Freedom

People yearn to be free! Freedom means life: whether fleeing oppression, being released from prison or breaking bad habits.  In his compelling letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul calls us to a true freedom, found in Christ - not in rule keeping or performance. We are invited to engage, struggle with and embrace this freedom as we grow to become all we can be as God’s people. 

It's In Us to Give

It’s in us to give! You’ve gotta love that catchy slogan. The thing is, it’s true! God created us to give, share and multiply His blessings. As we move through this advent season, discover how we can experience and share the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love of Christ with others this Christmas, and everyday.

What's the Bottom Line?

The buck stops here! In the economy of our culture, it seems that the pursuit and accumulation of money and material resources are accepted as “the bottom line". Companies may talk about quality and customer service, but when confronted with the question, "What's the bottom line?", the measurement is usually money. What about in the church? What role do money and generosity play as we follow Jesus? It should be no surprise to us that in the Kingdom of God, things are different because God's economy is different. Join us for this mini-series as we consider the bottom line in our lives, and in the life of the church.

At a Crossroads

In any relationship it is a good idea to take stock of the present situation and look toward the future. In our personal relationships we will often ask ourselves intentional questions: Where do things stand and is there a future here? Our relationship with Jesus is no different. What is Jesus worth to us?
In our fall 2011 Sunday message series, we consider what is required to move forward in our most significant relationship of all.

Time to Tell

Living by faith is an opportunity and challenge for us all!  We can learn much from those who have gone before us. In Hebrews 11 we are presented with a heritage of faith-filled heroes. This summer we take the "Time to Tell" the stories of men and women who trusted God no matter what - often through weakness, war, persecution and homelessness. Their stories of virtue, valour and rugged faith were rooted in a vision of the promises of God.  May we learn from them, building on a legacy of faith – faith that changes the world.

God at Work

We are confident of this: God has begun a good work in you - in us - and he is not finished! He is always working in us and through us to bring about transformed lives, to make an impact, and to further His Kingdom. Have you seen Him at work lately? We have! Join us throughout the month of June as we share stories that reveal, "God at Work".

Faith Works

In our culture we are inundated with big, bold claims. Products assure us that they are "new and improved", for only a few dollars we are promised "whiter teeth" or "cleaner clothes", and lottery tickets woo us with the dream to "imagine the freedom". Too often we realize that talk is cheap and words don't always live up to their billing. As followers of Jesus we also can fall into the trap of being all talk and no action. In the Bible, James confronts this conflict head on: it is not enough to talk about our faith, he says, we have to live it!  What does a life that blends faith and works really look like? Join us, and be challenged by the book of James through our series Faith Works.

The Road Less Travelled

"The Road to Truth is surrounded by a ditch on either side", states Theologian Karl Barth. Jesus similarly said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  Jesus has told us that He is the pathway, the road to God.  Some may say that this road is too narrow.  In reality this road is wide enough for everyone who chooses to travel it.  However, the distractions of this world, our fears and brokenness tend to throw us off course and we get lost.  We then end up on roads that God never intended us to travel.  During Easter, we are invited to listen again to Jesus' call to come back and journey his  "road less travelled." 

OT Classics

What makes something a Classic? The word  'classic' denotes that something is timeless, of lasting worth, or the perfect example of its kind. It has been used to describe automobiles, literature, movies, fashion and even soda! Many of us can remember classic Sunday School stories as well (often taught using flannel boards!). In many cases, these stories have actually transcended the Bible and found their way into our culture. These stories of faith, courage and God’s great compassion are worth digging into for our lives today.

Questioning Prayer

Prayer. It can be a joy, frustration, privilege and mystery all at the same time. We don’t have prayer figured out and we have many questions about it.  What is prayer? How do we pray? Why pray? Does prayer change anything? What do we do with unanswered prayer? In spite of the mystery surrounding this topic, we still find ourselves longing to understand and participate more fully. In our current morning message series, we tackle the questions and the wonder that is prayer. 

The Forgotten Story

Every human story has a people, a place, and plot.  To tell a story is to share our own perspectives on these three things.  Sometimes we forget pieces God has always seen important in the script, and we become distant from what he has in mind.   This Christmas season, we remember the whole of what God has written--a story of Love, Joy, Hope and Peace.  We hope you'll join us for the journey, for His story includes you! 

The Hidden Way

At times, following Jesus seems full of mystery. We may honestly desire to follow his teachings, but we aren’t always sure what he is asking of us. A study of the New Testament reveals that our wrestlings are not really new. In fact, they are an important part of the journey in discovering God’s ways. Jesus often used parables or “word pictures” in order to help people enter a journey of discernment and discovery concerning spiritual truths. For those too closed-minded or impatient, the way remained hidden. Through our series “The Hidden Way”, join us as we search for current day truths in a timeless study of the parables.

Standing Stones: History Starts Here

Throughout the ages, people have used place markers to commemorate significant events. In biblical times, these markers were called Standing Stones, erected by God's people to recognize a particular act of God and to remind people that something significant had happened. Each time someone passed by the stones and asked, "What happened?", people who knew the story would give testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God.  Each of us have "Standing Stone" moments in our lives as well, if we can learn to recognize them. September 2010 marks a "Standing Stone" moment in the life of WMB Church. We begin a new and exciting chapter in the history of our Church as we launch a new vision statement and core values based on our mission of "making more and better disciples". Join us for this series, "Standing Stones. History Starts Here", as we remember the faithfulness of God throughout our past and mark His leading into the future. 

Summer Psalms

Reflections for the Heart and Soul. In the Book of Psalms we find songs and prayers that honestly express the whole range of human experience. We find people of faith crying, rejoicing, despairing, praising, doubting and trusting. The psalmists worship: they confess their fears, anger, sins and hopes – often asking God for help. You are invited into this dynamic poetry of emotion in the belief that you too will find hope and comfort. This summer, let the honesty of the Psalms guide you into a deep and genuine relationship with God.

