What are we waiting for?

www.EasTview.org
Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.
Hold unto the truth revealed to you. Hang on. Don't become a spiritual whiner. Jesus invites you into a covenant relationship.
Luke 6:20 the poor get blessed. Those who walk in rags will be blessed.
There are conditional covenants. The Lord of all has a unilateral unconditional everlasting covenant of love and forgiveness that you can accept or reject. Jeremiah
People let you down. We disappoint each other.
Paul had promised to visit twice. 2Cor 1:15-16 He couldn't keep his promise. Say yes mean no?
V18 God's Word does not waiver between yes and no. What he says he'll do.
Integrity. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.
Do you send desperate smoke signals to God? Are you open and honest with Him?
You say
Impossible
God says all things are possible
There are many such problems that God has a positive answer for.
Deut 29 covenant. God will establish you. In a place best suited for you.
2 million people wandered aimlessly for 40 years. 30 train car loads of manna provided by God daily.
Never try to explain God if you can't trust him in obedience. Quiet time.
Lies vs truth
Tired.. I will give you rest
Nobody loves me... God does
Can't go on... God's grace is sufficient
Communion

Yearbook

The deal is signed

The $100,000 tree!

Christmas in the Graveyard

Very very cold! And lonely!

Casting Call Christmas Eve

Justin had to work late closing the store. Hope he makes it out. He came in an hour late. But he came! I'm looking forward to our traditional cheese fondue tonight!

It came upon a midnight clear! Wonderful to sing together!

Casting Call
Who wants to act in this live nativity scene?
You want to audition? Can you play the angel? Joseph?

You want to be Mary? Nothing is impossible to God. Just look at Jesus.

Too much cheap acting and not enough worship. Alayna walked out.

King without a king's life and yet he is the king of kings. God with us.

A strange way to save the world. Song.

Let's find a different Christmas Eve service next year. Anyone know of a good one?

Pastor Delbert: God chose ordinary people. 2012 is a reference to the birth of Jesus. St James brother of Jesus. St Paul built the church. We have so many references to Jesus.

Jesus never wrote a book. He was not from an important family. Yet he changed the world. We can't imagine a world without Jesus. Everything hinges on Jesus's birth. Everything that happens in this world is recorded in reference to Jesus's birthday.

Jesus spoke the most powerful words anyone has ever spoken: I am the truth. No one comes to the Father excerpt through me! Do you know Him personally? You can know him tonight. If you know him your heart is celebrating this day in the year of our Lord.

Reimer Family Christmas today

Camp Arnes is a good place to relax. My phone is out of range. This weekend is grandma's gift to the family. Not all the family could make it.

What are we waiting for? NEW?

www.EasTview.org
Christmas eve services: Casting Call
Tonight at 6:30
Tomorrow 5:00 & 6:30 p.m.
Don't miss it!

Audition for the Wiseman

Dave Ens Pastor
The story is so familiar and often we miss the essence of the story.

The Wiseman traveled from afar and they have some royal connections. They are overjoyed when they find the baby. Gold frankincense myrrh. What is that?
Anna the prophetess and Simeon have a different reaction.
The magi leave quietly. They saw something else. Gold fit for a king. Incense to worship God. Myrrh for his death and burial.
The baby in a manger. Nice food trough. That's the picture we give away. We don't give bloody Easter cards to our friends. Why not?
There is a new way of living now. Jesus came to make things new.
Magi might have seen death on Jesus's face. Is that why they left? For something new to happen, something has to die. There has to be space created for the new light and life. We can't look at the manger and not see the cross.

Isa 9,6 a child has been born. Zeal will change the world. Passion. Happens all over. Anger and jealousy are part of the zeal of the season.
God's zeal comes in a way we don't expect. Rom 5,6 God proves his love. While we were still sinners Christ died for us. The passion of God. The zeal of God.
Christmas starts small. A baby in a small town, shepherds with small influence. God will make all things new.

We recognise the true story when we remember Christ's death.

