Week of May 2-8, 2021.

Earth from space.
ISTOCK
Creation: an act of love. Feb 2016 article, The Church Times

Creation: Loved by God

Colossians 1:15-20

…I’ll illuminate in a couple of ways that Creation is loved by God.

First, do you remember the scene in Genesis 2 where God brings the animals to be named? We often observe the way in which the passage demonstrates God’s care and provision for a-dam after no suitable companion can be found. You may have noticed the way God’s invitation to name the animals informs our understanding of humanity’s role within the rest of creation? (After all, naming is a highly meaningful and familial, even parental, task). Have you considered what the vignette might suggest about God’s attitude towards his creatures? To me, the picture is akin to a six year old child asked to bring a prized stuffy or hockey stick to show-and-tell at school—the child is over-joyed and brimming with excitement to display the treasured possession.

I imagine God in Eden being on tiptoes with anticipation: so proud of the strength and skill of the elephant and its multipurpose trunk and eagerly ready to show it to someone else who will be able to appreciate it. I imagine God filled with excitement, parading the chameleon and awaiting the surprise of a-dam at the fact that “Yes, it really can change colours!” And then I picture God’s mischievous smirk when a-dam is trying to come to grips with the platypus—evidently ‘mashups’ existed long before the 21st century.

The point is that God is thrilled with God’s creatures. And why not? They are marvellous! There are plenty of other places in scripture that corroborate this claim. We’re all familiar with the famous passage in John 3:16-17, For God so loved the kosmos that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the kosmos to condemn the kosmos, but to save the kosmos through him.

The curious thing is that the word translated “world” in English is actually “kosmos” in Greek.

Even here—in a passage that is clearly focused on God reaching out to humanity through Christ—even here, we get a glimpse of the much wider vision of a Creator God who loves what he’s made; loves it so much he’ll do whatever it takes to bring to fulfillment the Sabbath shalom he intends, which brings us to the final chapter of the story: Creation is being redeemed by God through Christ.

Excerpt from meditation offered by Rick Faw

 

TOGETHER @SOUTHPOINT 
Camping over the August Long Weekend

A message from Colin:
Last summer 50 of us travelled to Camp Tulahead for 3 nights together just north of Princeton. It was honestly one of the highlights of my first Covid Summer. Now that we are on our way into our second Covid summer, we have been blessed with a tentative booking for the August long weekend! See your email inbox for details.

 

CALENDAR ITEMS 

Youth, In May

Got a question? Contact Katie (email)
Instagram: thechurchatSouthpoint

Order of the Phoenix
Zooms 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 18

Fellowship of the Rings
Zooms 6:30-7:30 pm
Tuesday, May 11, 25

Roots
Project Climbing Cloverdale
Fri. May 7, 6:00-8:00 pm

Zoom chat, 8:00 pm
Friday, May 28

 

EASTER SEASON WORSHIP

“We do not suffer from a lack of wonders, but from a lack of wonder.” – G.K. Chesterton 

May 9   Wonder Walks
You are invited this Sunday to go on a “wonder walk” with eyes, ears and all your senses open to the presence of God in the beauty around you.

Consider walking for 30 or so minutes, choosing one–or several–of the activities outlined in this guide, prepared by Leah Kostamo.

Meet by Gathering Groups at 10:00 am

Kingfisher: Hubbard & Smith groups, hosted by Leah.
Surrey Urban Forest:  Neufeld & McDougall-Lade groups, hosted by Dan & Katie, and Ruth.
Redwood Park: Oger & BJ/Unrau, hosted by Alain & Karin.

P.S. The Small Group zoom is an option for those unable to attend an outdoor gathering: This is a time of fellowship and not designed as an alternative service. 

May 16   Zoom Church
Speaker: Leah Kostamo
Jesus the Outdoorsman
Matt 6:25-33

 

Pentecost 

Playfully engaging the Spirit in our imaginations

May 23 is Pentecost Sunday
10:00 am, Outdoor Church

Wear a mask, bring a chair/blanket, and print a copy of the special Pentecost liturgy to worship with your Gathering Group (GG) at the following location.

GGs at Kingfisher: Unrau/BJ & Smith
GGs in Hardy yard: Neufeld & Hubbard
GGs in Oger yard: Oger & McDougall-Lade
(or Small Group Zoom)

If an Outdoor Church needs to be cancelled (for Covid reasons, or due to inclement weather!) you will receive an email on Sunday morning by 8:30 am from Karin (office@southpoint.ca) to alert you.

Covid Protocols

Please be assured that the Southpoint Leadership Team is monitoring BC’s current province-wide restrictions (here) so that our ‘Outdoor Religious and Worship Services’ follow the guidelines properly.

*There will be a sign-in at each Outdoor church (for contact tracing)
* Everyone over 12 needs to wear a mask
* Maintain 6′ distance physical distancing
* Please honour the restrictions for worship services and leave promptly, without staying to chat with each other or the host.

 

CARE

Active Pastoral Care Person
If you’re needing to talk or to pray, or would like support while you figure out what you need(!), our Pastoral Care Team is here for you. From now until Sat, May 15, please contact Brent Unrau (email)

Southpoint Gathering Groups
These are designed also to show care and be neighbourly – let your group facilitators know that you’re limping a little. Let’s lift each other up.

Prayer Circles 
Wednesdays at Noon, by Zoom
If you would like to join in, please contact Karin (office@southpoint.ca).

Prayer Chain
If you have a confidential prayer need, please contact John Hardy (email).

 

SUPPORTING SOUTHPOINT

Thank you for considering your giving while we are not meeting in person. Possible means of giving include:

Pre-authorized debit (monthly or one-time) with our linked form. Cost to Southpoint is $0.50.

Paypal to the The Church at Southpoint. Cost is 3% of the donation. No Paypal account is required, only a credit card.

Charitable Impact Foundation.
Cost is 2.8% of the donation.

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