Cobourg Alliance Messages

Speaker: Marshall Davis

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Sometimes we look at the legends of the Old Testament as if they were nearly perfect moral examples. So when we read about their failures, we either gloss over them, excuse them, or are perplexed. But the stories of the Old Testament legends are preserved for us not because they were perfect but because they believed God. God extended grace to them when they sinned like he does to all sinners who ask.

Speaker: Marshall Davis

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We've been told that we have to fight our own battles, and there is truth to it. But we tend to universalize what is not a universal truth. The truth is, we often need a champion to fight battles for us that we simply can't fight on our own. Life is full of examples, and one such example is the legal profession. We have lawyers because we lack the expertise to handle what needs to be done, whether it's buying a house, seeking justice, or defending ourselves against injustice. The good news is that God gives us champions, and they come in various forms.

Speaker: Tony Posthumus

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Legendary heroes are strong, confident, and courageous. But what if heroes aren't all that? What if heroes wonder, question and doubt? What if heroes have hard emotions just like the rest of us? Are they still heroes?

Speaker: Heather Haley

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Think of a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. How did you feel? Scared? Nervous? Excited? Perhaps God is calling you into something new. While the unknown can feel scary, the story of Ruth reminds us of the abundance we receive on our journey. Join us as we walk with Ruth into the unknown, and see how God is with us in our dark times, and light.

Speaker: Kevin Price

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You faced a really hard challenge in life and asked God for strength… now what? How does God answer those prayers? Join us as we explore one of the valuable ways God gives us the strength we need to overcome the hardest challenges.

Speaker: Kevin Price

You’ve tried and tried and tried to do it all on your own. That seems to be the way of the world anyway, right? The self-made man or woman pushing through difficulty to create the inevitable success story that's just one tough moment away. But it’s not quite working. What’s next? Join us today as we begin our summer series, Legendary, with a look into the life of Samson — and as we see together, a God-centred vision for reliance.

cobourgalliance.ca

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

Celebrate Fathers' Day with Cobourg Alliance Church!

Speaker: Kathy Klassen

This week, we welcome Tyler Tavares as our new lead pastor with a special message from Kathy Klassen.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

As soon as I have enough, I'll be generous! Maybe you've been there. Me too. But how much is enough, and how does God see generosity? Join us as we explore what it means to simplify generosity.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

Life can be complicated, especially when we're trying to sort out the right next step. Join us this long weekend as we continue our Simplicity series and explore the wisdom and encouragement the Bible offers for people struggling to take that crucial next step. Discover practical strategies to simplify your daily actions and choices, aligning them with God's plan for your life. The recording of this service experienced some technical difficulties, causing an interruption. The transcript of anything missed is included below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19xJvcxxlo20rIME97FZDNHPgVK8_l28X82bnjTv4qkc/edit?usp=sharing

Speaker: Pastor Abigail Pascoli

What would your life look like if you knew all of your needs were taken care of? Would you change how you live? So often we hold on to worries that we were never meant to carry and take away from the gift God has given us of meeting all our needs. This week, we look to Matthew 6 and see how God asks us to release our worries so He can meet our needs.

Someone gets healed of a lifelong medical issue. Another group of people can suddenly speak in a language they’ve never studied. A raging storm instantly dies down with a simple word. Have you ever read parts of the Bible and wondered if that same miracle, sign, or wonder can happen today? It’d be amazing to see, that’s for sure. But what’s the purpose of those miracles, signs, and wonders in the first place? Join us as we finish our series on the Holy Spirit by exploring the purpose of the Spirit’s empowerment to witness with miracles, signs, and wonders.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

Have you ever experienced the shock, and maybe humour, of knowing someone for years and hearing them share a brand new story about their past that you’d never heard? You wonder where that gem-of-a-story’s been hiding all this time because hidden stories have less impact than revealed ones. The same is true of your story with God: it’s not meant to stay hidden, because its power emerges in the telling.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares, featuring the Alpha Course

God? Was that you? If you've ever found yourself confused about whether what you heard, or thought you heard, was God speaking to you or the churn of last night's enormous burrito sifting its way through your system, you're not alone. Discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit — God's presence in the here and now — can be tricky. Join us as we digest the voice of the Spirit in a world filled with a million messages.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

There are all sorts of areas in our lives where the limits of our living come down to the lack in our lives of things like vision, goals, a strategy to accomplish those goals, and a lifestyle of habits and disciplines to ensure growth.  But every one of us experiences seasons in life where the challenges we’re called on to face are so significant that you don't think you have what it takes to make it through… and it's true... you don't.

Speaker: Tyler Tavares

We've all experienced the death of something important to us: relationships, hopes, dreams, expectations, and even faith. Maybe you felt crushed in that moment, unsure how to process the loss and unsure of where, or toward whom, to turn. Join us as we explore the story of two individuals who found life unexpectedly after experiencing death — the kind of life that can arise from the depths of despair and find hope in the midst of loss. cobourgalliance.ca

Speaker: Dan van Essen

Have you ever experienced a situation where your plans were derailed? How did you respond? In Luke 8:40-56, we see how different people reacted when their plans were derailed, and yet Jesus invites us to keep engaging with him and hold on to expectant hope.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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Contentment can seem like an elusive goal in a world constantly telling us that we need more to be happy. But the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, reveals the secret to true contentment. Join us this weekend at Cobourg Alliance Church as we explore Philippians 4:10-13 to learn the secret and unlock a superpower for an abundant life in any circumstance.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

Maybe you’ve been there: vacation’s right around the corner, a million things to finish before you leave, and the only thing motivating you to hustle is the serenity you’ll find waiting for you after finally sitting comfortably by that crystal clear lake that offers the best picture of peace you could imagine. Only to discover that even after all the hustle, your mind won’t stop, even as you try to sit peacefully and embrace moments of calm that have been eluding you since this year’s major work project started.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

Did you know that the Greeks had an interesting way of measuring time? The Olympiad, a period of four years, was a way for them to keep track of time. However, in modern times, we measure time differently — some may even measure time by the start of Monday Night Football! This week at Cobourg Alliance, we're exploring a different way of thinking about time. In our message on the book of Philippians, we'll look at how the Apostle Paul uses a sports metaphor to help us grow past our failures and fumbles.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

Have you ever felt absolutely overwhelmed by the pressure to live up to a certain standard or image, whether it's self-imposed or not? Are you tired of falling short and tempted to give up trying? What if God's plan wasn't to measure your strengths or weaknesses, assets and liabilities to see if you make the grade?

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

Ever wonder what happens after you find faith? What to do next? Do you ever feel like the joy of meeting Jesus drained out somewhere along the way, and you're still struggling with the same stuff in your life? What if faith wasn't something you found but something you become fit for? What if finding Jesus is just the start?

Are you tired of superficial, shallow relationships that leave you feeling unknown and unheard? Are you looking for a community where you can build solid and lasting relationships that empower you to make a difference? In Philippians 2, Paul shares the secret to finding your tribe and building a community that can change the world — and it all starts with you as you practice the imitation of Christ.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

Have you ever met someone who seems ready for the hard stuff in life, who holds fast to a sense of purpose in the midst of all that difficulty? Someone who can see beyond their own situation to the value their circumstance can hold for others? They seem energized and empowered by something more. The Apostle Paul lived that kind of life. He had the kind of attitude that moved him beyond himself to something deeper. If you want that kind of life, join us as we explore week two in our eight-week series on Philippians.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

Ever felt in over your head? Like you're facing some giant, but you're all alone. It's just you and him. I think Garth Brooks got at least that part right; we all need friends in low places. And having a few friends when the going gets tough changes everything.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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Have you ever forgotten to take out the trash, call your Mom on her birthday or let your phone distract you from what's cooking? Have you ever noticed how hard it is to plan long-term and achieve the goals and dreams that keep you up at night? What if God has already hardwired you with everything you need to become the person he is inviting you to be? Join us this Sunday for the final installment of our Holy Habits series and the one. final. piece. you need to change your future and impact the lives of everyone you come in contact with. You only have one job.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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Can't shake that feeling... the negativity you seem to carry with you through life? We all know people who view the world with a glass-half-full attitude — optimists who look for the silver lining in every situation. When presented with the same problem: you grumble, and they're grateful. Why the difference, and is gratitude something God cares much about anyway? Join us Sunday as we explore another holy habit that can have life-changing implications.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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Have you ever felt refreshed after finally talking with a friend after years apart? Do you ever leave a conversation feeling lighter, like the weight on your shoulders was just removed? Conversations can accomplish so much for us in life, and sometimes we find ourselves wondering why it took us so long to have that — helpful and healthy — conversation with a friend. Join us Sunday at 10am for week two of our series Holy Habits: Small Changes Lead to Big Results as we explore the benefits of regular conversation with God.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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Have you set a New Year's Resolution for 2023? Now be honest... have you already failed to keep it? Resolutions are great ways to intentionally apply ourselves to accomplish changes we want to see in life, but they can be hard to follow, especially when it comes to spiritual resolutions.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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Merry Christmas, everyone!

