Moncton Wesleyan Church -

Pastor Buckingham’s Weekender, April 5, 2013

EASTER 2013!!!!! Thanks to everyone who prayed and worked so hard to make Easter weekend the greatest success of any event ever in the life of our church. A very, very special thanks to Pastor Tim for his obedience to God in sharing such an ambitious vision and having the faith and leadership to see it come to pass.

This weekend was great for several reasons; the most important being that over 5000 people heard the salvation message and 221 responded by making a decision to receive Christ into their lives.   One of the more exciting parts of the whole weekend was the fact that along with all the children who were present on Saturday, their parents were with them so that the whole family heard the same message.   Never before have we been able to accomplish having unchurched parents present with their children. It was also very exciting to have close to 700 youth here on Saturday night with several turning their lives over to God.

It is especially gratifying to me for us to have reached this great milestone because it is an indicator of what can happen in the future.   A big day’s attendance eventually becomes the regular attendance. A few years ago we took an usually ambitious step of faith to expand our facilities. It was exciting to see the facilities being totally used to the fullest -both Saturday and Sunday. If it had not been for the expansion and going to two services, we would never have been able to minister to so many people.

My deepest thanks and gratitude for everyone who had the faith and ambition to stand behind such a major project.   Because of all that happened this past week, never have I been so excited about the possibilities of the future. It is great to know that this church is going to surge ahead as never before.   Most important factor about all of this is that so any more people are coming to know Christ and experiencing God’s best for them.

TIM’S BLOG…
I wanted to make sure that everyone got to read Tim’s blog. It says it all right here:

Wow. Wow. WOW!!! Give God all the glory for the greater things he gave us on Easter weekend! I feel like shouting, dancing, and just sitting quietly in God’s presence all at once. I am in awe.

Thank you, our Mdubs family, for embracing the vision that God laid on my heart for Easter 2013. Thank you for not laughing in my face when you heard me talk about 4000. Thank you for praying like never before. Thank you for surrendering your all to God and truly wanting more Jesus in your lives. Thank you for your support. Thank you for actually inviting people and believing that ‘found people find people’. Thank you.

Easter 2013 was easily the most attended weekend in our church’s history and maybe the largest church weekend of it’s kind in our region.
- The #Pray40 emphasis was HUGE for us. It really was. God answers prayer. God moves when we kneel. Prayer works. All the special prayer meetings, worship events, prayer cards, etc, made a tremendous difference in our Easter weekend and I belive it has changed us as a people. Let’s keep it going!
- Our plan was to do 3 distinct ‘events’ to give us an opportunity to share the Easter message with at least 4000 people. Kim Branscombe, Rod Wasson, Christina Betts and the entire MWKids team planned and executed the Saturday morning ‘Bunny Blast’. Jeff Hughes, Jeremy MacDonald, Dave Steeves and the MWTeens team created a “So You Think You’ve Got Talent” event for Saturday night. The third component was partnering with Compassion Canada to bring in country music artist George Canyon for Easter Sunday morning. The conservative total for all 3 events (all 3 shared the Gospel) was 5100 people!! Holler out a WHOOOOOOOO and make people stare at you. That is pretty crazy awesome.

- The Bunny Blast event for the kids was simply a staggering success in every way.
People were literally pouring in by the HUNDREDS for the free pancake breakfast, face painting, real bunnies, photo booth, egg hunt, inflatables, carnival games, etc. We know that there were at least 1800 people there and we got names for most of them. It was overwhelming to see the atrium so full. People were commenting on how organized everything was despite the obvious crowds. Again, Kim, Christina and Rod need to be commended and caffeinated for their work!!!

- 700 people came out to the talent event for the teens on Saturday night. Mdubs own, Teah Bailey, entertained, ministered, and shared the Gospel with the crowd. I was there for the first half and I was blown away by the talent in our city. This was another fantastic opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, and to give them a quality MW experience. Props and kudos to Jeff, Jeremy, Dave and the crew for a very stellar event! 18 people accepted Jesus at this event!! Wow.

- Sunday morning began with a pancake breakfast in support of of our missions in the Congo. I need to SHOUT another huge thanks to Pastor Don and Janet Ingersoll who basically spent the weekend in the church flipping pancakes and keeping the many food volunteers going. Other than Jesus, Don and Janet are the only people I know who can feed 5000 and make it look easy! Dave Steeves, Alan Dunn, and the Congo Crew did an outstanding job with the breakfast. We never could have pulled this off if we hadn’t renovated the Life Centre.
- We had 2600 out to 2 services on Sunday morning!! We had a total of 221 people accept Jesus as Saviour this weekend!!!

- Our offering was over $65,000 and we forgot to even mention the offering in the first service! Only God.
- George Canyon was exceptional. Powerful testimony. A very genuine personality with a very real relationship with Jesus. Thanks George! You are welcome back to MW anytime. Oh, and thanks for being my opening act .

