I saw it for its novelty. Some saw it for its hope. That's probably taking it too far, but it raises an important question: what has Avatar provided that's missing in your life? Here's Part 1 of 2 of a sermon series from my friend Damien at South Edmonton Alliance church. Have a listen and beat the blues [pun intended].
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When part of your ethos as a community is devoted to helping others, it's good to celebrate your accomplishments. This isn't to boast to gain recognition, but a chance to say thanks to all those who participated in redeeming though situations.
With this in mind here are three different ways Calgary Church was connected in around our city and around the globe. Continue reading »
Welcome to February! Here are the updates on the gatherings with Calgary Church and Co.
Tonight will be our Converge worship service with the theme on suffering. We thought it would be fitting to talk about this topic given the recent events in Haiti. You can GIVE to the relief effort if you haven't yet. Just email us to learn how you can send your gift to Haiti through our sponsor World Vision.
The upcoming Wednesdays will go down like this:
February 3rd, 2010: Converge Service: Suffering Continue reading »
The following post contains mature subject matter and was written by guest blogger Jenny Hong. This article is our response to raise awareness on the subject of human trafficking and Human Trafficking Awareness Day that launched for the first time January 11th, 2010. Calgary Church is formulating some interesting responses to this subject and related slavery issues, stay tuned for more info and ways you can connect in.
Taking a moment for Ping Pong Girls
This past Saturday I was at a birthday party, where I had the misfortune to bear witness to conversational dribble on a most terrible topic. I didn’t really know a lot of people at this gathering, and was making my best attempt to mingle when I found myself amidst a few friends chatting about their recent travels and associated misdemeanors – all of whom had made recent trips to Thailand. Continue reading »
Podcast #13 finally released. Here is a brief update on what's been happening with Calgary Church and how you might find us difference from other churches in town.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Every third Wednesday of the month is a special evening for chili lovers in the Kensington area! Calgary Church, along with King's Bridge and the The House Coffee Sanctuary, host Kensington Community Suppers at the Hillhurst Community Center (1320, 5 Ave, NW).
What's the catch? Usually there is no catch. In fact, we are unashamedly committed to no catch chili. However, this time there's a catch. At our event this Wednesday (beginning at 6PM) we are going to collect donations on behalf of World Vision to help the relief efforts in Haiti. Everything you donate during the evening will be sent to World Vision AND will be doubled by the Canadian government.
Here's a great chance to get FREE chili and help an entire nation in need.
You don't have to live in Kensington, Sunnyside, or Hillhurst to stop by. If you're in the area shopping or passing by on the way home, you're welcome to take part.
In one moment, a few seconds, just a few short breaths, the entire communities of Shawnessy, Sundance, Millrise, Evergreen, and Midnapore were wiped out. All homes crushed, all power cut; there were no survivors. Did you know The number of people in those communities equals the loss of life in Haiti stemming from the recent Earthquakes? And we could be adding communities to the list in the ensuing days.
This post is both a response to the incalculable need and also to the grotesque replies to the carnage that some 'Christians' have propagated. Continue reading »
There was a time when you could build a church building, throw out a few flyers, and swing open your doors to waiting patrons congregants and poof--you had a church.
This 'cathedral' model of church also implicitly and explicitly carries a certain baggage that I don't find very congruent to how churches operated in the first two centuries.
For example, you sit and face the front and quietly listen to what's being propagated to you, thus there is limited participation. It also establishes an 'us them' mentality: you are the congregation, you are over in the pews; we are the clergy, we stand by the altar. Your job is to stay and pay, our job is to pray and preach. Continue reading »
January 6th was Epiphany. Most people don't have any connection to the day but the answer to some of life's biggest questions are rooted in what it commemorates. That sounds pretty significant so why don't more people know about it? Well firstly, it's a part of the church calendar, so not your typical Hallmark event. Secondly, if you don't follow any liturgical traditions then you've probably overlooked Epiphany.
This wasn't the case in the early church where two major feasts were commemorated. The first was obviously Easter. The second wasn't Christmas--it was Epiphany. Continue reading »
Welcome to the New Year! Here are some updates on the gatherings with Calgary Church and Co.
We've already had our Converge worship service with an Epiphany theme (stay tuned for a post on Epiphany). That took place Jan 6th, and was a neat experience for us. The upcoming Wednesdays trickle down like this: Continue reading »
