Posts from 2025 (Page 2)
Lynne’s Journey through Holy Week- a Reflection from the Operating Room
At the start of Holy Week Lynne was in a lot of pain which got gradually worse as the week progressed. She needed to be taken to the emergency where she was diagnosed with a life threatening blockage in her abdomen. On Maundy Thursday, she had an operation to remove the blockage. It was urgent, because she could have died. On Friday she had another operation to have her gallbladder removed. It was Good Friday evening. The hospital was…
April 29th – A Message from Jerina, our student in Kenya
Dear Graceview Presbyterian Church, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to extend my sincere gratitude to you for the support you provided me through the Scholarship during my academic journey. I am pleased to share that I have successfully completed my Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology at Outspan medical college, and this achievement would not have been possible without your generous financial assistance. Your support allowed me to focus on my studies without the…
And the Two Shall Become One..
The Story of a Successful Amalgamation of Two Amalgamation is not palliative care. In a time when many churches are struggling to stay alive and when options to close or amalgamate often lead to the inevitable demise of the congregation, it is nice to know that it does not have to be that way. Amalgamation can be highly successful and can breathe new life into a church community that thought there was no hope for its survival. In the Year…
April 29, 2025 – Minister’s Message
This was my second time returning to Guatemala for a mission trip, with my first being in 2019. Though the destination was the same, the journey felt fresh, stirring, and deeply personal in new ways. One thing that stood out right from the beginning was the rare blessing of having four pastors on the same trip—a lot of leadership, maybe a bit too much! But truthfully, it created a beautiful harmony, where we learned to share the burden and joy…
Weekly News – April 23, 2025
Download the PDF here Apr. 23, 2025 The Sunday after Easter, often called the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, provides a time for reflecting on the ongoing impact of Christ’s resurrection and the ongoing work of grace in our lives. This day emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and the enduring love and mercy of God. Key Themes for Reflection: The Second Sunday of Easter is a reminder that the resurrection is not just a historical event, but a…
Weekly News – April 16, 2025
Download the PDF here Apr. 16, 2025 As we enter Holy Week let us all remember the sacrifices that our Lord made. There are 3 major events here at Graceview. Maundy Thursday will see the church set up for the Stations of the Cross. From 2- 4 you are welcome to come in and follow the stations as you reflect on the events as they unfolded. Good Friday will commence with our traditional Hot Cross Bun breakfast followed by our…
Weekly News – April 9, 2025
DOWNLOAD THE PDF HERE Apr. 9, 2025Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week, invites reflection on Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem, a foreshadowing of his suffering and sacrifice, and calls us to embrace a life of humility and service, ultimatelyleading to the joy of resurrection. Here are some reflections on Palm Sunday:● Humility and Service:Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, rather than a horse or chariot, symbolizes his humility andwillingness to serve, a message that resonates with Christians today. ● Welcoming…
Weekly News – April 2, 2025
DOWNLOAD PDF In Philippians 3:7-4:1, Paul contrasts his former Jewish achievements with his newfound joy in Christ, urging the Philippians to focus on Christ and not on legalistic traditions or worldly accomplishments, while also warning against false teachers and encouraging them to rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 3:7-11: Paul recounts his impressive Jewish heritage and achievements, including his strict adherence to the law and his persecution of Christians, but he emphasizes that he now considers these things as “loss” compared to…
March 26, 2025 – Weekly News
Download the PDF Reflections on the Prodigal Son The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is a tale of two worlds: on one hand, there is the remarkable amount of apathy from the son towards the father, and on the other, an even more remarkable amount of love and forgiveness from the father back to that same son. Countless sermons have been preached on this very parable, as it is one of the more famous of Jesus’. Even today,…
GREAT GRANDMA’S IRISH STEW
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated in Style Many thanks to Dave Taylor, for presenting Great Grandma’s Irish Stew. He cooked before a packed house to a very appreciative audience. His always entertaining repartee made us want to sample this delicious feast and no sooner than his presentation was done we were treated to delicious Irish Soda Bread and a bowl of this stew. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everything was just perfect. I know that the bowls at my table…
March 19, 2025 – Weekly News
Download the PDF here Mar. 19, 2025 If God is so all-loving and all-powerful, then why does he let bad things happen to good people? It’s a very good question, and you’re absolutely right to ask it. Being a Christian does not mean shying away from the difficult questions. We’re allowed to mention the elephant in the room. It’s a question that every generation has asked and that no-one has a complete answer for. Her it is being asked in…
March 12, 2025 – Weekly News
Download the PDF In the Holy Land Seeking the Solace of the Cross By Stephanie Saldaña For many years, I have believed that as Christians we must read the Gospels, as we must read our own lives, in the light of the resurrection. We are called to return to every moment in the life of Jesus, no matter how small: his walks along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the bread he broke amongst friends, his prayers whispered beneath the…