Fort Garry MB Church - Winnipeg, Canada

Pastor Denver opens a new sermon series on the book of Colossians entitled "The Mystery Made Known", as we gather together on Thanksgiving Sunday.

Pastor Denver closes up our "Living Stones" sermon series, speaking on sending.

Discussion Questions: 
What are some practical ways to proclaim the truth of who Jesus is without being pushy, and while honouring other's permission? 

What are some historical ways that Christians have participated in the ministry of "Sending" that have been harmful, unhelpful, or unfaithful to the kingdom of God? What approaches do you still see happening that need examination?

How do you make sense of the colt-borrowing scenario? What imagination do you insert into this story, and what does that reveal of how you understand Jesus to operate? 

What is a space ahead in your life that you need to trust that Jesus goes ahead and will reveal himself there? Where is Jesus inviting you to trust his "prevenience"?

How did you respond to the exercise of painting and placing a rock to share the Good News of Jesus? How did the Spirit lead you in this? 

Where do you see the strongest expressions of FGMB's Sending ministry? What are the areas that need the most growth? 

Pastor Denver speaks on Mark 16 verses 1 through 8, and ties the stone being rolled away into our baptism Sunday.

"In a sense, even this is transformed into a living stone in the presence of the resurrection. 

This stone that was the finishing touch of the enemy’s plan becomes the first testament to the resurrection. 

Verse - what the enemy intended for evil, God has used for good. 

When we look at others and see these barriers, may we see with resurrection eyes and believe that God can do the impossible. 

Remember your baptism. Share a bit about that event and that season in your life. OR, if you haven’t yet taken the step of baptism, would you consider exploring this at our church? 
How can we both trust in the finished work of Jesus, and bring our own effort to the challenges we face?
What is a stone you have seen God roll away in your own life? 
What is an obstacle or challenge in your own life that God has helped you to see in a new way? 
What is the Spirit’s invitation for you to “live the baptized life” this week? "

Pastor Ruth shares with us this morning, picking up our "Living Stones" series by speaking on 1 Peter, and how God is building us into a spiritual house as living stones.

1.  Our desire to build, to create, is part of being human. It is imbedded into our creation to be co-creators with God. We see it in music and art as well. Creating for the glory of God.  Where do you see evidence of this in your life?
2.What are we, individually and collectively, building? What does a spiritual house look like?
3. When people look at us and our church are their eyes moved upwards? Are they seeing the divine around them?
4. “The church seeks to be a place clearly visible to the world in which people are faithful to their promises, love their enemies, tell the truth, honour the poor, suffer for righteousness, and thereby testify to the amazing community-creating power of God. The church knows that its most credible form of witness (and the most “effective” thing it can do for the world) is the actual creation of a living, breathing visible community of faith.”  Resident Alien by Hauerwas and Willimon
Is this how you see the church? Is the church fulfilling this call?

Discussion Questions:
1. The sermon made the claim that God has created people with a desire to build. How do you see this human vocation being lived out by different people around you?
2. What would change in a person’s approach if they were building for a quick result, or a longer result? What about for this age, or for the age to come?
3. How do you understand the term “deconstruction”? What is the value of deconstruction? Why is it important, or how might God use it?
4. Paul describes different kinds of materials we might choose to build with: “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw”. What do you think these could represent?
5. Where in your life is God calling you to adapt your “building plan”?

This week, Laurel Wiebe talks about prayer and how important it is for the church community.

This week, John Janzen speaks on teaching one another and gives a multi-step approach on how it should be done.

This Sunday, Pastor Denver speaks on showing hospitality to one another.

As we reach our halfway point in our summer series, tune in to hear Pastor Denver teach on encouraging one another.

This week, Pastor Kristen shares a message on waiting for one another and the importance of patience.