The Father Heart of God - Genesis 27:1-40: Family tensions. Probably all of us know what this feels like. Joyce and I just survived a vacation with her four siblings and their spouses. Being on a big boat in the Caribbean helped! It was actually a great trip and we were all profoundly grateful for the opportunity — and desire — to travel together. (And I repeat, being on a boat in the Caribbean helped!) Scripture is filled with accounts that clearly remind us family life is not always easy. I often say it's great having three kids, because you at least like one of them at any given moment. One day, one is the apple of your eye, and the next, they might be the bad apple! The early stories of the Patriarchs in Genesis reveal no small amount of sibling rivalry. The story of the stolen blessing by Jacob from Esau is particularly troubling. Lies, manipulation, and deception abound but somehow God's will still prevails. I want us to see the hope of God's sovereignty this weekend, but I especially want us to see the power of a blessing. Esau's lament after discovering Jacob had stolen the blessing: "Do you only have one blessing my Father? Bless me too" rings in our ears like a line from a horror movie. Every child longs for a blessing and every child deserves a blessing. We will focus on this over the weekend and I'm so excited to teach on the power of living a life of blessing others. It might be cold outside but the warmth of being together and worshiping our God will be a great blessing to all of us! Thank you for being such an amazing blessing to me! Pastor Ian

Foothills Alliance Church | Audio

The Power of a Blessing

The Father Heart of God - Matthew 7:24-29: Have you heard people ask the question, "Isn't the Bible just a big rule book?" I know I have, and typically I want to disprove that claim. But what about embracing it — could that be an option as well? How does the nature of rules and obedience affect the way we view relationships and friendships? I look forward to seeing you all this weekend to share with you what God has placed on my heart. I am praying that God would speak powerfully to you. Blessings to you, Foothills family, Nick, Student Ministries Pastor

Facing the Storms in Life

The Father Heart of God - Psalm 1: My favourite tree is the weeping willow. They're mysterious and other worldly to me. Those sinewy vines with abundant leaves that drape a canopy long enough to touch the ground are enchanting. Weeping willows grow incredibly fast. Their root systems are aggressive, seeking out the nearest and largest source of water. Water provides moisture and carries nutrients the tree needs to be sustained. Like these trees, if we'll tap into it, there's a sustaining source for us. It strengthens, nourishes and helps us grow; God's words. This weekend we'll dive into Psalm 1, where people who delight in God's Law are compared to trees that grow along a riverbank. The 2020 Project that launched on January 1st is one way that together, as God's people, we can grow in our delight and appetite for God's written and living word. I hope you start the year right and be here this weekend!

It all Begins with God

Unfamiliar Roads - Jeremiah 6:16: Last month, Joyce and I had the chance to visit with our daughter who is going to school in Toronto. Never have I experienced traffic like I did there. How in the world did anyone find their way anywhere before GPS?! Even with the wonder of that technology … I felt like I was on the verge of being lost every time I drove. There's the 401, the 403, the 407 and the 409, which pretty much adds up to a "4-0 Nightmare", and I haven't even touched on the insane number of vehicles on these crazy roads! It's like the entire city just lives in their cars and drives all day long. Pray of the city of Toronto — it desperately needs help! Finding our way in life is not without its challenges either. How do we make sense of the journey? How do we find our way through all the voices and expectations and opportunities? I am beyond excited about the potential and gift of The 2020 Project that will begin in couple of days. This Sunday, we will consider an invitation from Jeremiah to embrace the "ancient paths" that gives us profound wisdom, direction and hope in our very modern world. We will also help you get set up to join our Bible reading project for 2020 … it's going to be an epic journey. So come join us for this last Sunday in 2019. It will be a fantastic service! Much love and grace to you! Pastor Ian Trigg PS — for our Saturday Night attenders, just a reminder this is the one Saturday night a year we don't hold an evening service — come and remember what Sunday morning church feels like! We'll be back though on January 4!

