D.S. Reflections
District Superintendent Steve Ottley
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Epiphany 2021
As we begin a brand-new year, especially coming out of a challenging one such as 2020 has been, the next season in the Church calendar becomes so much more important. January 6 th marks Epiphany, the day we commemorate the revelation of Jesus Christ as God incarnate.
Remember the scene of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist? As Jesus comes up out of the water, with the crowds gathered around…
“10 …he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Mark 1:10-11 (NLT)
Oh, that Jesus would be revealed to us afresh and anew in 2021. I want to see Jesus in 2021. I want to know Jesus in 2021. I want to have sweet communion with Jesus in 2021. Andre Crouch’s old song “ I want to know you” comes to mind. It’s based on Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10, “ I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead,” Andre writes:
I, oh I just want to know you
I want to know you so well
That nothing can make me doubt you
O Lord, I want to know you so well
I, oh I just want to know you
I want to sit at your feet so that I
Can hear everything that you’re saying to me
I want to know you so well
I want to know you so well
Where would I go if you don’t lead the way
How could I speak less you tell me what to say
I want my days and nights to be pleasing to you
Lord, as you take me through
Where would I go if you don’t lead the way
How could I speak less you tell me what to say
I don’t want anything to ever come between you and me
That is my pray for us in 2021 – that Jesus would be re-revealed to us in such a way that we would have the mind of Christ as we navigate the days that lay before us in this new year.
I don’t know any better way to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in realizing this than for God’s people to gather for a season of Prayer & Fasting. So, I invite you to join us this Saturday, January 9 th for a District Prayer and Fasting Online Gathering.
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District Prayer & Fasting Online Gathering
Saturday, 9th January 2021
Note: There are some who for medical reasons cannot fast meals.
Please know that God understands, and so do we.
Prepare your heart on Friday Night
As you end your day of Friday, plan to fast until lunch on Saturday.
Quote: Fasting is not about trying to get God to do something. It is not a “functional” lever we pull to increase the power of our prayers. Fasting is about fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Fasting trains the human spirit to fellowship with the Holy Spirit and feast on the Word of God. (J.D. Walt)
We invite you to pray the following prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, I offer you this fast for your glory and my good. All I am and all I have I offer to you for your purposes in the world and my progress in your grace, Amen (from Seedbed 40 day fast)
Saturday Morning
- First Reading of: Mark 1:4-11
As you read the passage aloud, listen for the Spirit of God to draw your attention to a word or phrase. Sit with that word or phrase for a couple minutes and allow it to fill your mind.
- Second Reading of: Mark 1:4-11
As you read the passage again, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how the word or phrase speaks to your life.Meditate on what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you.Form as sentence that helps to articulate what God is saying to you.
- Third Reading of: Mark 1:4-11
As you read the passage again for a final time, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any actions that you need to take as a result of what He is saying to you through the word or phrase. Pray that He would empower you to take that action in obedience.
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Join us as we stream a time of Corporate Prayer on the DISTRICT YouTube CHANNEL. It will be a time of Worship, Scripture, and Praying for our families and churches. CLICK HERE to access.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Join us for an opportunity to all gather on ZOOM and share in an interactive time of prayer for our towns, cities, and communities. Below is the full Zoom information.
Topic: District Interactive Prayer & Fasting Gathering
Time: Jan 9, 2021 11:30 AM ET
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87926457022
Meeting ID: 879 2645 7022
Passcode: 672131
One tap mobile
+16473744685,,87926457022# Canada
Dial by your location
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
Meeting ID: 879 2645 7022
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcXYcIuoF1 |
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D.S. Pictures of the Month
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D.S. Steve Ottley (Left)
Pastor Juan Carlos Espina (Right), Lead Pastor
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Bradford Spanish Church
Worship Team
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District December Worship Service
Sunday, December 27th
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D.S. Steve Ottley
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Brook Nicholls & Husband Steve
Lead Worship
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Nazarene Virtual Choir
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The Niagara Heights Church present
the Distinguished Service Award to
Pete Gillian
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Be Sure to Click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of the email.
We don't want you to miss any of the district news!
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Upcoming D.S. Schedule for January
Please pray for God’s anointing and wisdom for D.S. Steve Ottley
January 3rd
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
January 4th
Oshawa The Corner Church Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
January 7th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
January 9th
District Prayer & Fasting for 2021 – District YouTube @ 10:30 a.m.
January 10th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
January 10th
Markham Village Church @ 11:00 a.m.
January 13th
Beyond Borders Service (London First/Windsor Devonwood/Port Huron
First – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
January 14th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
January 14th
Generosity by Design Workshop with Dr. Riley Coulter @ 6:30 P.m.
January 17th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
January 17th
Woodstock Faith Church @ 10:30 a.m.
January 19th
Georgian Bay Missional Zone Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @9:30 a.m.
January 21st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
January 21st
Canada Pastors Online Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
January 21st
An Evening with Dr Joel Thiessen & Dr Monetta Bailey
(Virtual Public Lecture)
January 24th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
January 24th
Brampton English Church @ 10:30 a.m.
January 27th
GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
January 27th
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
January 27th
District NMI Council Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
January 28th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
January 31st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
January 31st
Hamilton Crown Point @ 10:30 a.m.
