Knox Presbyterian Church, Goderich
9 Victoria Street N N7A 2R4 Goderich, ON, Canada

HAVE YOUR SAY! Affordable/Attainable Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Program The Town of Goderich is researching an Affordable/Attainable Housing Comm...unity Improvement Plan (CIP) Program to spur the production of attainable and affordable housing by assisting and stimulating the non-for-profit and private sector. We'd like to hear how you think the Town can improve housing affordability and attainability! The survey will remain open until January 31st. Find the survey on our website: https://www.goderich.ca/en/my-goderich/have-your-say.aspx

Luke 4:14-21 ~ January 23rd, 2022 Call to Worship: In mystery and grandeur, we encounter the God of all creation....Continue reading

HPPH has shifted booking #COVID19Vaccine appointments to the provincial booking system. Appointments for 1st/2nd/booster doses are available for remaining clini...cs this week (January 13-16 inclusive) & can be booked at www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking Moderna continues to be provided to those 30+. See full release for further details: https://bit.ly/33iopvt See more

John 2:1-11 ~ January 16th, 2022 Call to Worship: How precious is God’s steadfast love! ...Continue reading

January 9th, 2022 Call to Worship: One: Beloved, God chooses us and calls us by name....Continue reading

Monday, April 26, 2021: "Oh, Her Again" Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his ...breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (KJV) I wrote awhile back about calling 911 for a woman lying in the grass beside a parking lot, with all that she owned in the world scattered around her. When the firemen arrived and saw the woman on the ground, one of them said, "Oh, her again." "What do you mean, 'her again'?" I asked him. "She's often at the other end of our calls," he said. A couple of weeks later, I found some identification lying in a gutter near the shelter. When I dropped it off at the police station, I found out that it belonged to the same woman. That allowed me to find her name regularly in an In The Courts column in our local newspaper. I began to clip out her records and use them as bookmarks in my Bible, reminding me to pray, as she was re-arrested for drug possession, assault, and misdemeanours like pulling fire alarms, squatting in apartment stairwells, and pushing and shoving those around her. I can see that God that has given me the opportunity to prayerfully support her heavy burden of physical, mental, and emotional suffering. Such prayers seem to me to have special grace for those like her who live lives of rejection and despair. While she is not safe to contact directly, she remains at the top of the daily list of faces that I bring up to God in the morning. Although we think that we know who the sinner is here, we who are Christians need to remember that we, too, were once lost, alone, helpless, and often offensive as we sank deeper into this world's mud, until God's grace brought us out. We, too, have our burdens and a daily responsibility to deliver them up to Him who invited us to "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30 KJV) How do we get off with such a small load of cares that can immediately be given to a loving heavenly Father for removal and blessing? We are the sinners here, knowing the right way to walk, yet often willfully ignoring the opportunity to be free. In 1925, James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, compiled a book of African-American spirituals that included a gospel hymn that reminds us to include ourselves when praying for someone whom God has brought to our attention: "Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer." Prayer: Dear Father God, keep us faithful in our intercession for those suffering, including ourselves. May we be vigilant and ever watching for any part that we may play in their recovery. How grateful we are for what You have done for us. Now, we accept Your offer to take the pain of others upon us, to keep their faces before Your throne of grace until that glorious day when those for whom we pray find their way to You. In Your Son's name, we ask it. Amen. Rose DeShaw, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Today's Thought: Life Principle #18: As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances. Dr. Charles F. Stanley Today's Verse: Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber (NIV) Today's Daily Manna: Numbers 14:18a The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love. (NIV) Today's Canadian Bible Society Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-21 Today's One-Year Scripture Passage: Job 33-34 Today's Two-Year Scripture Passages: 1 Chronicles 9:3-44; Luke 21:20-38

