Outreach News

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Majd has been working with the CBWC for the past few years assisting with refugee support and settlement. He has been very effective in this role on so many levels, particularly because he, himself, is Syrian and speaks Arabic.  Majd’s role is entirely dependent on the support of the individuals and churches of the CBWC. Please consider if God is calling you to support Majd and allow him to continue his effective ministry. 

Last week our special offering on CBM Sunday went to help bolster the emergency relief funds of CBM, so that they can continue to supply emergency funding as needed. Right now, this is especially important for the South Sudan that is in crisis and famine.  (CBM South Sudan Video)

For more information on either of these needs, please talk to Sharon L or Pastor Judy.

Summer Drop-in for Children & Teens

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Ages 6-10, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm, June 28th - Aug 23rd We have a great children’s summer program this year, where we will be diving into God’s word through looking at all of the amazing creatures that live under the sea.

Ages 11–16, Fridays, 7-9:30 pm, July 7th - Aug 25th

The youth this summer will take part in The Hunger and Thirst Games where they will learn
how to be well equipped to live a life that is rooted in trusting in God in all aspects of their life.

We need help for this program to run smoothly! Anyone 18 or over who can help on Sunday mornings during the service and/or on Wednesday and Friday nights, please contact the office. Even if you can only sign up for one or two days during the summer, we would sure appreciate the help!

Summer Picnic Lunches

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Sundays, July 9 & 23, Aug 13 & 27

Enjoy visiting with your church family this summer!
Join us after the service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of July and August for a picnic lunch! Bring what you need: food and drinks for your family and blankets or lawn chairs.  We’ll eat outside if weather permits, or in the gym if it’s rainy or too windy.  Brought to you by your Congregational Care Team; contact the office for more info.

On a sad note...

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We extend our condolences to the family of Dirk Vander Vorst, who lived across the street from Altadore Baptist Church and passed away on May 4th.  He was a good and faithful neighbor for our church; keeping an eye out on the building and bringing over misdirected mail.  And his ski fence (pictured here) is infamous in the neighbourhood (and is Pokeman Gym!)  You can read his obituary here.

We are also sad to report the death of Rev. Dr. Roy Bell, who had a long and distinguished pastoral and educational ministry in the Canadian Baptist community in Western Canada.  He served as Pastor at First Baptist Church Calgary and First Baptist Church Vancouver plus many others.  He also served on the Carey Theological College Board and the BUWC Board.  We extend our sympathies to Jeremy Bell (CBWC Executive Director) and the rest of the family.

Altadore Informal - Community Service

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On Sunday May 21st at 10:00 am we will be celebrating Altadore Informal!  The focus is community service.  Attire is very casual as we engage in practical ways to bless our neighborhood.  There will be three opportunities to get involved including doing some simple gardening at Alcove, baking cookies of appreciation for the fire station and our church neighbors, as well as simple card making for encouragement.  Please join us as we show God's love in very tangible ways.  See you there!

CBWC Assembly - The Gathering

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May 25 – 27, at Westview Baptist Church.

The theme is “Creating Stronger Tomorrows”.  Our official delegates will be Pastor Judy , Sharon L, and Marilyn K.  All CBWC church members may attend as registered non-voting guests.  The Friday evening dinner and keynote address can be purchased separately for $20.00 through the CBWC website.  It should be very enjoyable.

Also, Westview Baptist would like to bless guests with some home baked cookies for their coffee breaks. Any cookies made could be sent along with anyone coming to the Assembly meetings or dropped off at the church the week of Assembly. They ask that they be nut free please. Thank you for considering this caring for those coming to Assembly.

Summer Staff Update

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We were successful in our application for summer staffing grants again this year.  We have decided to fill only one position through the STEP grant, and have hired Dori as our Summer Child and Youth Coordinator.  Dori is a graduate of Ambrose University with her BA, and will be returning to Ambrose in the fall to pursue her teaching degree.  Dori comes with lots of experience in planning and organizing child and youth programs, and we look forward to having her join us for the summer.  You can meet Dori at the Spring Faire & she will officially start her time with us on May 23.

The youth have been blessed to have Phil working with them over the last year and although his contract for the youth position will be done the end of May, we are thrilled to have Phil remain on staff through the summer as our Worship Coordinator, filling in for Christy through July and August.  This position is for a few hours a week to plan, organize and participate in our worship services. We feel very fortunate to have Phil continue with us and share his passion and heart for worship.

A Letter from one of our Youth

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Dear Church Family,

As many of you will know, last year I joined the Leadership, Training and Discipleship (LTD) program out at Gull Lake.  In my first year I attended a week of training, an out trip week working in Brownfield, a practicum week training as a Cabin Leader, and three weekend retreats throughout the rest of the year.  Thank you for your prayer and support.  I have learned so much already, my faith has grown and I am developing friendships and mentor relationships.  This summer will be my second year in the three year program.  I would again appreciate your encourage-ment and prayer and would once again like to offer to do odd jobs so that I can earn some money to help pay for the program.  Thank you for all your support,

Darson

Easter Offering Update

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Thank you to everyone who gave to the Easter offering.  As a result of your generosity we will be sending $3,000.00 to the farmers of High River Baptist church to plant seeds and buy fertilizer for 12 acres ($250/acre)!!   Wow, what a great gift to them and a way for us and High River Baptist church to be a part of feeding malnourished families thru our partnership with CBM and Canadian Food Grains Bank.  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…”  Matt. 25: 35

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.