The birth of Jesus sets hope and joy into motion. The cross makes it real. Rev  21,3 all things new. No more mourning no more tears. No more pain in Newtown CT.
God is in the midst of our suffering.

In us there are things that need to die. So newness can come in.

Herrod sees the baby as a threat. So he in desperation starts to get rid of all perceived threats. He killed all young children and his sons and wife to maintain his status. He found no peace.

We try to change our circumstances but find nothing has changed. God wants to bring newness into our lives. That's what this season is all about.

Do the hard work and allow the baby to look into your heart and let him change you. Put to death what needs to die.

A hotel with a plug-in!!!

Makes a happy customer!
Holiday inn on Bloor St Toronto

Choir Program

Wonderful program. I feel sorry for you if you missed it. Lots of good old fashioned Christmas carols and songs well presented under the humble leadership of Lisa Hamm.

What are we waiting for? A Present Hope

Emmanuel Messiah
www.Eastview.org

Come at 7 pm for the choir Christmas program
Christmas eve Services: Dec 23 6.30p.m. Dec 24 5.30 & 7.00 p.m.

In the beginning was the word and the word was God. He came to bring light. He lived among us.

There is a beautiful simplicity to the Christmas story. The word took up residence in a messy neighborhood. John does not worry about the details. John says there is no darkness that God's light can't overcome.
There is hope for today and for the future. Is the message really true? The Baptist asked Jesus.
Go and tell John what you see and hear. The present hope is still changing things today? Do you know that hope? Navigating our world distracts us. Jesus gave us himself. We make it complicated. God with us is uncomplicated.

Proposition: ask yourself, what is the gauge to judge that this season will be good. Restore that which is broken. What would that look like? What are you going to do?

God has been with us and will continue to be with us.

What are we waiting for? Birth and Rebirth

2000 years ago God sent his son to show us his love.
Www.Eastview.org

Dave Ens:
This is the first Sunday of advent. Advent season started 1400 years ago. Christians recognized that the story was so important they had to prepare for it.

The Christmas season changes the world. Jesus is the reason for the season.

Matth 1:1 the Christmas story starts with a list of names. Matthew was deliberate about writing this genealogy. We tend to tell our stories but leave out some of our less reliable relatives.
There are significant things in this list. Tamar is in the list. She seduced her father in law. She and her son are in Jesus' genealogy.

The trajectory God uses to tell us that these people were entirely inadequate to be in the blood line of Jesus is very deliberate.
The story is full of people who shouldn't be there. They are an embarrassment. But the good news of the gospel is for the worst of us.
Jesus offers a receptive redefinition of who you are. You can get out of your past.

These people needed forgiveness. Jesus redefined them. They are in the company of Jesus.

Jesus didn't come so we could pretend we're ok. There is an invitation to cleanup things in our lives. Jesus wants to give us a new name. And a new life.

Take this opportunity to say to Jesus: happy are those whose sins are forgiven. I acknowledge my sins. God forgave.

Intact Insurance

Don't ever deal with [Intact] Insurance. They run when you need them.  Now you have lawyers to pay out of your own pocket.

Baptism Sunday

20,000 Christmas Child boxes will leave Winnipeg this week.

Baptismal Sunday www.Eastview.org
Julia 18 is a pastor's daughter. She knew God but did a lot of bad stuff. She got away with telling a lot of lies until she got caught. That night she recommited her life and her parents became her best friends.

Vanessa 17 is in grade 11 at MBCI. She grew up in a Christian home. She attends youth group here at Eastview. Going on SOAR inner city ministry has drawn her so much closer to God. We are God's masterpiece.

Guest pianist Trevor Olfert
Song: You choose the humble and the weak. The same love that set the captives free has set me free and is calling me by name.

Baptized by youth pastor Cory Bell in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus our hope living for all who receive.

There is no one else for me none but Jesus crucified to set me free. Now I live to bring him praise.

Eastview is a family. We renew our covenant to care for one another.

