Sunday Morning Preview - January 18, 2015

For far too many Christians the New Year involves resolutions, self improvement, goal setting and just a whole lot of navel gazing in general. In order to remedy this situation we started a new tradition at DCC a couple of years ago; devoting one of the first few services of the new year to a missions emphasis.

I know you will be encouraged and inspired once again this year as we welcome Pastor Brian Hamilton of Ambassadors for Christ Canada. 

AFC is the Ministry that Kathy and I have visited the Dominican Republic and Cambodia with.

Pastor Brian will share the value of short term missions and the unique AFC approach to getting the job done in third world countries.

Invite a friend and start the year off on the right foot! 

Welcome - January 11, 2015

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Welcome again and thank-you for joining us as we continue our journey through the book of James.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

James 1:27; James 2:1; James 4:8-10; James 4:17; James 5:9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Galatians 6:8-10; James 1:1-21

Sunday Morning Preview - January 11, 2015

I hope everyone will be able to join me this Sunday morning at Dakota as we wrap up our introduction to the Epistle of James and begin to look at the alleged joys of tests and trials.

According to James the Holy Spirit requires us to visit orphans and widows in their distress, to keep ourselves unstained from the world, to purify our hearts and to be single minded in our passion for Him. He expects us to be thankful and compassionate, concerned for the lost and poor, and totally impartial toward others as far as social stature is concerned.

I think we all want to see these evidences of salvation and more in our lives as we walk with the Lord… except… well; what about when we don’t? What about when we rebel against all that?

Welcome - January 4, 2015

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Thank-you for joining us for this first service of 2015.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ezekiel 14

January 4, 2015 at Dakota

I thought we’d start 2015 off with a little fire by way of a study of Ezekiel 14 which addresses the serious problem of idolatry and the judgement it demands. 

To set up an idol is to reject God in favour of human preferences. I think you will agree that we don’t have to travel back to Ezekiel’s time to see this practice amoung believers, it is evident all around us. We hold to a confession of faith but our lifestyles routinely deny it. We claim devotion to church, but the slightest excuse to miss will do, we sing fervently in worship and support missions but many of us haven’t actually shared the gospel with anyone in years. We boast of a love for the LORD and maintain a show of loyalty to HIM but our deepest concerns, our financial habits and our use of time betray idols of sex, comfort, success and a thousand other exultations of self.

I hope to see you all Sunday morning for a fiery good time in the first service of the New Year and a sermon I have entitled, “Taking Idols into our Hearts.”

Welcome - December 28, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Thank-you for joining us for this final service of 2014.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ezekiel 13:1-23; Matthew 7:15; Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Jeremiah 5:30-31; 2 Peter 2:1; Acts 11:27-30; Acts 21:10-11; 2 Kings 19:29-31

December 28, 2014 at Dakota

As another year draws to an end I thought I would close the 2014 preaching schedule with a look at an issue that is causing havoc in the church in an ever increasing measure. The information age has brought church websites and podcasts into the lives of ordinary believers from every corner of planet earth with both positive and negative effect depending on the content being offered.

Of course, in every generation there are both true and false voices that arise and clamour for public attention; but how do we discern which are to be trusted and which are to be exposed and denied an audience?

I hope to see you all Sunday morning for a sermon I have entitled, “False Prophets”

Welcome - December 24, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Thank-you for joining us for this special Christmas Eve Service.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

2 Corinthians 9: 10-15; Acts 13:38-39; Hebrews 4:14-16; Psalms 46:1-2; 1 Corinthians 13:12 

Christmas Eve 2014

Please join me in the upstairs sanctuary this Wednesday evening at 5:30 as we light the final Advent Candle, share communion and celebrate the birth of Christ with Christmas carols and fellowship around the Word of God.

By now I am sure that most of you have houses filled with carefully wrapped presents waiting to be opened. I’m wondering how you went about acquiring them? Are you a last minute shopper or a thoughtful planner who prepares all year? What do anticipate happening as each gift is opened?

How will you feel if you don’t get the response you are hoping for?

How important is it to you that your gifts are seen and appreciated as expressions of love and not just as so much more “stuff” to add to the pile?

With that in mind I want you to think about the inexpressible gift of God this Christmas:

What it is that God gave us in Christ; and how you have responded to Him.

Busy Weekend Planned for DCC!

We have a busy weekend planned at DCC:

On Friday evening at 6:30 we have the Sunday School Christmas Pageant practice. Pizza will be provided and pick-up is at 8

Sunday morning we will start things off at 10 am with a Pre-Concert Pot Luck Brunch followed by the Sunday School Presentation, a time of worship and a brief message from Pastor Joel. 

Please remember to bring along some brunch type goodies to share, beverages will be provided. 

"I came that they might have life and have it abundantly" How can these words of Jesus be true when so many of us have suffered terrible loss and pain? Life, let alone Christmas, has left many of us disappointed. It promises one thing and delivers another. Promises of "abundant life" and "joy to the world" sound to some of us more like the neurotic fantasy's of some out-of-touch charismatics than anything we've seen or experienced. Is it even possible that the joy suggested to us in scripture can become more than just intellectual? Jesus thought so. 

Welcome - December 7, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Thank-you for joining us for this second Sunday of Advent 2014.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Luke 2:8-14; Psalm 19:1-3; Romans 1:19-23; Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 11:6

Sunday Morning Preview - December 7, 2014

Last Sunday we talked about how mankind was created by God for the express purpose of loving Him. In Adam humanity fell by committing the ultimate act of betrayal, choosing love of self rather than love of God.

This week I want to add to that the idea that we were also created for God’s glory. 

Men long to be caught up in glory, we are very much glory focused. We are seekers of glory, in fact it would not be a stretch to say that we are somewhat glory obsessed much of the time.

Think about the role our desire for glory plays in sports or in war. Think about the fame and fortune that come with excellence in art or theatre or music. Consider the glory that belongs to the high achiever in business or academia. Even in the church there are pursuits of human glory that cause all manner of wickedness.

But what of the Glory of God that the angels heralded? 

Can any of us honestly say, “I lived with the glory of God in view this week.” 

I hope you will join me Sunday morning for an advent message I have entitled, “The Promise.”

Welcome - November 30, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Thank-you for joining us for this first Sunday of Advent 2014.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Genesis 6:5-7; Mark 12:28-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Genesis 6:8

November 30, 2014 at Dakota

And so Advent begins for another year and we turn our hearts and minds to the manger scene in Bethlehem that is soon to be read and/or acted out in churches all over the world. The strange scenario begs a question that is too rarely asked or answered in all the holiday excitement - WHY?

Why are angels appearing to shepherds and singing this joyful proclamation?

Why are wise men travelling across the world following a star in search of a new born king?

Why is a terrified political ruler murdering a generation of babies?

Why is a claimed virgin giving birth, in fact, why would there need to be a visitation from God at all? 

I hope to see you Sunday as we set the stage for this wonderful season by searching out the answer to these and many more important questions.

Welcome - November 23, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Thank-you for joining us as we turn our attention toward Advent with a message entitled, "Sheep Without a Shepherd."

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Isaiah 44:24,28; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Micah 5:4-5; Zechariah 11:5-13; Psalm 23:1-6; Ezekiel 34:1-10; John 10:11-18

Sunday November 23, 2014 at Dakota

Although it seems hard to believe the year has flown by and this Sunday is the final one before Advent for 2014. In preparation for our annual holiday series I wanted to take this week to begin turning our thoughts toward the season and especially toward why the incarnation was necessary.

According to Ezekiel 34 God has a bone to pick with the leaders He has called and appointed to care for His people Israel. They are supposed to feed and protect His flock in the way that a faithful shepherd feeds and protects the sheep; instead they have used their positions of authority to fleece the flock, exploiting them and making themselves rich and comfortable in the process while the sheep suffer.

Are there any parallels between these Old Testament shepherds and today’s pastors?

What does God offer as a solution to all of these problems?

I hope to see you Sunday for a great time in the Word of God!

Welcome - November 16, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Welcome again and thank-you for joining us as we wrap up our introduction to the book of James.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

James 1:27; James 2:1; James 4:8-10; James 4:17; James 5:9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Galatians 6:8-10

November 16, 2014 at Dakota

I hope everyone will be able to join me this Sunday morning at Dakota as we wrap up our introduction to the Epistle of James with a look at a few of the works that should be present in the life of the regenerated believer.

According to James the Holy Spirit requires us to visit orphans and widows in their distress, to keep ourselves unstained from the world, to purify our hearts and to be single minded in our passion for Him. He expects us to be thankful and compassionate, concerned for the lost and poor, and totally impartial toward others as far as social stature is concerned.

I think we all want to see these evidences of salvation and more in our lives as we walk with the Lord… except… well; what about when we don’t? What about when we rebel against all that?

See you Sunday!

November 9, 2014 at Dakota

We are in for a real treat this Sunday morning as we welcome Bishop Gordon McDonald into our church and pulpit for what is sure to be an encouraging time of ministry.

Reverend McDonald and his wife Glenda faithfully served the congregation of Calvary Christian Church in Surrey, BC for 4 decades. His powerful messages, insight into everyday issues, and his gifted leadership has impacted countless people (including your pastor)  within the local church and around the world. He is a Pastor of pastors across the nation of Canada with a strong heart and vision for missions that he has instilled into the hearts and lives of the people of Calvary Christian Church, as well as churches throughout North America. His extensive involvement in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church over the years has given him a unique passion and mandate for establishing the local church and its leadership.

Bishop McDonald currently serves as the General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Holiness Church of Canada (PHCC) and is a member of the IPHC Council of Bishops. He is also a member of the Global Council for the Empowered 21 initiative, and serves on the board of a number of other organizations.

I hope to see you this Sunday at DCC!

Welcome - November 2, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Welcome again and thank-you for joining us as we continue our journey through the book of James.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

James 1:19; James 1:27; James 2:1; James 3:10; James 4:8-10; James 4:17; James 5:9; John 14:15; 1 John 5:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 1:18; James 1:27; James 2:1; James 3:10; James 4:8-10; James 4:17; James 5:9