Oct. 8, 2025
John 6:25-35 is a passage where Jesus calls the crowd to look beyond physical food to the spiritual “bread of life” he offers, which provides eternal sustenance and satisfies a deeper spiritual hunger for God and a relationship with Him. The passage emphasizes that true belief involves more than receiving tangible benefits; it requires a complete reliance on Jesus for spiritual nourishment and eternal life, transforming our worldview to one centered on what truly endures.
The Crowd’s Misunderstanding
- Focus on the Physical:
The people sought Jesus because they had been fed by his miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish, focusing only on satisfying their immediate, physical hunger.
- Seeking Signs, Not Substance:
Jesus confronts their desire for more signs and physical bread, calling them to understand that his purpose was not to provide earthly sustenance but to offer something more profound.
Jesus as the Bread of Life
- A Metaphor for Himself:
Jesus uses the analogy of the manna that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness but reveals himself as the “true bread from heaven”.
- Eternal Sustenance:
By calling himself the “bread of life,” Jesus offers himself as the ultimate nourishment that sustains not just the body but the spirit and provides eternal life.
The Call to a Deeper Belief
- A Paradigm Shift:
True belief, for Jesus, is not just a mental affirmation but a complete shift in worldview, a commitment to the enduring reality of God and the life He offers.
- Focus on What Lasts:
The passage urges us to focus our lives and our deepest desires on Jesus, the Bread of Life, which is the only thing that can truly satisfy and bring lasting life.
- Inclusivity:
Jesus’s offer is for “whoever comes to me,” highlighting that this life-giving relationship is open to all who seek Him.
Reflection Points
- Examine Your Motivations:
Reflect on why you seek Jesus. Is it for what you can get, or is it for who He is?
- Identify Your Deeper Hungers:
What are your soul’s true hungers? Can you identify a hunger for God and eternal life that nothing else can satisfy?
- Commit to Endurance:
Consider where you place your focus—on perishable or imperishable things. Choose to “bond with Jesus in a way that is as real as eating real bread”.
Worship Calendar
Oct. 12 I AM the Bread of Life Exodus 3:13-15/John 6:25-35 Rev. Eric Lee
As we approach this Thanksgiving weekend, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for. We are blessed with competent leaders who are working to make Canada a stronger and better place in which to live. We are blessed with Pastor Eric who brings us the word of the Lord each and every Sunday. We are blessed with family and loved ones and even if our families are far away, we are still blessed with friends who will not hesitate to lend support and words of encouragement. Thanks be to God for all that we do have!
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Word from Pastor Eric
Hallelujah! What a joyful day at Graceview! We celebrated the baptism of our new members, witnessing God’s amazing grace and the transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ. It was truly moving to see lives renewed and hearts opened to eternal salvation.
Afterward, our potluck fellowship lunch brought everyone together with an abundance of dishes from many cultures — a delicious reminder of the love and unity we share as one family in Christ.
I thank God for orchestrating such a beautiful day of witness and community. May He continue to bless us with many more moments like this!
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”Acts 2:38 (NIV)
Another Message from Pastor Eric
Dear Graceview Family,
I want to bring to your attention that I’ve been receiving multiple reports of scam emails circulating among our church members. These emails falsely claim to be from me and may ask for money, financial help, or even personal confidential information.
Please be cautious:
- My official church email address is pastor@graceview.ca
- If you receive a message that looks suspicious, please double-check the sender’s address.
- When in doubt, please call my church office at 416-621-0888 (press 1 to reach me directly) to confirm.
Let’s stay alert and protect one another from these fraudulent attempts.
At the same time, I do want to remind us all that our calling to faithful and generous giving remains unchanged. Your tithes, offerings, and financial support to Graceview are vital for the long-term sustainability of our ministry, our mission efforts, and our outreach to the community.
Thank you for your discernment, your stewardship, and your partnership in Christ.
“Soup by Dave” Luncheon
Outreach will be hosting our fourth “Soup by Dave” luncheon on Monday, November 10th at 11:30 AM in the downstairs hall. Chef Dave Taylor will be preparing Dutch split pea soup and will demonstrate how to make it for us. Every guest will receive a copy of his recipe. We are very pleased to have “Chef Dave” share his culinary talents with us and know that he will provide us with another lively presentation. After lunch, Jan Hieminga will talk to us about his trip to Holland in May to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the front foyer. Please plan to attend and invite your friends to join you. Free Will Offerings will be gratefully accepted.
Couch Needed – If anyone has a couch that they have been thinking about donating, please contact Nancy McPherson.
Help Wanted
Graceview needs someone to undertake leading a small team of people to decorate the church for special times in our liturgical year. (Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter etc.). Lynne Bishop will assist in letting you know where everything is kept and what has been done in the past. Please let either Kathy Twynam of Susan Chopp know if you are interested.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Outreach is organizing a food/cash drive for the St James Food Basket to provide them with selected food products for their client families. The following items have been suggested: tuna, canned tomatoes and tomato paste, pasta (500 mg), canned beans – chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, baked beans (NO PORK added), dried beans – lentils, chickpeas, etc. (smaller bags), canned soup – vegetable, mushroom, tomato (NO MEAT, INCLUDING CHICKEN), and canned vegetables. We will put a wheelbarrow at the front of the church beginning on Sept 28th to hold your items. If you prefer, you can make a cash donation (cash, cheque or e-transfer) which will be used to buy these items in bulk by the Food Basket. Please mark your donation for the Outreach account and include your envelope number. Let’s aim to fill the wheelbarrow to overflowing by Sunday, October 19th and share our blessings with those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Changing your PARS Donations
PARS program. – If you are on the PARS program for your church giving and you wish to update your monthly donation, this can be easily done by contacting Jackie Taylor either in person or by email at jacquelinet@sympatico.ca
Egg Cartons
A message from St. James Food Basket: Thank you for so diligently collecting egg cartons. We have once again reached storage capacity. We will let you know when we need more egg cartons.
Saint James Food Basket – Bundle Buggies:
If anyone has a bundle buggy they no longer need and would like to donate it to the Food Basket, please leave it in the cloakroom by the Food Bank bin. There are several clients in need of a functioning cart.
A Fall Devotional Update (September 23):
A new edition of These Days (October/November/December), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (September/October/November) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
The Sweetness of His Presence
But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. – Psalm 73:28
Regardless of life’s seasons – the high peaks or the low valleys – nestling close to God is your greatest treasure. He is your safe haven, your fortress, wrapping you in comfort and steering you with wisdom. Sing about His deeds and weave stories of His steadfastness. As you lean into Him, He leans into you, surrounding you with His love and grace.
Dear God, draw me nearer still. In the warmth of Your presence, I find my true refuge and strength.
Sing! Etobicoke
Please be advised that Sing! Etobicoke sessions have been moved from Mondays to Thursdays. The time remains the same. Singing commences at 9:30 AM
To register, please visit: https://www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com/event/sing-etobicoke/
For information, please email: alex@neilsonparkcreativecentre.com or call 416-622-5294.