’ final instruction to His followers; we lovingly call this the Great Commission. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28: 18-20 NIV For anyone who considers themselves a follower of Jesus, this is your mission. Throughout this week we will be diving into what international missions is all about, who are our International Workers, where is this supposed to happen, when and why should we get involved, and how do we both individually and together participate in the Great Commission? Stay tuned this week to find out!

For this next round of pastor appreciation, the lyrics from Steve Green’s The Mission, seem appropriate: To love the Lord our God Is the heartbeat of our mission The spring from which our service overflows... Across the street Or around the world The mission's still the same Proclaim and live the Truth In Jesus' name This week, we are honouring individuals from 3 different ministries who have a similar vision: to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a tangible way to those in need. For Annette Wiebe as Faith In Deed Director, this translates to the sector of the population that is financially struggling within our community. For Elmer Spilchen as Life Care Pastor, this is evidenced through his work with vulnerable communities affected by life stage, circumstance, addiction, or loss. For Ruth Nilsson, she plays out this mission internationally as the Director of Global Impact, helping to reach the world with the message of Jesus. For each of these individuals, their ministry doesn’t fit tidily into a predictable schedule. They would all consider this a calling and for that we are so grateful for their obedience and passion to be the physical hands and feet of Jesus within the respective communities that they serve. Would you honour them with us by leaving a comment below?

The Annual Meeting is this Sunday at 6 pm at the church! Everyone is welcome and members are expected to attend. Come together for an evening of reflecting, remembering, and prayer for restoration in all things for this upcoming year. You will hear God Stories about how God has worked within each ministry as well as personal stories of how God has answered prayer. Even when we don’t see it, He’s working.

Are you excited to come to church this Sunday?? RSVP on Church Center:https://buff.ly/2FKKCqa

When we pray according to God's will, He moves to action.

Do you sometimes feel like you don't know how to pray, what to pray for, or where to even start? In the age of technology and distraction at our fingertips, the enemy is armed and ready to deviate our attention and our awareness of the need for prayer, for he is fully aware of how powerful it is. We need only to lean in to the knowledge that our Heavenly Father loves us, cares for us, and wants to be in continual communion with us. Here are some great resources that can hel...p develop a lifestyle of prayer. And always remember that: "the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words." Romans 8:26 TPT