Missions Outreach Update

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Please visit the Outreach Bulletin Board in the gym to read the latest newsletters from the Nachos, Das and Haddad families, and from the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary.  New updated prayer cards for our CBM Partners in Mission are also available in the lobby and the foyer. Elie Haddad recently wrote to us:  “Support for the scholarship of ABTS students has allowed us to equip many more leaders for the Church in the Arab world. As you know, this is a critical time in our region. The conflicts and instability continue. However, God is using this instability for the Gospel to penetrate into areas and people groups that were not previously open to the message. We are grateful to God that He has given us a role in this equipping ministry, and we are grateful for partners like Altadore Baptist whom God uses to empower us and enable us to fulfill this role.”

Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 28th when Terry Smith from CBM will speak during the morning service. The service will be followed by a question and answer session in the lounge so you can gain a better under-standing of what our denomination is doing and of their vision for reaching out to a “broken world.”  Muffins and cheese, coffee and tea will be served.

The Outreach Bulletin Board in the gym also has more information about the Good Soil project that our Easter offering is going towards. We are happy to report that thanks to you, through gifts like Fill a Stable, you helped CBM raise almost $25,000! (That includes 654 chickens!)

Holy Week Celebrations

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Maundy Thursday, join us for a Passover supper, like the one that Jesus celebrated with His disciples on a Thursday so long ago. This family celebration starts at 6:30 pm. Please RSVP to the church office.

Good Friday, we unite together with the other Canadian Baptist churches in our city, to remember the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  All are welcome at First Baptist Church at 11 am.

Then, Easter Sunday celebrations! We join together with Iglesia Emanuel for a truly international joint celebration of Christ's resurrection.  We are also celebrating believer's baptism on that day. What a joyous occasion! Rumor has it there might be hot cross buns and butterfly cookies, too.

Our Easter offering this year is a joint partnership with High River Baptist Church and the Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB). Some of the farmers in High River have donated significant acres of land to be farmed, and the proceeds of the crop sales from that land will go to the CFGB. We can help by providing funds for seed and fertilizer.  The grain sale funds are eligible for CIDA funding and so are matched 4:1 before being sent to the countries in need.  Please pray about how God would have you help. 

We are an Easter people!

And We Worship the Living Lord!

Alpha Starting Sunday March 12th

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Alpha will be starting on Sunday March 12 at 6:30 in the evening.  We will meet weekly
until about the end of May.  Check out www.alphacanada.org for more info on this program.  Please email Wendy Burnham at burnhamp@telus.net if you would be interested in attending, have questions or would like to help by making desserts for the Sunday evening gathering.

Let’s Prepare for Lent!

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Join us on Sunday February 26th at 10 am for Altadore Informal.  This will be an interactive time for us as a congregation to talk about the significance of Lent and how we can prepare personally.  Following the Informal we will enjoy a Shrove Pancake lunch.  Come and be challenged to make this a unique and memorable Lenten season.

We are planning to celebrate baptisms on Easter Sunday. If you are interested in being baptized, or just want to learn more, please speak to Pastor Judy and plan to attend baptismal classes after Sunday services for the month of March.

2017 Lenten Devotional Booklet

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Lent begins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, and this year marks the eleventh edition of Altadore’s Lenten Devotional Booklet.  We are asking you to host a scripture and prepare a devotional thought to share with your church family.  It is a blessing for all who take part and use the Lenten Booklet.  The passages of scripture are based on the New Common Lectionary – Year A. The lectionary readings are used by Christians around the world.  It offers another way for us to be united as believers.  And it offers a way for us at Altadore to share our hearts and beliefs to encourage, challenge and bring hope and light into our spiritual journey together.

You may sign up for a passage on the Google Drive link here: 2017 Lenten Booklet Signup Sheet, or on the printed version on the church bulletin board, or by emailing Wendy F in the office with your choice.  Submissions will be due by Monday, February 20th.  Further instructions and a template will be sent directly to you once you have signed up.

