Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

To the Church of Ephesus … “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life”.

To the Church of Smyrna … “Be faithful, even to the point of death”.

To the Church of Pergamum … “You remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me.”

To the Church of Thyatira … “Hold on to what you have until I come.”

To the Church of Sardis … “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.”

To the Church of Philadelphia … “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you for the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world.” 

To the Church of Laodicea … “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Notice anything? The church of Jesus Christ is to remain faithful. We are to endure. The call is for patience in the midst of trial, difficulty and suffering. It is undeniable. What are we to be faithful in or with?

• Remain faithful in your relationship with Christ, even when tempted to give up, to throw in the towel on Christian spirituality. Continue to pursuit Him and you’ll be blessed.
• Remain true to the covenants you’ve made. Be devoted to your marriage. Sexually pure. In love with your spouse as it was “first love.” Committed to your children.
• Remain devoted to a Christian ethic. Even when the world cries out for you to indulge, to satisfy your impulses and desires. Be self controlled. Avoid sin. Run from gluttony.
• Remain committed to your church. We are family. We are a lampstand. God wants us to be united, caring and helping each other. Commit to Sunday’s, to a small group to a ministry and when it’s tough … persevere. Love one another as Christ loves. 

Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

This Christmas, as I wrote Christmas cards and prayed for each family of our church, I did something I’ve never done before. I took a census. Numbers change continually because people are very mobile. However, I can say with confidence, as 2011 came to an end, this was what the Emmanuel Church Family looked like:

• 280 Family Units (which breaks down this way)
• 702 People Call Emmanuel their Church Home
• 477 Adults
  • 426 Adults at the Westbank Campus
  • 51 Adults at the Peachland Campus
• 225 Children and Youth (Does not include the pre-teens or youth that are bussed in each Tuesday & Thursday or consider Tuesday their church but do not come on weekends. If you included those numbers it would be over 300)

On an average weekend at Emmanuel, you would find about 500 in church (of the 700 who call this their church home or 71%). So on any given Sunday, about 30% of our people are away, working or unable to attend. Those who do attend break down in the following way:

• 180 in the 9 am Westbank Service
• 105 (children, youth, adults) in the 9 am Sunday School Discipleship in Westbank
• 160 in the 11 am Westbank Service (with 20 of those being children in Kids Church)
• 50 in the 10 am Peachland Service

Staying with the numbers theme, I also received our year end financials this week. This year Emmanuel brought in over 1 million dollars for the first time in its history. The General Fund Brought in $795,000. We also brought in $248,000 for Missions, $45,000 for Building and $70,000 for NGM. The Grand total is 1,158,000. WOW!!!!!! We are grateful for ending the year with a slight surplus. Thank you for your faithfulness in attendance, giving and ministry. You are the church.

Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

Sermons and Sunday morning worship services are a lot like your mom’s good cooking. When you were growing up, there are very few meals that you actually remember. You likely ate around 6,550 suppers at your home dinner table. How many do you specifically remember? Exactly! You may not remember them but if you didn’t consume them you’d be dead! Each week a spiritual meal is prepared for you. Some parts you may like more than others.

The Sunday morning fellowship, prayer, worship, kids ministry, and sermon are a feast prepared to keep you spiritually alive and healthy. Come to the table. Do not get so busy with physical activities that you forget to enjoy a healthy spiritual meal. Your body will die one day, your soul never will. Invest your time wisely. Every one of us needs Sundays. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us …

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Today we begin our 4 month preaching series on Revelation called: Hope from the Book of Revelation. These 14 sermons will introduce us to the “final word” given in the Bible. They will help us to see the landscape of Revelation, to understand the key characters, themes, and theology. They will introduce us to 3 important biblical realities; apocalyptic literature, eschatology and a prophetic word.

• Apocalyptic literature is a very unique form of biblical writing. It is different than the Gospels, the letters or historical narrative. Like poetry is different than fiction, so apocalyptic writing must be read differently than you would read any other book in the Bible. Apocalyptic writing flourished for 200 years before Christ. It is highly symbolic, images are bold, writing is to unveil a key point but like poetry the words are not to explain as much as to build something in the imagination.
• Eschatology is the study of the “end things.” For Jews, their eschatology is centred around the coming of the Messiah. For Christians, the Messiah has come. Therefore, our eschatology centres on how ultimate victory for the Christian will be won. Christ’s victory began on the cross. One day what Christ began will be finished. Eschatology shows how the ending relates to the present in such a way as to make sense of life in the “now.”
• Prophecy is a “word from God.” In biblical times, most “prophetic words” were for that time and place. Biblical prophecy is not primarily about“predicting the future.” The word prophet simply means “spokespersonfor God.” Having said that, about 10% of biblical prophecy may have something to do with the future. There were Old Testament prophets andsome in the New Testament continue to operate in that gift. The Apostle John was certainly a prophetic voice during his time. This series will help us hear his prophetic voice, first for the 7 churches of Asia Minor and then for us in the 21^st Century.

Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

I mentioned on January 1 I had spent time reflecting on 2011. I came up with a personal top 10 moments. These were important events that touched my life last year. Some were milestones, others were personal initiatives, and some were to do with family or work. I encouraged you to come up with your own top 10.

During the Week of Prayer, I came up with a list for Emmanuel. It was tough to pare it down to 10. Lots of what we do is to do is week by week discipleship and teaching, so it’s not event orientated. However, I came up with 10 important moments. These are not in any particular order, I’ll do them chronologically, but they remind me 2011 was a good year.

1. Week of Prayer – I think the week we just came through, and the Week of Prayer 2011, would be one of the most important weeks of the year. Last year we extended the number of hours of the prayer stations.
2. Short Term Mission Teams Released – seeing teams leave for Guatemala and Thailand as well as individuals to places like Haiti and Africa was a delight. Last year many youth took their Spring Break to work with Imagine Thailand.
3. Bob Lenz in West Kelowna Schools – Pastor Andy & Pastor Ben worked hard to get a North American renowned high school speaker into our middle and high schools. Then about 500 gathered here on a Friday night to hear a message of salvation.
4. Women’s Retreat at Rockridge – Many positive reports from ladies returning from this weekend in the spring. The fellowship. The testimonies. The ministry. Very positive.
5. Good Friday Service – We had 6 Westside churches participate together; it was a sign of unity and the focus was Christ’s death and resurrection.
6. Election Day – Not because Stephen Harper became Prime Minister, although I’m sure that made some of you happy, but because our church was a community gathering point. More and more people know where we are.
7. Pastor’s Camp & Board Retreat – Looks like I squeezed two in, but it was a highlight to have leaders gather for fellowship and sharing. We are family.
8. Marriage Retreat – The quality of this retreat up at Rockridge and the effectiveness of the speaking, counselling and fellowship made this one of the best weekends of the year.
9. $200,000 gift for the Building Fund – One couple, moved by God, decided to get us going forward on our auditorium fundraising. It was encouraging and a boost to my faith.
10. Elementary Schools at EC for The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever – Having 400 kids from 3 schools hear the story of Christmas was amazing. I watched kids who had never heard the real story of Christ’s birth listening attentively.

Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

I want to offer you an invitation today. At the beginning of 2012, I’m offering you a wonderful opportunity to rejuvenate and prioritize your spiritual pursuit. Over the next week come join us for prayer, reflection, journaling, and quiet moments of God’s Word. It’s a great occasion to look back at 2011. What were your top ten events? What were the most difficult times? What did you learn? How are you different? Have you forgiven, released and are you ready to move on? It is also a calm time of the year to look ahead, to plan, to set goals and to ask God where he wants to lead you and what He wants to do in you. What an invitation!

Week of Prayer – from today (Sunday, January 8) to next Sunday (January, 15) we are focused on prayer. Prayer is communication between us and God. It’s allowing time for our spirit to connect with the Holy Spirit. We get to share our soul with God. In return, He speaks to us. Through the voice of the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God and via our brothers and sisters, God speaks to our circumstances and condition. I’m calling on your to set aside time each day for prayer. Have a journal ready to write down impressions and thoughts. I don’t want you to forget what you are hearing. Find time to pray at home. Join us each evening for a one hour prayer service. Sign up today for your hour in the specially designed prayer room. I know that as you move from station to station, God will speak to you. You can come alone or bring a child or spouse with you. Additionally, we have a prayer room open 24 hours a day. The room is just past the washrooms and beside the photocopy room. Check it out.

Spiritual Emphasis Days – this year we have coupled special meetings to flow out of our week of prayer. Did you enjoy the monthly Encounter services last fall? These services will be like that. Worship. Word. Seeking God. Our guest is our own Heather Martin. Heather shared at the 3 Encounter services last fall and has shared at our ladies retreat. Emmanuel is her home church and she will be sharing on Re:formation: – Embracing Priorities that make us whole. In her study she has found 42 prayers of the Apostle Paul and has channelled that into 52 prayer priorities. She has made up a booklet for you, that’s one prayer emphasis for each week the year!

As you make time for God, He will refresh, guide, heal and empower you for whatever 2012 holds.

Jeff Bjorgan

Spiritual Formation Pastor

2012 is now upon us, with all of its potential surprises: pitfalls and windfalls, curveballs and homeruns, little graces, and great victories. I’m predicting that this is going to be an amazing year.

How could it not be? Although experts have been quick to disagree, a lot of people thought that the Mayan calendar predicted that 2012 would be the end of the earth. There was even an (uninspiring) movie made about it. However, some of the “signs of the times” don’t need any ancient prophesies from an old calendar or boring movie. There are rogue states out there that seem bent and determined to join the nuclear age, other nations who insist on bullying their own people, and the powerful West looking like they can’t keep their financial books in order. Yup, it’s going to be an amazing year.

An amazing year, because in the midst of it all, we know that God is unequivocally in control.

In fact, that’s the basic message of the book of Revelation: although we find ourselves amidst suffering and evil, Christ, the lamb who was slain, is victorious. The battle is won. The Revelation is often misunderstood, and is often treated with fear, suspicion, or a haphazard theology. Because of this, we thought it would be great walk through the book in a sermon series as we take on the New Year. Starting on Sunday, January 22, we’ll be taking a chapter-by-chapter look at the last book of the Bible.  The series is called First & Last: Hope from the Book of Revelation. Should be a great series!

We also want to invite you to start the year out right by investing your time and energy into your own spiritual growth. Starting on January 8, we will be having our week of prayer. Sign up for slots in the prayer chapel, come out to Sunday evening prayer services, and take time throughout your days to focus on God. At the end of the week, we’re bringing back our Spiritual Emphasis Days. One of our own, Heather Martin, will be leading us through services on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, that allow us to grow in our Christian faith.

It’s going to be an amazing year.

Jeff Bjorgan

Spiritual Formation Pastor

Christmas, or literally, Christ Mass, is a church service. It is the day on the church calendar where the people of God gather to sing songs, read Scriptures, and reflect on what is seen and what is heard. Church services take place all the time—at least once a week in most cases—and they often have the same components that you will be participating in this evening.

But, as you probably know, the Christ Mass is extra special. We’re celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, an event that has marked our history like no other!

Throughout Advent, our theme at Emmanuel has been The Invitation. Through Jesus, Christmas is an invitation to a way of thinking, a way of living, and a way of seeing beyond ourselves. When we read the story of the nativity, we are reminded again that God has inspired us to hope. Humankind has longed for a rescuer, and God has provided one. We are also reminded that God has invited us to be redeemed. Jesus rescues in a very specific way: he rescues our minds, bodies, and souls. God has also invited us to receive justice. Isaiah prophesied what Jesus would later reiterate in his life: the Messiah would come to set the captives free.

And finally, Christmas invites us to know Jesus in a personal way. The mystery of a God coming in human form—coming as we all come into this world, through a mother’s womb—causes us to ask in awe, “What child is this?” This evening, as you come in and surround yourselves in the atmosphere of this mystery, may you find yourself voicing the answer with a renewed hope and joy: this child is Christ the King!

Please accept our warmest welcome to you, your family and friends, and to all of our guests. May you have a blessed Christmas.

Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

Let me first say how thrilled I was about last week’s Christmas presentation. It was, in short, outstanding. Over 1,000 people came to Emmanuel to hear the story of Christmas, 400 of them children from School District 23. So many people brought friends, co-workers, family and the reviews were raving. The 75 volunteers were amazing. Some in the cast and crew started in September, others came along the week before or served in the kitchen. We set up, tore down, set up, tore down, set up, tore down and the set up and tore down one last time. The kitchen crew was such a blessing; they take on so much responsibility. The two meals and two desserts were wonderful and people enjoyed great fellowship around the tables. The message of Christmas, so marginalised in our culture, was proclaimed loud and strong. To Janet and Sara-Lee who, worked tirelessly to bring this to life, to John, Regina and Mary in the kitchen, to Nancy, Margo and John behind the scenes … thank you, thank you thank you!

