Open the Trenches

“For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.” – 2 Kings 3:17-18
To human thinking, it was simply impossible, but nothing is hard for God.
Without a sound or sign, from sources invisible and apparently impossible, the floods came stealing in all night long; and when the morning dawned, those ditches were flooded with the crystal waters, and reflecting the rays of the morning sun from the red hills of Edom.
Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is largely sensational, and they are not satisfied with its genuineness without manifestations, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God.
The great victory of faith is to stand before some impassable Red Sea, and hear the Master say, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord,” and “Go forward!” As we step out without any sign or sound—not a wave-splash—and wetting our very feet as we take the first step into its waters, still marching on we shall see the sea divide and the pathway open through the very midst of the waters.
If we have seen the miraculous workings of God in some marvellous case of healing or some extraordinary providential deliverance, I am sure the thing that has impressed us most has been the quietness with which it was all done, the absence of everything spectacular and sensational, and the utter sense of nothingness which came to us as we stood in the presence of this mighty God and felt how easy, it was for Him to do it all without the faintest effort on His part or the slightest help on ours.
It is not the part of faith to question, but to obey. The ditches were made, and the water came pouring in from some supernatural source. What a lesson for our faith!
Are you craving a spiritual blessing? Open the trenches, and God will fill them. And this, too, in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected ways.
Oh, for that faith that can act by faith and not by sight, and expect God to work although we see no wind or rain. —A. B. Simpson

The Lord's Day Services

Sunday, December 13, 2020

11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Dr. Larry Saunders

Church closed, service available on SermonAudio only. (SermonAudio link)

5:00 p.m. Special Congregational Prayer – on Zoom

6:30 p.m. Evening Worship – Dr. Larry Saunders

Church closed, service available on SermonAudio only. (SermonAudio link)

Weekly Announcements

Wednesday, December 16th

7:30 p.m. Bible Study & Prayer – Rev. Andrew Simpson, on Zoom.

Thursday, December 17th

6:00 p.m. Session Meeting

7:30 p.m. Session & Board Meeting

Advanced Announcements

Sunday, December 20th

11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Dr. Saunders – available on SermonAudio only.

5:50 p.m. Pre-service Prayer – on Zoom only.

6:30 p.m. Evening Worship – Dr. Saunders – available on SermonAudio only.

Wednesday, December 23rd

7:30 p.m. Bible Study & Prayer  – Dr. Saunders – on Zoom

Congregational Address Book

As Pastor Saunders announced last Lord’s day, we would like to update our congregational address book. If you would like to add, correct or remove your information, please send an email to info@torontofpc.ca by December 13th. Thank you!

FPCNA Missionary Prayer Bulletin - December 2020

The December 2020 edition of the Missionary Prayer Bulletin is now available. Click here to view.

Christmas Card Appeal

It has been our tradition, for many years now, of setting aside a thank offering to the Lord’s work instead of giving Christmas cards within the church. This year, our Session has decided that the Christmas Card Appeal will be given to the ministry in the Czech Republic, specifically towards a Building Fund. Rev. Milos Solc and his family have been pioneering in their native country for twelve years, establishing a faithful witness for the honour of Christ.

We encourage everyone to make a special offering toward this worthy cause. You can include it with your regular offering, noting the amount, or by a separate donation.

Thank you in advance for your generosity in supporting our missionaries in the Czech Republic.

Pastor Saunders

The Shorter Catechism

Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification1, adoption2, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them3.

1. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30).
2. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself. (Ephesians 1:5).
3. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1Corinthians 1:30).

The Children's Catechism - Doctrine

Q32. How many sacraments are there?

A. There are two sacraments.

Please Pray for

Special Prayer Requests

Dr. Mark Allison, Karen Chandler, Richard Craig, Dr. Frank McClelland, Ron Blair, Rev. Kevin McLeod, Ed Santos, Kim Wagner and Serene Wong.

Pray for Our Seniors

Jean Bynoe, Florence Chung, Muriel Crothers, Louis Fernandes, Sam McAnally, Tony & Grace Puccini, Maria Santos, Grace Saunders, Ruth Slade, Mary Todd, John & Thelma Watson, Jim Wilson and Marjorie Wright. 

Pray for Our Churches

This week we remember Indianapolis FPC, Indianapolis, IN. Please pray for Rev. Geoff Banister and his associate, Rev. Ron Barnes, and the congregation under their care.