alive @ 2010

Almost 5 years ago, four RCMP officers were killed by a gunman who ambushed them. A special commemorative pin was created to remember and honour these four fallen Canadian heroes. This pin is being handed out at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games.

Pastor Jason Uher of World Harvest Church said to Don Hindle, “Thank you for supplying us with the RCMP pins! Our church is located on the route to the Oval track and those who pass by are being given the Mountie pins! The people are so pleased to receive them; not only because they represent the Mounties, but also because of the printed message that accompanies the pin. Three guys from the Netherlands, when given the pins said, “Free? Free? These pins are free? Thank you!”

When the “We Remember” Mountie pin is given to people, it is accompanied by a card that says,

“On March 3, 2005 four RCMP officers were killed by a gunman who ambushed them. These RCMP officers gave their life in service to their country and to God. One of the officers was Constable Peter Schiemann. Peter Schiemann was a Christian and lived each day knowing that when he died he would go to heaven. On one occasion, when talking with his father about the risks and dangers of serving on the police force, Peter said, “If I die, I’ll be with Jesus in heaven.”

How could Peter have such hope? The Bible says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Yes, we will all eventually die. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) But, Jesus has conquered death when he died on the cross and rose from the dead! Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25)

When we live and trust in Jesus as the One who rescued us from the curse of death we too can proclaim, “When I die, I’ll be with Jesus in heaven!”

Yankee Pastor transforms into Isaac…

I’m sure Pastor Steve Harold would agree that either way, as the #1 Yankee fan or as Isaac (his clown identity) there is laughter to be found. Last night, following his transformation into Isaac, he led the liturgy in mime, and acted out a message of redemption based on 1 Peter:1:18… “It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed, but with the precious blood of Christ.”

Being able to hear AND SEE the words of Scripture in the Invocation (Matthew 28:19), Confession and Absolution (Matthew 11:28), the Word (Galatians 5:22), Offering (Hebrews 7:27), and Benediction (Nehemiah 8:10), was a unique experience for the 70 people in attendance. By video streaming the service, grandchildren of one of those in attendance were able to see their grandmother participate, sharing her joy both while it unfolded and laughing about what they saw when she met her grandchildren at home.

Clown ministry has its roots in the Christian church back to the 1200′s AD when many people could neither read or write. How exciting to see the message of salvation presented in a way that put smiles on people’s faces. May this message of God’s love in Christ transform the hearts of those who heard and saw it!

The members of Prince of Peace were not swarmed by the hooligans that you have been reading and hearing about in major news sources. They were swarmed by Olympic goers who wanted a More Than Gold pin. Pastor Mark Chiang reports, “We had 8 people out for about an hour last Saturday, and 3 on Sunday. We handed out about 1000 More Than Gold pins on Saturday and with 3 out for 5 minutes (on Sunday), we handed out 300. The three people on Sunday were literally, “swarmed”.”

The More Than Gold pin is an excellent witnessing tool. The five colours remind us of God’s promises in the Bible.

Blue represents “hope” — the hope of everlasting life (Romans 6:23).
Purple represents “darkness” — sin separates us from God and results in our death (Romans 3:23).
Red represents “forgiveness” — the blood Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross (John 14:6).
Gold represents “eternal life” — saved by grace through faith we have eternal life (Ephesians 2:8).
Green represents “growth” — fruits of faith are produced as God’s Spirit lives in us (John 15:8).