The most surprising thing about joy is where you find it. Happiness comes in chunks; it’s a solid; Joy is liquid; It’s usually under the surface. Uncertainty and difficulty sabotages happiness - but not joy. Joy is God’s equal-opportunity gift to everyone. That’s what Mary had - despite the discomfort and difficulty and danger she found herself in. Joy was the steady flow of God’s power and calm to her life and her extraordinary circumstances that made it possible for her to bring the source of joy to everyone — even until today.

Happy 20th Birthday Olive Branch!
At today’s service, we will be celebrating God’s faithfulness to us and we’ll be responding with grateful hearts — listening closely about what God wants to do next.

We all feel the pressures of a very confused world with its messed up value system: pressured to exchange our faith for 'something' it promises. Also, there are the intellectual challenges of faith in a faithless system and holding hope for the future in a world that’s scrambling: the pressure to be unique, the pressure to live for your phone and social media and on and on it goes. This is exactly what Paul was talking about in Romans 12:1-2... How to think in new ways but not conform to the ways of the world. God's promises to us are clearly seen in the first 11 chapters of Romans. And then in Romans 12, He challenges us to make the NEXT MOVE in our journey with Christ.

WHAT you think about.
HOW you think about what you think about.
This seems like a weird topic… but it’s absolutely HUGE when it comes to direction in life. Because here’s how it works: what you expose yourself to, you think about. Then, what you think about is what your mind develops a secret plan to help you get. And HOW you think and WHAT you think about is what you BECOME. Let’s see what the Bible says about this!

In life, we’re all looking for something and hoping to accomplish something and have something to show for the time, resources and effort we’ve invested. What we really believe about what matters, what satisfies the soul, and who our lives are for will determine where we go and where ultimately we drop anchor. So, what are we really hoping for?

t’s late—and how you invest this incredible resource—your time—your life—matters. According to Jesus—and all the prophets who spoke on God’s behalf, the astounding truth is that how we spend our time here shapes what eternity will look like for us—and most certainly for others.
— TOP THINGS TO KNOW —
Operation Christmas Child!
Bless a child from around the world
Pick up a box at the church, or pack your own shoebox by November 12! NEXT WEEK!
More details here: www.tob.ca/branch-out
Got questions about life? You’re invited for conversations at our ALPHA course.
Join us! 5 pm to 8 pm
More info here: tob.ca/alpha
Ways to be a part of the community:
• Life Groups – find your group: tob.ca/life-groups
• Kids Branch — children’s ministries online and in-person! Check out kidsbranch.ca
• Encounter Youth – Friday nights at 6:30 pm
• Young Adults — Sunday nights at 6:30 pm – Get details on Instagram @olivebranch.ya
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 Donate and support the ministry: https://www.tob.ca/give/
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• Need prayer? Email us at [email protected]
• Need help? Send us a message at [email protected]
Connect with us
• instagram.com/olivebranchmarkham
• facebook.com/olivebranchmarkham
— WORSHIP —
I Believe
By Jason Ingram, Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger, Amanda Lindsey Cook, Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser
© 2021 My Magnolia Music, Be Essential Songs, All Essential Music (Admin by Essential Music Publishing) We Are TIM Music, Wonder Meadow Music (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing) Bethel Music Publishing
CCLI Song No. 7176941
CCLI License No. 2843855

Jesus speaks very clearly that there will come a time when He will return - and on that day, things will radically change. Peter speaks to the fact that it will be a day that will silence all skeptics and bring justice and life and healing. Jesus, the Hope of the Ages, our Saviour and Lord of all - will set things right. He told us clearly that there would be signs to look for - but to not try to predict it or use our time charting it all out. His calling was to just be ready!

The word 'Church' means gathered people. That’s why the New Testament is filled with one-anothers. Love one another, encourage one another, help one another, pray for one another, comfort one another. There's no other way to interpret this... we need each another. But, honestly? Sometimes, how we actually 'do' Church has little to do with what Jesus had in mind.

How does one *actually* follow Jesus? If Jesus really was perfect, treated everyone with love and led a spotless life, and we're supposed to be like Him — how is this actually even remotely possible? Before Jesus returned to the Father, he said that he'd send someone to help us. He would not leave us alone.⁠

We’d like to think we are self-sufficient; that apart from Him creating us and occasionally stepping in to give us a hand, we really don’t need God. Given the trail of blood through history—it’s quite naïve to think that way. The truth is way more devastating than most would imagine. The damage sin has done to all human kind is profound. We all need to be rescued—and that requires a Rescuer!