It was a grand day in October when Eva came back to church and brought a special friend named Ulf for us all to meet. Although the roads were muck that day, she laughed at my concern saying she was used to it. I assume she was referring to the months of driving our country roads while here as an exchange student being hosted by Pastor Lorne and Dianne, and not the paved roads of home in Germany.
After a brief visit - brief to everyone here, that is - Eva and Ulf carried on with their journey. If you're a Facebook friend of Eva's, check out the oodles of photos she took while here on her visit to Canada.
May God bless you both and keep you safe wherever you go.
The Sichangwa Family 2015 (Back row - Gabriel, Grace, and Gwyneth),
(Middle Row - Pastor Simon and Jackie), (Front - Gloria hugging Glenda)
On May 3rd, COTH was blessed by the return of the Pastor Simon and his family who last pastored us in 2004. Although the children had grown quite a bit since their last visit for Church on the Hill's 40th Anniversary in 2008, it seemed like family members had returned home.
Pastor Simon currently ministers at Glory to God Christian Assembly in Edmonton, Alberta, but was in the area on behalf of Brother's Keeper Ministries - the non-profit charity he and Jackie co-founded in 2004 in order to relieve poverty and advance education in Zambia.
Courtesy of Brother's Keeper Ministries
Jackie and the four older kids started the service with a pouring out of praise and worship songs including From the Inside Out as shown here:
Although Gabriel was hiding in the back behind Gwyneth, we certainly heard the rhythmic sound of his bass guitar.
Gabriel Sichangwa on bass guitar, 2015
As usual, Pastor Simon held our attention with his wit and wisdom in a well-modulated voice that rose and fell as he delivered a message entitled, Who Am I.
Scripture used in this message was 1 Corinthians 12:12-18 (NIV): 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
Pastor Simon said it could be called God's humor that He chose you to be in a family and it's up to you to get along with everyone in that family.
After presenting four main personality types, Pastor Simon said that although you may have started out as one personality type, you may change as you grow and mature. This is especially true in a marriage where you need to adapt if you want to stay married.
Likewise, he said God has brought the members of a church together, each with different traits and personality types, and it takes work and maturity to hold a church together.
Do I hear an Amen?
If you have the opportunity to hear Pastor Simon speak, I urge you to attend. What I've said here is only a small portion of his message.
This year, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC SK) Saskatchewan District Conference is being held on Apr 27-29 at Kenosee in the Southeast part of the province.
On Monday, Apr 27th, Church on the Hill board member, Shirley Johnson was on hand to see our Pastor Lorne Bonk receive his 10 years of Service plaque.
Rev John Drisner, PAOC SK Dist Supt, presenting a 10 year Service plaque to Pastor Lorne Bonk
Rev John Drisner, PAOC SK Dist Supt and Pastor Lorne Bonk holding his 10 yr Service plaque
Although Pastor Lorne's wife Dianne was unable to attend, she received a beautiful flower arrangement crafted with yellow roses, cream-colored carnations, and more to show appreciation for her years of service standing by Lorne's side.
Flower Arrangement presented to Mrs. Dianne Bonk
The Church on the Hill flock adds their congratulations to Pastor Lorne and Dianne. Thank you for being our shepherds.
Thank you Shirley Johnson for taking and sharing these photographs.