February 3rd
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
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Happening Around
Canada Central District
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Stay tuned for two more public lectures coming in February and March.
February 25: The History of Race and the Bible
Presented by Dr. Colin Toffelmire and Dr. Jon Coutts
March 11: Developmental Aspects of Poverty and Why it Should Matter to You
Presented by Dr. Alex Sanderson and Derek Cook.
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Manantial Neighbourhood Services
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During this Christmas Season and throughout the pandemic, our Compassionate Ministry Centres have been faithfully working to help those in our communities who need assistance. Whether it’s The Sharing Place, Ephraim's Place Community Centre, The Giving Closet Thrift Shop, Manantial Neighbourhood Services, or other local church compassionate ministries, God is using workers and volunteers to be the hands and feed of Jesus in places of need. Recently I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Lucy Maestre, Executive Director of Manantial. CLICK HERE to watch.
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District Ministry Training Centre
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Click here for DMTC Website
Upcoming courses:
Introduction to Old Testament with Dr. Tina Pitamber (January-February 2021)
Global Evangelism with Rev. Terry Hudson (March-April 2021)
For more information or to apply, please contact Pastor Tammy at dmtc.director@centralnazarene.ca
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It's January
Happy New Year!
We have missed getting together with you for workshops and training and other district events. It is our hope that you have continued to rely on God during this season of ministry. He is faithful and will meet your needs & restore your soul.
We want to draw your attention to TWO things:
- Do you want us to provide any online webinars/training? Let us know by filling out this survey. It takes less than 4 minutes and will help us best meet your needs: CLICK HERE
- Below is a little virtual coffee date with our District SDMI Ministry Leaders. The underlined texts are hyperlinked for your convenience so that you can worship with us from home, read a verse or two from God's Word, and hopefully learn of a new resource to assist you in ministry.
If you are interested in representing one of our non-English speaking churches, please reach out to us via email and we would be happy to have you contribute too! sdmicentral@gmail.com
Enjoy hearing from some of our team below :)
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Be Encouraged by His Word
Matthew 22:34-38
A Resolution: "I surrender all that I have & am to You at the start of this new year"
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If you are in need of help in an area of SDMI ministry, please reach out
EMAIL sdmicentral@gmail.com
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Rev. Donna Wilson
District NMI President
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CCD NMI Update - January
As we enter the New Year, let us find creative ways to engage our members in missions in 2021. Remember to pray for missionaries who have essential travel needs for their ministry and family, during Covid.
Urgent: Rev. Rob and Cindy North are awaiting a flight from USA, return to Kenya.
“Cindy and I would like for you to pray that our Molecular COVID PCR test comes
back negative in the next 12 hours so we can get on our flight in KC to head back
to Kenya - without the results back we cannot get on the plane! Thanks in advance
for praying!!!!“
(Update Jan 6 - the Norths had to rebook their flight for tomorrow, and now are being retested to meet the entry timeline for Kenya’s guidelines. They are requesting prayer again, for the results to return in time.
This is only one real time situation of many, as missionaries navigate travel, while answering the call to reach lost souls for Christ. May God make the most of every opportunity, even in displaced plans.
Let’s pray with them... Our God is able!
"And God is ABLE to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8).
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District Schedule
(Updated January 1st)
Sunday, January 3rd
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 7th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Saturday, January 9th
District Prayer & Fasting for 2021 – District YouTube @ 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, January 10th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 13th
Beyond Borders Service (London First/Windsor Devonwood/Port Huron First)
Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 14th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Thursday, January 14th
Generosity by Design Workshop with Dr. Riley Coulter @ 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 17th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, January 19th
Georgian Bay Missional Zone Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @9:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 21st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
(Note time change due to Canada Pastors Online Meeting)
Thursday, January 21st
Canada Pastors Online Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Thursday, January 21st
An Evening with Dr Joel Thiessen & Dr Monetta Bailey (Virtual Public Lecture)
Sunday, January 24th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 27th
GTA Missional Zone Pastor's Meeting – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 27th
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27th
District NMI Council Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 28th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Sunday, January 31st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 3rd
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, February 9th
DMTC Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 16th
District Superintendents' Virtual Conference
Wednesday, March 10th
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17th
Wholistic Wellness Initiative Pastor's Check In – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Friday, March 19th – Sunday, March 21st
National Ministerial Assessment Centre – Calgary
Wednesday, March 24th
GTA Missional Zone Pastor's Meeting – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 28th
PALM SUNDAY
Tuesday, March 30th
Board of Ministry Interviews/Training
Friday, April 2nd
GOOD FRIDAY
Sunday, April 4th
EASTER SUNDAY
Wednesday, April 7th
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 15th
Generosity by Design Workshop with Dr. Riley Coulter @ 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 21st
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 29th
Canada Pastors Online Prayer Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, May 2nd
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 12th
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Friday, June 4th – Saturday, June 5th
District Assembly
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We love to hear what is happening in the churches of our district! If your church has pictures or news to submit for the next edition of IN THE LOOP, please send them in to support@centralnazarene.ca by the last Wednesday of the month! |
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Remember to visit our website at www.centralnazarene.ca. We will be keeping the calendar and site up to date, so please check there for information. If you have any questions or concerns about the website or newsletter, please contact support@centralnazarene.ca
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