PORTICO Milton - First Time For Everything

I'm still reveling in the afterglow of our first ever church service as PORTICO Milton last Sunday. God was so faithful as so many people showed up for what can only be described as a smashing success.

But I was thinking today, that last Sunday was only the beginning of many firsts for our PORTICO Milton Campus.

This Sunday, we will experience another first as a new campus family.  We will partake together in our first Communion Service. The Communion Service is such a meaningful time and I look forward to receiving the emblems together with all of you.  There is a very special spiritual connection that happens when we receive together and remember the death of our Saviour. I sincerely hope that you will be with us.

And let me just say - as many of the well-wishers who were with us last Sunday from our main campus return to PORTICO Mississauga this week, we will have some available chairs for new people to sit in. I hope you've had a chance to take advantage of some of those opportunities we talked about last Sunday.  Perhaps you even bridged a casual conversation to eternal possibility.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Jeff

A New Beginning

Well...the day has arrived.

And this morning at 10:15am, we began our historic first church service as PORTICO Milton,  at the Best Western Milton Inn.  And what a fantastic time we had.

After so many have planned and prepared and prayed faithfully and then showed up early today to make sure everything was ready and just right, it is hard to believe that our first service has come and gone.

Including children, 182 people were in attendance for our inaugural service. We worshiped together, sensed God's presence and were, I hope, challenged from His Word.  And as we closed the service, 2 individual's said 'YES' to beginning to walk with Jesus, making Him the leader of their lives.

The grand finale came as we all eagerly participated together in the 'Power of Everyone', with each one who had set aside a tithe of one week's income bringing and offering it to the Lord on this momentous occasion.  I can't wait to find out what our totals are when we add it all up together, including what everyone did at the main campus today!

Reflecting this afternoon, I was humbled again to be a part of such an amazing effort. I was thinking that a few of us got to stand up in front and be a visible part of everything that was going on this morning. But there were so many other self-less individuals who sacrificed their time and energy to make today happen, and to all of you I want to say just one more time, a HUGE big THANK YOU.  Because without all of you serving in tech, as ushers, greeters and connectors, in set-up and tear down and in kids ministries and worship teams, today could not have happened.  I am reminded of Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you.In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I feel like today was an amazing beginning! Granted there is still much work to be done in the community of Milton as we all do our best to help people find their way back to God. But I also know that God who has begun a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

Thankful

Here are just a few things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend.

1. Time together with family and friends.
2. Turkey...I love turkey dinner!
3. PORTICO community church...I love our church and it's leadership and am so grateful for the love and support that I felt as we were prayed over and 'sent' yesterday to launch PORTICO Milton.
4. A great and growing group of people who are joining us in Milton on this amazing adventure of faith.
5. Awesome leaders and volunteers who are stepping up to fill the voids in this brand new Campus.
6. A stirring sense of expectation in my spirit about what God has in store...'Let's do this!'

Today marks 6 days and counting to our launch. Once Sunday arrives - we will officially be a Church Campus of PORTICO in Milton.  Invite your friends and neighbours.  Don't forget to set aside your tithe on one weeks pay so that we can all participate together in 'The Power of Everyone' on Oct. 16.

See you Sunday...be blessed!

Pastor Jeff