Wednesday, April 21, 2021: "Rays Of Light" As children, we enjoyed playing with and learning about the properties of light through using its rays. A small, brig...ht light in a dark room allowed us to make shadow puppets on the wall, using our hands. The magnifying glass opened up new worlds as we explored nature up close, and set little grass fires in the process! A turning kaleidoscope pointed to a light source revealed an ever-changing and colourful array of crystalline designs. Using simple microscopes in school science class, we learned how to focus the light to reveal the structure of cells in plants, and even in skin and blood. The magnifying glass that we experienced growing up, focussing the sun's rays onto one spot, makes me think of how God's truth had appeared in an array of ways in the past, but converged into one pure, clear beam of light in the person of Jesus. In the Old Testament, God spoke to His people in a variety of ways: through parables and stories of great battles and human migration, through prophets standing up to the people and rulers with unpopular messages, through miracles performed before astounded onlookers, and through the poetry of the Psalms and the wise advice of the Proverbs. It's as if each of these revelations of God's love, mercy, and justice were like rays of light, performing different tasks, appearing in mysterious ways, and reaching His people to tell them about His plan of salvation. Hebrews 1:1-2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. (NASB) After many centuries of various signs and revelations, God then sent His Son, the firstborn and the maker of creation, to us on earth, not only to speak messages from God, but also to be the Word, the message itself. In Jesus, all the rays of light and wisdom were joined together to become one pure ray of energy, shining in the darkness and revealing God's love, mercy, and plan of salvation. The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke out to Christians like us who are weary and discouraged, and who need encouragement to find strength in the Lord Jesus, knowing how He was greater than any prophet or priest, and was indeed the maker of the world. When you next marvel at sunlight glancing off a window pane, sunshine dancing in and out of the clouds, or sparkling off a blue, wind-ruffled lake, think of the ways that our Lord God revealed Himself in the Scriptures, and now, in these last days, has fully revealed Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus. Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You for the many ways that You have revealed Yourself to Your people in days past, but now, You have spoken to us in Your Son, Jesus. We praise You that He is Your heir, Your firstborn, the Creator of our marvellous world, and the provider of our salvation. May we look to His light when we feel discouraged and beaten and find victory and joy in Him. Amen. Shirley Moulton, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Today's Thought: Life Principle #13: Listening to God is essential to walking with God. Dr. Charles F. Stanley Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) Today's Daily Manna: Ezekiel 36:9a I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor. (NIV) Today's Canadian Bible Society Bible Reading: John 10:1-21 Today's One-Year Scripture Passage: Mark 11-12 Today's Two-Year Scripture Passages: Psalms 97-98

Did you know bed nets are the most effective way to eliminate the transmission of malaria? PWS&D is helping communities stay healthy by providing mosquito nets and teaching malaria prevention methods. #WorldMalariaDay #EndMalaria

Pet adoptions have been on the rise this year, but have you thought about welcoming hundreds of winged friends into your homes? Anybody? Hear what Flame has to say and maybe you'll reconsider!

Monday, April 26 We pray for the people, ministries and mission of the Presbytery of Montreal in Que.

Wednesday, April 21 We pray for the members of the Committee on Education and Reception as they meet this week with the candidates and ministers who have applied to be received into The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

All available appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations at HPPH community clinics are currently full. We will open additional clinic spaces as soon as possible. To... be notified of when appointments are added, subscribe to our vaccine webpage (www.hpph.ca/vaccine), by clicking on the subscribe to page updates button on the right-hand side of the page. See more

https://youtu.be/_FytPhvh9xs

Sunday, April 25 Mission Awareness Sunday We remember in prayer and give thanks for all former and current mission staff who, in faith, accepted God’s call to participate in God’s mission in Canada and globally.

We’ve got a delicious dinner planned for you Tuesday. If you’d like to enjoy a homemade dinner call 519.524.8003 by noon Tuesday to reserve your meal and receive your pick up time.

Saturday, April 24 We pray for PCC mission partners who are facing so many new challenges and striving to find safe and economical ways to respond to so many enduring needs.

Happiness comes in waves...

#TuesdayPrayer Celebrate in prayer the work the PWS&D-supported Mulanje Mission Hospital is doing to provide health care and nutritional programs to orphans and vulnerable children.

As the weather warms up, we’re excited to see all our growing projects get into spring seeding. Here’s a throwback to the 2020 spring seeding season in Dobbinton, Ontario. Have you started yours yet? Send us your photos!

