Saturday Service

As I hope you are aware, the SAC Council has asked us to provide a response regarding the future of the Saturday night service.

 

In some informal meetings after the services in December, I (JP Hayashida) offered to provide some leadership in formulating a response to council. A discernment plan was outlined and sent to council for their approval.

A key part of this plan was to ask people to pray, "Lord, please reveal to us your heart for South Abbotsford Church and those of us gathering together on Saturday night." Prayer has to be a foundational part of our discernment.

 

I would like to invite your participation into the steps in the discernment process:

 

1. At the end of the email are 3 questions. If you would send your responses to jp.hayashida@telus.net, it would be appreciated.

 

2. After the January 2nd service, there will be a time of community prayer for any who would like to participate.

 

3. On January 8-9th, you are invited to join into a time of fasting and prayer. We are asking people to fast from sunset on Friday until after our Saturday evening service. We will meet for a time of prayer at 5:00-6:00 pm before the start of the service on January 9th.

 

4. On January 9th, a paper based survey will be distributed at the service to collect additional feedback. (A version of the survey may also be emailed.)

 

5. On January 16th, a potluck dinner will be held at 5:00 before the Saturday service. As part of this potluck, we will have a time for discussion.

 

6. Hopefully, by January 23rd, a first draft response to council will be made available.

 

7. On January 30th, a final response will be presented and we will seek general affirmation.

 

8. On February 1st, the response will be submitted to the council for their review.

 

There may also be some informal meetings during the coming weeks. I would welcome people contacting me and I will try to meet with them to seek more input and counsel. I am very open to your feedback. My heart is to provide some overall leadership to this discernment process. I do not see myself in a position of authority over anyone. All members of the church have the freedom to approach the council so please realize that this is not the only means of discernment and communication. Also, this process will not be able to speak for everyone, but it will hopefully allow our faith community to work together as a body of discernment. We are trusting in the Lord to lead us in this process.

 

Also, please note that we will have a simplified worship format during our Saturday night services in January. A worship leader with a guitar or playing piano will lead us. During the informal meetings in December, this was a suggestion that seemed to have consensus as we looked at ways to reduce workloads.

 

In Christ,

J.P. Hayashida

 

Initial Feedback:

 

Please ask anyone in your family who attends the Saturday service to please pray and respond to the following questions:

 

1. As you have prayed, "Lord, please reveal to us your heart for South Abbotsford Church and those of us gathering together on Saturday night", what have you sensed from the Lord?

 

 

2. Has God directed you to any scriptures regarding this discernment?

If yes, would you be willing to share them?

 

 

3. As you have prayed, how do you believe Jesus wants you to participate in the gathering on Saturday night?

 

 

 

Please email your responses to jp.hayashida@telus.net by Thursday January 7th if possible.