God’s Highway of Holiness
God has a highway or pathway upon which his power and presence moves in our lives and through his church. The foundation of that highway is his love for us. There are also two guardrails called grace and truth that keep us moving in the centre of that highway of his blessing. These guardrails keep us from veering off into the ditches of danger on either side—an emphasis on grace alone can dissipate into a shallow and sentimental foundation where justice and truth are discarded. A focus on truth alone can degrade into a cold, hardened dogmatic stance. The reality is grace and truth meld together in the gospel message and is displayed in the life and person of Jesus Christ.
There is another feature to this highway: holiness. What is holiness and what role does it play in keeping us flowing on the highway of God’s love, presence, and power? Find out this Sunday in the message, God’s Highway of Holiness.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
God has a highway or pathway upon which his power and presence moves in our lives and through his church. The foundation of that highway is his love for us. There are also two guardrails called grace and truth that keep us moving in the centre of that highway of his blessing. These guardrails keep us from veering off into the ditches of danger on either side—an emphasis on grace alone can dissipate into a shallow and sentimental foundation where justice and truth are discarded. A focus on truth alone can degrade into a cold, hardened dogmatic stance. The reality is grace and truth meld together in the gospel message and is displayed in the life and person of Jesus Christ.
There is another feature to this highway: holiness. What is holiness and what role does it play in keeping us flowing on the highway of God’s love, presence, and power? Find out this Sunday in the message, God’s Highway of Holiness.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
The Guardrails of God’s Highway
God has a highway or pathway upon which his power and presence moves. The foundation of that highway is love. The Bible declares God is love, meaning it’s the very essence and nature of his being. God so loved the world of people that he sent his son, Jesus, to earth to die for our sins and reconcile our relationship with God. Jesus so loves the world that he sends us. That same love compels and propels us to love others and point them to God’s marvellous gift of salvation! Check out last Sunday night’s Pastor’s Chat for the message about God’s Highway of Love as we kick-off this new series of messages.
On God’s highway, there are two guardrails that guide us: Grace and Truth. These guardrails keep us from veering off into a ditch of danger on either side. This Sunday, discover the role of grace and truth in keeping us flowing on the highway of God’s love, presence, and power!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
God has a highway or pathway upon which his power and presence moves. The foundation of that highway is love. The Bible declares God is love, meaning it’s the very essence and nature of his being. God so loved the world of people that he sent his son, Jesus, to earth to die for our sins and reconcile our relationship with God. Jesus so loves the world that he sends us. That same love compels and propels us to love others and point them to God’s marvellous gift of salvation! Check out last Sunday night’s Pastor’s Chat for the message about God’s Highway of Love as we kick-off this new series of messages.
On God’s highway, there are two guardrails that guide us: Grace and Truth. These guardrails keep us from veering off into a ditch of danger on either side. This Sunday, discover the role of grace and truth in keeping us flowing on the highway of God’s love, presence, and power!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
God’s Highway of Love
For the past several weeks, we have been preparing the way—through fasting and prayer—for God to work in our lives, our families, and his church in this new year. This time of preparation is for the purpose of creating a pathway or ‘highway’ by which the presence and power of God can flow freely in us and through us to the world around us. This is called ministry.
But on God’s highway of ministry, we can grow weary. Weary of working in various ministries, whether it’s teaching children, working with youth and young adults, or maybe serving on the welcome team, worship team, or media ministry. You may even wonder if your financial support for the work of missions does any good.
So, what keeps you moving forward doing ministry in your life? Let it be one reason, “for the love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). In this Sunday’s message, God’s Highway of Love, we will explore the motivating factor of the kingdom of God.