Elton Dasilva:
Baptism is not about changing religion. It's from the Greek word for dying the cloth. Taking on the color ( character) of Christ. Being immersed in Christ. This morning we've had people baptized that grew up in Christian homes and people who lived evil lives and were changed by the love of Christ.

Going under the water and coming out as someone in Christ. If you are tired, Christ is inviting you to be washed and cleaned by Jesus. We can't deal with our issues on our own. There is One who loves you the way you are.
There is a language of belonging. You now belong to the community of Christ.
We are so connected by technology we don't have time to really get to know one another. But now you BELONG to this fellowship.
You have begun this journey.
If anyone here wants to join this blessed fellowship talk to one of our pastors.

Elizabeth Siemens (Eidse) 88

Fondly remembered by her family of 14 children 69 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. She and Ben (my oldest? cousin) were married 66 years.
Elaine David Minna Alvina Mary John Julia Elizabeth Menno Linda Vernon Becky Christine Reg
Lots of tears and love. Everyone will miss her so much.
She sang a lot. Loved chocolate coffee and real cream. She was an expert at knipsbrat. Now mom is teaching the angels how to sing.
Julia. She loved her kids unconditionally. Never condemned them.
Menno. Wasn't always obedient. One time he went to ask for forgiveness and she said she had forgiven a long time ago.
Linda. Looks like her mom. What gives it at your house? She always cared about each one of her grandkids.
Bill. Her driving habits were something else. She liked to drive fast.
She would tell lots of stories. She had the best crab apple juice.
She gave me a candy I choked and she saved my life.
Becky Bruce. She said things in funny English. Vegitaebl. She was very accepting of the in-laws. Lots of laughter.
Mom laughed she couldn't stop.
Reg. The youngest. I am bound for the promised land was her life's motto. She did not worry about time. She had time to show love to everyone.
Ben Eidse. Betty was a real encourager to him in his Christian life. She was a real mission supporter.
Song by grandchildren: do never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.

When God is God: Yet I Will Rejoice

www.Eastview.org
Delbert Enns
This week is Operation Christmas Child. Bring your boxes of gifts now.

Are you emotionally exhausted? If God is good and powerful why is there so much evil in the world?
God has given us permission to help rebuild the broken pieces. He knew we could not repair or reconcile it on our own so he sent his son to show us the way.
Habakkuk

Deon the policeman does a tour of skid row Los Angelos. Lots of problems. When you say you care they hold you up to it.

The prophet tries to deal with the injustices being dealt to his people. He chooses to rejoice in the Lord. It all begins with an unconditional response of faith. Be filled with amazement of what God has done. Habakkuk sang praises.
Sing now:
Give thanks to the Lord our king and sing praise. His love endures forever.

God is firmly established in history. God rewrote the words of my life. Psalm 18

Those who trust in the Lord soar like an eagle. Fly above the circumstances.
Know who you are in Christ and fly with him. We need to recognize who we are in Christ. 'What' depletes you. Who you are in Christ energizes you. You are precious to God.
What makes Stomachs turn and flip on the inside.

Sometimes we must isolate and then regroup. Wait be still and know that I am God. God will be honored. To wait means to weave. God is preparing you for an incredible assignment. Who God is starts to shape us.

There is an assignment God has while we wait. Even though everything I love dies I will rejoice in the Lord.
Though I'm losing income property health I WILL REJOICE NO MATTER WHAT! God will help me fly like an eagle. Learn to be content with whatever I have. No matter where you are you are not alone. We are scattered glass. But God has showered his kindness on us. I will rejoice!
God is weaving something beautiful in you. For your growth.

Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.

When God is God: Why?

www.Eastview.org

Nov 25 baptism please come for that - call the church if you are interested in baptism

Song:

Be thou my vision

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Song:

Lead me to the cross

God:

1. Exists

2. Is Good

3. Is All powerful

Evil exists

Which statement is NOT true?

We want to make things right. That desire comes from God. Without God we have no hope. Our suffering just gets worse. We now have a living hope kept in heaven for us. 1Peter 1 we rejoice while we suffer.

