All Topics
August 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Sept 6 Bulletin
Here's what's happening around our church this week. 👋 Take a look at what’s happening around the life of SCC this week. You’ll find upcoming events, gatherings, and opportunities to connect with our church family. Thursday, September 3 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 7:00 pm | Elev8 Youth - We are kicking off our fall season and praying for the students starting school soon! Friday, September 4 7:00 pm | Thrive Young Adults in the youth room. Real Community. Lasting Faith. Ages 18-30. 7:30pm | The Table // A Place For Women - an evening of worship, encouragement, and meaningful connection as we follow Jesus together. Saturday, September 5 Loaves and Fishes Cook day! Get involved and volunteer! Email them to get started! Sunday, September 6 10:00am | Worship Service - Join us for Sunday service in person or online. 10:00 - 12:15 pm | Kids Ministry - Age-specific programming during the servic 4:00 pm | Jesus the Anointed One Church - Meets in the Kids Wing. Monday, September 7 It’s Labor day! Enjoy the holiday! Tuesday, September 8 7:00 pm | Celebrate Recovery - A safe place to find healing, hope, and freedom in Christ at Centre 150. Wednesday, September 9 Nothing on the Calendar today! Thursday, September 10 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 7:00 pm | Elev8 Youth - Meet at SCC for a night of fun, friendships, and discovering what it means to follow Jesus. Friday, September 11 Have a wonderful Friday! Saturday, September 12 Have a great weekend!! Upcoming Events September 6-13 | Global Week of Prayer - For the past four Saturdays we've been preparing our hearts in prayer and fasting. This week, we join the global Church in seeking Jesus together through the Global Week of Prayer. September 8th and 9th - Schools Back. September 12 @ 12-4pm | March for Jesus - Meet at Confederation Landing in Charlottetown for a day of worship, prayer, and a public witness to the hope we have in Jesus. September 12 @ 6 pm | Worship in Unity - Join believers from across PEI at Summerside Community Church for an evening of worship, prayer, and declaring God’s goodness. Click on the image below to learn more about this shared journey.prayer promptNew here? We'd love to connect. We’re making space to celebrate one another as a church family through birthdays and our People We Love feature. Fill out the form below so we can know more about you!Help us get to know you! Community Prayer We carry each other through the spiritual practice of prayer. Here's what our community is lifting up this week: 🙏 Loaves & Fishes – Pray for the volunteers, guests, and every conversation that takes place through the ministry of Loaves & Fishes. 🙏 School-Aged Kids- Pray for the children of our community as they head back for another school year. 🙏 Our Highs chool Graduates - Pray for Nathan Adams, Clara Arsenault & Jaelle Linkletter as they move into the next part of their journey this fall. 🙏 Inter-church Worship Night – Pray for the upcoming Inter-Church Worship night, asking God to move in our churches and across PEI.Submit your own prayer request Giving Update - August 23 General: $7,311.00
Building: $295.00
YTD General: $205,104.16 *updated as of July 31*
2026 Revenue Forecast: $462,600.00 Please note that our giving update section may not be updated every week. While we strive to provide regular updates, there may be occasions when circumstances prevent us from doing so. Your generosity helps make the life and ministry of SCC possible. Thank you for being part of what God is doing here. If you’re new, we’re simply glad you’re here.Give Now Here Watch last week’s sermon 👇Saying Yes to Jesus in Everyday LifeWatch our Services Online This weeks episode of Between the Shores 👇Subscribe To Our Between the Shores Podcast Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:00 AM
150 Industrial Crescent, Summerside, PE, C1N 5N6
August 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Aug 30th Bulletin
Here's what's happening around our church this week. 👋 Take a look at what’s happening around the life of SCC this week. You’ll find upcoming events, gatherings, and opportunities to connect with our church family. Thursday, August 27 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. There will be No Elev8 Youth Tonight. Friday, August 28 Enjoy your Friday! Saturday, August 29 The weather looks good! - Maybe one last beach day? Sunday, August 30 10:00am | Worship Service - Join us for Sunday service in person or online. 10:00 - 12:15 pm | Kids Ministry - Age-specific programming during the servic 4:00 pm | Jesus the Anointed One Church - Meets in the Kids Wing. Monday, August 31 7:00pm | Connect through Knitting and Crocheting - Connect with others as you knit, crochet, share stories, and enjoy unhurried conversation together. Tuesday, September 1 7:00 pm | Celebrate Recovery - A safe place to find healing, hope, and freedom in Christ at Centre 150. Wednesday, September 2 Nothing on the Calendar today! Thursday, September 3 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 7:00 pm | Elev8 Youth - Meet at SCC for a night of fun, friendships, and discovering what it means to follow Jesus. Friday, September 4 LAF Cook Day Saturday, September 5 Have a great Long weekend!! Upcoming Events September 5 | Prayer & Fasting - Over the four Saturdays leading up to Worship in Unity, we invite you to set aside time to pray and fast, asking Jesus to prepare our hearts, deepen our unity, and move throughout our churches and communities. September 8th and 9th - Schools Back. September 12, 6 pm | Worship in Unity - Join believers from across PEI at Summerside Community Church for an evening of worship, prayer, and declaring God’s goodness. Click on the image below to learn more about this shared journey.prayer promptNew here? We'd love to connect. We’re making space to celebrate one another as a church family through birthdays and our People We Love feature. Fill out the form below so we can know more about you!Help us get to know you! Community Prayer We carry each other through the spiritual practice of prayer. Here's what our community is lifting up this week: 🙏 Loaves & Fishes – Pray for the volunteers, guests, and every conversation that takes place through the ministry of Loaves & Fishes. 🙏 School-Aged Kids- Pray for the children of our community as they head back for another school year. 🙏 Our Highschool Graduates - Pray for Nathan Adams, Clara Arsenault & Jaelle Linkletter as they move into the next part of their journey this fall. 🙏 Inter-church Worship Night – Pray for the upcoming Inter-Church Worship night, asking God to move in our churches and across PEI.Submit your own prayer request Giving Update - August 16 General: $4,114.25
Building: $120.00
YTD General: $205,104.16 *updated as of July 31*
2026 Revenue Forecast: $462,600.00 Please note that our giving update section may not be updated every week. While we strive to provide regular updates, there may be occasions when circumstances prevent us from doing so. Your generosity helps make the life and ministry of SCC possible. Thank you for being part of what God is doing here. If you’re new, we’re simply glad you’re here.Give Now Here Watch last week’s sermon 👇Abiding in JesusWatch our Services Online This weeks episode of Between the Shores 👇Subscribe To Our Between the Shores Podcast Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:00 AM
150 Industrial Crescent, Summerside, PE, C1N 5N6
August 13, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Aug 23rd Bulletin
Here's what's happening around our church this week. 👋 Take a look at what’s happening around the life of SCC this week. You’ll find upcoming events, gatherings, and opportunities to connect with our church family. Thursday, August 20th 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 6:30 pm | Elev8 Youth - Burgers & Bibles at Andrew & Shirley Bryce’s house! Bring a friend! We’ll save you a burger. Friday, August 21st 7 pm | Thrive Young Adults - Real Community. Lasting Faith. Saturday, August 22nd The weather looks good! - Maybe one last beach day? Sunday, August 23rd 10:00am | Worship Service - Join us for Sunday service in person or online. 10:00 - 12:15 pm | Kids Ministry - Age-specific programming during the servic 4:00 pm | Jesus the Anointed One Church - Meets in the Kids Wing. Monday, August 24th 7:00pm | Connect through Knitting and Crocheting - Connect with others as you knit, crochet, share stories, and enjoy unhurried conversation together. Tuesday, August 25th 7:00 pm | Celebrate Recovery - A safe place to find healing, hope, and freedom in Christ at Centre 150. Wednesday, August 26th Nothing on the Calendar today! Thursday, August 27th 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 7:00 pm | Elev8 Youth - Meet at SCC for a night of fun, friendships, and discovering what it means to follow Jesus. Friday, August 28th Enjoy your Friday! Saturday, August 29th Have a great weekend!! Upcoming Events August 22, 29 & September 5 | Prayer & Fasting - Over the four Saturdays leading up to Worship in Unity, we invite you to set aside time to pray and fast, asking Jesus to prepare our hearts, deepen our unity, and move throughout our churches and communities. September 12, 6 pm | Worship in Unity - Join believers from across PEI at Summerside Community Church for an evening of worship, prayer, and declaring God’s goodness. Click on the image below to learn more about this shared journey.prayer promptNew here? We'd love to connect. We’re making space to celebrate one another as a church family through birthdays and our People We Love feature. Fill out the form below so we can know more about you!Help us get to know you! Community Prayer We carry each other through the spiritual practice of prayer. Here's what our community is lifting up this week: 🙏 Loaves & Fishes – Pray for the volunteers, guests, and every conversation that takes place through the ministry of Loaves & Fishes. 🙏 YWAM Niagara Mission Team – Pray for Deb, Gideon, Deborah, Nathan, and Jazmyn as they serve alongside YWAM Niagara in Niagara, Ontario this week, August 2–8. Hear what God did through the team on Sunday, August 30 🙏 Isaac Gillis – Pray for Isaac as he prepares to return to New Zealand in November to put his YWAM training into practice. 🙏 Our Highschool Graduates - Pray for Nathan Adams, Clara Arsenault & Jaelle Linkletter as they move into the next part of their journey this fall. 🙏 Inter-church Worship Night – Pray for the upcoming Inter-Church Worship night, asking God to move in our churches and across PEI.Submit your own prayer request Giving Update - July 26th General: $4,114.25
