Ryley Winter Festival 2009 – Men For God

On Friday evening, January 30, 2009, after a wonderful sunny day of above 0°C temperatures, the week was drawing to a close with an absolutely gorgeous sunset. We had just endured a lengthy and long cold snap! The sun was setting with red, pink, orange, and yellow displayed towards the west. This memorable and breath taking sunset was to be the beginning of a very special Sabbath and weekend…The 19^th Ryley Winter Festival.

 Friday evening vespers was held at the Ryley SDA Church as many gathered to hear our very special guest speaker for the weekend.  Elder Bill Olson highlighted God’s Word throughout the Sabbath in three messages—Friday vespers, Divine Service, and Saturday evening vespers. Elder Olson’s chosen theme for the weekend was entitled “Men for God.”  His topic was very suited for such an event. Pastor Bill chose to highlight three men from the Bible, Joseph, Peter, and Daniel, that were Men for God. Even though Pastor Bill was directing his messages particularly to the men of the congregation, he also made it clear that his messages were for the ladies of the audience as well. All those that came were invited to bring their instruments, and they gathered together in the front row to enhance the Sabbath worship with their talented play. It is our goal to have many who play to come, where we can have a full sized band playing along with those in song praising and worship our Great God. Amen!!!

 The weekend was once again a success and a huge blessing to those fellowshipping together. Approximately 125 were in attendance with many traveling great distances—from out of province and even out of country to be in Ryley for this event.After Sabbath came to a close, Pastor Bill was presented his very own Hwy 14 Crusaders hockey jersey with his name and number 09 given to him as a gesture of our appreciation. We then traveled ½ hour north to Mundare to participate either by playing or watching three games of good sportsmanship hockey. Christians playing—“Christian hockey.” Pastor Bill was also present to drop the ceremonial puck between team captains and opening prayer. Six more games were played for most of Sunday. We had six teams participating:  Doug’s Slugs, Trevor’s Roadrunners, Robin’s Suby Doos, Merna (Sedgewick SDA team), Ole Sea Dogs, and the host team, The Hwy 14 Crusaders. Each year the “Pastor Roy Jamieson Most Sportsmanship Award” is given to the team that exhibits the best sportsmenship (“Christ-like” attitude) throughout all the three games that each team plays. Chosen by the two referees, this year, it was awarded to Doug’s Slugs. They have been playing in this event since the beginning in 1991 and have won this prestige award many, many times. Doug and his “slugs” are from Edmonton and area and are a rec team that we have enjoyed to get to know over the years. Congratulations!!

Many thanks to all that participated and helped to make this event such a success. There is always so much to do for such an event to take place and it could not happen without you all!! Thank you!!!

 Plan to help celebrate with us our 20^th anniversary of this great Alberta winter event, January 29-31, 2010, in Ryley, Alberta…See you then!!

 Kent Grinde

 

Irma Victoria (Schaber) Clarke Obituary

Irma was born on December 23, 1927 in Rockyford, Alberta and passed to her rest in Jesus on March 23, 2009 at Stettler, Alberta.

She is survived by her loving husband, Allen Clarke, of Stettler; step-children Henrietta Clarke (Bob Watson) of Mexico, Margaret Clindon of Camrose, Daniel (Dianna) Clarke of Calgary, Charles Clarke of Edmonton, and Harold (Linda) Clarke of Leduc. Nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers Ralph Schaber and Lyle Schaber; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many very dear friends.

Warren Kay

Pastor of the Stettler Church

Garden Road Church 7th Anniversary

March 28, 2009, was a high day of celebration for the Garden Road church members and guests, as they celebrated their “Victory in Jesus” 7^th Anniversary at their present location on the outer limits of the city of Calgary, to the east on Hwy 1.

 

The Garden Road Church was formerly known as the Pineridge Church where Pastor Wayne Culmore, now VP for Administration in the British Columbia Conference, pastored in 1978-1980. He presented the sermon at the church service entitled “The Contagious Church” which drew out three symbols of a contagious church: It builds and nurtures relationships with God; it enjoys being with church family; it serves anyone who has a need.

 

Pastor John Bullock was also in attendance and given recognition as a special guest because of his dedicated, untiring years of service as pastor of the former Pineridge Church, all the while leading the church members through a building program to become what is now known as the Garden Road Church. 