May you enjoy the journey of listening to God through your passage, and may God’s rich blessings be upon you.

Advent Giving Opportunities

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This year we have chosen to share our blessings in support of the Mustard Seed ministry to the homeless. We have set up a Giving Tree in the lobby, which we will decorate with items the homeless need (see the list from the Mustard Seed by the tree).  Cash donations are also welcome.

Advent financial givings will also be going towards filling an entire stable!  We will be giving to the CBM Hopeful Gifts For Change catalogue as a group to purchase a goat, a cow, a pig, 2 hens and a rooster.  Find out more about the catalogue at https://vimeo.com/cbminorg/videos and http://www.cbmin.org/.

For cash donations, please use an Advent envelope so we can issue a tax receipt, or use your numbered envelope clearly marked ADVENT.  Thank you for your generosity.  May God truly be Emmanuel (God with us) to you this Christmas!

Guest Speakers in November

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We are privileged to be welcoming two wonderful servants of God into our midst in November. Sunday Nov. 6, Rev. Dr. Colin Godwin, President of Carey Center, our Western Canadian Baptist Seminary, will be sharing a message with us.  Sunday Nov. 13, Dr. Rupen Das, CBM missionary and Tyndale professor, will be sharing about some of his exciting work and ministry.  Please mark these dates in your calendar and plan to join us.  

Save the Date - Calgary Hitmen Faith & Family Night

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Calgary Hitmen Faith & Family Night, Saturday January 14th, 7 pm.  If you are interested in attending as part of a group from Altadore, please let Alicia know by Dec 14 for pre-Christmas ticket delivery.  At $12 each, these tickets make a terrific stocking stuffer!  Bring your skates and helmets and enjoy a post-game skate on the Saddledome ice.

Altadore Christmas Choir

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Calling all singers!! If you love to sing, we want you!! Rehearsals are for one hour following the morning service on November 6, 20, and 27.  Our performance will be on Sunday December 4 during the morning service.  Everyone is welcome if you can make at least 2 of the 3 rehearsals.  Contact the church office to express your interest, or if you have any questions.

Playtime in the Village

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This free drop-in program is designed as a playtime for children & a coffee & chat time for nannies, parents & caregivers.  The children’s program will include singing, bible story, snack and guided play.  Please join us and invite your friends!  For more information call the church office at 403.243.4304 or email us at office@altadorebaptistchurch.com. 

Treasure Seekers - On The Hunt!

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Last nights Treasure Seekers enjoyed the beautiful summer evening with a neighborhood scavenger hunt!

Leadership Update

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Join us after the service on Sunday, June 12 for our Congregational Meeting to hear what has been going on and what is coming.  Bring a cheese plate or half dozen muffins or scones to share.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Easter offering.  A total of $893.50 will be sent to Bankview CUPS in support of their program to take homeless families from surviving to thriving!

Good Food Boxes is an important tool in our neighbourhood.  This initiative will now be administered by the Leadership Team and staff.  If you have a couple hours each month to assist with the Good Food Boxes, speak to any staff or anyone on the LT

We have been working through your responses to “What ideas do you have for reaching out to the community” asked back in October.  You can hear more details at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 12, but we wanted to communicate that several ideas have already been implemented, such as the park benches on our lawn, our Summer kids program, and the Little Free Library.  Other ideas have been ongoing such as the knitting group, the Craft ‘n Chat monthly gatherings and our amazing Spring Faire.  Looking ahead to the fall, new programs may include:  connecting with neighbourhood nannies, family movie nights, andopen gym times.  Speak to Pastor Judy or Sharon Lipkewich if you would like more information and to be involved in these community outreach opportunities!

Our summer students are here!  You can connect with them on Sundays, or by calling or dropping in during office hours, or via email.  Sam Martyn can be reached at summerprograms@altadorebaptistchurch.com, and Phil Dykstra at worship@altadorebaptistchurch.com.  We know you will make them feel most welcome!