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Do you know Peter Ostrum? Mr. Ostrum is a veterinarian in Glenfield, New York. He graduated from Cornell in 1984 and went into practice shortly afterwards. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio and Hunterdon, New Jersey. In 1987, he married Loretta Lepkowski, and they have two children. An ordinary man living an ordinary life. His son, Leif, is an up-and-coming actor in his high school and may be following in his father’s footsteps. Do you know who he is yet? His one and only role was that of Charlie Bucket, the sweet loveable kid in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He had a wonderful relationship with Gene Wilder who, for five months, mentored young Peter during the filming. An ordinary kid who did an amazing job for a brief period but his contribution to the arts has a long-lasting effect on millions of people. Here is the thing, there is a whole generation who do not know Peter Ostrum as Charlie because the show was remade and the new Charlie was played by Freddie Highmore, better known today as The Good Doctor. You see, today, very few people survive the popularity rollercoaster because society is very fickle and to tell the truth, once someone has had their “fifteen minutes of fame,” they can just fade away rather easily. Do you know Jesus? You know, if I ask that anywhere, most people will acknowledge they know of Him, a few will acknowledge they know Him personally. Like Peter, Jesus had a short public ministry, but His work continues. Peter walked away from the film industry even though they offered him three more films. Peter came back in a different way and continued to do great works in a way that benefits so many. Jesus lived, taught, showed us a wonderful way, and then stepped away momentarily, three days in the grave, and He came back in a new and magnificent way. His return signaled the fulfillment of a promise, He conquered death. After His ascension (His return to the Father in Heaven), His new position as intercessor for us all continues His message of Grace for all who call upon Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Here is my worry for society, just as people forget who Peter was, there are so many who are losing touch with the Saviour. This is the one person none should want to forget about because Jesus is the only way into Glory and to lose sight of Him is like losing the golden ticket. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:6-7 NLT And remember this, the story is not over yet for He will return, and none know when that will be. So many claim to know but they are confused. Christ has made it clear that He will return. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev 22:12-13 NLT Do you know Jesus Christ? Do you acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour? Have you given your life to Him, laid your sins upon the Saviour and asked His grace to be upon you? Do you remember Him because I can assure you of this one fact; He knows you. We will be gathering Sunday at 10:30 to celebrate Christ’s love for each and everyone of us. Service will be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Avenue W in Sundre, AB. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘We Are in Training’ Day 1: 1 Timothy 4:7, 8 – “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ‘Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.’” Day 2: Hebrews 12:11-13 – “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” Day 3: 1 Peter 1:13-16 – “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” Day 4: 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 – “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Day 5: 1 Timothy 6:10-12 – “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” Day 6: Philippians 3:12-14 – “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Day 7: James 1:12 – “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks This is Easter’ Day 1: 1 Peter 1:3 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation…” Day 2: Romans 6:8-11 – “And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” Day 3: John 11:25 – “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’” Day 4: 1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.” Day 5: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Day 6: Colossians 1:13, 14 – “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Day 7: Hebrews 12:2 – “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

I got up this morning and took a look in the mirror and noticed a few more grew hairs in the beard a couple more wrinkles around the eyes and a few less hairs on the mountain peak. It takes a bit more effort to get out of the chair, I grunt sitting down and getting out of bed sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies when you pour the milk on; snap, crackle, pop! When reading the newspaper, it rather looks like I am playing a trombone and people tend to have to repeat themselves more and more because I am either not paying attention or I can’t hear them. Afternoon scheduling must include a nap time and staying up late means going to bed at 10:00pm. This getting old is for the birds but I tell you the truth, one day this will all come to an end. Yes, there are two things that are assured, death and taxes but death is not the end but rather the new beginning for those who declare Christ as Saviour. You see, Jesus went to the grave, He faced the darkness and He conquered death. On the third day He arose and with that came the fulfillment of the promise, that through Christ we will be with Him in eternity one day. Paul wrote this inspired letter to the church in Corinth: What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Cor 15:50-58 NLT Our bodies may grow old and weary but every day we grow in the Lord, our souls remain strong and vibrant because the Holy Spirit is with us, filling us to overflowing and giving us a renewed strength as we reach for the eternal prize, eternity in Glory with the great Adonai! I have sat beside some of the greatest faith warriors I have ever known as they come against the wall of mortal life. The body may be failing but their faith is still strong as ever and they face this obstacle with the knowledge and joy knowing the Saviour paved the way for them and they face the new journey with anticipation. We will be gathering Sunday at 10:30 to hear a wonderful message from Rev Bob Hillock. Services will also be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Avenue W in Sundre, AB. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

When I start an article, the first item which needs to be addressed is the title. Usually this is not a big deal and, even today, the inspiration came from a daily reading but there was a twist. As I renamed the file it said “saving; faith of a mustard seed”. That go me to thinking about the completeness of the message for the season. Think about this for a moment. Christ had entered the city of Jerusalem, triumphant as the King of kings, and the people cheered Him on and rallied around Him. A few days later, He was falsely accused of crimes against the laws of the Temple, sentenced to death and suddenly the masses were rallied against Him and they turned. Suddenly they were calling for His death and willing to have a known criminal, a ruthless criminal, released back into their midst rather than have Christ set free. Their faith in Christ being the Messiah was replaced by doubt and fear, even His closest friend had turned away and departed. Just like Peter stepping out of the boat in faith, the second they took their focus away from Christ, they began to sink away and disappear. Christ had told them numerous times to have faith, that salvation faith in the Son of God. Scripture is pretty clear in this. Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more… Matt 12:12 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matt 17:20 But when the people rallied against the Messiah and their hope was left hanging lifeless on the cross, fear for self replaced faith in Christ. The promise, however, was still in place and not even death could silence His covenant, for Christ had already told them the truth. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4 The world is in a tough way right now and it is not the first time. Fear, doubt and self-preservation dominates the news, people have lost focus on the Way and now rely on the world to right itself. I hate to say this but the world will not fix itself, only through Christ can there be a love and a peace not available in the world. The time is now to refocus on Jesus, let Him lift you up from the waters of turmoil and set you on firm ground for He is the way, the truth and the light. Let the seed of faith find root in your heart and you, along with millions of others, can make a huge difference in this world. It is time to rally around the Saviour, and in one voice proclaim victory in His Grace, and we will be with Him always. We will be gathering Friday, April 7 at 10:30 AM for a Good Friday service and then again Sunday, April 9 at 10:30 for an Easter Celebration. Both services will be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Avenue W in Sundre, AB. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Rest’ Day 1: Matthew 11:28-30 – “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Day 2: Hebrews 4:9-11 – ”So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.” Day 3: Psalm 23:1-3 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Day 4: Jeremiah 31:25 – “For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” Day 5: Proverbs 19:23 – “Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.” Day 6: Psalm 62:1 – “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” Day 7: Philippians 4:6, 7 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘If You Follow Him, You will Serve’ Day 1: Hebrews 9:14 – “Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” Day 2: James 1:27 – ”Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Day 3: Joshua 22:5 – “But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Day 4: Romans 12:11 – “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Day 5: Galatians 5:13 – “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Day 6: Colossians 3:23 – “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Day 7: 1 Peter 4:10 – “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

This is a time of joy, celebration and yet it is also a time of sorrow and loss. You see, this was the day of the coming of the Lord. He came into the presence of the people, the victorious King of all kings and the people sang praises to His name and shouted Hallelujah and recognizing Him as the Messiah. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Luke 19:37-40 NLT Such a fabulous celebration and, as it was foretold in the ancient texts, He arrived as the victorious Saviour, the mighty Son of God on a small colt. For it was written in Zechariah 9:9 NLT: Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt. He was lifted up as He should have been but, according to the prophecies, He was destined to be betrayed, brutalized and crucified beside the vilest of villains. The Saviour, victorious in life, triumphant over death. He died on the cross so that we would have victory over death through Him. He takes our sins upon Himself and, when we proclaim Him as Lord and Saviour and live for Him, through His grace, we will, one day, join Him in Glory. He went before us to secure our salvation in eternity. The victory won that day was meant for those who knew Him that day and for those who proclaim Christ as Lord of their lives today. Jesus paved the way for us all going forward into eternity. In that, we can truly celebrate. This Sunday, we celebrate His love for us all in the lead up to Good Friday. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

So, here are two questions to contemplate; what do you believe in and what symbol represents it? You may question what this illustration has to do with anything but stay with me until the end. The bow tie on a vehicle years ago meant you identified with a particular family, the Chevrolet family. This was a large family that had/has a very large impact on our nation and, yes, they had their opponents. The Ford family was/is also a very large family, and they rally around the big blue oval. Both families, both communities, were and still are very brand loyal and have a very distinct culture within the domestic scene. This is but one example of symbolism in our society and I am sure you can come up with literally thousands of other examples because we all rally behind a symbol as a part of our need to belong to a specific community. These symbols can change over time such as the Canadian flag and it does take time to get used to the change but once we accept the symbol as part of the ethos, it becomes the image of the culture. Consider this, when Michael Jackson hit it big, the Jackson nation started wearing one white glove, when the Beatles were all the rage, Beatlemaniacs started wearing their hair just like them. The world today knows the swastika as a symbol of death and war when at one time is was actually a symbol of spiritual well-being for the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains for millennia. So let us think about the cross for a moment. Before the death of Christ on the cross, it symbolized a cruel and painful death. There were many crosses, the “X” cross, the pole, the “T” cross but I can guarantee that not a single follower of Christ wore the symbol of death around their necks as jewelry. They followed the Way, identified as His family through word and deed. They led with their hearts, not with spears and swords. Scholars feel that it was not until the 4th century that the Christian nation actually adopted the cross as the symbol of the faith family. So, here is the question; why does the Christian nation wear the symbol of death, method of death for their Saviour, around their neck? Why is it a symbol on their churches and in their sanctuaries? The cross is a symbol of hope, the sign of a promise fulfilled. By His death and resurrection, we have a hope of life eternal through His sacrifice. The empty cross is a symbol of His promise fulfilled, death has no hold over Him and through Him we are saved. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isa 53:10-12 NLT This Sunday, we take a look at the symbolism found during this season of forgiveness and celebrate His love for us all in the lead up to Palm Sunday. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Real Strength’ Day 1: Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Day 2: Isaiah 40:10 – ”Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.” Day 3: Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Day 4: Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Day 5: 1 Peter 5:10 – “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” Day 6: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” Day 7: Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

So, after a very mild January and February, we start off March with copious amounts of snow, minus thirty temps and a snow blower that decides it no longer identifies as a mover of snow. We went from hoping to have a nice mild end to winter to asking the weather broadcaster “what did we do to deserve this?” You know, the cold temperatures are not forever and it truly could be worse. I think of those who are suffering through the cold but they are living in a war zone and have lost all they own, their homes are gone, friends have been killed and there is no end in sight with regards to the hostility around them. The warming trend that signals the start of spring only makes conditions slightly better. Here in Sundre, we are making plans for a yard cleaning once the snow clears, clean the windows of the winter filth and put away the winter clothes. In war torn countries, they are looking to start rebuilding their homes and their lives while still dodging bullets and bombs. I was chatting with a friend who still has family in the Ukraine and he was telling me that the one thing they are clinging to is the fact God is still with them even in the crisis. Some in this country ask “where is your God in all the chaos” while his family is thankful that God has not left them. They are relying on a compassionate Lord to see them through this crisis and He is their only hope in a time of darkness. When I think of this, I look back to the scripture where David and his cohorts are fleeing the king and are doing everything they can to stay hidden in the very back of the cave (see 1 Samuel 24). God was with them all that day and, when David could have taken the life of his adversary, the wisdom of God prevailed and then He softened Saul’s heart. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Ps 33:18-22 NLT When all things look bleak, consider this message from David and hold it to your heart, write it on your heart. When the darkness creeps into life, call on the Light, lean on the wisdom, strength and compassion of Adonai. Think about it; things could be worse. We could be wondering through life with no Heavenly Father to watch over us, with no Saviour to advocate for us, with no Holy Spirit to bless us every moment of the day to see us through. When we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we never walk alone for He will be with us at all times and for all time. This Sunday, we welcome Rev Glenn Reeder as Pastor Todd is away for the weekend. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Favor of God’ Day 1: Proverbs 8:35 – “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” Day 2: Proverbs 12:2 – ”The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.” Day 3: Psalm 119:135 – “Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees.” Day 4: Proverbs 16:7 – “When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.” Day 5: Proverbs 11:27 – “If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!” Day 6: Proverbs 5:12 – “You will say, ‘How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings!’” Day 7: Proverbs 3:3, 4 – “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation