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Join us to celebrate both in one day.

Excel Sunday is just around the corner. Here's Pastor Craig with a quick reminder.

First The Bad News: Well that was fun while it lasted. BC has re-instated the restrictions as of today. We will be meeting virtually this Sunday at 10am.

The Good: Jesus is still alive and we're going to celebrate that fact together this Sunday!

Easter Communion Service | Saturday, April 3rd, 7pm

We have a limit of 50 attendees  so pre-registration is recommended to ensure you have a seat waiting for you. Working within BC health guidelines, masks will be required for all attendees except for a select few participating in service.

We're sorry but no childcare will be provided at this event.

If you are having trouble seeing link or map below please visit the blog post in your browser. You can also check out the event listing for all the information.

Communion this Sunday. 

Praying the Word | 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

I want to invite everyone to join me and leaders from all across Canada next Wednesday May 6th for a one day online conference. Starting at 9am PST, it will be 4 packed hours of great speakers, breakout sessions , and worship from many of the people and faces you've come to know over the years adding the voices of the new and emerging generational leadership.  

Everyone is welcome and I strongly encourage you to participate if you can. Free registration is required.

A note from the conference hosts:

Pastors Rick Ciaramitaro & David McGrew invite you to gather with ministers from across Canada and around the world as we navigate these unprecedented times. Though we are in uncharted territory, we are not fearful and we are not afraid. We put our hope & trust in Jesus.

Join Pastors & Leaders from across Canada as we unite, pray, worship, & strategize online for NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020!

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
2 Thes. 1:3 ESV

Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.
2 Thes. 1:3 NLT

This is our time to flourish. Don't be defined by circumstances because the world, your friends, family, and neighbours all need you to rise up and walk in His grace, love, and goodness.

Stop and think about what were they doing that proved to Paul their love for each other was growing?

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree),
Galatians 3:13 NKJV

It's worth the read in Deuteronomy 28 to remind yourself of the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. The good news is while we've all been disobedient Jesus endured the punishment for our sin and through the cross has delivered us once and for all from every curse.

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or commando the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 ESV

Simply put, the church of Jesus Christ has the authority, if we humble ourselves as His ambassadors, to pray and ask God to heal the land of COVID-19 and any other pestilence.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 ESV

God has a plan for this crazy and confusing world. For this plan to be executed He needs people who are influenced and draw their inspiration from His Spirit. A big clue to knowing what controls you is realizing what your mind's thoughts are set on. If our minds are set on the things of the Spirit it gives God the ability to implement His purpose on earth by directing our daily lives.

Being filled with the Spirit is to live each day with purpose.

This morning I want to take a moment and express how thankful I am for God's faithfulness and continued provision and protection. He truly is trustworthy.  While we know that every good gift comes from above, we also understand that His faithfulness often needs a willing partner to be experienced.

This is why I am thankful for you the Keystone family. You have shown a persistent commitment to the work of God through your giving over these last several weeks. I know that my God is supplying your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus!

Like last, this week the church office will be open Tuesday from 6pm -7:30pm to help those who prefer to give in person. It was a great time last week to sit and visit with those who took advantage of the opportunity. By the way, even if you've already given online or through the app please feel free to drop in and say hello.

I give my love to all and please know that I continue to pray for you and all that is yours.

Be blessed,
P. Craig

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 NLT

Take some time everyday to fix your thoughts on something good and worthy of praise. It'll do your heart good and build your faith too!

Welcome to our new normal. Church life sure has been looking different lately, hasn't it? While I think we would all agree we are looking forward to being able to meet once again, it would appear that we could be still weeks away from that happening.

I have been working hard to make the necessary adjustments to continue to stay connected and produce content that will encourage and strengthen you as we walk through this season. It's been a stretching time for all of us...it's not a familiar or easy task to speak into a camera and attempt to communicate to hearts and minds. I'm committing to you and to the process required to grow and become increasingly more effective with it.

The good news is this has broadened our sphere of influence and reach. Visits to our website are up and our church app has seen almost a 40% increase in downloads since the middle of March. Our live-stream viewership grows every week so we are excited, as we see even in the midst of difficulty and inconvenience, if we are willing to make the necessary changes God is bringing increase.

Now more than ever your giving plays an important role in spreading the gospel and good news of the Kingdom of God. I understand it's easy to forget to give or just simply you don't know how at this time.

In the first instance, it is vital you understand giving is a heart issue. We give because we remember it is God who is our provider and protector. We give because we are commanded to bring our tithes and offerings into the storehouse but not only that, giving is an expression of our thanksgiving and acknowledgment that all good things come from above. We're honouring God in our giving.

To help you in your giving we have a few options. You can give electronically through our website and in our app. It is safe and secure and the most convenient option. All you need is either a visa debit card or credit card. Unfortunately, the ability to set up direct payments from your bank account is available only in the US and not in Canada. The second option is to come to the church office during the week and use the debit machine. Please call ahead to ensure someone is in the office. Between others and myself, someone is in most days but because of the pandemic, hours vary from day to day.

To further assist your ability to give, starting tomorrow, I will be opening the church every Tuesday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm enabling you to come and use the debit machine or simply drop off your tithes and offerings. While we continue to respect the instructions of our local and federal governments, this time can be used to connect in person and even pray together while maintaining the physical distancing required.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this through to the end. Please know that I am praying for you and believing for God's provision, protection, and prosperity to be upon you and your family.

Continue to pray for our expanding reach through the content we create on our social media, website, live-stream and church app.

These are interesting and exciting times to be alive!

P Craig

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.
Luke 12:35 ESV

Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning
Luke 12:35 NLT

While at home we may be tempted to stay in our PJ's but spiritually we must stay dressed and ready for action. Jesus warned the thief comes at night when we least expect. This time, like no other, demands we are poised to pray, protect and strengthen our faith so we can seize every opportunity that presents itself.

I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
John 16:1-4 ESV

Ok, I admit these verses, on the surface, don't sound that encouraging. But the thing is God always prepares us for difficult times. I have three thoughts:
1. The words of Christ will sustain you and keep you from falling.
2. While walking in the midst of difficulty His words are a fulfillment of His promise to never leave or forsake you.
3. The third one is really the main thought I had...Jesus had to be looking forward and saw the Apostle Paul when He made the statement " some will think they are offering God service." The apostle Paul changed. Even though for a season he persecuted the church he was transformed by the mercy and grace of God into someone who built the church. Point is, when you or the church goes through a difficult time, God is still at work and there is something great and wonderful that is coming out of it.

Stand your ground and hold the line!

Be blessed!

In preparation to celebrate easter this weekend, take time this week to read through John Chapters 12-21

Parents, as you read, make note of short passages that would be meaningful to spend time reading together with your children. Without the ability to meet and celebrate together it is important that you as parents take the lead in celebrating as a family.

Be blessed this week! 

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
John 11:25 ESV

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
John 11:25 NLT

Life, is both your inheritance today and your eternal reward. Resurrection is what lifts you out of death and equips you for that life. That's Jesus...who He is, and what He does.

It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce that our beloved Nelly Procee passed away suddenly in her sleep Tuesday night.

It comes as a shock and with the sting of the unexpected and unprepared but we rejoice in the knowledge that the sting of death has been defeated and Nelly is in the presence of the King of Kings! Her life and memory will prevail but the sting will not.

Gerrit, Kimberley and family are all doing well as they grieve and process their loss. I ask that you hold them in your hearts and prayers at this time.

As with all families at this time who lose a loved one, any plans for a memorial service are on hold due to the restrictions placed on gatherings. I understand that Nelly has a family that extended beyond her blood relationships and many of you, her church family, will be grieving as well. I, along with Kimberley, are praying for everyone to be strengthened with God's grace and comfort.

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
(2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV)

As word has spread, we have received expressions of love and comfort, in various forms, from many. I can not express how proud I am of you the Keystone family. You exemplify the verse above and by aiming for the highest you continue to demonstrate the kingdom of God in all its fullness. I pray that the God of love and peace be with you all and fill you with the riches of His goodness.

We have great days ahead, so let us persevere through the night because the dawn of a new day is coming.

Love to all!

P. Craig

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13 ESV

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
1 Peter 1:13 NLT

There's a lot of things we can put our hope in. Some might even be good. Here we see that all our hope needs to be set, like concrete, in the grace of God. He is gracious and good to you!

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you: the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 NLT

You belong to God. You have been called by God out of darkness. You live in His light.

Now live your life, in word and acts, in such a way that proclaims to anyone living in darkness and the cloud of fear, the excellent, extravagant, more than enough, goodness of God!

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 ESV

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
Roman 5:2 NLT

Remember your faith is important. It's by your faith you are brought into access and the experience God's grace. Fuel your faith by praise and joyfully counting your present and future blessings in Christ. Faith will then access your future blessings pulling them into your present experience. Let's live in the shared Glory of God.