Speaker: Simon Chorley

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Have you ever heard of someone who claimed they could predict the future? You probably haven't met many people who claimed they could. They may have coincidentally gotten it right once in a while, but you can usually debunk a soothsayer over time. But what if things did add up? You'd have to stop and wonder how that could happen, and you might dig a little deeper to see if there's something profound buried in all that mystery. The birth of Jesus, amazing as it was on its own, is a story packed with meaning tied to other stories and predictions centuries prior.

Speaker: Kevin Price

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Sometimes Joy is easy to find during the Christmas season; sometimes, it is hard. When we look at the story of Mary leading up to the birth of Jesus, we see someone who chooses to resist the messages of her culture and instead chooses to listen to God's story for her. We see her practice humility and, through that practice, find joy in God, her Saviour. This is most clearly seen in "The Magnificat" or Mary's Song in Luke chapter 1. Through exploring this song, we will see how cultivating humility in the face of our consumeristic culture is a path to finding joy in God.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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Merry Christmas, everyone!

As we continue our Legacy series, we will be reminded that Jesus always gives us more than he asks - and that what he asks is that we share out of the abundance of what he has given!

Speaker: Mandy Trask

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Ever wonder if faith is just a phase? Like an umbrella that's helpful when it rains but goes back in the closet when the sun comes out? This Sunday at Cobourg Alliance Church, we're celebrating the 100th birthday of our friend Tom Wakeman and talking about what a lifetime of faith looks like.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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Every time you say something your mother used to say to you. Every time you find yourself wishing that you knew what you know now, when you were younger. Every time you smile at a stranger and they smile back, you’re discovering the power and the potential of legacy.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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Have you ever stepped into a situation where you asked yourself, "why am I doing this, and why am I subjecting myself to this?" Maybe you're in a situation right now where you're unsure if you have what it takes to do what God is asking you to do. This week we're talking about the purpose that gives you strength when you're weary and the courage to face your fears — something that can propel you through seasons of challenge into a life of meaning. You were made for a mission worth spending your life on.

Speaker: Pastor Abby Langlois

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When we think of purpose, it may seem like we aren’t equipped for the task at hand. But God has equipped and gifted every single person specially. Join us as we look at Romans to see what the potential of our gifts hold.

Speaker: Nathan Veley

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How often were you asked the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" What was the answer? Has it changed? I wonder if the better question is, "Who do you want to be when you grow up?" Who God has designed us to be is directly connected to God's purpose for our lives. This week we unpack what it means to be transformed into people who look like Jesus and how this fits directly into God's purpose for our lives.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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Author and leadership consultant John Maxwell's Law of the Inner Circle states that "a leader's potential is determined by those closest to him." That sounds a lot like what your grandma used to tell you, doesn't it? — "It's hard to soar with the eagles when you're surrounded by a bunch of turkeys!" This week in our new series, What On Earth Am I Here For? we're going to look at one of the most amazing stories of faith in the Bible. A miracle that was only made possible because a group of friends were willing to go to any lengths to get their pal to Jesus.

Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle

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In Romans 8, Paul wrote, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" — if you know, you know. Paul had a lot of experience testing the limits of God's ability to make something good come out of his missed steps, mistakes and honest-to-goodness meanness. Despite a sorted past and a world of regret, Paul got to experience God's purposes for his life. There is nothing on this earth like the feeling of serving God's purpose for your life in a given moment or situation.

Speaker: Reverend Howard Jolly

As a church, we are for truth and reconciliation, but we know we have a lot to learn. October 2022, we welcomed our friend and special guest, Rev. Howard Jolly. Howard is the executive director of the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada (FNACC). He leads an online ministry empowering Indigenous leaders through sharing stories, music and testimonies. We are thankful to be part of a family of churches that is learning to serve the indigenous people of Canada in such a way that the Gospel of Jesus is truly good news. May Jesus bring peace, healing and restoration to all his children!

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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From your local veterinary clinic to the Armed Forces to Tim Horton's, every organization has a mission statement or functions like it has one. The Church has a mission, too, and there's really no confusion about that mission: multiply disciples everywhere. But there might be confusion about the approach to that mission.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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We all feel empowered in different ways — empowered to speak up, make a choice, or view the world differently because someone opened our eyes to another way. Scripture talks about empowerment, too, an empowerment that comes from the Spirit.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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Whatever is central in life affects all the rest. So what's central in the life of Cobourg Alliance Church? What drives us, what takes priority in our decision-making, and what are we willing to sacrifice for? Every church has something at the centre.

Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares

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"I love Jesus, but not the Church." Maybe you've said or felt that before. It's a common sentiment, and people may have great reasons to feel that way. Church, after all, is a contact sport, and anyone following Jesus is in the game. So what do we do when we feel like we've been bumped, bruised, or we've broken bones?