Building: $120.00
YTD General: $205,104.16 *updated as of August 16th*
2026 Revenue Forecast: $462,600.00 Please note that our giving update section may not be updated every week. While we strive to provide regular updates, there may be occasions when circumstances prevent us from doing so. Your generosity helps make the life and ministry of SCC possible. Thank you for being part of what God is doing here. If you’re new, we’re simply glad you’re here.Give Now Here Watch last week’s sermon 👇Living with the Presence of the Holy Spirit Every DayWatch our Services Online This weeks episode of Between the Shores 👇Subscribe To Our Between the Shores Podcast Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:00 AM
150 Industrial Crescent, Summerside, PE, C1N 5N6
August 13, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Aug 16th Bulletin
Here's what's happening around our church this week. 👋 Take a look at what’s happening around the life of SCC this week. You’ll find upcoming events, gatherings, and opportunities to connect with our church family. Thursday, August 13th 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 6:30 pm | Elev8 Youth - Burgers & Bibles at Henk & Catherine Visser’s house! Bring a friend! We’ll save you a burger. Friday, August 14th Enjoy your Friday! Saturday, August 15th 7 pm | Men’s Fire - A safe place for men to connect, listen, share, and walk together in faith.
More info below 👇mens fire Sunday, August 16th 10:00am | Worship Service - Join us for Sunday service in person or online. 10:00 - 12:15 pm | Kids Ministry - Age-specific programming during the servic 4:00 pm | Jesus the Anointed One Church - Meets in the Kids Wing. Monday, August 17th 7:00pm | Connect through Knitting and Crocheting - Connect with others as you knit, crochet, share stories, and enjoy unhurried conversation together. Tuesday, August 18th 7:00 pm | Celebrate Recovery - A safe place to find healing, hope, and freedom in Christ at Centre 150. Wednesday, August 19th Pinky & Me fundraiser- Great music, great company, and a great cause with all proceeds supporting Summerside Loaves & Fishes. Thursday, August 20th 9:30 am | Worship & Prayer in the Great Room. Start the day by seeking God together through prayer and worship. 6:30 pm | Elev8 Youth -Burgers & Bibles at Andrew & Shirley Bryce’s house! Bring a friend! We’ll save you a burger. Friday, August 21st. 7 pm | Thrive Young Adults - Real Community. Lasting Faith. Saturday, August 22nd Freedom Feast is cancelled for this month. See you in September! Upcoming Events August 19th | Come enjoy an evening of live music with Pinky & M.E. while helping care for our neighbours in practical ways. Every ticket supports the important work of Summerside Loaves & Fishes as they provide food and hope to people across our community. August 15, 22, 29 & September 5 | Prayer & Fasting - Over the four Saturdays leading up to Worship in Unity, we invite you to set aside time to pray and fast, asking Jesus to prepare our hearts, deepen our unity, and move throughout our churches and communities. September 12, 6 pm | Worship in Unity - Join believers from across PEI at Summerside Community Church for an evening of worship, prayer, and declaring God’s goodness. Click on the image below to learn more about this shared journey.prayer promptNew here? We'd love to connect. We’re making space to celebrate one another as a church family through birthdays and our People We Love feature. Fill out the form below so we can know more about you!Help us get to know you! Community Prayer We carry each other through the spiritual practice of prayer. Here's what our community is lifting up this week: 🙏 Loaves & Fishes – Pray for the volunteers, guests, and every conversation that takes place through the ministry of Loaves & Fishes. 🙏 YWAM Niagara Mission Team – Pray for Deb, Gideon, Deborah, Nathan, and Jazmyn as they serve alongside YWAM Niagara in Niagara, Ontario this week, August 2–8. Hear what God did through the team on Sunday, August 30 🙏 Isaac Gillis – Pray for Isaac as he prepares to return to New Zealand in November to put his YWAM training into practice. 🙏 Inter-church Worship Night – Pray for the upcoming Inter-Church Worship night, asking God to move in our churches and across PEI.Submit your own prayer request Giving Update - July 26th General: $9,947.44
Building: $180.00
YTD General: $186,204 *updated as of June 30th*
2026 Revenue Forecast: $462,600.00 Please note that our giving update section may not be updated every week. While we strive to provide regular updates, there may be occasions when circumstances prevent us from doing so. Your generosity helps make the life and ministry of SCC possible. Thank you for being part of what God is doing here. If you’re new, we’re simply glad you’re here.Give Now Here Watch last week’s sermon 👇Living with the Presence of the Holy Spirit Every DayWatch our Services Online This weeks episode of Between the Shores 👇Subscribe To Our Between the Shores Podcast Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:00 AM
150 Industrial Crescent, Summerside, PE, C1N 5N6
September 7, 2026 • 9 Minute Read
Get in the Water
Baptism is a word that carries a picture within it. To be baptized is to be immersed, plunged beneath the surface, surrounded by water until there is no part of you untouched by it. When the Bible speaks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that picture gives us a beautiful place to begin. It invites us to imagine a life immersed in the presence of God, learning to live within the life He has already opened to us. For many people, the words “Holy Spirit” carry other things too. There may be memories of a particular church tradition, experiences that were deeply meaningful, questions that were never fully answered, or disappointment connected to things witnessed along the way. Each of those experiences becomes part of the story we carry. Jesus welcomes us to bring the whole story with us as we return to Scripture and allow our understanding of Holy Spirit to keep growing. When we follow the Spirit through the biblical story, we discover that His presence has been there all along. The Spirit Over the Water The Bible opens with a world waiting for life. Genesis describes the earth as formless and empty, with darkness covering the deep, while “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” The Hebrew word used for spirit is ruach. It can mean breath, wind, or spirit, and there is something wonderfully alive about all three. Breath fills lungs. Wind moves through trees and across open water. The Spirit hovers over creation, completely present and ready to bring life. The word translated “hovering” gives us the picture of a bird staying close to its young, watchful and attentive. Before anything begins to grow, before the waters are gathered or the land produces vegetation, the Spirit is there. Genesis gives us our first glimpse of Holy Spirit as the One who is present within the unfinished places, bringing life where life is waiting to emerge. That picture can stay with us when our own lives feel unfinished. Holy Spirit remains present within places we cannot quite understand, including situations where the way forward has not become clear. What might change in the way we see those places if we began to trust that the Spirit of God is already present within them? A few verses later, God breathes life into humanity. Breath fills what God has formed from the dust, and a human being becomes alive. From the beginning, the biblical story connects the Spirit of God with life. That thread keeps moving. A Presence Drawing Closer Throughout the Old Testament, Holy Spirit works through people in wonderfully varied ways. He gives wisdom and skill to Bezalel as he creates the furnishings for the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1–5). He empowers leaders and speaks through prophets, working through people such as Deborah with courage and wisdom for the particular place and time in which they live (Judges 4–5). Then the prophets begin speaking about something still to come. Jeremiah describes a day when God will write His ways upon human hearts. Ezekiel speaks of God giving His people a new heart and placing His Spirit within them. In a valley filled with dry bones, Ezekiel watches as the breath of God brings life again. Joel hears God promise that His Spirit will be poured out upon sons and daughters, young and old, men and women. These promises were spoken to people who knew disruption, exile, grief, and uncertainty. Their familiar world had been shaken, and God kept speaking about presence, restoration, breath, and life. He was drawing His people toward a future in which His Spirit would dwell within them. God’s desire for closeness runs through the whole story, and the promises of the prophets begin to take visible form when Jesus arrives at the Jordan. As He rises from the water, the Spirit descends upon Him like a dove and the Father speaks His love over His Son. Father, Son, and Spirit are present together as Jesus begins His public ministry. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters of creation now rests upon Jesus, who will live in complete dependence upon the Father and the Spirit. John the Baptist had already told the people that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The One standing in the river would open the way for people to live immersed in the presence of God. The Water Begins to Move After the resurrection, Jesus tells His followers to wait for the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, wind fills the house, fire rests upon ordinary people, and voices begin speaking in languages they had never learned. Peter reaches back to the prophet Joel to explain what is happening. The promise they had been waiting for is unfolding among them. God pours out His Spirit on people. The rest of the New Testament begins to explore what life with the Spirit looks like. Paul tells followers of Jesus that they are God’s temple and His Spirit lives within them and among them. The Spirit grows fruit in human lives, gives gifts, helps people pray, leads them, and forms the character of Jesus within them. He creates a people whose shared life becomes another place where the presence of God can be seen. This brings the idea of immersion very close to home. Life with Holy Spirit reaches into prayer, relationships, work, creativity, decisions, conversations, disappointments, and the quiet thoughts no one else hears. His presence belongs within the ordinary texture of being human. We begin to recognize that He has been present in places we once overlooked. A conversation lingers in our thoughts and becomes an invitation to pray. Compassion rises unexpectedly for someone whose story we barely know. A familiar passage of Scripture suddenly speaks into something we are carrying. Beauty catches our attention on an otherwise ordinary morning, and for a few seconds we become aware of the goodness of God. Learning to live immersed begins with attention. We keep turning toward the One who is already near. Pouring Our Stories Into the River Our stories come with us into that life. The traditions we have inherited, the experiences that have awakened us to the reality of God, and even the disappointments that have left us carrying questions all become part of the way we understand Holy Spirit. These stories stay with us, sometimes for years, influencing what we expect and how open we feel to what God may want to show us. As we bring them into His presence, Holy Spirit can continue to meet us within our stories and deepen our understanding of who He is. The image of water helps here too. Water held in a bottle stays contained. A river moves, carrying fresh water onward as it follows its source. There are parts of our stories that can become contained in much the same way. We can hold tightly to one experience, one understanding, one disappointment, or one explanation until it becomes difficult to imagine that God might still have something to show us. Holy Spirit invites us to pour those stories into His living water and let Him carry them toward their source. Surrender can look like bringing our whole story with us, including the traditions that first taught us about Jesus, the experiences that awakened faith, the ones that left us confused, and the places where God acted differently than we expected. We can hold all of it openly before Holy Spirit, trusting Him to meet us within what we have lived and continue showing us who He is. After His resurrection, Jesus walked beside two disciples on the road to Emmaus who were carrying their own expectations and disappointments. As He opened the Scriptures, He helped them see their experiences within the larger story of what God had been doing all along. Their understanding began to change as they walked, and eventually they recognized that Jesus Himself had been with them on the road. Their story gives us room to consider our own. What might Holy Spirit be helping us see differently as we bring our experiences back to Jesus and allow Scripture to open our understanding of who He is? Come The final pages of the Bible return us to water as “the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come,’” inviting anyone who is thirsty to receive the water of life (Revelation 22:17). Genesis begins with the Spirit hovering over the waters, ready to bring life into creation, and Revelation closes with the Spirit still inviting people toward life. Between those two scenes, we find the story of God drawing near, breathing life into His creation and making His home among His people. We are living somewhere within that story, with places in us still waiting for renewal, questions we continue to carry, gifts we are learning to recognize, and trust that grows as we walk with Jesus. Holy Spirit is present there too, patiently leading us deeper into the life of Jesus. The invitation is beautifully simple: get in the water. Bring your story with you. Bring your questions, your history, your hope, your longing, and the parts you still cannot explain. Let Scripture keep introducing you to the Spirit who hovered over the waters, filled ordinary people, rested upon Jesus, came like wind and fire at Pentecost, and now makes His home within those who follow Christ. And as you move through the coming days, pay attention. Notice where life seems to be stirring. Listen for the quiet invitation to pray, to love, to create, to speak, to wait, or to move. Watch for the places where something that has felt stagnant begins to breathe again. The water is still moving. The Spirit is still giving life and Jesus is still inviting us deeper. The invitation remains open to every thirsty heart: come, get in the water, and discover where Holy Spirit is leading.Get in the Water
August 30, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Around the Bend
Most of us would probably like a little advance notice from God. A glimpse around the corner would be helpful. A few details about where a decision will lead, some reassurance that the thing we sensed Him inviting us into will unfold the way we imagined. We can pray, listen carefully, take a step of faith, and quietly begin forming a picture of what our yes will look like. Then the road turns. Plans can change in ways we never saw coming, leaving us to watch an opportunity disappear or something we prepared for move forward without us. We may find ourselves somewhere entirely different from where we thought we were headed, wondering how a path that once felt so clear could have taken such an unexpected turn. Those moments can bring honest questions to the surface.
Did I hear God correctly?
Did I misunderstand?
What am I supposed to do now? The Psalms describe God’s Word as “a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path”
Psalm 119:105 A lamp gives enough light to take the next step. There is a tenderness in that image because it describes a life of trust, one step illuminated at a time, with God close enough to lead us as we go. When the Plan Changes A heart prepared to serve can keep saying yes when the destination changes. We may sense God leading us in a particular direction and begin preparing ourselves for what lies ahead. Then circumstances shift, and the opportunity we expected takes a different turn. Questions naturally come with that. Did I hear God correctly? Was all that preparation leading somewhere? Those questions can become a place of deeper trust. God may be forming something in us before we understand where it will be needed. The willingness, compassion, courage, patience, or generosity growing in our hearts can become part of His work in a setting we never anticipated. This gives us a different way to hold our plans. Open hands leave room for God to guide the outcome while we continue offering Him our yes. The path may turn, and the work He has been doing within us continues into whatever comes next. Where might God already be using something He has been forming in you? God Is Already There Learning to live attentively with Holy Spirit can change the way we move through ordinary places, as the people and needs around us begin to hold our attention differently. A walk through the neighbourhood might draw us into prayer for the families who live there, while a practical need can invite us to serve or an unexpected conversation can help us notice the story another person is carrying. As our attention turns toward God, we begin to recognize more of what He may already be doing around us and how we might participate with Him. Prayer is part of that attentiveness. Romans 8 tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes according to the will of God. When we pray for another person, a family, a school, a workplace, or a community, we are joining a conversation God has already begun. His care was present before the need caught our attention, and His Spirit is already at work in places we may only be beginning to notice. That can make prayer wonderfully simple, because the places we already move through can become places where we notice what is on God’s heart. A walk through the neighbourhood might draw our attention toward the families who live there, passing a school might prompt us to pray for students and teachers, and a conversation might stay with us long enough to become a prayer later in the day. These small moments invite us to stay attentive to Holy Spirit as we move through everyday life. And as we pay attention, compassion can become increasingly personal. Jesus consistently saw the whole person in front of Him. Throughout the Gospels, He draws near to people carrying complicated stories and receives them with dignity and compassion. Following Him teaches us to look with that same kind of care, allowing another person’s humanity to matter to us. Our own stories can become part of this too. Experiences that have marked us may deepen our ability to recognize pain, loneliness, fear, or hope in someone else. What we have lived through can open our eyes to people we might otherwise have passed by, giving compassion somewhere tangible to go. Who has been coming into view lately? Where might Holy Spirit be inviting you to pay closer attention? Walking Humbly With God Micah gives beautifully ordinary language to this kind of life: “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”
- Micah 6:8 Walking with God happens in actual places among actual people. We listen as we go, allowing mercy to become part of our responses and obedience to take form through the choices in front of us. A few quiet minutes with Jesus, a prayer offered while walking down the street, practical help when someone needs it, or an unexpected opportunity to care can all become places where faith takes root in everyday life. There is a steady companionship in Micah’s picture. We walk with God through plans and interruptions, familiar routines and unexpected turns. We keep learning His voice and becoming attentive to His presence, trusting that He is already at work beyond what we can see. Over time, the truths we have carried in our minds begin to become part of the way we live. As we keep trusting God, learning to see people as Jesus sees them, and bringing the people and places around us into prayer, trust and compassion begin to take deeper root in our everyday lives. And step by step, we discover that life with Holy Spirit can happen right where we are. Around the Bend We rarely know what waits around the bend. God does. He sees the family member who will need our care, the stranger whose story will touch something in our own, the neighbourhood that needs prayer, the unexpected interruption that will become an opportunity to serve. He sees the ordinary moments where a quiet yes will become part of something much larger than we can see. That gives us room to loosen our grip on the map. We can ask Jesus what He is doing here, in this place, with these people, in the life directly in front of us. We can carry our plans with open hands and trust that the God who has been faithful behind us is already present ahead of us. And when the road turns, we can keep walking with Him.Empowered For Love
August 23, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
What Feels Like Home?
