Connecting Points

There is more to life than events and responsibilities. Life is about relationships. At Emmanuel we encourage all of our adults to belong to a small group that we call Connecting Points. In a Connecting Point, one is connecting with others, and in community accomplishing something. It could be a Bible study, a prayer group, a sports activity, a community service.

As the year begins, most of our Connecting Points are back up and running. Check them out. Most of them are listed in our Connecting Points Calendar.

We also are preparing a special 6 week Connecting Point for those not now involved. The goal is to allow people to try them out, meet new people and to be encouraged in our faith. Watch for details coming soon in March.

EmmanuelNet Top 10 Sermons for 2011

During 2011, about 245 people visited this website every week, with 65 of those checking out a sermon. While 90% of site visitors were from Canada, people from more than 50 different countries spent time on our site. About 58% of visitors came from the Kelowna area, with the next most visits coming from Kamloops, Vancouver, and Edmonton, respectively.

The top ten sermons for the year were:

1. Making Love Last Forever by Derrick Hamre
2. Celebrating Fatherhood by Derrick Hamre
3. Throw Off the Veil by Derrick Hamre
4. A Story of Restoration by Derek Koch
5. Every Moment a Prayer by Derrick Hamre
6. Barriers to Being Released by Jeff Bjorgan
7. Ceremonies, Rituals and Initiations by Derrick Hamre
8. Aged Like Good Cheese by Derrick Hamre
9. Grace Like Rain by Derrick Hamre
10. Just Do It by Kim Weiler

If you missed any of these, be sure to check them out.

The Revelation Seminar: Feb 25 & 26

When:  February 25 at 8 am - noon
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Campus
Cost:  $5 (breakfast and classnotes included)

When:  February 26 at 7 - 9 pm
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Campus
Cost:  an offering will be taken

To accompany our Winter/Spring speaking series, First & Last: Hope from the Book of Revelation, we invite you to participate in The Revelation Seminar with Ron Herms, taking place on February 25 and 26, 2012.

The Book of Revelation has garnered much attention over the years, sometimes held at arm’s length and with suspicion, and sometimes embraced as a “tell all” press release for the end of the world. With all the confusion and opinions out there, it is no wonder that many Christians don’t even desire to read it! Yet, The Revelation is a gift to the church, an account of the gospel of Jesus Christ that can challenge and convict us as well as inspire us and give us hope.

Dr. Ron Herms is an Associate professor of New Testament at Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington, who has spent a considerable amount of time studying Jewish history and literature as well as early Christian origins. He has a particular interest in the development of apocalyptic thought in Second Temple Judaism and its influence on early Christian theology. Ron is our guest speaker for our seminar and will be taking the time to address key aspects necessary to know when approaching the book.

Sign up at the info desk for our Saturday morning breakfast on February 25 at 8 am. The fee is $5, which covers the breakfast as well as class notes for the morning lectures. Ron will be covering two topics throughout the morning. During the first lecture at 9 am, Ron will be talking about the history and the world of the book of Revelation, and in the second lecture he will be addressing the theology and spirituality of the book of Revelation.

As part of our Sunday morning speaking series, Ron will be preaching at both campuses on February 26 on the topic of evil. Services are at 9 and 11 am in Westbank and 10 am in Peachland.

Join us for the final conversation taking place on Sunday evening, February 26, at 7 pm. Ron’s topic will be From the Roman Empire to Hollywood: Our Interest in End Times. The night will feature a survey of some of the interesting, important (and sometimes bizarre) ways people have approached the End Times and how The Revelation has been used as a filter to defend all kinds of interesting behaviour over the centuries. An offering will be taken to help cover the costs of the seminar and Ron will be available for a Q&A session after each of his lectures.

Spring/Winter Preaching Series: First & Last

When:  January 22 - April 29, 2012
Where: Emmanuel Westbank & Peachland

Emmanuel's preaching series for winter/spring 2012 is:

First & Last: Hope from the Book of Revelation.

The Revelation is the last book of the Bible. It is often viewed with fear or suspicion or approached with a cowboy-like theological persuasion. In reality, the The Revelation is a book of hope and represents good news and great growth opportunities for all of us.

Starting January 22, 2012 we are taking a chapter-by-chapter look at this important book through a series of sermons, seminars, and question periods. Be sure to join us for this exciting series!

2012 Spiritual Emphasis Days: Jan 13 - 15

When:  January 13 - 15, 2012 at 7 pm
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Campus

Spiritual Emphasis Days are back at Emmanuel. On January 13, 14, and 15, come join us for evenings of spiritual refreshment as we worship and pray together at 7 pm. Our own Heather Martin will be leading us with words of encouragement from the Apostle Paul.

The theme this year is re:formation. We want to get back to the basics, starting the new year with a clean slate. Our desire is to grow deeper in our wisdom and knowledge of Christ. Come expecting great things from God.

2012 Week of Prayer: Jan 8 - 14

When:  January 8 - 14, 2012
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Campus

Every year at Emmanuel Church we dedicate one week to prayer at the beginning of the year to start things off on the right foot. January 8 through 14 is our 2012 Week of Prayer.

During the Week of Prayer the church building remains open for 24 hours for you to come and pray. We have prayer stations set up that you can prayerfully work through. Please sign up at the sheets posted in the church foyer in order to book your 1 hour time slot. Space is limited for this important event.

Additionally, there is a prayer service each evening at 7pm. Join us for a time of corporate prayer as we lift our concerns to God together. Spiritual Emphasis Days begin toward the end of the week.

Update on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by Emmanuel Church

Because of overwhelming demand, most of the prayer station time slots are taken. Therefore, we have opened up two additional days (Monday, January 16, from 7 am to 9 pm and Tuesday, January 17, from 7 am to 7 pm). That opens up 24 more hours for people to sign up.

Family New Year's Eve: Dec 31

When:  Saturday, December 31 at 8 pm
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Campus

Every New Year's Eve, Emmanuel hosts a New Year's Eve get-together. Starting at 8:00 pm, we gather as families and play games, and eat goodies (bring some baked goods for yourself and to share). The gym is open for kids to play sports. At around 11:30 pm, we gather together, reflect on the year, and then celebrate the turning of the clock. Everyone is welcome! Invite a friend.

Christmas Eve Services: 5 pm & 6:30 pm

When:  Saturday, December 24, 2011
            at 5 pm and 6:30 pm
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Auditorium

You are invited to join us in worshipping the Savior on Christmas Eve. These are perhaps our favorite services of the year as we celebrate the coming of the Christ-child!

Two services are available at 5 pm and 6:30 pm on December 24 for you and your family, neighbours and friends. The services last an hour, and they feature songs of the season, reflections, Scripture readings and a monologue.

Old Fashioned Christmas Party: Dec 21

When:  Wednesday, December 21 at 7 pm
Where: Emmanuel Westbank Campus

Join us around the piano in the church foyer as we sing Christmas carols, drink some hot chocolate and enjoy being a church family. There will be a Veggietales video for the kids and the gym will be available for games. After the singing, stay for some popcorn and the classic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. The fun starts at 7 pm.

Feel free to invite friends, families and neighbours, and to bring some of your own Christmas baking as well.

For more information, please contact the church office*office*Old Fashioned Christmas Party.

Water Baptismal Service: Dec 18

When:  Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 10 am
Where: Emmanuel Westbank

Baptism is a significant step in the Christian life where we publicly declare our faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not been baptized and would like to be, please contact a pastor.

Our next baptismal is taking place during the Combined Celebration Service on Sunday, December 18. There will be a baptismal class to attend before the service takes place.

For more information on being baptized or being part of this event, please contact the church office.