God so loved the world that he sent Jesus. And Jesus so loved the world that he sends us. The same love that compelled Christ to leave heaven and propelled him to earth also needs to compel and propel us. Because of God’s love for us, we are able to love others. By loving others as God loves us, we can point them to Christ and God’s marvelous gift of salvation. The highway for the presence and power of God flows on a highway of love. Learn all about this on Sunday as we gather to worship God together!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
For the past several weeks, we have been preparing the way—through fasting and prayer—for God to work in our lives, our families, and his church in this new year. This time of preparation is for the purpose of creating a pathway or ‘highway’ by which the presence and power of God can flow freely in us and through us to the world around us. This is called ministry.
But on God’s highway of ministry, we can grow weary. Weary of working in various ministries, whether it’s teaching children, working with youth and young adults, or maybe serving on the welcome team, worship team, or media ministry. You may even wonder if your financial support for the work of missions does any good.
So, what keeps you moving forward doing ministry in your life? Let it be one reason, “for the love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). In this Sunday’s message, God’s Highway of Love, we will explore the motivating factor of the kingdom of God.
God so loved the world that he sent Jesus. And Jesus so loved the world that he sends us. The same love that compelled Christ to leave heaven and propelled him to earth also needs to compel and propel us. Because of God’s love for us, we are able to love others. By loving others as God loves us, we can point them to Christ and God’s marvelous gift of salvation. The highway for the presence and power of God flows on a highway of love. Learn all about this on Sunday as we gather to worship God together!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
🙏 Be Prayer Strong
Do you ever feel that life is just too overwhelming, and you are tempted to give up? God has given us the tremendous tool of prayer for us to use in the journey of life to support and sustain us and to release the power of God in our situations. Through prayer we have access to God’s powerful presence and the opportunity to make our requests known before God.
Remember there is too much at stake to give up, even when the circumstances seem to be against you. The answer so often is just around the corner and through persistent prayer you will see a breakthrough. When we pray to God Almighty, we can be assured that he is working out the answer because Jesus always keeps his promises!
Join us this Sunday, as Pastor Wayne preaches about the call for us to Be Prayer Strong. We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
We are now completing our second week in our 21 days of fasting and prayer. If you have not yet joined us, you are still welcome to do so. You can sign up to receive our daily devotionals, prayer points, and prayer declaration at ppt.church/pray.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Do you ever feel that life is just too overwhelming, and you are tempted to give up? God has given us the tremendous tool of prayer for us to use in the journey of life to support and sustain us and to release the power of God in our situations. Through prayer we have access to God’s powerful presence and the opportunity to make our requests known before God.
Remember there is too much at stake to give up, even when the circumstances seem to be against you. The answer so often is just around the corner and through persistent prayer you will see a breakthrough. When we pray to God Almighty, we can be assured that he is working out the answer because Jesus always keeps his promises!
Join us this Sunday, as Pastor Wayne preaches about the call for us to Be Prayer Strong. We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
We are now completing our second week in our 21 days of fasting and prayer. If you have not yet joined us, you are still welcome to do so. You can sign up to receive our daily devotionals, prayer points, and prayer declaration at ppt.church/pray.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
📖 Be Bible Strong
Do you feel like something is missing in your life? Is there desire for something more in your life experience? Are you looking for a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfilment?
Currently, we are in a season of fasting and prayer with the theme of preparing the way of the Lord. As we enter this new year, we are responding to God’s call to seek him first. In seeking God first, we are making our relationship with Jesus and his kingdom purposes the priority of our hearts and lives. When we do this, the Word of God promises that all the other things that we need in our lives will fall into place.
Believers also have a role through the spiritual discipline of fasting and prayer of creating the atmosphere by which God can come and move in our lives and church. We deny ourselves some physical meals and instead seeking spiritual food—reading, studying, meditating on the Bible, and communicating with God in prayer. By doing this we are positioning our hearts to receive all that God has for us and his church this year. It also creates a favourable atmosphere by which God can come by his Holy Spirit and move in our lives and church services.
