meets at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave.

Charlottetown, PE Sunday mornings 10:00 am - 12:00 PM

November

Bono Interview: Grace Over Karma

(Excerpt from the book Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas)
Bono: My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I dont let my religious world get too complicated. I just kind of go: Well, I think I know what God is. God is love, and as much as I respond [sighs] in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, thats my religion. Where things get complicated for me, is when I try to live this love. Now thats not so easy. Assayas: What about the God of the Old Testament? He wasnt so peace and love? Bono: Theres nothing hippie about my picture of Christ. The Gospels paint a picture of a very demanding, sometimes divisive love, but love it is. I accept the Old Testament as more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations,
Charlottetown Community Church
Part of the Vineyard Network in Canada P.O. Box 1081 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7M4 Pastor Tom Zawacki (902) 892-5001 communitychurch@pei.aibn.com www.charlottetowncommunitychurch.com

2013

Serving this Sunday

WORSHIP TEAM Neill Laidlaw SPEAKER Tom Zawacki CHILDRENS & TODDLER MINISTRY Age 4 through Gr. 1 Lydia (team Banks) Grades 2-6 Laurie Macphee Toddlers Rebecca Nabuurs Worship leader Lydia Banks Toddler room Crystal and Emmalee CLEAN UP TEAM C Paul & Carol Sudsbury, Darryl Vessey, Becky McCue, Derrick Walker, Gretha Rose, Paul Butler, Karen Gallant

a lot of special effects, seas dividing, mass murder, adultery. The children of God are running amok, wayward. Maybe thats why theyre so relatable. But the way we would see it, those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend. When youre a child, you need clear directions and some strict rules. But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross. Assayas: Speaking of bloody action movies, we were talking about South and Central America last time. The Jesuit priests arrived there with the gospel in one hand and a rifle in the other. continued on page 2

Bono Interview

continued from page 1 The Drop the Debt campaign will have the Pope in my glasses on the front page of every newspaper. Assayas: I dont remember seeing that photograph anywhere, though. Bono: Nor did we. It seems his courtiers did not have the same sense of humor. Fair enough. I guess they could see the T-shirts. Later in the conversation: Assayas: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that? Bono:Yes, I think thats normal. Its a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma. Assayas: I havent heard you talk about that. Bono: I really believe weve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace. Assayas: Well, that doesnt make it clearer for me. Bono:You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. Its clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. Im absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that as you reap, so you will sow stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because Ive done a lot of stupid stuff. Assayas: Id be interested to hear that. Bono: Thats between me and God. But Id be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. Id be in deep s---. It doesnt excuse my mistakes, but Im holding out for Grace. Im holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I dont have to depend on my own religiosity. Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that. continued on page 3

Bono: I know, I know. Religion can be the enemy of God. Its often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building. [laughs] A list of instructions where there was once conviction; dogma where once people just did it; a congregation led by a man where once they were led by the Holy Spirit. Discipline replacing discipleship. Why are you chuckling? Assayas: I was wondering if you said all of that to the Pope the day you met him. Bono: Lets not get too hard on the Holy Roman Church here. The Church has its problems, but the older I get, the more comfort I find there. The physical experience of being in a crowd of largely humble people, heads bowed, murmuring prayers, stories told in stained-glass windows Assayas: So you wont be critical. Bono: No, I can be critical, especially on the topic of contraception. But when I meet someone like Sister Benedicta and see her work with AIDS orphans in Addis Ababa, or Sister Ann doing the same in Malawi, or Father Jack Fenukan and his group Concern all over Africa, when I meet priests and nuns tending to the sick and the poor and giving up much easier lives to do so, I surrender a little easier. Assayas: But you met the man himself. Was it a great experience? Bono: [W]e all knew why we were there. The Pontiff was about to make an important statement about the inhumanity and injustice of poor countries spending so much of their national income paying back old loans to rich countries. Serious business. He was fighting hard against his Parkinsons. It was clearly an act of will for him to be there. I was oddly moved by his humility, and then by the incredible speech he made, even if it was in whispers. During the preamble, he seemed to be staring at me. I wondered. Was it the fact that I was wearing my blue fly-shades? So I took them off in case I was causing some offense. When I was introduced to him, he was still staring at them. He kept looking at them in my hand, so I offered them to him as a gift in return for the rosary he had just given me. Assayas: Didnt he put them on? Bono: Not only did he put them on, he smiled the wickedest grin you could ever imagine. He was a comedian. His sense of humor was completely intact. Flashbulbs popped, and I thought: Wow!

Bono Interview

continued from page 2 eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But dont mention the M word! Because, you know, were gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know youre expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, hes gonna keep saying this. So what youre left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, were talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people weve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had King of the Jews on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. Im not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, thats farfetched Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus: Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s--- and everybody elses. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and thats the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and theres a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, lets face it, youre not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. Thats the point. It should keep us humbled. Its not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven. Assayas: Thats a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though its close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the worlds great thinkers. But Son of God, isnt that farfetched? Bono: No, its not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesnt allow you that. He doesnt let you off that hook. Christ says: No. Im not saying Im a teacher, dont call me teacher. Im not saying Im a prophet. Im saying: Im the Messiah. Im saying: I am God incarnate. And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take.Youre a bit eccentric. Weve had John the Baptist

Church Groups
There is lots going on, be free, go where the life is, family first. THE SHACK BOOK CLUB - Wednesday 7:00 PM Will be held at Tom & Nadine Zawackis home. Will be discussing Chapters 3 & 4 on Oct. 30. SMALL GROUP - QUESTIONS Thursday 7:00 P.M. CANCELLED for October 31. See you next week! MOMS N TOTS Wednesday Mornings 10:00 A.M. Contact Trevena MacLeod for location.

Upcoming Changes
PRAYER LIST
The prayer list will be refreshed as of next week for the month of November. All existing requests will be removed. If you would like your request returned to the list or new requests added, please indicate on the Facebook page, or contact Tom Zawacki. The list will be refreshed monthly.

COMMUNION

We are making a change in how we do communion. We will be changing it from weekly to monthly; first Sunday of the month beginning with November. We are looking for volunteers to offer a meditation and lead us through that part of the service. Please see Tom if interested to be added to a schedule.

OFFERING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are looking for people willing to take up the offering and make weekly announcements. Please contact Tom if interested to be added to a schedule.

Church News
Church website is now updated with all activities. If you would like to get something in the newsletter (prayer request, announcement, etc.), please email it to communitychurch@pei.aibn.com byWednesday of each week. BENEFIT FOR SHIRLEY DOUCETTE
Nov 9th at the Lions Club in North Rustico

Prayer Requests
Shirley Doucette Healing from small-cell carcinoma of the lung, comfort & encouragement, financial support. the Gillis family Comfort and strength through their time of loss. Cadence & her mother Crystal Healing, and support. Stacey Campbells Son Judah Healing from a spinal injury. Trevena MacLeods mother Good recovery and no infections. Lori Knox-Nelsons Father Healing from cancer, lifted spirits & support for him and his family. Bernices Son Cory & His Wife Healing from staph infection & MRSA. Comfort, peace & support. 12 week old Baby Miles He is in desperate need of a heart transplant. His parents have been at the hospital with him in Vancouver & have given up their rental home in Kelowna. Wayne Simmons sister Healing and relief from blurred vision in one eye. Jack McAskill Healing & recovery from surgery and complications, lifted spirits & support. Donna MacDonald Healing, comfort and ease of pain. Lifted spirits and support. Lori McDonalds friend Jen Healing from cancer, lifted spirits & support for her and her family. Karen Gallants grandson Oliver Healing and support for him and his family.

Doors open at 6:00 with Auction starting at 8:00 If anyone would like to make a donation to the auction they can contact Teressa Peters. Shirley was diagnosed with small-cell carcinoma of the lung in June. She has gone through numerous rounds of chemotherapy, and has had some complications. As a result, she requires some very expensive medications on a daily basis. She and her family need our support to help them pay for her medications. 11TH ANNIVERSARY POT-LUCK November 3rd right after the Service. All are Welcome. This is a NUT -FREE event. We will have use of the ovens so feel free to bring hot dishes, salads, breads, desserts, juices, chips, veggie trays, fruit trays, and if you have a slow-cooker feel free to use that to keep your food hot. If you have questions, contact Shelagh Campbell. FREE CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY Friday, November 22: 5:00 PM 8:00 (Bring Clothes) Saturday, November 23: 9:00 AM 12:00 PM (Give Clothes Away) Gently Used Fall and Winter Clothing Only See Lindsey Perry for More Information

CHURCH FINANCES Four Week Average: $1,921.40 Four Week Average Needed: $2,000.00 Lets keep praying for God to supply all we need!

Get Involved!
OUR ELDERS TEAM The elders are: Wayne & Natalie Simmons, Errol & Shelagh Campbell, Greg & Debbie MacKinnon, Garfield & Brenda MacDonald and Tom & Nadine Zawacki.
Please feel free to contact us anytime with your thoughts, questions or ideas.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Positions we are often looking to have help with are: MEDIA, OFFERING
COLLECTION, WORSHIP TEAMS, CLEAN-UP TEAMS, CHILDRENS MINISTRY

FACEBOOK Joining the Charlottetown Community Church Facebook group is the fastest way to get up to the minute news, prayer requests and get in on discussions. Check it out today!

NEW VIDEO CONFERENCE

Featuring an all new HD recording and improved workbooks!

LOVE & RESPECT

Coming to SUMMERSIDE, PEI

WHERE:

Harbourfront Theatre 124 Harbour Dr Summerside, PEI C1N 5Y8

Women need love. Men need respect. Its as simple and as complicated as that.

WHEN: COST:

Fri. Nov 8, 6:45pm to 10:15pm Sat. Nov 9, 8:45am to 1:45pm $15/person through October 28th $20/person after October 28th

QUESTIONS:

jason.dodd@sccpei.com 902-436-8300

FOR MORE INFO OR TO REGISTER FOR THE VIDEO CONFERENCE:

www.loveandrespect.com

Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs present the Love & Respect Marriage Conference - a dynamic, high energy, practical seminar designed to help couples and singles achieve the relationship of their dreams. Based on Ephesians 5:33 and the three groundbreaking principles taught in Dr. Eggerichs best seller Love and Respect, Emerson and Sarah bring a message that imparts revolutionary insights on how to achieve a brand-new level of intimacy and friendship. Couples learn to: 1. Cage the Crazy Cycle 2. Fuel the Energizing Cycle 3. Reap the Rewarded Cycle

A OVER N O I L L MI S E I COP D! L O S

Ive never laughed so hard! l Singles friendly! So simple, and it works. l Men love this conference!
CLICK HERE FOR CONFERENCE PREVIEWS

If a married couple would like to go but you need help with the registration fee, please let Tom Zawacki know. We can help.