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grace notes

reflections on faith and life

  • About Pastor Derek

Author: Derek Melanson

Greetings! The most important thing about me is not first and foremost about me. It’s about the person of Jesus. I receive my identity, my purpose, and my very breath and life from Jesus. Colossians 1:16 says it well. Speaking of Jesus, there the apostle Paul writes, “All things have been made through him and for him.” Who I am, I am because of who he is. And because through him I have been reconciled to God, I now live to orient my life around him. I don’t always do this very well. So I’m grateful for the good news of God’s forgiveness. Since August 2002 I have been married to a beautiful, wonderful Christian woman. Because of her, my life has been much more of an adventure than it would otherwise have been. She’s loving, smart, funny, determined, and real. Being her husband is a privilege and a joy. And our joy has multiplied. We have three children. One girl and twin boys. They’re fun, silly, energetic, smart, and exhausting. All unique individuals, they keep us on our toes. Thanks to them, our home is filled with a lot of laughter. We also have two dogs: a 10-year old mixed poodle-terrier named Sneaker and a 1-year old yorkie named Izzy. On top of all this, God has also called me to be a pastor. Our church is a small, rural church filled with loving, faithful people. Working with them to live out the good news of God is a great gift. What else? Well, I happen to like the following things (in no particular order of favourites): playing guitar, writing (obviously!), reading (theology, classic fiction), a variety of movies and TV shows but especially those in the sci-fi/adventure/fantasy/super-hero genres, Dairy Queen Chocolate Extreme Blizzards, buffalo wings, salsa, Doc Martens, Grip6 belts, and Birkenstock sandals. I love my children’s laughter and my wife’s smile. And I love that God — in his abundant grace — allows me to enjoy any of these things. There. Now you really know me. I hope you enjoy and get something out of reading my blog. I’d love it if you made some comments on a post or two. Normally, I usually post several times a week. Though occasionally I can go as long as a week or more without doing so. Fear not! I will post again! Peace, Pastor Derek

One Church?

On January 24, 2023 By Derek MelansonLeave a comment

I preached this message on Sunday, January 22, 2023, the week before we would have our first combined service with three other local congregations. The reference to 5th Sunday services refers to the months that have five Sundays. It means you can have up to 4 combined services in a given year. This message is …

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Scripture of the Week

On January 24, 2023 By Derek MelansonLeave a comment

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you …

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Prayer of the Week

On January 23, 2023 By Derek MelansonLeave a comment

O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to …

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Spurgeon on Church

On January 22, 2023January 20, 2023 By Derek MelansonLeave a comment

Not for yourself, O church, do you exist, any more than Christ existed for himself.Charles Spurgeon

Sabbath is Spiritual Warfare

On January 21, 2023January 21, 2023 By Derek MelansonLeave a comment

Christians have an enemy, an adversary, an accuser, who is the father of lies. This enemy wants me to worry and fret. This enemy wants me to be busy and distracted all the time. This enemy wants me to think that life depends on me and that I can control more than I can. This …

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