Prior to COVID-19, Alasey Harow Kate knew what it was like to endure the effects of recurrent droughts and water crises in Kenya, where she lives. She has seen ...various illnesses affect her community, but says nothing compares to the pandemic. Market places were closed, residents were told to stay close to home, and food supplies weren’t coming into the area at a normal capacity. For Alasey, who relies on her small grocery shop to provide for her family, it was a huge shock. Few customers came to buy items because people were afraid of contracting the virus. I had a shortage of supplies, no customers, yet this is the main source of income my family relies on I watched many businesses collapse and I prayed mine would survive. I had so many plans for my family in 2020 but I had to put them on hold. That’s when our member ADRA Canada (through their local partner ADRA Kenya and with financial support from Canada’s International Development Global Affairs Canada) stepped in to support Alasey with vegetable seeds to boost her kitchen garden, and income diversification training which has enabled her to incorporate non-perishable food in her grocery. They also installed water tanks with hand washing stations at the market places, encouraging people to come back. ADRA brought this to our doorstep and it has changed our lives. My kitchen garden is now doing well, my family is eating healthy and I’m very grateful. See more

Tuesday, April 20 We give thanks for music and the choir members, directors and musicians who share their gifts with their congregations.

Beginning Tues.April 20, the AstraZeneca #COVID19Vaccine will be available from pharmacies for eligible people aged 40+ in 2021. You must book an appointment with the pharmacy to be vaccinated. See the full listing of locations/eligibility: https://bit.ly/2P7pdfG

Monday, April 19, 2021: "The Frustration Of The Unknown" Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, a...nd thank him for all he has done. (NLT) After numerous doctor visits which brought no answers, my wife and I were frustrated. The unknown started after a recent move. My wife lifted an item and felt a stabbing pain. Thinking that she had pulled the mesh from a recent hernia surgery, we visited the general surgeon. After testing, he determined that it was only scar tissue. Then, unexplained weight gain resulted in a trip to the emergency room and then to the cardiologist. Pills to reduce her fluid didn't work. More tests followed. One revealed an enlarged spleen and liver. We re-visited the general surgeon who sent her to a kidney specialist. The cardiologist, in the meantime, sent her to a digestive disease doctor. Weeks and months passed between the tests and doctor visits. We never discovered the answer to her unexplained fluid retention, but her frustration and mine built as we awaited answers while trying not to imagine the worst. Paul could also have been frustrated by the unknown. Would he survive the persecutions or the trip to stand trial before the Roman emperor? Would his friends betray him? Instead, he did what he advised others to do in today's verse. Praying about the unknown is crucial. Every night, I pray for my wife to have strength to face what might be ahead and for God to give the doctors wisdom to find out the reason for her dilemma. Trusting is important in times of the unknown. God has never let me down and promises not to, regardless of life's challenges. I can trust Him to work things for my good even things that appear bad. He has my best interests at heart. Additionally, I choose to believe that God is in control. Doing so helps to control my anxiety and frustration level. If He isn't, I have an even larger problem than the things causing my frustration. In my wife's case, I believe that God can guide the doctors to discover the reason for her health concerns and to give her the proper treatment. I also believe that He can heal her apart from the doctor's intervention if He so chooses. Don't let the frustration of the unknown lead you to doubt, anger, bitterness, or unbelief in a loving God. Rather, believe that God loves you and has your situation under control. Prayer: Father, we trust You to guide us safely into and through the unknowns of our lives. Amen. Martin Wiles, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA Today's Thought: Life Principle #11: God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him. Dr. Charles F. Stanley Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." (NIV) Today's Daily Manna: Isaiah 58:11a The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. (NLT) Today's Canadian Bible Society Bible Reading: Acts 3:16-26 Today's One-Year Scripture Passage: Job 31-32 Today's Two-Year Scripture Passages: 1 Chronicles 4; Luke 19:28-40

Have you heard? On May 1, we’re hosting a conversation with PWS&D’s partner staff in Ghana! Join us at 1:30 pm EDT/10:30 am PDT for a conversation about the international impact of COVID-19. You can register at https://bit.ly/3wPhKCV.