If you have not yet joined us, you are still welcome to do so. You can sign-up to receive our daily devotionals, prayer points, and prayer declaration at ppt.church/pray. Then join us this Sunday for praise and worship and the message, Be Bible Strong, where you will learn all about the benefits of the Word of God. We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Do you feel like something is missing in your life? Is there desire for something more in your life experience? Are you looking for a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfilment?
Currently, we are in a season of fasting and prayer with the theme of preparing the way of the Lord. As we enter this new year, we are responding to God’s call to seek him first. In seeking God first, we are making our relationship with Jesus and his kingdom purposes the priority of our hearts and lives. When we do this, the Word of God promises that all the other things that we need in our lives will fall into place.
Believers also have a role through the spiritual discipline of fasting and prayer of creating the atmosphere by which God can come and move in our lives and church. We deny ourselves some physical meals and instead seeking spiritual food—reading, studying, meditating on the Bible, and communicating with God in prayer. By doing this we are positioning our hearts to receive all that God has for us and his church this year. It also creates a favourable atmosphere by which God can come by his Holy Spirit and move in our lives and church services.
If you have not yet joined us, you are still welcome to do so. You can sign-up to receive our daily devotionals, prayer points, and prayer declaration at ppt.church/pray. Then join us this Sunday for praise and worship and the message, Be Bible Strong, where you will learn all about the benefits of the Word of God. We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Preparing the way in this new year
We are already one week into this new year of 2023. So, have you made any preparations for this new year? Are you preparing the way for what God wants to do in in your life and his church?
In this Sunday’s message, Preparing The Way, we will discover from Scripture how we can prepare the way for the most important dimension of our lives. We will be looking at the life of John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Christ. He was chosen by God and given the task of helping prepare the way for the public ministry of Jesus Christ. His role was to prepare people’s hearts to receive Jesus and the message of the kingdom of God. So, journey with us in discovering how you can prepare the way for the Lord to work and move in this coming year. Let’s prepare the way for what God wants to do this year!
Come this Sunday with anticipation and expectation in your heart! God’s mighty presence has been so real in our services over these past few weeks. We are believing for another breakthrough in praise and worship and in the ministry of God’s Word! We will be sharing communion together and anointing people for this season of fasting and prayer at the end of the service.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
We are already one week into this new year of 2023. So, have you made any preparations for this new year? Are you preparing the way for what God wants to do in in your life and his church?
In this Sunday’s message, Preparing The Way, we will discover from Scripture how we can prepare the way for the most important dimension of our lives. We will be looking at the life of John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Christ. He was chosen by God and given the task of helping prepare the way for the public ministry of Jesus Christ. His role was to prepare people’s hearts to receive Jesus and the message of the kingdom of God. So, journey with us in discovering how you can prepare the way for the Lord to work and move in this coming year. Let’s prepare the way for what God wants to do this year!
Come this Sunday with anticipation and expectation in your heart! God’s mighty presence has been so real in our services over these past few weeks. We are believing for another breakthrough in praise and worship and in the ministry of God’s Word! We will be sharing communion together and anointing people for this season of fasting and prayer at the end of the service.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
🎇 It's New Year's Weekend!
We trust you had a blessed Christmas with your family and friends this week! Now we come to this weekend looking forward to celebrating the beginning of a brand-new year! We all wonder what lies ahead for us in this new year. What great joys will we experience? What unusual challenges might we face? Where will the road take us in this journey of life? In my message, The Road Ahead, we will launch into this new year understanding there are some certainties we can claim in the midst of so many uncertainties. So, plan to join us on the first day of 2023 in a spirit of praise and worship!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
We trust you had a blessed Christmas with your family and friends this week! Now we come to this weekend looking forward to celebrating the beginning of a brand-new year! We all wonder what lies ahead for us in this new year. What great joys will we experience? What unusual challenges might we face? Where will the road take us in this journey of life? In my message, The Road Ahead, we will launch into this new year understanding there are some certainties we can claim in the midst of so many uncertainties. So, plan to join us on the first day of 2023 in a spirit of praise and worship!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
🎄 It's Christmas Weekend at PPT!
