Weekly Newsletter

ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS

Making Lemonade
Most of us have heard the old saying, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." 
    
The thought behind it is to take the discouraging or bitter circumstances that happen to us and to make the best of them.

Lemons represent the difficult things we face in life. Most people do not find lemons very pleasant to eat alone, but adding sugar or honey makes the lemon taste a lot better, even refreshing!

The problem is, as much as we might try, it can be hard for us to add our own "sweetness" to the hardships that life throws at us, especially over long periods of time. Before we know it, the bitterness of those situations can grow a root in our hearts that only causes us to experience more pain as time goes on. 

Hebrews 12:15 explains it this way:

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15, NLT)

The bible says that the roots of bitterness not only cause trouble for us, but they corrupt others as well! But take a look again at the first part of the verse:

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:15a, NLT).

There are two clues this verse gives us to combat the root of bitterness from even starting to take root.

Community and the Grace of God. 

It is much harder for sour circumstances to gain a foothold in our hearts when we submerge ourselves in the grace and presence of the Lord. And when we place ourselves in community with others who can encourage and strengthen us in our faith.

We can't control the circumstances that come against us, but with a positive community around us and the grace and presence of God within us, there is a great sweetness that can overcome all bitterness! 
 
  

  

"Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."
Hebrews 12:15, NLT

ANNOUNCEMENTS​

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the Church Family BBQ & Water Baptisms this past Sunday. It was a great time! We appreciate everyone who volunteered and brought so much amazing food! Also, a BIG thank you to Koster's Bakery for donating all the buns for the BBQ! They were so delicious!

Join us this coming Sunday, as we begin a new series going through the book of Colossians. This Sunday, we'll be studying chapter 1, verses 1–14. See how Jesus is enough in every situation you face.

VBS 2026 is almost here, but there's still space to register! For kids ages 5–11. July 20th to 23rd, from 1:30–4:30 PM. There will be games & activities, with a focus on missions. Kids will learn to share their faith with those around them and have fun while they're at it. Cost is $20/child. (Price breaks are available for large families.) For more info, talk to Pastor Mitchell or email mitchellm@onelifechurch.ca. Click here to register!

OLC is hosting Family Movie Afternoons for the months of July & August! The first one starts this Sunday at 2:00 PM. We will be watching I Can Only Imagine in the Sanctuary & there will be Veggie tales playing downstairs for the kids! Admission is FREE! Snacks will be available for purchase.

Behold The King Worship Band will be holding a worship night on Friday, July 24th at 7:00 PM at Christ The Redeemer Church in Lethbridge. (2820 18 Ave North). Admission is FREE.

To see a list of all of our upcoming events, check out our website here!