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New Life Church
has been
involved with the Alpha Program for over 7 years now.
2004 Alpha Course
On September 24, 2004 we sponsored an Alpha Supper at New Life
Church that consisted of a great meal and a video presentation on
what the Alpha Course was all about. As a result over 40 people
signed up for the course. The Monday night meals and videos were
held at New Life Church this year due to the large numbers of
people attending the course. Excellent hot meals were provided by
church members every week and the video was viewed on the large
screen in the church.
Everyone had a great
time learning about Christianity in a relaxed environment that
encouraged people to ask those "hard to ask questions".
*For more
information on the next Alpha Course in Taber - please call Rendy
and Sandra at 223-4132
2003 Alpha Course
We partnered with the Christian Reformed Church in Taber to launch
the 2003 Alpha Supper. The supper was a huge success with over 100
people in attendance. After the supper those people who were
interested in taking the Alpha Course were asked to sign up for
either the Friday night course at the Christian Reformed Church or
on Monday nights at New Life Church. Both congregations supported
the Alpha Course by providing meals, facilities, course
facilitators and prayer.
We are very appreciative of the efforts and prayer support that
was given to help make this Alpha initiative a HUGE success! We
will be embarking in new territory with the course "A Life Worth
Living" with those from our Alpha group. Thank You again for
working along side us and seeing HIS Kingdom grow in Taber!
On Behalf of the New
Life Church Alpha Team:
Rendy and Sandra Shuya,
Rick and Donna Jansen,
Richard and Margaret Klok,
and Nolan and Kathy Day.
The following
information will help answer some of the questions you may have
about the
Alpha Course.
Everyone is
welcome
on an Alpha course
and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to
investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life;
others are concerned about what happens after death. Still others
may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they
have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.
People come from
many different backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints -
but all come with the same objective: to establish whether Jesus
Christ has any real relevance for their lives.
 What
is Alpha?
Alpha is a ten-week
opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian
faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the
basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and
discussion. The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and
non-pressured - a style which seems to be appreciated in Canadian
culture.
Alpha is enjoyed and appreciated as much by those who have never
set foot in a church as it is by those who once attended and by
the regular churchgoer. No matter what their background, whether
investigating Christianity for the first time or revisiting their
faith, participants get a lot out of an Alpha Course.
Each week people meet together for a meal, a talk on topics such
as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My
Faith?", and "Does God Still Heal Today?" , followed by small
group interaction. There is a day or weekend retreat midway
through the course, which focuses on the person and work of the
Holy Spirit.
There are over 1850 Alpha courses running in Canada and about
300,000 Canadians have already participated. Most Canadians live
within easy access of an Alpha course. Find a Course near you.
Churches of
every different type and background, including Anglican, Baptist,
Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, Salvation
Army, Free Church and House Churches are running Alpha. Because
Alpha covers the basics of Christianity all churches provide the
same material, making alterations only to suit the local culture.
Alpha originated at Holy Trinity Brompton - an Anglican church in
London, England over twenty years ago. The syllabus of the course
is contained in the Book "Questions of Life" by Rev Nicky
Gumbel. Thousands of Alpha courses are now running in many
countries and it has been translated into many different
languages.
Church leaders from all denominations report the astonishing
impact the course has on non-churchgoers and existing Christians
in their areas. And it's spreading fast to many secular locations
- prisons, university campuses, businesses and schools.
Who is Alpha for?
-
Those wanting to
investigate Christianity.
-
New Christians.
-
Those who feel
that they have never really got going as a Christian.
-
Newcomers to the
church.
-
Those who want to
brush-up on the basics.
What's Involved?
The evening Alpha
course begins with supper, followed by a talk. We then divide into
smaller groups for coffee and cookies to discuss any questions
raised from the talk.
What will it
cost?
There is no
charge for the Alpha course, although a small contribution might
be requested for the meal each evening and for the food and
accommodation during the Alpha weekend away.
What others say
about Alpha
An estimated
300,000 Canadians have now attended an Alpha course.
Here is what people have said about their experience.
"Alpha is just what I was looking for.
Finally someone was able to put Christianity into terms
I could understand and use in my everyday life."
Wendy - Dartmouth, NS
"I found an inner peace and strength that I'd been looking for for
over 40 years.
I don't care if you're rich or poor, if you've got inner peace,
you're the richest person in the world."
Doug - North Vancouver, BC
"My life has purpose now! Doing Alpha has given me a second chance
at life.
I can read the Bible and understand it now. It has become a part
of me.
People I know have seen the difference and they love the new me."
Greg - Lethbridge, AB
"I'd recommend it to anyone who really wants to investigate.
Jesus turned my life around!"
Gerry - Calgary, AB
"Alpha brought me closer to God, to true Christian understanding.
I am a new person as a result of Alpha."
Chris - Brampton, ON. |