This Sunday, The Roads of Christmas message series focuses on the trip Jesus took from heaven to earth. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11, NLT). Jesus came from heaven to earth, to die for our sins so that he might lead us from earth to heaven!
In this illustrated message, The Gift is Given, we will celebrate God’s most precious undeserved gift that came in plain wrappings. You will experience some incredible Christmas music, special musical numbers, and each child and youth will receive a gift as the leave the service that day! Please note this Sunday will be your final opportunity for in-person giving in 2022.
Join us as celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas Day! On behalf of Pastor Debbie and I, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas as you gather with your loved ones and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour, the merriest of Christmases as you celebrate with your loved one and friends!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
This Sunday, The Roads of Christmas message series focuses on the trip Jesus took from heaven to earth. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11, NLT). Jesus came from heaven to earth, to die for our sins so that he might lead us from earth to heaven!
In this illustrated message, The Gift is Given, we will celebrate God’s most precious undeserved gift that came in plain wrappings. You will experience some incredible Christmas music, special musical numbers, and each child and youth will receive a gift as the leave the service that day! Please note this Sunday will be your final opportunity for in-person giving in 2022.
Join us as celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas Day! On behalf of Pastor Debbie and I, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas as you gather with your loved ones and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour, the merriest of Christmases as you celebrate with your loved one and friends!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
🏠 I'll Be Home For Christmas
Most people like to travel, and in today’s ‘global village’ we have the ability to be almost anywhere in the world in just a matter of time. We enjoy the opportunity to explore new places, taste unique cuisine, and experience different cultures. However, most people are happy to return home because there is no place quite like home. Especially during this season, people want to home for Christmas.
This Sunday, The Roads of Christmas series takes us on Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus’ trip from Egypt back to their home in Nazareth. In this message entitled, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, we will explore the yearning within us to come home, what it means, and the circumstances God uses to do so. Join us in worship for our final week leading up to Christmas!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Most people like to travel, and in today’s ‘global village’ we have the ability to be almost anywhere in the world in just a matter of time. We enjoy the opportunity to explore new places, taste unique cuisine, and experience different cultures. However, most people are happy to return home because there is no place quite like home. Especially during this season, people want to home for Christmas.
This Sunday, The Roads of Christmas series takes us on Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus’ trip from Egypt back to their home in Nazareth. In this message entitled, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, we will explore the yearning within us to come home, what it means, and the circumstances God uses to do so. Join us in worship for our final week leading up to Christmas!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
No Room, But Three Gifts! 🎁
This Sunday, The Roads of Christmas series takes us on the quick exodus from Bethlehem to Egypt by Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. We know that when they arrived in Bethlehem there was no room at the inn for Jesus to be born. God’s nature is to be a provider, so how come there is no room in the inn for Jesus at his birth? He is born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. Sounds like pretty meager provisions. Shortly after, wisemen arrive with exceptional provisions of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to present to the holy family just before they made a dash out of town to a foreign country. In the message, No Room, But Three Gifts, you will learn the wisdom of the whys and hows of God’s provision and protection as he seeks to fulfill his destiny for our lives, just like he did for holy family.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend for this month-long celebration of Christmas at PPT!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
This Sunday, The Roads of Christmas series takes us on the quick exodus from Bethlehem to Egypt by Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. We know that when they arrived in Bethlehem there was no room at the inn for Jesus to be born. God’s nature is to be a provider, so how come there is no room in the inn for Jesus at his birth? He is born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. Sounds like pretty meager provisions. Shortly after, wisemen arrive with exceptional provisions of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to present to the holy family just before they made a dash out of town to a foreign country. In the message, No Room, But Three Gifts, you will learn the wisdom of the whys and hows of God’s provision and protection as he seeks to fulfill his destiny for our lives, just like he did for holy family.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend for this month-long celebration of Christmas at PPT!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Guide us to Thy Perfect Light! 🌟
This Sunday we are launching our Christmas message series entitled, The Roads of Christmas. There were a variety of roads taken in the Christmas story—the journey to Bethlehem, the quick exodus from Bethlehem to Egypt, and then the road back home to Nazareth. These roads of Christmas teach us about how God works to guide, provide, and protect us as part of his plan to fulfil his destiny for our lives.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend for this month-long celebration of Christmas at PPT!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
This Sunday we are launching our Christmas message series entitled, The Roads of Christmas. There were a variety of roads taken in the Christmas story—the journey to Bethlehem, the quick exodus from Bethlehem to Egypt, and then the road back home to Nazareth. These roads of Christmas teach us about how God works to guide, provide, and protect us as part of his plan to fulfil his destiny for our lives.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend for this month-long celebration of Christmas at PPT!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Come hear a message of hope!
