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Dearly Beloved,
 

"I'm amazing," I thought.

Then I thought about it a little more.

It was about 15 years ago that, for the first time, I prepared a complete meal for our family that I caught and grew myself. It was late August, and I had tended a veggie garden throughout the spring, and most of its produce was in harvest. That morning, I had gone to a nearby Island river and caught some salmon to bring home. It all came together on the dinner plate that night as filets of salmon were set next to a home-grown salad and roasted potatoes from the garden. Delicious.

I was impressed with myself. "What an accomplishment," I thought. Until I thought deeper about it.

We live in a relatively recent moment of history where we can simply purchase and prepare virtually any food we wish to eat. We rarely have to think about 'survival' or catching, hunting, or growing food like our lives or families depended upon it.

What I managed to do once, for one meal, was what every human about 150 years ago and earlier had to do daily. I'm actually not that amazing at all — HA!

Realizing this gave me a whole new appreciation for the determination and hard work of my ancestors. It makes me consider all that has gone into the living, working, and overcoming of every generation before me that somehow came together to allow me to have my life. I have life because of all of them.

Do you ever wonder about your spiritual ancestry?

Maybe you are a first-generation follower of Jesus, and you are starting a new legacy of faith that could live on for generations! For many of us, I suspect, we grew up in families where there was a sense of faith and, over time and through our own journeys with Jesus, our faith became 'our own.' But who led your parents or grandparents to Jesus? I wonder how far back some of us would have to go to find the first generation of faith in our spiritual heritage?

I have a simple thought for you today: What if this Christmas could be the beginning of a new faith lineage that could have generations of expanding impact?

Like, for real, what if someone who comes to one of our Christmas Eve services opens their heart to Jesus and decides to follow Him for the first time. And what if over the years and decades that follow, their life of new faith multiplies through their own family, relationships, and influence?

It's entirely possible!

In our church, we give considerable emphasis to compelling you to "GO" —to live purposefully as a missionary here. We truly believe you are called to bring the message and ministry of Jesus into everyday life. The Comox Valley is waiting. You've got to GO!

Christmas presents such a unique opportunity not just to go, but to invite people to "COME."

Can you think of a neighbour, co-worker, classmate, or someone you do recreational things in the community with, who you could invite to one of our Christmas Eve services?

You'll never know if they'll agree to come unless you invite! I encourage you to go out on a limb and try.

This year, we have three services on Christmas Eve:

  • 1 pm in Cumberland (held at Cumberland Community Church)
  • 3 & 5 pm in Comox

The service in Cumberland is for people who live in Cumberland, Royston, South Courtenay, and South. Basically, if you live closer to the Cumberland location, that service is for you! AND that service is for your neighbours, co-workers, classmates, and friends in that area who don't know Jesus yet.

Would you be up for risking an invite? 
We have a seat ready for them at any of our three services on Christmas Eve.

How wonderful would it be for one of your friends to discover the love and truth of Jesus!

How wonderful would it be for a new legacy of faith to begin, that could last for generations!

Now, THAT would be amazing.

I am praying for you.

Pastor Mike