For the first time in our 15 years here, our family is taking a Christmas vacation. This has been in the works for a year. Last Christmas was a difficult one for us. With the production, some studies I was doing and the death of Norm & Alma Hoshizaki in a car accident just days before Christmas, there was a pall that hung over the celebration. In January I suggested to Sara-Lee that we take the Christmas of 2011 off. Leave the responsibilities of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services in the capable hands of others and take our family away. So, this weekend we left for a two-week holiday in Florida. The first week we are taking the kids to parks in the Orlando area, and the second week we are resting near Ft. Myers. I’m taking my mom along and a few good books. We will be back for the New Year’s Day service on January 1^st.

From my family to yours, may this next week bring spiritual renewal and hope. May the week between Christmas and New Year’s bring rest. We love, value and esteem each of you. We have a great church and I look forward to our return. Merry Christmas!

Jeff Bjorgan

Spiritual Formation Pastor

By this point in Advent, the holiday season begins to pick up: office parties, school plays, year-end events fill up the schedule quickly. Although the busyness sometimes contributes to our anticipation of Christ-mass, more often than not, it just contributes to us feeling harried and pressed for time. Jesus is coming, and a good thing too, because we're all out of breath.

Not the most opportune way to take in the best of the season.

So what are we to do? How do we remember the "reason for the season" when the rat race threatens to rob us of all energy?

A few thoughts:

Book silence. "There's no time to reflect!" I've heard people sigh. But we all have the same 24 hours in a day. Although it's not easy, take back your time by starting your week with your calendar in your hand, and schedule in moments where you can sit and rest and breathe. Don't wait until it's 10 at night. Choose a time where you are alert and awake, ready to pay attention to what God is saying to you in the moment.

Take charge of your perspective. In the hustle and bustle of the season we sometimes ask ourselves, "why are we doing all this stuff?" but we don't often take the time to provide an answer. Sometimes there is a very good reason for being busy at this time of year! I was reminded of this again when I saw the 400 or so students come to watch our Christmas Pageant this past Thursday. All the hard work, all the practices, all the time committed finds purpose in seeing an audience light up with Christmas joy and wonder. There should be a good reason for doing what we do. If there isn't, then our priorities need a check-up.

Inhabit meaningful moments. There are so many opportunities at this time of year for individuals and families to get involved in something out of the ordinary. They can invite someone over for Christmas dinner, go see a live nativity, take in Midnight Mass, volunteer at the Food Bank or Gospel Mission or go carolling. This year we evangelicals get a Sunday service on Christmas Day. Take advantage of it!

This year, don't let one of the most meaningful times of the Christmas calendar be pushed aside by less meaningful activities. Rather, in these last few weeks, even as you feel the pressure of time commitments, grab a hold of the season by taking advantage of the spontaneous God-moments that come our way.

Derrick Hamre

Lead Pastor

This year our Advent theme is The Invitation. Christmas is a wonderful invite from God to discover His most precious gift – Jesus Christ. Today Pastor Ben will preach a message entitled, “The Invitation to Know Him.” In many ways, it sums up our desires this season. We hope that our church, community and nation are guided to an introduction of Jesus. If we know him, we will love Him and our lives will be changed. One of the saddest scriptures is John 1:10-11, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” I pray that we would not miss this invitation to experience Jesus. The very next verse tells us why, “yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God!” How awesome is that?!?

Beyond the personal invitation there is another part to our theme. Each of us get to be part of God’s great plan. We have an opportunity to participate with God’s Gospel. This Christmas we can INVITE our family, friends, co-workers, school friends, neighbours and visiting guests to join us in our Christmas celebrations. As a family who attends church, part of your Christmas celebration will include events here at Emmanuel. Today is the final day to pick up tickets for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Why not bring someone with you? Additionally, there is The Old Fashioned Christmas on December 21, The Candlelight Christmas Eve services on December 24 and then the New Year’s Eve party on December 31. Lot’s of opportunity to “invite.”

Today at our Peachland Campus, Pastor Derek Koch has organized a special event and they are inviting many to join them. They’ve cancelled their regular Sunday morning service and are providing the Peachland community a dinner and program at noon. This event has sold over 100 tickets. Dave & Peggy Gowing are cooking a ham dinner, Christmas songs will be sung and there will be some drama. Once again, The Invitation will be given. Pray for this special event taking place at the Peachland Community Centre. It promises to be very special and significant.

On December 18, both campuses and all three of our Celebration services will join together in a single 10 am service for three weeks. It will be a delight to have the whole family together again! I think that’s part of what Christmas is all about.