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"It's over," he must have thought, as he tried to move his fingers a moment after regaining consciousness. 

Miraculously, it wasn't over.

Earlier this week a man was climbing the East Lion Peak (over 5,000 feet) and slipped and fell down a steep rock slope only to be stopped on a ledge by a small shrub. Although badly injured, he is very fortunate to be alive.

He was climbing alone. 

I contrast this with the work of Lions Bay Search and Rescue who worked in groups and very carefully through the technical rescue operation extracted the man and rushed him to receive medical attention. 

As I write this today I can see outside my window one of our local military planes circling our area again. Although my knowledge of the functions and operations of our local military base is limited, I do know this: there is a lot of working together going on. Groups up in the air in a plane, groups at work on the ground, groups at work together in air traffic control. 

When I think about spiritual growth in your life and mine, I wonder, groups or solo? Which is more effective? Which is more important? Which are we called to? I think you know the answer.

On Sunday, October 27 we will begin our main teaching series for this Fall, and I want to challenge everyone in our church to gather in midweek groups for discussion and prayer during this series. Let's grow in groups, instead of trying solo. 

  • Through this series we will be taking a deep dive into the parable of the lost sons in Luke 15 and asking the question "Is the gospel actually good news?"
  • The series will run through November and conclude before we switch gears into a Christmas series to wrap up 2024.
  • Weekly Discussion Guides will be provided 
  • We are asking existing small groups to plan to discuss the weekly sermon and questions that are provided for the duration of the series
  • We will have a few "Pop Up Groups" that will run during the series and anyone can sign up to join. More on that in the coming weeks! (In the meantime if "pop-up group" is a new term for you, it is a small group that simply runs just for the duration of a particular series and shares in the corresponding theme - it's a great way for anyone to join a newly forming group and explore connection in our church). 
  • We also know that some people will happily gather a few friends or other couples on their own and be their own discussion group for the duration of this series - this is great! 
  • Others may prefer a setting smaller than a 'small group' and journey through the weekly discussion and prayer with a 'Coffee Club' or in their existing DNA relationships. Also great! 

The main point is simple: let's connect and grow together. The upcoming main teaching series will be a terrific opportunity to do so! 

Together, groups can accomplish great things, in our church and community and in one another's lives. 

Pastor Mike 

Ps - if you're looking for an opportunity to connect and grow before the series-focused groups get going at the end of the month, Heather Willms and Clair Farnell will be hosting a group on Creative Faith Journalling that will help people grow in Bible reading and prayer and will run on Wednesday mornings from 10am-12 from October 16 - November 20. Contact Heather for more info.