佳恩教會是一間很特別的教會、上帝預備恩典多、語言文化差異多、同心敬拜創意多與團契聚會變化多。而在年齡分佈上從滿月的小貝比到八、九十歲的資深少年郎，從各路人馬、大江南北都有。在教會的使用參與者中，不管是土生土長的加拿大人，中國、台灣、越南、印尼的新移民，甚至是非洲南蘇丹人、東南亞的菲律賓人一直到中東的約旦、黎巴嫩難民，你都可以在這裡看到，雖然分屬不同教會、也有不同的背景，但大家一同在一間禮拜堂中，用我們對上帝的虔誠敬拜著。
儘管大家彼此不同、差異甚大，但我們知道，今天會在這裡聚集是因著同一個信仰、同一個上帝、分享同一個靈，這使我們在這個奇異恩典中凝聚著、成長著，我們是Amazing Grace United，我們是Amazing Grace Mission。許多不同的人在這一個信仰團體中學習著、成長著、被建立著，更被賜福著。
過去的一年，我們在疫情之下不但沒有失去信仰的熱情，反而有更大的成長，讚美團的發展使得我們的敬拜更豐富也得著更多的同工，我們在疫情有限的連結中成為無限的供應，在網路發達的今天，教會網站的推展、影音媒體的播放，網路社群的連結，讓我們的教會生活更多元而不再只有侷限於來教會；而創意的事工發展，使我們有Podcast的網路廣播事工，這使我們更有機會把觸角深入在每人每天的生活中。
今年，我們要做的事工不僅是在網路上，我們要把重點放在松年活動事工上，不只考慮年長者的靈性需要、設計年長者需要的生活關懷與疫情下的安全社交活動，也體貼身體上的軟弱，計劃設置交通車以方便長者參與更多的信仰禮拜活動與生活交誼活動，我們要重新聚集每一個願意來到上帝祭壇前的人，都能照心所願地前來。
然而我們還是有許多的欠缺需要你的參與和幫補，在去年佳恩財務組同工所編列的財務報表是-11268.28，而最後達成是-6524.08，這數字代表的是在教會事工推展下，我們會有赤字，但是事工達成後，赤字減少了；我們不只是服事更多，我們也奉獻更多，然而我們為了還不足的部分，願上帝藉由您的手來供應教會事工上的需要，如同瑪拉基書3:10『萬軍之耶和華說：「你們要將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫，使我家有糧，以此試試我是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與你們，甚至無處可容。』」，這不只是命令，也是應許，應許使上帝家有糧的人，上帝要大大賜福與你，到你領受不完，使你領受到的是「上尖下流，連搖帶按」地加給你們(路6:38)，這恩要超越你所需要的，你看的不再是你欠缺多少，而是看你能拿走多少？
新的一年，我們將更加豐盛，也將更加經歷神的恩典，邀請你一同來參與，在主裡享受祂的有餘和榮耀。
Amazing Grace United Church is a very special church in which God has numerous blessings for. This includes multi-lingual communities, multi-cultural differences, multi-innovative and creative groups as well as multi-interchangeable fellowship group gatherings. In terms of age distribution, we have people from all ages, this includes month old baby to young seniors in their 80s and 90s. Amongst the participants in the church, whether they are native Canadians, new immigrants from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, even South Sudanese in Africa, Filipinos in Southeast Asia, Jordan and Lebanese refugees in the Middle East, can all be seen worshiping, giving praise and devoting time to God despite the differences in cultural backgrounds, denominations and experiences.
Although we are all different and are very different from each other, we know that we are gathered here today because of the same faith, the same God, and the same sharing of the holy spirit to grow and unite with each other as our church is called Amazing Grace United or Amazing Grace Mission. Lots of different people are learning, growing and building this united faith community together and in making a difference together.
In the past year, we have not lost our enthusiasm for faith under the pandemic, but have grown even more. The development of the praise group has enriched our worship and gained more members. Although the pandemic has limited our physical connections, we have instead brought on unlimited giving’s and worships. With today’s internet technology, our church has pushed for modernization efforts that includes church website development, social media interaction and online group gatherings. This allows the church to be connected in more diverse and various ways without the need to be limited to only attending worship inside the church sanctuary hall. Furthermore, our innovative virtual faith ministry development has enabled us to create a podcast that touches many people’s everyday life and allows the church to have that opportunity to touch many people’s hearts.
This year, our focus will not only be online services and worship, but instead have a more emphasis on creating a seniors relationship building program. Not only do we have to consider the spiritual needs of the elderly, but we must focus on the needs of life and social care / activities. This includes creating an elderly commute/ transportation method that is safe for the seniors to travel and attend social activities under the pandemic. We must regroup & reconnect and provide the utilities / tools for anyone that is eager to express their desires to come and worship God.
However, we still have lots of work that need your participation and help. Last year, the financial statement budget was estimated to be -$11,268.28, however, the actual amount that we achieved was -$9,675.20. This number reflects the accomplishments that the church has done under our work and services. Although we are in a deficit, we have not only finished our services and achieved our goals, we have also decreased our deficit. Not only are we serving more, we are also growing more, donating more and accomplishing more. For the part that we are still lacking, we pray that God will provide, lead and guide us for the needs of the church, just as in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
This is not just a command, but a promise, a promise that those who provide for God’s house, God will greatly bless you, in more than you can imagine. This blessing is what Luke 6:38 says, ” Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38). This grace must exceed what you need and require, no longer will you see how much you lack, but rather how much you can take away!
This new year will be even more amazing, and we will experience God’s grace even more. We invite you to join us and enjoy God’s surplus and glory in the Lord.