Re-Creating

The Creator has and is taking the initiative to re-create. God is rescuing a broken humanity, restoring creation, reconciling enemies, reclaiming powers and re-establishing peace. The church, the body of Christ, has a special task in the middle of it all. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians is an invitation into this work of re-creation and it extends to you!  So anticipate, discover, and enter into this mission and new way of life – the life we were meant to live in Christ.

More Than A Feeling.

People can be obsessed with the notion of love. We are drawn to love, even though it can be difficult and painful. At times, we love our friends in 'fair-weather' ways. We make vows to love in marriage and then struggle to keep them. Sexual love both intrigues and confuses us. With all this in mind, in a world where commitments can be loosely held, we wonder: "How is God's plan for love more than a feeling?" 

When She Was Irresistible II

Journey with us as we continue in the moving story of the book of Acts! Be captivated by the story of God becoming undeniable to all the world through the formation of His irresistible church, the bride of Christ. This is the greatest action/romance of all time! It comes to the world-screen through prayer and wisdom. It's a story written for everyone. A drama that invites us in.

The Story That Moves Us

All of us have lived through and survived many cultural shifts and fads throughout our lifetime. Who could forget the hula hoop or "the twist"? For some it was beads and bellbottoms, for others pogs or beanie babies. Fads seem to ripple through the fabric of our society - one flows into another until they disappear into the horizon. 

Is our Christmas season and activity just another annual fad, or is it something more?  At its very heart, Christmas is a season when we come together to remember a story that moves us - a story that shapes childhoods and continues to resonate with us into our adult years. But what does the story move us to?  ...lights and presents, or shopping mall santas, carols and parties or family reunions? Or does it bring to mind a manger and a baby, a star and some wisemen, a promise of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love for all?

Christmas2009 at WMB, we again tell The Story That Moves Us – The Story of Jesus - because without Him, there really is nothing to tell.

When She Was Irresistible

Many people love movies – the intrigue of visual stories that stir our thoughts and move our hearts. We imagine and dream right alongside the main characters. We wonder if we could be just like them…  

Journey with us as we enter such an experience - the moving story of the book of Acts!  Be captivated by the story of God becoming undeniable to all the world through the formation of his irresistible church, the bride of Christ.  This is the greatest action/romance of all time!  It comes to the world-screen through prayer and wisdom.  It’s a story written for everyone. A drama that invites us in. 

Warning:  Some scenes contain disturbing content that may leave you… forever changed.

In the Quietest Moments

Moments with God: Quiet times. Times alone with God. Devotions. Prayer walks. Nature Walks. Retreats. Solitude. These have been some of the ways to relate to God within communities of faith for generations. The foundational belief behind each is that God speaks to us personally and intimately.

During our summer message series, we'll hear how the 'story of God' has become a heart to heart conversation in the lives of a variety of people. What questions are they asking? How is God speaking to them? What lessons are they learning? How is Jesus touching their lives in significant ways? Our hope is that you will be encouraged to recognize how God is speaking to you in the quietest moments, and in every moment, of life.

When All is Said and Done

The message of Colossians addresses a big question relevant for us today: “If God is really in charge and wants to change this world for the better, then how does this happen through Jesus?” 

In a world with a shaky economy and people around us looking for ‘change we can believe in’, Colossians gets to the heart of things. Through this Spring series, we expect to discover more amazing things about Jesus and the adventure of following him.

Your Kingdom Come: Right Side Up

To many in the first century world of Jesus, resurrection was a revolutionary concept. Perhaps the reason many of the civic and religious leaders in this day opposed this ideal was not for theological reasons, but rather, because it was a threat to their own positions of power and status. They knew that resurrection, especially the bodily resurrection of the one thought to be the Messiah, meant that God was at work doing a new thing - turning their world upside down.

But for those who believed in this new way, this new kingdom, introduced through the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus, they had faith that God was making a whole new world in which everything would be set right at last. 

Our journey toward  Easter 2009 looks at “Your Kingdom Come - Right Side Up”

Your Kingdom Come: The Upside Down Kingdom

What is the kingdom news Jesus came to proclaim? We may talk about it... but what does it mean for us?  It can be difficult to decipher the good news of Jesus because he comes to us through the perspective of 21 centuries of church history - through flannel board Sunday School lessons, bumper stickers and denominational doctrines. Have we domesticated Jesus to fit our church culture today?

When we peel back the layers and see more clearly the message Jesus brought to his own cultural setting in first century Palestine, his teachings may startle us at first. He was perceived as revolutionary and irreverent as he pushed the boundaries of the world he came to save. He invited both devotion and derision.

Your Kingdom Come

Does Christmas bring images of joy to you? Honestly? Or is your Christmas scene so busy that you don’t even have time to think, let alone be joyful? Maybe Christmas brings anticipation but also lonely thoughts, lots of stress, and even some disappointment. What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Saviour has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.  When it’s all over, we can be left with this hollow feeling that the scene just isn’t right. Are we missing something in this picture? Are we missing Someone?

Jesus came to make a difference. To change our lives. To change our world! His Kingdom sets the scene for hope, peace, love and joy, for us, and for our world. This is why we celebrate! This is Christmas.

Teach Us to Pray

A simple prayer, known to many of us as The Lord's Prayer, is comprehensive in scope and radical in its nature. It is a prayer that when prayed in faith can change the world. The Lord's Prayer is an amazing gift that Jesus has given us because it frees us from the anxiety of whether or not we are praying correctly, it reveals the heart and agenda of God and it  invites those who pray it into partnership with God for fulfilling his purposes on earth.