“Welcome home.” Those words carry a quiet warmth. They speak of a place where the door opens easily, where your presence is wanted, and where you can settle without wondering if you belong. Home gathers memories over time through shared meals, familiar voices, ordinary laughter, and the comfort of being known. Jesus uses this deeply human language to help us understand the life he shares with us. Home Comes Close In John 14, Jesus is speaking with friends whose world is becoming uncertain. They sense that change is coming, and their questions reveal how little they understand about where he is going. Jesus speaks peace to their troubled hearts and invites them to trust him. He tells them there is plenty of room in his Father’s house, and he promises that they will always be with him. Thomas responds with the honesty many of us carry: “We have no idea where you are going. So how can we know the way?” Jesus gives Thomas himself as the answer. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The way home is found in a living relationship with Jesus, where trust grows through knowing him and receiving the life he gives. As the conversation continues, the language of home comes even closer. Jesus says that the Father and the Son will come and make their home with those who love him (John 14:23). The word translated as “home” carries the sense of dwelling, staying, and remaining. Jesus is describing the settled presence of God within a person’s life. This is where the promise of Holy Spirit becomes especially beautiful. Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit will live with them and within them. God’s presence, once associated with places such as the tabernacle and the temple, will now dwell in human hearts. Through Holy Spirit, the life of the Father and the Son becomes present within ordinary people living ordinary days. For anyone whose experience of home has carried disappointment or hurt, Jesus offers a faithful welcome. He brings the steady care of the Father into the places where trust has felt difficult. He comes with patience, giving us room to learn his voice and become familiar with his presence. What might begin to change as your heart learns that God has drawn near and chosen to stay? Learning to Remain In John 15, Jesus gives his friends another picture. He describes himself as the vine and his people as the branches, then says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you”
- John 15:4 A branch receives life through its connection to the vine. Fruit grows gradually as life continues to flow through that connection, often quietly and beyond what the eye can see. Remaining in Jesus can look wonderfully ordinary. It happens as we turn our attention toward him during a difficult conversation, remember his words while making a decision, or invite him into the thoughts that keep circling through our minds. It happens around kitchen tables, during the drive to work, and in the pause before we respond to someone we love. Each moment becomes another opportunity to live from his presence. Where has your attention been living lately? Our attention often reveals where we have been making ourselves at home. Jesus welcomes us to return to him as often as needed, bringing our questions, distractions, hopes, and unfinished thoughts. Every return helps us recognize his presence with greater ease. The Shape of Fruit As we remain connected to Jesus, his presence guides how we carry our gifts and who we are becoming. Spiritual gifts reveal the generosity of God working through a person, while spiritual fruit reveals the character of Jesus growing within that person. Paul places his teaching about love at the centre of his discussion about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 through 14. Love gives every gift its healthy shape and helps it become a source of grace for others. Teaching carried with gentleness helps people feel safe enough to learn. Leadership joined with patience creates room for others to grow. Discernment expressed through kindness brings clarity with care, while generosity rooted in love helps people flourish without becoming a project. Holy Spirit forms the character of Jesus within us so that what we offer carries the heart of the One who gave it. “The fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” -
Galatians 5:22–23 These qualities reveal what the life of Jesus looks like as it takes root in a human heart. They grow through days of abiding, returning, listening, and learning to trust. Over time, the people around us begin to experience his patience in our responses, his kindness in our words, and his peace in the way we carry uncertainty. Fruit also gives us a gentle way to pay attention to what God is forming within us. Is what you are learning about God making you humbler and easier to correct? Is your prayer life helping you become gentler with the people nearest to you? Is your desire for truth growing alongside patience and compassion? These questions create space to notice the quiet work Holy Spirit may already be doing. A Shared History With Jesus A home becomes meaningful through the life shared within it. Certain rooms hold memories because conversations happened there, tears were received there, and laughter filled the space. Our life with Jesus grows in a similar way. We begin to remember the morning he gave us peace, the season when his words steadied us, and the meal where his presence seemed especially near. These shared moments become part of our history with him. They remind us that Jesus has been present through changing seasons and that his Spirit continues to make the love of the Father known. Even the ache we feel when our attention wanders can become a quiet call toward home. Jesus keeps welcoming us into the communion he has already opened. Perhaps there is room today to linger with him for a few unhurried minutes. You might bring him the part of your heart that feels crowded, tired, or far away and allow his presence to meet you there. You might simply pray, “Jesus, make your home in me, and teach me to remain in you.” As we stay connected to Jesus, his life continues to grow within us. Love finds expression through the gifts he has entrusted to us, and everyday moments become places where others encounter his grace. Holy Spirit patiently forms a life that carries the character of Christ. The door is open. Jesus has made the way, and his welcome remains. Welcome home.Empowered For Love
August 16, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Empowered For Love
The word “power” carries a lot of expectations. Many of us hear that word and immediately think about doing more, accomplishing more, or seeing extraordinary things happen. It is easy to bring those same expectations to the Holy Spirit. We can begin looking for power while missing the relationship He came to give us. Paul offers a picture that is both larger and deeply personal. In Ephesians 3, he prays that God’s Spirit would strengthen believers so Christ would make His home in their hearts, that they would become rooted in love, and that they would begin to grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ really is. Before Paul speaks about all that God is able to do through His power, he lingers over what God longs to do within us. Receiving the Father’s Love Paul’s prayer invites us to slow down and notice where God’s work begins. He asks that we would be strengthened through the Holy Spirit so Christ would dwell in our hearts through faith. As our roots grow deeper into God’s love, our lives become steadier because they are drawing from a source that never runs dry. Paul prays for something deeply personal. He asks God to help people experience the love of Christ, a love so vast that every step with Jesus reveals another glimpse of its beauty. Romans 5 echoes the same invitation. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. That image is generous and overflowing. Through Holy Spirit, God’s love fills our hearts. We begin to experience the Father’s love in ways that shape how we see God, ourselves, and the people around us. Many of us spend a great deal of energy asking God what He wants us to do. Paul begins by praying that we would know the love of Christ for ourselves. God wants His children to know they are deeply loved. As that love settles into our hearts, it begins to appear in the way we respond to people, carry disappointment, extend forgiveness, and live each day. Love received becomes love shared. Power That Looks Like Jesus The life of Jesus shows us what God’s power looks like when it is expressed through love. Jesus healed the sick, calmed storms, delivered people from oppression, multiplied food, and raised the dead. The very same Spirit also empowered Him to wash feet, touch people others avoided, welcome children, forgive His enemies, and surrender Himself to the Father’s will. Every one of those moments revealed the power of God. That picture stretches our understanding of spiritual power. Holy Spirit gives us courage to forgive when forgiveness feels costly. He gives us grace to tell the truth, humility to listen well, and strength to keep loving when walking away would feel easier. His work reaches into ordinary relationships because that is where the life of Jesus becomes visible. Many of us ask, “Holy Spirit, what should I do?” There is another question that reaches even deeper. “Holy Spirit, what does love look like here?” That single question can change the way we approach a conversation, a disagreement, a difficult decision, or an unexpected interruption. Love may speak. Love may listen. Love may establish a boundary. Love may extend forgiveness. Love may remain present with someone who needs to know they are not alone. Holy Spirit knows what love requires because He knows the heart of the Father. Learning to Live in His Presence Jesus often described life with God through simple images that people could recognize. Branches remain connected to a vine. Sheep know the shepherd’s voice. A seed grows over time. Each picture reminds us that life with God grows through relationship. Paul offers another beautiful picture in Acts 17 when he says, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” God’s presence surrounds our lives more completely than we usually notice. He is never distant, waiting for us to find Him. He is near, inviting us to become aware of the One who already holds our lives together. Fruit doesn’t suddenly appear because we decide to try harder. Nobody wakes up overflowing with patience because they concentrated hard enough the day before. Jesus compares us to branches connected to a vine because fruit grows wherever His life is flowing. As we remain with Him day after day, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control gradually become part of who we are. They are the evidence of His life at work within us. As we remain close to Jesus, His life becomes increasingly visible within our own. The fruit of the Spirit grows naturally. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control become visible because His life is becoming visible within ours. Love in Ordinary Moments Every day brings countless opportunities to receive and share God’s love. Many of them arrive without fanfare. It unfolds while raising children, serving coworkers, caring for aging parents, encouraging a friend, responding to disappointment, celebrating good news, or sitting quietly in prayer. Holy Spirit is present in every one of those moments, inviting us to notice the Father’s love and extend that same love to the people around us. We can spend a long time looking for the extraordinary while God is quietly at work in today’s conversation, today’s decision, and today’s opportunity to love someone well. Instead of measuring faithfulness by dramatic experiences, we begin noticing how God is gently forming our hearts. Holy Spirit meets us there because every part of life matters to God. His love slowly enlarges our capacity to love the people He has placed in front of us. The ocean offers a beautiful reminder of this steady faithfulness. Waves keep moving toward the shore without stopping. God’s presence carries that same steady movement. He has not stepped away from our lives. He continues meeting us through every season, drawing us deeper into His presence. Where might His love be inviting you to pay closer attention today? Where have you already seen quiet evidence that He is near? The Fullness of Life Ephesians 3 ends with one of Scripture’s most hope filled promises. God is able to accomplish immeasurably beyond what we could ask or imagine through His power at work within us. Those words become even richer when we remember everything Paul has prayed beforehand. He longs for people whose lives are rooted in God’s love, filled with the presence of Christ, and shaped by the Holy Spirit from the inside out. The invitation reaches every one of us. God continues pouring His love into human hearts through His Spirit. As we receive that love, our lives gradually become places where others can encounter His kindness, His grace, His patience, and His hope. This is the beautiful work the Spirit delights to do. He empowers us for love, and through that love He continues making us more like Jesus. One of the clearest demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power is a life that has become secure in the Father’s love. As His love fills us, we become increasingly free to love the people Jesus loves with the same grace, patience, and compassion He has shown us. That is the beautiful work of the Spirit, and it is a work He continues every day.Empowered For Love
August 9, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Living with the Holy Spirit Every Day
One of the most remarkable things about the life of Jesus is how present He was. He gave His full attention to the person standing in front of Him while never losing sight of the Father. Every conversation, every act of compassion, every hard truth, and every quiet moment flowed from that ongoing relationship. His life reveals what humanity looks like when it is completely at home with God. Jesus never presented that life as something beyond our reach. He promised Holy Spirit would dwell with His people, making communion with God part of everyday life. The relationship Jesus enjoyed with the Father becomes the pattern for the life He now shares with us. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus describes that relationship in beautifully simple ways. He does what He sees the Father doing. He speaks what the Father gives Him to say. He knows He is never alone because the Father is with Him. Even as the people around Him change from one moment to the next, His communion with the Father remains steady. That steady communion shaped everything. Peter could misunderstand Him. Religious leaders could challenge Him. Judas could betray Him. Crowds could celebrate Him one day and reject Him the next. None of those moments became the centre of His life because His awareness of the Father came first. Every response grew out of that relationship. Jesus knew the Father was always at work. That confidence did not begin with Him. It has always been woven through God’s story. That confidence runs throughout Scripture. Joseph eventually looked back over years of betrayal and suffering and could say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” His brothers made real choices, yet God’s purpose never disappeared beneath them. Centuries later, Isaiah expressed that same confidence: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand” (Isaiah 14:24). From beginning to end, Scripture reveals a God whose purposes continue unfolding through lives that are still being formed. That perspective changes how we experience everyday life. The people around us still matter and our circumstances remain real. Yet they no longer have the final word because Holy Spirit is continually at work, drawing people toward Jesus, shaping hearts, and revealing the Father’s presence in places we might otherwise overlook. Keeping in Step Paul captures this way of living with a simple phrase: “Keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). It is a picture of relationship that grows over time. Walking in step with someone is never accomplished by watching your own feet. You become aware of their pace, their movement, and the direction they are taking. Before long, your steps begin to match theirs. That was the image Paul chose because life with Holy Spirit is deeply personal. He is not asking us to become more disciplined or simply try harder. He is inviting us to walk with the One who is already present. As we learn His ways, our lives begin to move in rhythm with His. Jesus lived this way every day. His responses flowed from communion with the Father rather than from the emotions of the moment. Peter’s misunderstanding did not define His response. Judas’ betrayal did not determine His actions. Even the crowds could not pull Him away from the Father’s purposes. He remained anchored because He continually returned to the Father’s presence. Our lives are shaped in much the same way. Every conversation becomes an opportunity to notice where Holy Spirit is leading. Every interruption becomes a chance to trust that God is already at work. Even the moments that test our patience can become places where we learn to respond from communion with Jesus instead of simply reacting to what is happening around us. Keeping in step is learned over a lifetime. As we continue walking with Jesus, Holy Spirit patiently forms new habits within us, gently teaching us to see people, circumstances, and even ourselves through the Father’s heart. The Footing We Need Jesus promised His followers they would never walk alone. Before returning to the Father, He spoke about sending Holy Spirit to be with them and within them. The New Testament uses the word Paraclete, a name that carries the beautiful picture of One who comes alongside. Depending on the passage, it is translated as Helper, Advocate, Comforter, or Counsellor. Each word reveals something of God’s faithful presence. The word Paraclete has often been compared to a pair of cleats. Cleats do not run the race, yet they provide the traction needed to keep moving when the ground becomes uncertain. They help a runner keep their footing, stay balanced, and continue in the direction they were already headed. Holy Spirit works in much the same way. He does not remove every obstacle from our path, yet He faithfully comes alongside us, helping us remain grounded in Christ when life feels unsteady. Disappointment, uncertainty, and temptation still appear along the journey, but they no longer have to determine where our next step will lead. That is why Jesus could remain so steady. He lived in continual communion with the Father, and every step flowed from that relationship. Holy Spirit now forms that same kind of life within us, gently helping us keep our footing and continue walking in the way of Jesus, even when the path feels difficult. Living with His Presence Living with Holy Spirit begins with a simple awareness that God is already near. Jesus never instructed His followers to search for someone who had gone missing. He promised that Holy Spirit would dwell with them. The invitation is to become increasingly aware of the One who has never stopped being present. That awareness quietly changes the way we move through the day. A difficult conversation becomes an opportunity to pause before responding. A disappointing moment becomes an opportunity to ask what God might be doing beneath the surface. Decisions are no longer carried by our own understanding alone because we are learning to walk with the One who sees far more than we do. Paul described this as praying continually. He was not encouraging constant words as much as a life lived in ongoing communion with God. Prayer becomes a conversation woven through ordinary moments. It continues while driving to work, sharing a meal, making a difficult decision, or celebrating unexpected joy. Communion with God becomes the place from which we live. One simple prayer can help cultivate that awareness: “Jesus, what do You want me to know right now?” There is no pressure to have every answer before asking the question. Sometimes He brings peace. Sometimes He gently reshapes our perspective. Sometimes He reminds us of a truth we had forgotten. Over time, that simple practice helps us become more attentive to His presence and more confident that He is already at work. Living with Holy Spirit every day grows from that kind of relationship. As we continue walking with Jesus, we discover that His presence is steady through every season. The Father is still accomplishing His purposes, Holy Spirit is still at work, and each step becomes another opportunity to walk in communion with the One who has been with us all along.Living with the Holy Spirit Every Day
August 4, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Learning to Live From a New Heart
Throughout Scripture, God’s saving work comes first. Learning to live in that freedom unfolds over time. Israel walked out of Egypt in a single night. The sea opened, the people crossed on dry ground, and the power that had enslaved them disappeared beneath the water. Pharaoh’s voice had shaped their lives for generations, and those years could still be heard in the way they thought, reacted, and made decisions. They had left Egypt, though Egypt still occupied places within them. The wilderness became the place where their hearts slowly caught up with what God had already done. Pharaoh no longer decided where they would live, how hard they would work, or what their future would hold. God walked with them, teaching them what life looked like as His people. Their story gives language to something many followers of Jesus discover. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has broken the power of sin and opened the way home to the Father. Scripture describes those who belong to Christ as new creations. Holy Spirit dwells within us, giving us a new heart and shaping the life of Christ in us. That new heart is God’s gift. Learning to live from it is the journey. Freedom Takes Root Israel lived under Pharaoh’s rule for four hundred years. Generation after generation grew up hearing the same messages of pressure, fear, production, and survival until those voices became familiar. Even after they crossed the Red Sea, they carried those old ways of thinking with them. Freedom was real, but it took time for their hearts to believe they were no longer slaves. Our hearts carry voices too. Some were formed in childhood. Others grew through painful relationships, disappointment, cultural expectations, or seasons when we learned to protect ourselves. We may have discovered that staying in control felt safe, that performing well earned approval, or that keeping people at a distance reduced the chance of being hurt. Those responses may have helped us through difficult seasons, but they can quietly settle into the way we see ourselves, other people, and God. Holy Spirit knows every one of those places. He uncovers the beliefs beneath our reactions and the fears beneath our need for control, creating space for honesty because, as Romans 8 declares, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We can bring every part of ourselves into His presence, including the places that feel frightened, guarded, or uncertain. Where might an old voice still be shaping the way you see yourself? What has it taught you to expect from God? A Heart Under Renovation Giving Jesus access to our heart resembles handing Him the keys to an entire house. His work reaches every room. He strengthens the foundation, opens long closed doors, and restores places that have carried years of wear. Anyone who has lived through a renovation knows the work unfolds one room at a time. Hidden problems appear beneath the surface, plans change, and progress can be difficult to recognize while you’re living in the middle of it. Hearts grow in much the same way. God works through our desires, thoughts, relationships, choices, and responses, shaping something that will last. Jesus described life with Him as remaining connected to the vine. That picture reminds us where growth begins. His life flows into ours through everyday moments that can seem ordinary at first glance. A conversation where we pause before responding, an apology, a prayer whispered during a difficult morning, or choosing to bring our anxiety before God all become places where He continues His work. A gardener understands this rhythm. Seeds spend weeks beneath the soil before anyone sees a hint of green above the surface. While nothing appears to be happening, roots are reaching deeper and preparing for the life that will emerge in time. God works with that same quiet faithfulness, accomplishing far more than we can see. Learning Another Voice Learning to live as free people also meant learning whose voice would shape their lives. Pharaoh’s voice belonged to the past. God was drawing His people into a relationship where they could learn to recognize His voice and follow Him day by day. Many voices continue speaking long after their authority has been broken. Shame, fear, performance, and self protection still try to shape the way we think. They may sound familiar, but they no longer have the final word. Holy Spirit teaches us to recognize the Father’s voice above every other voice. We come to know Him through Scripture, prayer, and life together with other believers. Over time His voice becomes familiar because we continue spending time with Him. Like any relationship, trust grows through shared life. Prayer becomes part of that shared life. We bring Him our work, our families, our decisions, our disappointments, and our questions. We learn to ask, “Holy Spirit, what are You doing here?” That simple prayer slows us down long enough to remember that God is present in this moment, not waiting somewhere farther down the road. Living From What Is Already True When Israel reached Mount Sinai, God gave them His law after He had rescued them. They received instruction as people who had already been redeemed. The law showed them how to live with the God who had brought them into covenant with Himself. Learning to live from a new heart begins with receiving the gift God has already given. Jesus brings us into new life, and Holy Spirit forms that life within us day by day. As our trust grows, our hearts become more at home in the freedom Jesus has given us. This journey unfolds over a lifetime. Feelings do not always change overnight. Habits formed over many years may take time to loosen their grip. God never loses sight of the work He has begun, and His grace meets us in every stage of that process. What would it look like to trust the new heart Jesus has given you today? That may begin with noticing which voice has your attention. It may begin by opening one guarded place to God and allowing His presence to meet you there. The story of God is the story of One who keeps drawing closer. He walks with His people, forms them with wisdom and love, and teaches them to live in the freedom He has already given. One ordinary step at a time. Watch the Sermon 👇Learning to Live From A New Heart
July 26, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
When Love Rearranges Your Heart
When Love Rearranges Your Heart Most people can remember something they carried everywhere as a child. A favourite blanket. A stuffed animal that had seen better days. A toy that somehow made unfamiliar places feel a little more manageable. Those objects offered real comfort. They helped us take small steps into a world that felt much bigger than we were. Then, almost without noticing, there came a day when they stayed behind. We had grown, and what once felt essential quietly became something we no longer needed. Growing older changes the things we carry. The blanket may disappear, yet the longing to feel safe remains. We don’t usually outgrow our need for security. We simply find new ways to look for it. Over the years, life quietly teaches us habits that help us navigate disappointment, uncertainty, and pain. Some become so familiar that we stop noticing them altogether. Those habits look different for each of us. Some people learn to stay in control because uncertainty feels overwhelming. Others work tirelessly to get everything right, hoping perfection will protect them from failure or criticism. Some become fiercely independent after learning that relying on other people can lead to disappointment. These responses rarely appear without a story. They are often shaped by experiences that taught us, consciously or unconsciously, what was necessary to make it through. The surprising part is that these ways of coping often begin as something genuinely helpful. They carry us through difficult seasons and help us keep moving when life feels uncertain. Over time, though, what once served as protection can quietly become a limitation. The need to stay strong can make it difficult to receive help. The desire to get everything right can leave little room for grace. Independence can become isolation, and control can make trust feel risky. Where Trust Was Broken This tension is much older than any one of us. The opening pages of the Bible tell a story that helps make sense of our own. They show us where trust was broken, why fear took root, and how our hearts learned to protect themselves. Genesis 3 begins in a garden where humanity lived in close relationship with God. Adam and Eve enjoyed His presence, cared for His creation, and experienced life as He intended it. Fear had no place there, and shame had not yet entered the story. Their lives were marked by trust. Then another voice entered the conversation. The serpent quietly planted doubt about God’s character, suggesting that He was holding something back. In that moment, trust gave way to suspicion. Adam and Eve reached for life on their own terms, and everything changed. The first thing they noticed was their own vulnerability. They covered themselves, hid from God, and began blaming one another. Those responses have echoed through every generation since. When we feel exposed, we instinctively look for something to hide behind. We protect ourselves from rejection, disappointment, and pain in ways that often feel ordinary because they have become so familiar. We stay in control, work harder, keep people at a distance, or convince ourselves that we can manage on our own. Although those responses look different from person to person, they all grow from the same place. Somewhere beneath them is a question that has lingered since the garden: Can God really be trusted? God Keeps Moving Toward Us The story could have ended there, with humanity hiding and God walking away. It didn’t. From the very beginning, God has been moving toward the people who turned from Him. Throughout the Bible, He continues pursuing hearts that have learned to hide, patiently revealing His faithfulness to generation after generation. The distance between God and humanity was never created because He stopped loving His creation. Even in the middle of humanity’s rebellion, His desire has always been to rescue, restore, and bring people back into relationship with Himself. That story reaches its fullest expression in Jesus. He entered the very world that had become marked by fear, shame, and self protection, not to condemn it but to save it. His life, death, and resurrection opened the way for something entirely new. The question is no longer whether God is willing to come near, in Jesus, He already has. The invitation now is to learn to trust the One who has been reaching toward us all along and allow Holy Spirit to work from the inside out. Life in a Different Atmosphere That is why Paul’s words in Romans 8 carry such hope: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is more than a comforting promise for difficult days. It describes the kind of life Jesus has made possible. Life with Jesus is shaped by a different atmosphere. Many of us have spent years expecting failure to be met with rejection, weakness to be met with criticism, or vulnerability to be met with disappointment. Those expectations become part of the way we move through the world, and before long we begin assuming God will respond to us in much the same way. Romans 8 tells a different story. Through Jesus, we no longer have to live beneath the constant weight of shame or the fear that one wrong step will push God away. His presence becomes the place where honesty is safe, grace is abundant, and healing can begin. This is where the work of Holy Spirit becomes so personal. He does not expose our hearts to embarrass us or make us feel guilty. He brings truth into the places we have kept hidden because those are the very places where God’s healing is needed most. What we have spent years protecting, He gently invites us to place into the hands of Jesus. The purpose of His light is to reveal what is real and true, ultimately leading us to recognize that we can trust His goodness and that His presence is meant to heal and restore that which was distorted and lost. From that place we can then begin to experience the freedom to be who we are and continue to grow in the light of Holy Spirit in us. Learning to Let Go The security blankets of childhood were never meant to stay with us forever. They gave us comfort for a season until we were ready to take the next step. In much the same way, many of the ways we have learned to protect ourselves once served a purpose. They helped us through difficult moments, painful relationships, and uncertain seasons. Yet Jesus loves us too much to leave us depending on what was only ever meant to carry us for a while. Most of us eventually left our childhood security blankets behind. The harder things to recognize are the ones we still carry today. The Holy Spirit has a gentle way of bringing those places into the light, not to shame us, but to remind us that we no longer have to carry them alone. What are you still holding because it once helped you feel safe? Jesus meets us there with patience and kindness, inviting us to trust Him with the parts of our hearts we have guarded for so long. Watch the Sermon 👇When Love Rearranges Your Heart
July 30, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Men's Fire Update
A fire worth coming back to Life asks a lot of a man. There are responsibilities to carry, people depending on you, decisions to make, and a constant pull to keep moving. Every so often, it’s worth stepping away from the noise to spend an evening with men who understand the journey. Our Men’s Fires are a place to strengthen one another, share what God is doing, and be reminded that courage, faith, and brotherhood are built over time. Around the fire, you’ll find honest conversations, genuine friendships, and men committed to helping each other follow Jesus well. Our next Men’s Fire is Saturday, August 15 at 7:00 pm.
Location: Dock area - Sunrise Drive - Granville on the Water subdivision.
Bring a lawn chair and join us around the fire.
September 3, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Reach
God's heart has always been for people. As we prepare for Worship in Unity, we want to pray beyond ourselves and beyond our churches. This week, we turn our attention to the communities where God has placed us. Jesus consistently noticed people who were overlooked, welcomed those who felt excluded, and brought hope to those who were searching. As we spend time with Him, our hearts begin to reflect His heart for others. Prayer prepares us to participate in what God is already doing. As we seek Him, He often opens our eyes to opportunities to encourage someone, share His love, or simply be present with those around us. About Fasting If fasting is new to you, begin with a simple step that fits your season of life. The purpose of fasting isn't to prove our devotion or earn God's favour. It's to intentionally set aside something that normally has our attention so we can give that time and attention to Jesus instead. Here are a few ways you might participate: Fast one meal and spend that time reading Scripture and praying. Fast from sunrise until supper if you're able. Choose a non-food fast by setting aside social media, television, entertainment, or another regular distraction, and use that time to seek God. If you have medical concerns, are pregnant, or have dietary needs, please choose a fast that is appropriate for your situation. Whatever you choose, let the time you would normally spend eating or engaging with that activity become an opportunity to worship, read Scripture, sit quietly with God, or pray. This Week's Prayer Focus Pray for your neighbourhood and community. Pray for people who are searching for hope, peace, and purpose. Ask Holy Spirit to soften hearts and draw people to Jesus. Pray for opportunities to be a faithful witness through your words, your actions, and your love. Pray that Worship in Unity would encourage believers and point people to Christ. Remember, prayer is about turning to Jesus, and being with Him. Allow for some quiet time to just be with Him in silence. When your mind wanders, because it will, just turn back to focusing on Jesus. Like young Samuel learned from a young age, say, ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening’ (1 Samuel 3:1) Scripture to Read "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them... Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
- Matthew 9:36–38 Pray that Jesus would give us His compassion for the people around us.
Ask Him to raise up men and women who will faithfully share the hope of the gospel across Prince Edward Island. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers
into his harvest field."
- Luke 10:2 Pray for churches across our Island to be faithful witnesses in their communities.
Ask God to prepare hearts to receive the good news of Jesus. "...God... gave us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
- 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 Pray that we would represent Jesus well through our words, actions, and love.
Ask God to help us become people who bring hope, healing, and reconciliation wherever He sends us. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved... How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
- Romans 10:13–15 Pray for those who have never heard or never responded to the invitation of Jesus.
Ask God to open doors for conversations that point people toward Him. "Devote yourselves to prayer... Pray that God may open a door for our message... Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders."
- Colossians 4:2–6 Pray for open doors to share Christ naturally and graciously.
Ask Holy Spirit to give believers wisdom, courage, and kindness as they interact with others. Reflection As you pray today, ask yourself: How can I encourage and pray for another church or ministry this week? Thank you for continuing this journey of prayer and fasting. Next week, we'll pray for our communities and ask God to draw people to Himself. Prayer & Fasting Guide (PDF)
Download your guide for practical fasting ideas and weekly prayer focuses.Download Guide Preparation Schedule August 29 — Reach
September 5 — Fill
September 12 — Worship in Unity
August 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Fill
September 12 is almost here. For the past four weeks we've been preparing together through prayer and fasting. Along the way we've asked God to prepare our hearts, strengthen the unity of His Church, and give us His heart for our communities. This week we bring all of those prayers together as we pray for Worship in Unity. Our desire isn't simply for a well-planned evening. We long to see Jesus honoured, His Church encouraged, and Holy Spirit free to work in every heart. We trust that God has been preparing His people long before we gather, and we look forward with expectation to what He will continue to do. About Fasting If fasting is new to you, begin with a simple step that fits your season of life. The purpose of fasting isn't to prove our devotion or earn God's favour. It's to intentionally set aside something that normally has our attention so we can give that time and attention to Jesus instead. Here are a few ways you might participate: Fast one meal and spend that time reading Scripture and praying. Fast from sunrise until supper if you're able. Choose a non-food fast by setting aside social media, television, entertainment, or another regular distraction, and use that time to seek God. If you have medical concerns, are pregnant, or have dietary needs, please choose a fast that is appropriate for your situation. Whatever you choose, let the time you would normally spend eating or engaging with that activity become an opportunity to worship, read Scripture, sit quietly with God, or pray. This Week's Prayer Focus Pray that Jesus would be honoured in every part of Worship in Unity. Pray for the churches participating and for every pastor, worship leader, musician, prayer leader, volunteer, and servant involved in the evening. Pray for every person who will attend, asking God to encourage believers and draw those who are searching closer to Himself. Pray that Holy Spirit would lead every conversation, every prayer, every song, and every heart. Pray that the unity we celebrate together would continue to grow long after September 12. Remember, prayer is about turning to Jesus, and being with Him. Allow for some quiet time to just be with Him in silence. When your mind wanders, because it will, just turn back to focusing on Jesus. Like young Samuel learned from a young age, say, ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening’ (1 Samuel 3:1) Scripture to Read "Lift up your heads, you gates... that the King of glory may come in."
- Psalm 24:7-10 Pray that our hearts would be open to welcome Jesus
and that He would be honoured throughout the evening. "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith... Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..."
- Ephesians 3:16-21 Pray that God would strengthen His people through the
Holy Spirit and accomplish far more than we could plan or imagine. "...Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness...
After they prayed... they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..."
- Acts 4:29-31 Pray for courage, faithfulness, and the fresh filling
of the Holy Spirit for everyone who participates. Reflection As September 12 approaches, consider this question: How is God inviting me to participate in what
He is already doing among His Church? Thank you for joining this journey of prayer and fasting. We look forward to worshipping together on September 12 as we lift high the name of Jesus. Prayer & Fasting Guide (PDF)
Download your guide for practical fasting ideas and weekly prayer focuses.Download Guide Preparation Schedule September 5 — Fill
September 12 — Worship in Unity
August 20, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Unite
Jesus prayed that His followers would be one. That doesn't mean every church looks the same or expresses worship in the same way. God has gifted His Church with many different expressions, traditions, and cultures. Yet together we belong to one body because we belong to one Lord. As we prepare for Worship in Unity, we want to thank God for the churches He has established across Prince Edward Island and ask Him to continue strengthening His people. Our prayer is that our love for one another would point others to Jesus. About Fasting If fasting is new to you, begin with a simple step that fits your season of life. The purpose of fasting isn't to prove our devotion or earn God's favour. It's to intentionally set aside something that normally has our attention so we can give that time and attention to Jesus instead. Here are a few ways you might participate: Fast one meal and spend that time reading Scripture and praying. Fast from sunrise until supper if you're able. Choose a non-food fast by setting aside social media, television, entertainment, or another regular distraction, and use that time to seek God. If you have medical concerns, are pregnant, or have dietary needs, please choose a fast that is appropriate for your situation. Whatever you choose, let the time you would normally spend eating or engaging with that activity become an opportunity to worship, read Scripture, sit quietly with God, or pray. Remember, prayer is about turning to Jesus, and being with Him. Allow for some quiet time to just be with Him in silence. When your mind wanders, because it will, just turn back to focusing on Jesus. Like young Samuel learned from a young age, say, ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening’ (1 Samuel 3:1) This Week's Scriptures & Prayer Focus "...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you... Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." - John 17:20–23 Pray that the Church across Prince Edward Island would reflect the unity Jesus prayed for.
Ask God to help us love one another in ways that point people to Christ. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace… There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…" -Ephesians 4:1-6 Pray for pastors, ministry leaders, elders, volunteers, and congregations.
Ask God to strengthen relationships between churches and help us walk together with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!... For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." - Psalm 133:1-3 Thank God for the many churches across our Island.
Pray that our unity would be a place where God's blessing, encouragement, and life are experienced by His people. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Bear with each other and forgive one another… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." - Colossians 3:12-15 Pray that God would shape His Church to reflect the character of Christ.
Ask Him to fill us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.
Pray that the peace of Christ would guide our relationships so that our unity becomes a faithful witness to the world. Reflection As you pray today, ask yourself: How can I encourage and pray for another church or ministry this week? Thank you for continuing this journey of prayer and fasting. Next week, we'll pray for our communities and ask God to draw people to Himself. Prayer & Fasting Guide (PDF)
Download your guide for practical fasting ideas and weekly prayer focuses.Download Guide Preparation Schedule August 29 — Reach
September 5 — Fill
September 12 — Worship in Unity
August 13, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Prepare
Before God moves through us, He often chooses to work within us. Throughout Scripture, seasons of prayer and fasting were often times of preparation. They weren't about convincing God to act, but about making room to listen, surrender, and align ourselves with God's purposes. As we prepare for Worship in Unity, we invite you to join believers from churches across Prince Edward Island in setting aside time to seek Jesus together. About Fasting If fasting is new to you, begin with a simple step that fits your season of life. The purpose of fasting isn't to prove our devotion or earn God's favour. It's to intentionally set aside something that normally has our attention so we can give that time and attention to Jesus instead. Here are a few ways you might participate: Fast one meal and spend that time reading Scripture and praying. Fast from sunrise until supper if you're able. Choose a non-food fast by setting aside social media, television, entertainment, or another regular distraction, and use that time to seek God. If you have medical concerns, are pregnant, or have dietary needs, please choose a fast that is appropriate for your situation. Whatever you choose, let the time you would normally spend eating or engaging with that activity become an opportunity to worship, read Scripture, sit quietly with God, or pray. This Week's Prayer Focus Pray that God would prepare your heart to seek Him. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal anything that has distracted you from Jesus. Pray for a greater hunger for God's presence and a deeper love for Christ. Ask God to prepare His Church for Worship in Unity and for what He desires to do across Prince Edward Island. Remember, prayer is about turning to Jesus, and being with Him. Allow for some quiet time to just be with Him in silence. When your mind wanders, because it will, just turn back to focusing on Jesus. Like young Samuel learned from a young age, say, ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening’ (1 Samuel 3:1) Scripture to Read "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
- Psalm 139:23–24 Consider reading the whole Psalm as a prayer and allow yourself to pray other Psalms as you have time. 'Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ' - John 15:4 (vs 1-17) Reflection As you spend time with Jesus today, consider this question: What might God be inviting me to lay aside so I can give Him more of my attention? Thank you for joining believers from across our Island as we prepare together. Next Saturday, we'll turn our prayers toward the unity of Christ's Church. Prayer & Fasting Guide (PDF)
Download your guide for practical fasting ideas and weekly prayer focuses.Download Guide Preparation Schedule August 15 — Prepare
August 22 — Unite
August 29 — Reach
September 5 — Fill
September 12 — Worship in Unity
August 5, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
The Invitation
On September 12, believers from churches across Prince Edward Island
will come together for an evening of worship, prayer, and Communion. The journey begins before we gather. Over the four Saturdays leading up to Worship in Unity, we invite you to set aside time to pray and fast, asking Jesus to prepare our hearts, deepen our unity, and move throughout our churches and communities. Watch the introduction below to learn more about this shared journey. Prayer & Fasting Guide (PDF)
Download your guide for practical fasting ideas and weekly prayer focuses.Download Guide "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Colossians 4:2 Preparation Schedule August 15 — Prepare
August 22 — Unite
August 29 — Reach
September 5 — Fill
September 12 — Worship in Unity
August 4, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Freedom Feast
The Freedom to Feast 🙌 Jesus regularly shared meals with people. Around the table, strangers became friends, stories were shared, and lives were changed. We continue that rhythm each month as we slow down, share a meal, and celebrate the freedom He has given us. Freedom Feast is a monthly meal where everyone is welcome. Bring a main dish if you’re able, invite a friend, or simply come as you are. Enjoy good food, genuine conversation, and an unhurried evening where every seat at the table is an invitation to belong. Our next Freedom Feast is Saturday, September 26th at 5:00 pm.
Everyone is welcome. Bring a main dish if you’re able, or simply come and enjoy the evening with us.Let Us Know You’re Coming 📅 Upcoming Dates — 4th Saturday of the month (September 26)
July 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Sept 12
We Gather Over the past four weeks, believers from churches across Prince Edward Island have been praying and fasting together in preparation for this evening. We've prayed for God to prepare our hearts. We've prayed for the unity of His Church. We've prayed for our communities. We've prayed for this gathering. Now we come together. Our hope has never been simply to host another event. We gather because we share one Lord, one Spirit, and one hope. As we worship Jesus together, we ask Holy Spirit to continue His work among us, strengthening His Church and drawing people to Himself. Whether you've been part of the entire journey or this is your first step, we're grateful you'll be joining us. Event Details Saturday, September 12 | 6:00 PM
Summerside Community Church
150 Industrial Crescent, Summerside
Doors open at 5:30 PM Before You Arrive Take a few quiet moments to prepare your heart. Ask God to help you worship Him wholeheartedly. Pray for the churches represented throughout the evening. Come expecting to encourage others and be encouraged. Remain open to whatever Holy Spirit desires to do. Scriptures to Read Before the Evening "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"
- Psalm 133:1 "...that all of them may be one..."
- John 17:20-23 "...Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
-Ephesians 4:1-6 A Prayer Before We Gather Father,
Thank You for drawing Your Church together. Prepare our hearts to worship You with humility, joy, and love. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. May Jesus be honoured in every prayer, every song, every conversation, and every moment we share together. Strengthen Your Church across Prince Edward Island, and let our unity point people to Christ. We come expecting You to work because You are faithful. In Jesus' name,
Amen.
July 31, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Giving Update
Generosity is one of the ways we participate in what God is doing. Each week, as we give together, we help support ministry, care for people, and create space for lives to be changed. Below is this week’s giving update and a snapshot of God’s continued provision through our church family. Sunday August 23 General:$9,881.44
Building:$220.00
YTD General: $205,104.16 *updated as of July 31*
2026 Revenue Forecast: $462,600.00 Please note that our giving update section may not be updated every week. While we strive to provide regular updates, there may be occasions when circumstances prevent us from doing so. Your generosity helps make the life and ministry of SCC possible. Thank you for being part of what God is doing here. If you’re new, we’re simply glad you’re here.Give Now Here
150 Industrial Cres., Summerside, PE
902-436-8300
Email: sccoffice@sccpei.com
Copyright Summerside Community Church 2026