If you have a story to share or you just want to thank God for all He’s done, hit comment and leave a word. Love to hear from you.

March 24, 2013

FANTASTIC TIME WITH FAMILY…

We had a wonderful trip away with our entire family. Our three grandchildren, Julia, Carley and Evan were ecstatic about Disney World – especially the roller coaster rides. I even went on the Space Mountain ride – never too old to have fun!

It was a trip of a lifetime for everyone. For Lois and I there is nothing better than being together with our entire family and having such a fun time.

GOD’S PRESENCE…

It is great to be home and especially to hear the incredible reports of God’s blessing on this place over the last couple of weeks. It seems like enough could not be said to share the sense of excitement and God’s moving. It is thrilling to hear the sense of God’s presence during the Pray 40 on Wednesday nights – I expect this has made the major difference in the power of God’s presence as being felt in the Sunday services.

It is especially good that all of this is happening prior to our great Easter Weekend events. Now we have the opportunity of putting feet to our prayers. Ed Young just tweeted – Most people you know are just one invitation away from showing up to your church. Go for the ASK!!! It is in the power of every one of us to have people here next Sunday who do not attend or have never attended.

If we all take advantage of the opportunity, there will be no problem to have 4000 people present for the weekend. Just about all the people who have come to this church did so as a result of an invitation from somebody who attends.

EASTER WEEKEND EVENTS…

24 hour Prayer Vigil – Good Friday 9AM – Saturday 9AM. There are signup sheets in the Atrium to sign up for a time that you can come and pray. I know there are many needs; finances, marriages, family to be saved, healing etc, so this is a time set aside for God’s people to gather and pray – please take a few minutes this Sunday to check the signup sheets and see where you could be available to come and pray.

Good Friday Service 10:30 AM - Worship and Praise service with Communion.

Saturday March 30th – 8:30 – 11:30 - EASTER BLAST for families with kids, Saturday March 30th – 8:30 – 11:30 celebrating the real story of Easter. There will be lots of chocolate, pancake breakfast, inflatables AND lots of fun!! Be sure to pick up some invite cards to invite your friends with families.

Kimberley, the children’s pastor could really use some help with this event as well so please reply to this email if you are available to help out.

EASTER SUNDAY- 9AM & 11AM – NOTE first service will start at 9AM. Pancakes will be served in the Life Center for a donation to the the Congo projects.

George Canyon will be the special guest and Pastor Tim will be presenting a GREAT message.

The children will be celebrating our risen Lord with a Surprise Party for all the kids. Don’t miss the fun!!

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE…

Friday, March 29 @ 6:30 pm

Pizza & Bowling!

Pizza Hut & Fairlanes Bowling Alley, Mountain Rd. Moncton

Saturday, April 6 @ 6 pm

House Party Italian-Themed Pot-luck

Hosted by Steve and Lynn Dickinson, 184 Lady Guinevere St. Moncton E1A 8K7

Friday, April 12 @ 7 pm

Paul Baloche Concert @ Moncton Wesleyan

Followed by Dessert Party @ Roger & Judy Corey’s, 50 Timberline Rd Moncton E1G 3G8

The Weekender – March 1, 2013

March 1, 2013

CELEBRATE ….

Record breaking attendance of 225 ladies at Exhale ’13. A tremendous program with at least one person who became a Christian.
Two great Alpha groups happening with a broad attendance of new and established Christians.
Exciting changes and renovations to the Life Centre.
Several people planning to be baptized on Palm Sunday.

As part of our Good Friday 24-hour Prayer Vigil 9AM Friday – 9AM on Saturday there will be Good Friday Service at 10:30 AM in the Celebration Centre. Communion will be served.

THE BIBLE Mini- Series

Starting Sunday night, March 3rd on the History Channel ….

You may already be aware, but there will be a five-part mini-series entitled “The Bible” starting this Sunday night, March 3rd at 9 p.m., on the History Channel (50). Each two-hour episode will run for five weeks until Easter Sunday, March 31st. I understand there will be five re-enactments of the Old Testament and five from the New Testament with the bridge between the two books through Daniel’s prophecy. (Genesis to Revelation)

Some of you may have seen the interview from 100 Huntley Street (Crossroads) where the hosts interviewed Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey (actress from “Touched by an Angel”). If you are not aware, Mark Burnett is the producer of the reality TV show “Survivor” and other top-notch programing. They have a passion for todays’ lost generation and a heart for Christ … they are hoping that people with tune-in to “The Bible” mini-series, even out of curiosity to hear the message of Redemption. There are so many negative movies out there, that we wnat to be promoting the good things that are being produced especially by Christian producers.

http://www.bibleseries.tv/the-bible-mini-series-on-the-history-channel/

YOUTH PASTOR….

We are excited to be able to let everyone know that Jeff Hughes, a very successful youth pastor at our church in Ottawa will become our Interim Youth Pastor.

Jeff lives in Riverview, with his wife Sarah, and their three children, Shiloh (10), Willow (6) and Mischa (4).

Jeff has a B.A in Cross Cultural Communication, and an M.A in Youth Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University. His articles have been published in national magazines and his first published novel was published last year.

Jeff currently is the Adjunct Youth Ministry Professor at Kingswood University in Sussex.

Be sure to welcome Jeff as he begins this week and will serve till the end of June.

SLEIGHRIDE….

NEW GROUPS STARTING….

new group

Parenting Teenagers, with Susan Downey

Thursday Nights @ 7, beginning March 14

This will study five sessions designed to help parents of 11-18-year olds equip their teenagers for life by Looking at: Keeping the End in Mind; Meeting our Teenagers’ Needs;

Setting Boundaries; Developing Emotional Health; and Helping them Make Good Choices. “Hearing other parents is reassuring, and finding the “tools” to use is brilliant.” Group guest

Grief Share, with Pastor David Way

Wednesday Nights @ 7, beginning March 13

It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. Grief Share meets weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.

PRAY 40 NEWS

The February 15th Prayer Vigil launched our 40 days of Prayer as we move towards Easter 2013. Each hour of that day was a beautiful time as people slipped in and out of the Celebration Centre to spend time with the Lord. The scores of prayer requests at the front of the church were lovingly prayed over many times by those who participated in the effort.Wednesday, Feb. 27th will be day 15 of the PRAY 40 journey. We will be gathering for a time of corporate prayer and worship in the Celebration Centre @ 7:30 pm. This one hour meeting will also include a time where we will pray individually for those who seek healing. Join us for this meaningful time of seeking the Lord and interceding for others.

“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

“Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until He completes his work…” Isaiah 62:6b-7a

From the Pastor’s Heart

It is exciting that the last Living Christmas Tree is going to be the Tree with the greatest attendance. Already tickets have surpassed what has ever been sold before. From everything that I am told, I am expecting it to be the most impacting Christmas Tree.

Thanks to the great leadership of our Associate Pastor, Don Ingersoll. This is all possible through the thousands of donated hours from people who have a vision for what God has called us to be and do; which of course is to find the best means possible to impact people with the real message of the purpose of Christmas. Because of the wonderful spirit of so many people, the LCT has continually changed and improved over these last 40 years. New creative risk taking ideas on a regular basis have been introduced.

It has always been great to have people involved in leadership who have recognized that we cannot rest on the successes of the past. Consequently, the LCT has been one of the longest running performances of any kind in the Atlantic Region. It has helped the secular world to recognize that the church can be cutting-edge and creative. It has given us an “in” with non-church people because of a positive attitude toward our church due to the talk in the city about the greatness of the LCT. It would be interesting to know how many people will be in heaven some day because of those who came to Christ through the LCT, come into the church through the LCT and have been a witness to others as a result of what they experienced at the LCT.

I wish, from the Lead Pastor’s perspective, I had the capability of properly thanking everyone who over the years have sacrificed so much to make all of this possible. Many individuals have been consistent in helping from the very beginning – 40 years ago. Others have come on board through the years to be a dependable part of what makes it all happen.

BEHIND THE SCENES NEEDS FOR LCT

PRAYER: Please fervently be asking God to draw people to Himself as the Living Christmas Tree is being presented once again. We will do what we can but we need His help to do it; and, it’s only by the power of God that hearts can be reached and lives changed. Please pray earnestly and faithfully about this.

CASSEROLES/SALADS: Approximately 300 people are working hard to do their best in the LCT. On Saturday, Dec. 8th, there will be 2 performances back-to-back so it is necessary for them to have a supper meal on site. Would those of you who are not involved in the program please consider making a large casserole or salad for that meal? It would need to be delivered by 4:00 pm to the gym.

Our perceived need is 50 casseroles and 50 salads and as of Nov. 27, we have 12 casseroles and 18 salads.

We will need to know in order to be prepared so please reply to this email or email Janet: djingersoll@rogers.com with your NAME, PHONE NUMBER, and state either casserole or salad. (Sunday’s supper meal is being prepared here at the church by volunteers.)

SANTAS: One of the songs requires 36 Santas to do a small part in the first half of the program. It would require wearing a Santa suit and doing a Conga line down the aisle and up the stairs. If you would be willing to be a Santa for a few minutes in each of the performances please contact Cindy: mail@lakeviewgoldenshelties.com Rehearsals & costume fit are a couple of hours this Saturday morning, this Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening. Performances are Wed over Sunday next week (7 in total). It’s a very easy role and will be lots of fun but more Santas are needed! (male or female)