Contending for the faith and truth involves sharing our stories of how God has changed our lives. Come this Sunday and hear the incredible testimonies of men who have found freedom from addictions and new life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Bring someone with you who needs to hear a message of hope! You will also have the opportunity to buy some Christmas presents and support the work of missions after the service!
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Contending for the faith and truth involves sharing our stories of how God has changed our lives. Come this Sunday and hear the incredible testimonies of men who have found freedom from addictions and new life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Bring someone with you who needs to hear a message of hope! You will also have the opportunity to buy some Christmas presents and support the work of missions after the service!
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
It's that time of year!
It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas! We’re moving quickly into that most wonderful time of the year and there are so many exciting activities taking place now through the new year! Be sure to check out all the events at: ppt.church/christmas
The very essence of the Christian life is godliness. But it’s a word that is often misunderstood by so many. What is godliness? What are the marks of a godly person? How does a person become godly. This Sunday we will answer those questions in my message, Contending For Godliness.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas! We’re moving quickly into that most wonderful time of the year and there are so many exciting activities taking place now through the new year! Be sure to check out all the events at: ppt.church/christmas
The very essence of the Christian life is godliness. But it’s a word that is often misunderstood by so many. What is godliness? What are the marks of a godly person? How does a person become godly. This Sunday we will answer those questions in my message, Contending For Godliness.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Contending for the Truth
Today is Remembrance Day. Since the end of the First World War, our nation takes this memorial day to remember all those who have fought and died in the line of duty to keep us free. So, wear a simple poppy as “a reminder that courage, faith and honour will stand where heroes fall.” We honour those who have paid the ultimate price to help secure us as a free people and nation. We will be paying tribute to them this Sunday in our service.
We will also be addressing people’s desire and search for truth and the struggle they are having finding it in today’s culture. How do we know what is true and what is not? Who is really telling the truth? What role do we play in speaking that truth? This Sunday we will answer those questions in my message, Contending For The Truth.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend for our Communion Sunday Service!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Today is Remembrance Day. Since the end of the First World War, our nation takes this memorial day to remember all those who have fought and died in the line of duty to keep us free. So, wear a simple poppy as “a reminder that courage, faith and honour will stand where heroes fall.” We honour those who have paid the ultimate price to help secure us as a free people and nation. We will be paying tribute to them this Sunday in our service.
We will also be addressing people’s desire and search for truth and the struggle they are having finding it in today’s culture. How do we know what is true and what is not? Who is really telling the truth? What role do we play in speaking that truth? This Sunday we will answer those questions in my message, Contending For The Truth.
We look forward to your presence with us this weekend for our Communion Sunday Service!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Contending for the Faith
Let’s make an eternal difference in the life of a child. Bring your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to church with you this Sunday and keep them with you during the service as you will be praying over them.
It is also the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We will be praying for believers around the world—that they will know they are not abandoned by God nor his people in their struggle.
We are living in days of great confusion due to great deception. Over the next several weeks we are going to examine what it means to contend for the faith that was delivered once for all. It will help you break out of any confusion and deception by finding the truth and building your life upon it.
