As we begin our Simply Mark series, we'll explore our own relationship with the Gospel of Mark and the Bible, while considering what it might mean to see the wilderness—and our faith—differently. We will invite you to reflect honestly with us on where we are in our journey and what we bring with us as we enter this new series.

This week, we will close our Noticing God Summer series by hearing from one of our Elevation community members who is no longer able to join us in person regularly.

Keith Martin will share with us about the health journey that he has been on over the last few years, and how he is finding intentional ways to notice and experience God's presence, even in the midst of suffering and unexpected crisis. How do we hold on to hope or find joy as we walk through these seasons of suffering?

There are no easy answers to this question, and yet we can find deep encouragement as we hold space to listen to one another's stories and experiences. We look forward to gathering together to explore these questions with honesty and curiosity.

If you believe God created the world and believe in God's omnipresence, then why not look for God EVERYWHERE? The practice of paying attention and being aware of God's Holy Spirit and what God may be trying to teach us does not have to be contained to 'Christian' places or content. What if we watched and listened for God everyday and in every normal, mundane act of our lives? What could we learn and experience if we truly practiced intentional attention?

With many spiritual practices, it's easy to fall into trying to do them perfectly. When it comes to seeking rest, this can happen as well. Together, we'll explore the ways that we can pursue rest as a spiritual practice while finding ways to honour our own needs and to be gentle with ourselves.

This Sunday we will continue our Noticing God sermon series by looking at “alone time”. In his ministry, Jesus taught and demonstrated the importance of spending time alone with God. We will look into the benefits and practices of silence and solitude.

Resources: ⁠

1. Contemplative Outreach contemplativeoutreach.org
2. The Centre for Action and Contemplation cac.org
   

The Welcoming Prayer

“Fellowship” is an outdated term that doesn't get used much unless you are working at a University or are really into Hobbits. But it was a concept tightly woven into much of church life in past generations. Join us as we examine the concept of Fellowship, unpack how it has been used for harm in the past and think about what it might mean to reclaim the concept of Fellowship for the Church today.

This week, we are excited to welcome TK and Nikki from Future of Africa to come and share with us. Future of Africa has been one of our partners for many years, and are continuing as our Global Partner as part of our Peace in Action Team.

TK, Nikki and their family live and work in Ghana, but are here in Waterloo visiting in June. We are looking forward to hearing more about their passion and vision for the work of Future of Africa, as well as ways that we can continue to pray for and support them, both as a family and as an organization.

This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on Noticing God, and this week we’re exploring the most challenging – yet rewarding place to encounter the Divine. It’s a practice that moves us beyond simple observation and into a way of living that can change the very fabric of how we interact with the world around us.

If you’ve been looking for a way to bridge the gap between your spiritual life and your daily reality, this is for you. We’re unpacking a practice that may feel impossible at first, but is perhaps the most subversive thing you can do for your soul. And it might be the very medicine our fractured world is waiting for.