God exists. We see hope. We are more convinced than ever. We can't avoid suffering but with God in the picture we can take the evil that comes our way.

John 9:1-3 Who sinned, the man or his parents? Neither, Jesus said, but God will be honored. Blindness is nothing but the absence of sight. A pothole is the absence of road.

God restores to the intended use. He sometimes chooses to limit his power.

God created us with a will to choose whether we accept God's will. We have the choice. God had to let go of power so we would have the power to choose. We can choose to do things on our own. God changes human hearts. Jesus proved God's love for us. Jesus changes everything in order to help restore us. Phil 2:6-8 The Jesus hymn - he took our suffering to restore things as they are supposed to be. What is our role in this? God entrusted us to be ambassadors to the world. God is now making his appeal through us. He wants us to fill the potholes of this world to be involved in reconciliation and restoration. We build relational connections.

How am I part of bringing God's will on earth as it is in heaven? God says, I want you to be part of God's answer to your prayer.

I don't know what you do about suffering and lack of healing.

It is a mystery. God joins us in the midst of our suffering.

Increase our faith.

Get your free Bible at

www.TheLifeLight.com

First Storm of the Season

Adrenaline rush - driving in new snow ruts at 100 km/hr. The van has become my substitute snow mobile!

Christmas Child Party

Care group dinner and shoe box packing party.
Fun and sadness. Rick's friend's funeral is tomorrow. Audrey found out today that her cancer is terminal in a few months. Pray for her and her family.
Pray for LifeLight leadership unity and respect. get your free NT www.TheLifeLight.com

iDE Gala Banquet

Ted Paetkau chair
Norm & Jean Fiske Ambassador Award - they have travelled all over the world with iDE
Bill & Margaret Fast have been involved for twenty years.
Al Doerksen has been involved for many years. He has been with MCC, The Foodgrains Bank, and many businesses.
iDE has 5 million clients.

Al's Journey
Started 20 years ago. Thought leader. Met Mother Theresa in India. Met Mennonite leaders in India.
Investment scenarios. 5 talents to 1, 2 to another, 1 to a third.
The 3 richest people in the world today have more money than the 48 poorest countries of the world.
Invest in iDE. GOVERNMENT promise law and order. Break the rules go to jail.
Bill Gates did a good job. Created value. Has given 28 billion to charity. He has encouraged 92 families to donate their wealth. Gates spent 16 m$ with iDE and that has generated $200,000,000.
Bill & Margaret, Frank & Agnes, and others invested in iDE to get it started. Dollah Bill makes the money grow.
iDE uses simple machines to help Dollah Bill earn some money.

Ron Enns is the executive director with several degrees.

Margaret and Agnes did the centre pieces.

60 projects in 15 countries. CIDA invests $3 for every donor $.
Well digging in Ethiopia now costs $100 per well.
In Ghana there are millions of bucket farmers. Converting them to treadle pumps helps them earn more.
Cambodia executed all their educated people.
iDE helps people help themselves.
Farmers earn $3.60 for every dollar invested. CIDA triples it.

Jake Kornelsen Memorial

Was married to Lena Dueck for 52 years.
They had 10 children. They had a welding shop and 100 chickens when they started life together.
Moved to Canada.
Worked at Vidir Machine for many years.
Song by the girls: They loved to sing and he would join them. God leads his children sometimes through tough times. Water flood fire but all through the blood. Some through great sorrow but God gives a song, through the night season and all the day long.

Grandpa was a special person and loved us and prayed for us. He said: God's will be done. So glad to know he's singing with the angels. He will be greatly missed. He always thought grandma was so beautiful.
He was always positive and gave us lots of hugs.
He never judged anyone.
Grandpa came to help change my tire. He readily confessed mistakes.

Art the oldest brother says pray for Lena. He worked a lot with Jake.

John's daughters read John's tribute. Jake could say lots with a few words. Rejoicing with you.