Fire Blazing in the West

The West Edmonton Seventh-day Adventist Church held a week of prayer like they have never experienced before. For one week, March 14 – 21, 2009, Pastor J. Amankwah unleashed the “Secret of Elijah’s Power” from 1 Kings 17 and 18. The week opened with the identification of roadblocks to revival, which are: following the leader’s faith, neglecting the strongholds; surrendering of the sacred things, and ignoring the call to repentance. We confirmed that Jehovah was the source of Elijah’s strength and that same strength is available to us today. Three lessons that Elijah learned at the University of the Drying Brook were that God’s servants must take one step at a time, they must strive to trust God absolutely, and they are called to sit by the drying brook and wait on the Lord. We were reminded that change is scary but when God tells us to move we need to move. Change comes into our lives for our own betterment. God’s plans demand our implicit obedience. We must “trust and obey for there is no other way.” God allows us to go through stuff in our lives so that we can appreciate the good gifts that only He offers. We should receive whatever God gives us with thanksgiving. But we have to take a step of faith first, before we can get the blessing. We need to be willing and respond to God’s call. God was preparing Elijah for something special. He prepares us bit by bit, moving us to a higher level while building us in our daily lives.

 

An anointing service was held on Friday night with a special focus on the youth. On Wednesday night prayers went up for the youth to attend the Friday night service. God answered the prayers and youth who had been absent from church for a while were in attendance. All of the young people were anointed and prayed for. What a powerful experience that was.

 

The week concluded with a focus on Elijah’s prayer, which was based on the promises of God. We need to apply the promises to our lives if they are going to be effective. The promises of God are like an open cheque that we sit on and don’t cash. Elijah’s prayer was definite. We need to learn how to be specific in our prayer as sometimes we miss the mark. Elijah’s prayer was earnest. When we pray we must believe that we have what we are in need of. That is expectant faith. Are you praying for something and you feel like your prayers are in vain? Don’t give up because God is not finished yet. We need to pray until something happens believing that it will. Elijah was an ordinary person like you and I, and God used him. With your willing heart there is no telling what you can do for God. Why not try Him today?

 

Sharon Long (Brown)

Communication coordinator

West Edmonton SDA Church

Sherwood Park Volunteer and Staff Appreciation Dinner

The annual Volunteer and Employee Appreciation Banquet was held on Monday, April 27, 2009.  Strathcona County Mayor Cathy Olesen, spoke to those present about senior care and offered praise for those who were providing that care at Sherwood Park Care Center.  Executive Director Gerald Northam expressed appreciation for Mayor Olesen's continuing interest in and involvement with the Center.

Northam, Kathy Fortunat, Carol Paisley and Angela Diebert recognized the service of both volunteers and staff.  Pins were awarded to staff who have served 10, 15 and 20 years.  Sherwood Park Care Center Board Chair Mark Johnson welcomed those who attended and emceed the evening program.

Sherwood Park Care Center is an important ministry of the Alberta Conference located in the Edmonton area.  A staff of 170 cares for the 100 residents of the facility.  

Sherwood Park will be celebrating 40 years of service to the community on September 26 and 27, 2009.

Edmonton Evangelism Begins April 24

Bill Santos, speaker for It Is Written Canada, kicks off an innovative evangelistic thrust in Edmonton on April 24.  The meetings for the first weekend will be held at the Mayfield Inn.  After the first weekend, local pastors and laypersons will continue the series in ten different locations in the Edmonton area.

Alberta Ministerial Secretary, Pastor Larry Hall says "This is a creative approach to evangelism.  We need to try a variety of approaches to reach the people in our large cities."  Alberta Conference President, Mark Johnson, says "We need to reach out in new and untried ways at the same time that we conduct familiar evangelistic series.  There are so many people who need to get ready to see Jesus and we must continually look for new and effective means which are consistent with our beliefs that will permit us to present the gospel message."

With meeting locations throughout the city, it is hoped that interested persons will find a location near home and work which will meet their needs.  This sort of coordinated evangelistic activity involving the entire community has brought together the area pastors for weeks of planning and preparation discussions.

These evangelistic messages, reviewing the fundamental beliefs of the Adventist faith, are an excellent opportunity to invite friends, neighbors, co-workers and family to join us for a review of the Great Teachings of the Bible.

For further information contact any Edmonton area Seventh-day Adventist Church, pastor or the Alberta Conference office.

Calgary Central Evangelistic Meetings

Pastor Randy Barber began evangelistic meetings at Calgary Central on Sunday evening, April 12.  As part of the advertising strategy, Pastor Barber uses a nicely designed "Supercard" instead of the traditionally folded evangelistic brochure.  The card format stands out in mailed advertising at the same time that it saves cost to the advertising budget.