If you’re newcomer to PPT, we would like to get to know you more! So make plans to join us for our upcoming Connect Lunch. We look forward to sharing a meal with you and taking time to meet with you.
One of the greatest keys to living a purposeful and fulfilled life is learning to use the motivational gifts God has given us. We want to help you discover yours and how you can be a blessing to others. Register to attend our upcoming Spiritual Gifts Class!
With so much happening at PPT, we hope you will join us as we lead and walk with you in your journey of faith! We look forward to your presence this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Let’s make an eternal difference in the life of a child. Bring your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to church with you this Sunday and keep them with you during the service as you will be praying over them.
It is also the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We will be praying for believers around the world—that they will know they are not abandoned by God nor his people in their struggle.
We are living in days of great confusion due to great deception. Over the next several weeks we are going to examine what it means to contend for the faith that was delivered once for all. It will help you break out of any confusion and deception by finding the truth and building your life upon it.
If you’re newcomer to PPT, we would like to get to know you more! So make plans to join us for our upcoming Connect Lunch. We look forward to sharing a meal with you and taking time to meet with you.
One of the greatest keys to living a purposeful and fulfilled life is learning to use the motivational gifts God has given us. We want to help you discover yours and how you can be a blessing to others. Register to attend our upcoming Spiritual Gifts Class!
With so much happening at PPT, we hope you will join us as we lead and walk with you in your journey of faith! We look forward to your presence this weekend!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Be Identified
We all have individuals or causes that we choose to identify with in this world. Identifying is to feel that you are similar to someone and can understand them or their situation. People today identify with all kinds of different people or causes based on their beliefs, practices, and what they promise. Who do you identify with in this life?
This weekend we are looking forward to celebrating with people who have chosen to identify with Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to offer his life as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He commanded those who choose to believe in him to make a public declaration of their faith by being water baptized, by full immersion, in his name. It also expresses their desire to identify not only with Jesus but also with his church and ultimately with all his promises.
These water baptism services are always so exciting as people share their unique journey of coming to faith in Jesus Christ. We invite you to come and hear their incredible stories and celebrating their decision to be followers of Jesus Christ. Be sure to invite someone else to join you for this thrilling experience!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
We all have individuals or causes that we choose to identify with in this world. Identifying is to feel that you are similar to someone and can understand them or their situation. People today identify with all kinds of different people or causes based on their beliefs, practices, and what they promise. Who do you identify with in this life?
This weekend we are looking forward to celebrating with people who have chosen to identify with Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to offer his life as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He commanded those who choose to believe in him to make a public declaration of their faith by being water baptized, by full immersion, in his name. It also expresses their desire to identify not only with Jesus but also with his church and ultimately with all his promises.
These water baptism services are always so exciting as people share their unique journey of coming to faith in Jesus Christ. We invite you to come and hear their incredible stories and celebrating their decision to be followers of Jesus Christ. Be sure to invite someone else to join you for this thrilling experience!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Follow His Lead
Everyone is on a journey in life. Where are you going? How do you know which path to take? You have been given life for a purpose. Finding that purpose and fulfilling it is the key to experiencing a sense of destiny, fulfillment, and joy in your heart.
Last week we spoke about how important it is not to follow our hearts, but rather lead our hearts to follow God and value what He treasures. This weekend you will hear the story of a young man who did just that. He felt so empty inside that he decided to follow God wherever He was leading him. God transformed his life is a dramatic way and he has never been the same.
Come and hear all the twists and turns in this young man’s journey, as he heard and responded to God’s call on his life. It has led him to help students come to know and experience Jesus in a real and life-changing way, on the campus of the University of Toronto.
We look forward to your presence with us and be sure to invite someone to join you as we learn what it means to Follow His Lead.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Everyone is on a journey in life. Where are you going? How do you know which path to take? You have been given life for a purpose. Finding that purpose and fulfilling it is the key to experiencing a sense of destiny, fulfillment, and joy in your heart.
Last week we spoke about how important it is not to follow our hearts, but rather lead our hearts to follow God and value what He treasures. This weekend you will hear the story of a young man who did just that. He felt so empty inside that he decided to follow God wherever He was leading him. God transformed his life is a dramatic way and he has never been the same.
Come and hear all the twists and turns in this young man’s journey, as he heard and responded to God’s call on his life. It has led him to help students come to know and experience Jesus in a real and life-changing way, on the campus of the University of Toronto.
We look forward to your presence with us and be sure to invite someone to join you as we learn what it means to Follow His Lead.
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Who is leading your heart?
There is a common phrase we hear today that says follow your heart. It has a noble, heroic, adventurous, and courageous ring to it. It becomes a value that informs how we make decisions. It implies to deny doing so would mean we are not being true to ourselves.
But what does it really mean to follow your heart? Together let’s explore this cultural creed and come to a true understanding of this immaterial thing we call ‘the heart’ in this Sunday’s message, Lead Your Heart. Also, plan to catch a cup of coffee and a baked treat after service this Sunday and connect with one another around tables we have set up in lobby. We truly are better together!
From a heart of compassion, we are working to be a blessing to the men of our city and children around the world during the month of October. We are partnering with Regeneration Ministry in Brampton to provide all types of clothing for men. You can bring gently used or new items to the church and deposit them in the barrels in the lobby. We are also providing the only Christmas gift some boys and girls will receive around the world through Operation Christmas Child. We have more shoeboxes available for you to pick-up this weekend if you need one. Please follow the directions on the attached pamphlet and work on filling these boxes this month. We will be offering a prayer of dedication over them on first Sunday of November.
There is a lot happening at PPT and we hope that you will join us in making a positive, tangible difference in our world for the glory of God!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
There is a common phrase we hear today that says follow your heart. It has a noble, heroic, adventurous, and courageous ring to it. It becomes a value that informs how we make decisions. It implies to deny doing so would mean we are not being true to ourselves.
But what does it really mean to follow your heart? Together let’s explore this cultural creed and come to a true understanding of this immaterial thing we call ‘the heart’ in this Sunday’s message, Lead Your Heart. Also, plan to catch a cup of coffee and a baked treat after service this Sunday and connect with one another around tables we have set up in lobby. We truly are better together!
From a heart of compassion, we are working to be a blessing to the men of our city and children around the world during the month of October. We are partnering with Regeneration Ministry in Brampton to provide all types of clothing for men. You can bring gently used or new items to the church and deposit them in the barrels in the lobby. We are also providing the only Christmas gift some boys and girls will receive around the world through Operation Christmas Child. We have more shoeboxes available for you to pick-up this weekend if you need one. Please follow the directions on the attached pamphlet and work on filling these boxes this month. We will be offering a prayer of dedication over them on first Sunday of November.
There is a lot happening at PPT and we hope that you will join us in making a positive, tangible difference in our world for the glory of God!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
We invite you to a special Thanksgiving Celebration!
Anytime you thank someone, you honour that person. For example, if you say to your wife, “I’m so grateful for that great Thanksgiving dinner you made,” you just honoured her. An expression of gratitude is a way of honouring another person.
The Bible also says that you also honour God when you express gratitude to him. God says, “Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honours me.” (Psalm 50:3, NLT)
But at some point, we must start moving to a higher level of thanksgiving—not just thanking people for what they do, but thanking them for who they are. That’s a deeper, more mature kind of thanksgiving. If the only time we thanked people was when they did something for us, they might begin to wonder—do they love me, or just what I do for them?
The same is true with God. Do we really love God, or just the things that he does for us? We must learn to thank God not just for what he does, but for who he is. It’s that kind of gratitude that truly honors God and gives us deeper spiritual roots.