You'll Find Your Way

Unfamiliar Roads - John 1:12-16: What are you looking for? This question stems from the heart, and it's one we'll keep asking until we find an answer. It's part of being human. The answer to what you are looking for, what we all are looking for, begins with the Christmas story. And not so much the story that is most familiar (from Matthew, Luke and the manger scenes) but from another account, perhaps a bit more obscure because there are no camels, sheep and stars. You may wonder if the Christmas story could even be told without a stable; with no manger, no Joseph, no Mary, no Bethlehem, no shepherds, angels, and wisemen? What would the Christmas story be without these familiar features and personalities that make the story charming and sentimental? Come this weekend and find out! And discover the life-changing answer to the longings of our hearts to be at peace, happy and whole. Blessings! Pastor Jerry

You Are Not Alone

Unfamiliar Roads - Christmas Production: Have you ever thought about what prompted the risk the Magi took to travel 700 miles to Bethlehem? It must have been a truly magnificent wonder in the sky! What would it take to get you to travel 700 miles on the back of a camel? I'd like to hope if offered the chance, my faith would accept the risk. And, we know the Magi weren't disappointed. I'm not sure what they expected to find, but encountering Jesus the child king must have been much more than they ever hoped for. Imagine encountering the living God wrap up in a toddler. This is the story we'll experience this weekend as Foothills Worship Arts presents Wandering Stars on Dec 13 & 14 @ 7pm and Dec 14 @ 9 & 11am. We hope you'll take the risk to venture out, maybe more than once. We've been praying and preparing for you, and the guests we hope you'll bring. Come encounter the mystery and majesty of the One who calls us all to belong.

Wandering Stars

Unfamiliar Roads - 2 Samuel 9: We hear about David all the time in the Bible. His battle with Goliath, his failure with Bathsheba, his victories as a beloved King. We don't often hear about his unique commitment to a man named Mephibosheth. It's a beautiful story of grace, second chances, love and loyalty. It's a reminder that there is always room at the Father's table, even when we are feeling broken and forgotten. It points to the wonder of advent, and how Jesus came to extend an invitation for us to come to the table of grace. I've never taught this story before, and I can't wait to see how this act of kindness connects to the miracle of Christmas! Have a blessed weekend. May our hearts continually be brought to Jesus. May we also be filled with the joy Jesus came to bring to the world, and the wonders of his love! Bless you all! Pastor Ian

Room at the Table

Unfamiliar Roads - Philippians 2: This weekend, we have the privilege of watching our Foothills Kids put on a production called Breaking News in Bethlehem. In the play, angel news anchors report on the birth of Jesus. It's fun, artistic and beautiful — you don't want to miss it! We'll also be starting our Christmas advent series, Unfamiliar Roads. There's a lot to be excited for when talking about the Christmas season. It's worth our celebration! Not only do we receive gifts and spend time with family, this is a time to reflect on what Jesus means to us. So going into this weekend, I want you to think about this: why is the birth of Jesus good news? Why would it be such breaking news for those involved? Jesus' arrival is infinitely important, not because we get a day off, but because he came to fix a broken relationship between humanity and himself. Through him, we're no longer isolated but adopted into his family. Our sins are no longer filthy rags, we have been made clean. We are loved, we are accepted. In our mess, he entered so that we could be free from sin, shame and guilt. His love is unconditional, he took the initiative in this beautiful gospel story. That's good news. It's breaking news. Consider this your invitation! See you this weekend!

Why is this Breaking News?

Global Impact Weekend - Acts 1:8: For three years, the disciples walked with Jesus witnessing his ministry of physical and spiritual healings firsthand. And then there he was, walking with them in his resurrected state. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he left them with a final message in Acts 1:8 — "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." After the Holy Spirit was received at Pentecost, the message of salvation spread across the ancient world through the work of the early church. Two thousand years later, Jesus' message has not changed for his church. The good news is that Foothills continues to share the witness of Jesus across the globe, starting right here in our own "Jerusalem" (Calgary). Over the past three weekends, we have focused on the Bible's influence and relevance for our daily lives. This weekend we're going to focus on how we reach neighbours and serve the word through our Global Impact ministry. We'll hear firsthand accounts of how the Bible's message of hope and redemption has changed lives, and ask God what role we should play in spreading the good news from Calgary to the "remotest parts of the earth".

Global Impact Weekend

20/20 Vision - Psalm 119: I love these words from N.T. Wright: "It's a big book, full of big stories with big characters. They have big ideas and make big mistakes. It's about God and greed and grace; about life, lust, laughter and loneliness. It's about birth, beginnings and betrayal; about siblings, squabbles and sex; about power, prayer and prison and passion — and that's only Genesis." We're often left with this question, though: how do we read this great and grand book that's filled with mystery, wonder, intrigue and truth? Anchoring ourselves in the majestic Psalm 119, we'll find some practical truths to help us both read the book and hear from God. It will be an inspiring weekend, and I can't wait to be together! Have a blessed weekend! Pastor Ian

How to Read the Bible

20/20 Vision - Hebrews 4:12,13 2 Peter 1:20,21: Here at Foothills, we often describe ourselves as "people of the book". But what does that mean? Our answer to that question must be rooted in a careful understanding of what this book — the Bible — is. This compilation of 66 books contains writings unlike any other text, finding its origin in God's breath and human hands. Scripted long ago and far away, the Bible still speaks to us here and now. The Bible is a sacred gift. Its deepest value lies beyond the written text, in the one from whom it came, and the one to whom it leads. This week let's explore the Bible together, and invite God to give us eyes to see how he reveals himself through his word.

I Can See Clearly Now

20/20 Vision - 2 Tim. 3:10-17: I’m excited about this weekend, and not just for the obvious reason that we get an extra hour of sleep! We’re introducing “The 2020 Project”, which we believe can change our lives if embraced. I don’t want to give it away now, but here’s a hint! It’s based on the truth of Psalm 119:105 – ﻿a verse those of us who grew up in Sunday School would have memorized. You will hear us unpack this project over the next three weekends, answering the questions: why, what and how? This weekend we’ll look at the “why”, which is the pivotal question behind the entire project. Once we know why we ought to do something, the “how we do it” becomes less daunting. So, enjoy the extra hour of sleep (if you come on Sunday), and let’s gather to worship the King and connect with his people and embrace his truth. This friends, is the recipe for an awesome weekend! Be blessed! Pastor Ian Trigg

Check the Owner's Manual First

Breathing Room - 1 Cor. 6:19-20: Over the past three weekends we’ve focused on finding margin or capacity in our spiritual, emotional and relational lives, and this weekend we will conclude this series as we focus on physical wellness. Rarely do we examine how we take care of our bodies — or “temples” if we use Paul’s language. This weekend Stan Wiens, a longtime friend and Alliance Pastor, will teach us how to honour God by taking better care of ourselves. It will be intensely practical and motivational in nature, and will end with an invite to an upcoming seminar in November. Stan will be coming back, where we’ll gather more information and encouragement on taking care of our bodies. We know neglecting our relationship with God or with others negatively impacts every dimension of our lives. But ignoring our health has just as big an effect. We want to be well in every sense of the word, and this weekend will help us in that pursuit. Bless you and see you on the weekend! Pastor Ian Trigg

Catch Your Breath

Breathing Room - Romans 12:3-21: A few weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking to our senior adults at their luncheon, and what a remarkable group of people they are! We are so blessed to learn with and from them all. During the event, one thing I highlighted was the kind of old guy I wanted to grow into. I made a list ⁠— which was really helpful, you might want to try it! ⁠— that included things like: I want to bless my kids and grandkids. I want to be extravagantly generous with my time, money and words. I want to read my bible daily and expectantly. I want to care for the poor and marginalized. I want to share meals with good friends. I want to still never drink coffee! A friend shared a similar list with me, and discussed wanting to be a guy surrounded by good friends in his later years. But while it’s worthwhile reflecting on such lists, an obvious implication starts to emerge: in order to obtain the values and traits we want in the future, we need to start embodying them now. This weekend we’ll look at relational margin and capacity from Romans 12. It’s a beautiful description of the kind of friend and person God wants us to become. We’ll dive into what relational margin looks like, how to cultivate it and how it blesses others in our lives. It will be a special weekend and I look forward to celebrating Jesus with you! Pastor Ian Trigg

Breath of Fresh Air

Breathing Room - Romans 12:1-2 / Phil 4:8-9: As John Mark Comer has said, “Our emotions are not a good barometer of the presence of God.” Emotions are part of the human experience. Whether you’re an “F” or “T” personality type on Myers Briggs, or an Enneagram type two or type eight, these emotions are a very real part of your life. For some, it seems like your emotions are in the driver’s seat. For others, your feelings might even be the unhealthiest part of you. But I believe emotional renewal is possible through the work and person of Jesus. The result would be, as Pete Scazzero puts it, “emotionally-healthy spirituality”. I want what Paul teaches in Romans 12: transformation by the renewal of our minds, so that we might know what the will of God is. We’re going to look at practical steps to discover how we can experience this type of renewal. Happy Thanksgiving! Pastor Andrew Berg

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