June 4th @ THE VILLAGE

This Sunday, we'll be taking a look at PROPHECY in the Older Testament. If you're following along in the book HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FOR ALL ITS WORTH, check out Chapter 10 (pp. 181-204).

Look forward to seeing you there...again, or for the first time.

Sunday @ 8pm in the little white house beside the church (96 North Oval).

Peace,
Mike & Heather

Coming Soon (Wednesday, May 31st @ 7:30pm)

For a number of reasons, those who are interested from THE VILLAGE will be checking out The Da Vinci Code as a group, and will be having a time of discussion afterwards. The film is based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel, and countless people have read the story and will be seeing the movie (if they haven't already). Through the viewing of the film and subsequent dialogue, we hope to become more informed about the intersection of religion, media and culture. But even more, we hope this event will help us to be more aware of what our friends and families are already talking about, so that we can help others to discern what is true from what is fictitious.

If you are interested, here's the relevant information:

THE DA VINCI CODE
Wednesday, May 31st @ 7:30pm
Westdale Theatre (1014 King Street West)
Tickets: $9.50
Runtime: 149 minutes (2.5 hours)
Rating: PG-13

We'll be meeting at the theatre before 7:30pm to get tickets and find seats, and the discussion time will take place at 96 North Oval shortly after the film ends (i.e. shortly after 10:00pm).

Questions or comments? Post a message (in the comment section below), or contact Mike (mpowell@missiobaptist.ca) or Heather (heather.macumber@canada.com).

THIS SUNDAY @ 8pm

At our last meeting, we talked about going to Putting Edge...but we just found out that the place closes at the time we were hoping to meet there. SO, I guess we'll save mini golf another week.

THIS WEEK (our first social event):
- THE VILLAGE will be meeting at its regularly scheduled time (8pm) at 96 North Oval. We'll be having a games night...so if you have any fun games that we could play as a group (board games, cards, etc...), please bring them along. And if you can, feel free to bring along a favourite snack.

Mike & Heather

Last Week

THE LAW...

At our study this past Sunday, we took a look at the Law (in the Older Testament). Though many often see it as a bunch of rules that don't apply to us today, we discovered that the Law was given to Israel as a demonstration of God's grace. Having been saved by God, following the Law was meant to be a response to His graciousness and not a burden. By providing guidelines for His people to follow, the Lord revealed His holiness, and provided a way for humanity to live at peace with one another and with Him (e.g. Day of Atonement, dietary laws, freeing of slaves).

In our upcoming studies, we'll see the continued importance of the Law...especially in light of the central concept of holiness that is found throughout Scripture, and the responsibility that God's people have to care for "the alien, the orphan, and the widow."

MP

The Da Vinci Code (presented by THE VILLAGE)

We are planning to see the movie together as a group at the Westdale Theatre (a minute's walk from the church). Specific details coming soon.

REVIEW & PREVIEW

LAST SUNDAY @ THE VILLAGE:
- Besides a lot of laughing, a time of worship, and more cake, we continued our study on HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FOR ALL ITS WORTH (Chapter 5), and had a great small group discussion about Genesis 22 (where the Lord called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac).

THIS SUNDAY @ THE VILLAGE:
- For those who want to read ahead, check out Chapter 9 (pp.163-180). This week, we'll be taking a look at the Law...but if you ever thought the Law was boring or irrelevant, listen to the Psalmist's perspective: "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver an gold"(Psalm 119:72), "...your law is my delight"(v.77), "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long"(v.97). Granted, the Law can be overwhelming at times and seemingly inapplicable to our lives today. But Jesus also said: "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law"(Luke 16:17). This Sunday, we'll be trying to get a better handle on this thing called the Law, and will hopefully come to see why/how it's still important for us today.

Look forward to seeing you Sunday,
Mike & Heather

music @ the village

Those who've been to THE VILLAGE know that we try to set some time aside each week for worship, but since everyone has their own favourite songs they like to sing, we'd like to get your input.

In the comment area below, feel free to leave requests. If we know the song (or can find out how it goes), we'll definitely try to include it during one of our upcoming meetings. Make as many requests as you want.

And if you feel so inclined, let us know why it's a favourite song...the words, the music, or maybe it played an important role at a meaningful time in your life.

This Sunday (MAY 14th @ 8pm)

For this coming week at THE VILLAGE, our time of study will be based on CHAPTER 5 from the book ("The Old Testament Narrative," pp.89-106), and we'll be taking a look at Genesis 22 from the Bible. If possible, take some time to read ahead...but if you're not able to, you won't be missing out. Anyone is welcome to come out at any time, and though we're going through a series, each study will stand on its own.

For those who weren't able to be there for our first meeting, we had a time of worship together, went through a study based on Jeremiah 29:11-13 and CHAPTER 1 ("The Need to Interpret," pp.17-31), and had an opportunity to simply hang out. In our study, we focused on the importance of the CONTEXT (e.g. historical & literary) and CONTENT (e.g. meaning of words) of what we read, and discussed the value of reading the Bible first for what it meant (original author & audience), which will then inform our understanding of what it means for us today (the modern reader).

Again - it was great to see everyone there this past week, and we're looking forward to what's ahead.

Peace,
Mike & Heather

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Our first series of studies at THE VILLAGE is based on the book HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FOR ALL ITS WORTH (by Fee & Stuart). Though it's not required for you to have your own copy of the book, it is a very helpful resource for studying the Bible, and you'd definitely benefit from being able to read certain chapters ahead of time.

For your convenience, the book's ISBN # is 0310246040 and it's on sale at http://www.amazon.ca/ ($16.71). The book can also be found at the following Christian bookstores: Blessings ($21.99), Family Christian Bookstore ($21.99), and The Canadian Bible Society ($22.50). If the stores don't have it in stock, they can usually order it in for you very quickly.

In addition, since we're probably not going to follow the book chronologically by chapter, we'll be posting which pages to look at for the coming week (i.e. check this site often for up-to-date info).

That's all for now...check back later this week for what's coming this Sunday @ 8pm. It was great to see all of you that could make it this past Sunday night.

Peace,
Mike & Heather

THE VILLAGE (logo design contest)

In response to this "ghetto" attempt at a logo for THE VILLAGE young adults group, we are having a logo design contest. SO, if you're feeling creative (or the urge to procrastinate), try putting together a design that features the letter V, the words "THE VILLAGE" or simply whatever you think looks good. Bring your design(s) to one of our next meetings or send something along to us by email (mpowell@missionbaptist.ca or heather.macumber@canada.com). Once a number of submissions are received, we'll decide on a logo as a group. MP