This weekend we are going to offer up an abundance of praise and worship to God for his faithfulness to us over this past year. We are going to celebrate with testimonies of God’s goodness. Together we will be making thanksgiving declarations and decrees based on the character and nature of God and conclude by sharing Communion. It is going to be a powerful expression of thanksgiving to God for who he is and for what he has done! We look forward to your presence with us, and be sure to invite someone to join you!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Anytime you thank someone, you honour that person. For example, if you say to your wife, “I’m so grateful for that great Thanksgiving dinner you made,” you just honoured her. An expression of gratitude is a way of honouring another person.
The Bible also says that you also honour God when you express gratitude to him. God says, “Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honours me.” (Psalm 50:3, NLT)
But at some point, we must start moving to a higher level of thanksgiving—not just thanking people for what they do, but thanking them for who they are. That’s a deeper, more mature kind of thanksgiving. If the only time we thanked people was when they did something for us, they might begin to wonder—do they love me, or just what I do for them?
The same is true with God. Do we really love God, or just the things that he does for us? We must learn to thank God not just for what he does, but for who he is. It’s that kind of gratitude that truly honors God and gives us deeper spiritual roots.
This weekend we are going to offer up an abundance of praise and worship to God for his faithfulness to us over this past year. We are going to celebrate with testimonies of God’s goodness. Together we will be making thanksgiving declarations and decrees based on the character and nature of God and conclude by sharing Communion. It is going to be a powerful expression of thanksgiving to God for who he is and for what he has done! We look forward to your presence with us, and be sure to invite someone to join you!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Trade your worries for worship
As we move into the month of October our thoughts turn to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and gathering with family and friends to celebrate. We invite you to join us for a special Thanksgiving Worship & Communion Service on Sunday, October 9. As part of that service, we want to share stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness with one another. So we invite you to participate, by emailing us your thanksgiving testimony, or by filling out the Praise Report section on the back of a Connect card while you are in service this Sunday (deposit them in the Tithes & Offerings boxes in the sanctuary). Together, let’s thank God and encourage one another!
It’s not only appropriate to give thanks to God but to also provide a tangible expression of our thanks by giving to others to need. This month, we are partnering together with Regeneration Ministries in Brampton to provide men in our city with much needed clothing this fall and winter. You will find bins located in the lobby where you can drop-off any type of men’s clothing you would be willing to donate. Thank you for helping provide this tangible expression of love and thanksgiving to God!
Whenever we’re facing uncertain times, we’re apt to be apprehensive. It’s what we do with our apprehension that matters. The more we trust God, the more naturally we’ll worship him. When we trust him with our problems, it enables our hearts to praise him more freely. Join us this Sunday as we learn about Trading My Worry For Worship and then practice this principle together in the service!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
As we move into the month of October our thoughts turn to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and gathering with family and friends to celebrate. We invite you to join us for a special Thanksgiving Worship & Communion Service on Sunday, October 9. As part of that service, we want to share stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness with one another. So we invite you to participate, by emailing us your thanksgiving testimony, or by filling out the Praise Report section on the back of a Connect card while you are in service this Sunday (deposit them in the Tithes & Offerings boxes in the sanctuary). Together, let’s thank God and encourage one another!
It’s not only appropriate to give thanks to God but to also provide a tangible expression of our thanks by giving to others to need. This month, we are partnering together with Regeneration Ministries in Brampton to provide men in our city with much needed clothing this fall and winter. You will find bins located in the lobby where you can drop-off any type of men’s clothing you would be willing to donate. Thank you for helping provide this tangible expression of love and thanksgiving to God!
Whenever we’re facing uncertain times, we’re apt to be apprehensive. It’s what we do with our apprehension that matters. The more we trust God, the more naturally we’ll worship him. When we trust him with our problems, it enables our hearts to praise him more freely. Join us this Sunday as we learn about Trading My Worry For Worship and then practice this principle together in the service!
Every Blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor