meets at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave.

Charlottetown, PE Sunday mornings 10:00 am - 12:00 PM

March 24, 2013

Mercy 4

by Tom Zawacki
Serving This Sunday
Greeters Lindsay Metzger & Shelagh Campbell Worship Team TBA Communion Preparation Bernice Gallant Speaker Tom Zawacki Sound Bram Hamming Media Willy Hamming Toddler Ministry TBA CHILDRENs Ministry Laurie MacPhee & TBA Prayer Ministry Teams TBA Clean Up - TEAM E Wayne & Natalie Simmons (lead), Brent & Colin Simmons, Carl & Sheryl Friedrich, Jonathon Friedrich.

This past Sunday I continued my sermon series on Mercy with a look at Jesus words to the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. We looked at various translations, defined a few key words and examined the context of the verse. We discovered that this is Matthew telling his own story, hes giving an account of his calling, of his personal testimony. This is the Matthew. Matthew the tax collector turned follower of Jesus, turned gospel writer, turned apostle. Jesus said come follow me and Matthew left his tax collectors booth and followed Jesus. As a matter of fact Jesus had dinner at Matthews house that night. Jesus had dinner with Matthew and all his tax collector/prostitute/sinner friends. Jesus sat at table and communed with the very people that the Scribes and Pharisees avoided like the plague. When these religious professionals mumble and complain to the disciples about the dinner arrangements Jesus jumps into the dialogue and address them directly concerning mercy. Here is his full reply from Matthew 9:12-13: On hearing this, Jesus said,It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means:I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. What application can we draw from this? Could it be that in a Mercy Season we will the differences between mercy and sacrifice manifested? Where Sacrifice was intuitional, Mercy will be relational. Where Sacrifice was about rituals, Mercy will be about relationships. Where Sacrifice valued rules and regulations, Mercy values freedom. Where Sacrifice was controlling, Mercy will be compassionate. Where Sacrifice was strict literal adherence to the rules of ceremonial law, Mercy expresses compassion for the lost and seeks to rescue them. Where Sacrifice was representative of the Old Covenant, Mercy represents the New Covenant. continued on page 2

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PRAYER
requests
Charlottetown Community Church & Surrounding Community The Presence of God That we Live Loved That we Live Love That we Live Supernaturally Laurie MacPhees nephew & sister Recovery & support for him and his family. Jane Watts niece Healing, prompt medical care & comforting peace. Trevena MacLeods mother Healing, freedom from pain, lifted spirits & support for her and her family. Marsha McAndrews friend Tanya Badgley & her mother, Connie Healing for Connie, support and comfort for her family. Melanie Taylors daughter Jessica Healing and lifted spirits. Jack McAskill A healthy new liver, a speedy transplant, healing & recovery, lifted spirits & support. Donna MacDonald Healing, freedom from pain, lifted spirits & support for her and her family. Lori Nelsons father Healing from surgery, radiation, and chemo, lifted spirits & support for him and his family. Lori McDonalds friend Jen Healing from cancer, lifted spirits & support for her and her family. Karen Gallants grandson Oliver Healing and support for him and his family.

Isnt that clearly what Jesus is communicating with both his words and actions here in Matthew chapter 9? The Scribes and Pharisees complained that Jesus messed with their systems and structures. That he violated their rules and regulations. That he messed with the way they did church. They were saying that their religious laws were more valuable than the people and Jesus emphatically said NO! Jesus words and actions communicated that he valued people more than the rules and regulations of any religious system. Where man looks on the outside, God looks on the heart. Even more so Jesus responds to them saying that he DESIRES mercy not sacrifice. Meaning that Jesus delights in and takes pleasure in being actively compassionate to these sick sinners. It seems like the only people group in the New Testament that did not benefit from this mercy were the religious professional who valued their ministries over people, their precepts over relationship. I do not want to be like them. Lord teach us your ways. Change our desires until we too desire mercy. Teach us about mercy in this Mercy Season and make us into a kind, compassionate, loving and merciful people, amen. Live Loved, Tom

CHURCH NEWS
CHURCH FINANCES Four Week Average Giving: $1,973.36 Four Week Average Needed: $2,000.00 Lets keep praying for God to supply all we need! Island Prayer Gathering 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 27 Location: Montague Pentecostal Assembly 187 Douses Road, Montague, PEI

Community Good Friday Service 10:30 AM, March 29 Location: Community Baptist Church 162 Sherwood Rd, Charlottetown Tom Zawacki Preaching Spiritual Gifts Workshop WITH TOM ZAWACKI 7:00 PM, Thursdays Beginning April 11th Location: To be determined
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PRE-SERVICE PRAYER
Sundays 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. in the Farm Centre boardroom (second floor to the right at the top of the stairs). Anyone interested is welcome to join.

COMMUNITY CHURCH GROUPS There is lots going on, be free, go where the life is, family first. Church website is now updated with all activities.

VOLUNTEER AT COMMUNITY CHURCH

WORSHIP TEAMS If you have been thinking that you would like to take part in or lead worship on Sundays please contact John McDonald on Facebook, by email at johnperogie@gmail.com, or call or text at (902) 213-0504.

Becoming
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Womens Becoming Group To make room for Open Table the ladies will be having one meeting this month. A True Colors Night 7:00 PM, March 26th at Natalie Simmons Home - Debbie MacKinnon will be sharing her story See Lindsay Perry for more information Mens GROUP 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 17th Location - Tom Zawackis Movie Night Braveheart See Tom Zawacki for more information YOUTH GROUP 7:00 PM, Friday evenings Location - Carl & Sheryl Friedrichs This group is for teenaged youth. For information, contact Carl or Sheryl Friedrich. MOMS & TOTS GROUP

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CHILDRENS MINISTRY If you are interested in volunteering in Childrens Ministry, contact Laurie MacPhee. If you are interested in working with the Toddler Ministry, contact Marsha McAndrew. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Sunday morning service requires a large number of volunteers. If you can help, email cccnews2012@gmail.com, put a note on the Facebook page, sign one of the sheets in the lobby, or mention it to one of the leaders. Positions we are often looking to have help with are:
OFFERING COLLECTION, GREETERS, WORSHIP TEAMS, CLEAN-UP TEAMS, KIDZ CHURCH & TODDLER MINISTRY, PRAYER MINISTRY

A Charlottetown Community Church Group

MOMS & TOTS

10:00 AM, Wednesday mornings Location - Contact Michelle Barton for location For information, contact Michelle. The Parenting Children Course 7:45 PM, Wednesdays starting March 6. 10-week small groupfor those parenting 0-10 year olds For more Information please contact Ian or Natasha Hall at 314-9395 or email Natasha at natasha@ mountainstudios.ca OPEN TABLE Weeks of March 18th, March 25th and April 4th See Natalie Simmons or Shelagh Campbell for more information and to sign up. LADIES BOOK CLUB 7:00 PM Wednesdays at Linda MacFarlanes Home 51 Candlelight Park in North River He Loves Me by Wayne Jacobsen This week theyll be discussing Chapter 10.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

A man is talking to God. God, how long is a million years? God answers, To me, its about a minute. God, how much is a million dollars? To me, its a penny. God, may I have a penny? Wait a minute. aaa A child came home from Sunday School and told his mother that he had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly. It took his mother a while before she realized that the hymn was really "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear." aaa A Ft. Lauderdale advertising agency launched a billboard (including the inside and outside of buses) that included 17 different messages from God. This non-denominational campaign started in September. It was sponsored by an anonymous client. Some of the messages are quite humorous: 1. Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game - God 2. C'mon Over And Bring The Kids - God 3. What Part of "Thou Shalt Not..." Didn't You Understand? - God 4. We Need To Talk - God 5. Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer! - God 6. Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage - God 7. That "Love Thy Neighbour" Thing, I Meant It. - God 8. I Love You...I Love You...I Love You... - God 9. Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place? - God 10. Follow Me. - God 11. Big Bang Theory? You've Got To Be Kidding. - God 12. My Way Is The Highway. - God 13. Need Directions? - God 14. You Think It's Hot Here? - God 15. Tell The Kids I Love Them. - God 16. Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available. - God 17. Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test! - God
Charlottetown Community Church
Part of the Vineyard Network in Canada P.O. Box 1081 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7M4

IN OUR AREA

Habitat for Humanity PEI looking for volunteers Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers to help with the construction of homes, in the ReStores, on their committees and in the affiliate offices as well. If you are interested in becoming part of their volunteer team, or would like more information, please contact Emily at (902) 367-3041 or volunteer@habitatpei.ca

REACHING OUT
CAN SUNDAY DONATIONS FOR THE FOOD BANK Weekly, a box is placed in the lobby to collect donations for the Food Bank or for families that we recognize are in need. Any non-perishable items are greatly appreciated.

Pastor Tom Zawacki (902) 892-5001 communitychurch@pei.aibn.com www.charlottetowncommunitychurch.com

If you would like to get something in the newsletter (prayer request, FACEBOOK announcement, etc.), please email it to cccnews2012@gmail.com by Joining the Charlottetown Community Church Facebook group is the fastest way to get up to the minute news, prayer Wednesday of each week. requests and get in on discussions. Check it out today!
Our desire is to be a community of grace that presents Jesus in a relevant way reaching our city and beyond with the love of God.

Our Mission is Possible:

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