Centerville Baptist Church Monthly Newsletter December 2017

Transcription

1 Centerville Baptist Church Monthly Newsletter December 2017 Enriching lives by being an authentic Kingdom presence in the community Sunday - Saturday Deacon December 3 to December 9 Bill Dunkley December 10 to December 16 Preston Grissom December 17 to December 23 Randy Halcomb December 24 to December 30 Marshall Hudgins December 31 to January 6, 2018 Mack Kitts HOSPITAL VISITATION MINISTRY Volunteers Needed for 2018 The Hospital Visitation ministry team needs additional volunteers to assist in this ministry. Each member of the team takes a week at a time and visits hospitalized Centerville Baptist Church family and friends or those having surgery by making a short visit and having prayer with them. It is our goal to have at least 8 members on the team. At this time we have only 5 members. Please consider joining us for a rewarding experience of being the hands and feet of Jesus. For additional information about this ministry Sunday - Saturday Team Member Contact # December 3 to December 9 Dianne Barlow December 10 to December 16 Patsy Everton December 17 to December 23 Kerry Ray December 24 to December 30 Gordon Porter December 31 to January 6, 2018 Nancy Blevins

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 These are challenging times. This may be the one thing Christians agree on regardless of our theological, political, and cultural differences. The reasons to look at our world through cynical eyes are manifest daily in news headlines, social media, and water cooler conversations. Furthermore, we re tempted by our cynicism to make black and white assumptions about our planet and the fellow humans which inhabit it. Yet Advent and Christmas challenge us to perceive the world in strange, nuanced, and even paradoxical ways. The light shines in darkness, the prophet tells us, John s Gospel restates, and Jesus birth confirms. Believing that light shines in darkness means at least two things for us would-be cynics as well as for those of us who simply want to bury our heads in the sand. First of all, it recognizes that darkness is afoot in our world. There s no way to read the Bible without acknowledging the assessment that all is not as God intends. A shadow hangs over God s creation. We know that though, right? The Bible s assessment matches our experience. There s no way to be aware humans without admitting a great deal of injustice, immorality, selfishness, greed, and general waywardness in our midst. But we confess a second truth. The truth of Advent and Christmas is that light, the light of Christ, shines in the darkness. God s light in Jesus is also afoot in our world. We hold the strange, nuanced belief which summons us to great hope. This belief in light also calls us to action, to shine the Christ s brilliance in the hovering shadows. With the lighting of each Advent candle hope, peace, joy, and love we stand firm in faith that God has not given up nor should we. With each Advent and Christmas carol, Scripture, prayer, and act of service, we hold fast against the world s allegiance to apathy and self-interest even as we deeply and joyously love that very same world, proclaiming with the angel, Peace on earth! Blessings, Brian

3 Check us out on the web and Facebook: For more information, contact: Brian Harfst or

4 Centerville Baptist Church Children's Ministry Newsletter S.O.N.I.C Kids Serving Our Neighbors In Christ December

5 We Would like to Say! Martin Luther s wife, Katherine Von Bora, saved up money to have this doorway fitted with seats in order to have a place that she and Martin could sit and talk because as the first Protestant Pastor, he was always too busy for them to have time together anywhere else. This allowed them to be outside of the busy household filled with guests and children. How appropriate for Lynnette and Kevin to sit in these same seats. Many of you have already heard me say this, but our trip to London and Germany was a trip of a lifetime! There is no way to adequately say Thank You enough, for giving me the time off and helping raise the money to allow us to be involved in such a wonderful and historic event. I was in awe of many things each and every day of the trip. It was also very nice to have a total change of scenery and not be Pastor Kevin every minute of the day in order to help recharge my spirit and mind. One thing we would like to do is invite everyone to a dessert and share time on Sunday, December 10 at. We will share some desserts, show some pictures and talk about our trip. If you could me at cbcpastor.ritter@verizon.net to let us know you are coming, it will help us prepare. Thank you again for all the love and care you share with us.

6 December came in a flash. Feels like the kids just started back to school. Extended Child Care has had a lot going on these last few months. The drainage project has moved right along so no worries about any water intruding. Hope you have noticed the new concrete work at the entry, We said goodbye to our precious tree that has welcomed so many families over the years. A retaining wall will be built that will guide you to the entry. Hope everyone will feel very welcome when walking up. So we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. A new exit door was installed by my office. Feels much warmer and safer to exit in an emergency. The next phase of work will be out back of the building including drainage in the courtyard. So adjustments may need to be made with the Preschoolers playground in the process. The whole area will need to be leveled all the way from the parking lot over to the playground so water will drain to the proper areas and away from the back of the building. As with all projects if you can lend a hand please let Mike Weeks or the properties committee know where your expertise lies." More hands makes for fast work." Tis the Season for goodwill, be blessed and remember the true reason for the season is "Jesus Christ our Savior." Norma Harrington Extended Child Care Director Centerville Baptist Church Friday, December 22 Pictures with 2:00 pm

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10 CBC, Thank you for your continued pledges and donations. We have currently received 102% of our goal amount of $300,000. More details coming soon. Current Giving as of 28 November : $307,290.10

11 Women s Missionary Union (WMU) C B C L o c a l M a i l b o x Our Goal :$2,500 Donations for Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Bring your Christmas cards for your friends at Centerville Baptist Church. Place them in the Lottie Moon Post Office Box located outside of the Sanctuary. For a 25 minimum donation per card WMU delivers your cards.

12 C.A.S.T. stands for Chesapeake Area Shelter Team. This organization hosts up to 50 homeless people each night during the colder months. More Details Coming Soon. Point of Contact is Susan Burton Collection box is located in the church foyer.

13 Mitch King Susan Burton Bill Dunkley, Jr. Addisyn Lane Bryson Lane Doug Askew Max Graham Ken Mills Debbie Whitehurst Preston Grissom Lewis McGehee Libby Rich Maisie Ritter Kayla Nicole Miller Marshall Hudgins, Jr. Rachel Baldwin Petro Layla Dannar Frank Jamison James Tate, 2 nd December 1 st December 2 nd December 3 rd December 3 rd December 3 rd December 5 th December 6 th December 6 th December 7 th December 8 th December 9 th December 9 th December 10 th December 11 th December 13 th December 13 th December 14 th December 14 th December 14 th David Blevins Nancy Blevins Chelsea Orrell Ginny Page Jennifer Jensen Walsh Danielle Hranowskyj Lyla Hranowskyj Donn Williams Ryan Sawyer Faye Hurley Helen Orrell Sophia Barriault Paul Cross Margie Blevins RG Gall, Jr. Ryan King December 15 th December 15 th December 15 th December 15 th December 16 th December 21 st December 21 st December 21 st December 22 nd December 26 th December 28 th December 29 th December 30 th December 31 st December 31 st December 31 st If YOUR birthday is missing or listed in error please contact cbcmaindesk@verizon.net. We apologize for any errors in the listing of birthdays. Please report only your missing birthday.

14 DECEMBER 2017 CHURCH CALENDAR Friday, 1 December 2017 Hang Time Saturday, 2 December 2017 *AA - Saturday Night Special Discussion Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall Sunday, 3 December 2017 Sunday School Children's Church Worship Service Church Council Hanging of the Greens: First Sunday of Advent - Sanctuary Monday, 4 December 2017 Deacon's Meeting - Sanctuary *AA Meeting - Rm 202&204 Tuesday, 5 December 2017 *United In Love (Support Group) *Boy Scouts Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall Property Committee Meeting Women's Fall Bible Study - Rm 202&4 Wednesday, 6 December 2017 Wednesday Night Prayer CBC Band Practice Choir Practice Handbell Ensemble Thursday, 7 December 2017 Basketball - Ages 30 and Over *AA Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall Friday, 8 December 2017 *Christmas Piano Recital - Sanctuary/ Fellowship Hall Saturday, 9 December 2017 WMU Elizabeth Missions Circle (EMC)- Pat Dunkley Home Christmas Caroling CBC *AA - Saturday Night Special Discussion Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall Sunday, 10 December 2017 Sunday School CBC Choir Presents: All Is Well, A Christmas Cantata Children's Church Worship Service *Chow & Chat 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 AM 5:30 PM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:45 PM 7:30 PM 9:00 AM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 AM 12:30 PM Monday, 11 December 2017 *AA Meeting - Rm 202&204 Tuesday, 12 December 2017 *Boy Scouts Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall Women's Fall Bible Study - Rm 202&4 Wednesday, 13 December 2017 Wednesday Night Prayer CBC Band Practice Choir Practice Handbell Ensemble Thursday, 14 December 2017 Basketball - Ages 30 and Over *AA Meeting Saturday, 16 December 2017 Men's Breakfast Property Work Day *AA - Saturday Night Special Discussion Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall CONTINUED ONTO NEXT PAGE... 7:00 PM 7:45 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 AM 8:30 AM 7:00 PM Sunday, 17 December 2017 Benevolence Sunday Sunday School 9:15 AM Children's Church Worship Service Church Conference 12:00 PM PreSchool & Kindergarten Christmas Program - Sanctuary 3:30 PM Monday, 18 December 2017 *AA Meeting - Rm 202&204 Tuesday, 19 December 2017 *Boy Scouts Meeting (Court of Honor) - Sanctuary Worship Team Meeting 7:30 PM Wednesday, 20 December 2017 Wednesday Night Prayer CBC Band Practice Choir Practice 7:45 PM Handbell Ensemble Thursday, 21 December 2017 Basketball - Ages 30 and Over 7:30 PM *AA Meeting Saturday, 23 December 2017 *AA - Saturday Night Special Discussion Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM

15 DECEMBER 2017 CHURCH CALENDAR ( CONTINUED) Sunday, 24 December 2017 Sunday School Children's Church Worship Service Christmas Eve Service Monday, 25 December 2017 Offices and Programs Closed for Christmas Holiday Women's Centennial Circle - Cancelled *AA Meeting - Rm 202&204 Offices and Programs Closed for Christmas Holiday Tuesday, 26 December 2017 Offices and Programs Closed for Christmas Holiday *Boy Scouts Meeting Wednesday, 27 December 2017 Wednesday Night Prayer CBC Band Practice Choir Practice Handbell Ensemble Thursday, 28 December 2017 Basketball - Ages 30 and Over *AA Meeting - Extended Care Fellowship Hall Saturday, 30 December 2017 *AA - Saturday Night Special Discussion Meeting Sunday, 31 December 2017 Sunday School Children's Church Worship Service 9:15 AM 5:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:45 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 AM Please any monthly schedule/ event changes to the main desk at CBCMainDesk@verizon.net. You can submit, as well, any standing meeting changes for the entire 2018 calendar. Event and bulletin forms are located at the main desk and on the website Family Advent Guide by Jeff Land. I love Christmas. In fact, the only playlist that I ve ever created on my Spotify channel is a Christmas station. I m not trying to be overly spiritual with this statement, but I m just not a huge fan of secular Christmas music. I mean, if you want a hippopotamus for Christmas, who am I to judge, but that s just not my thing. I love the songs of Christmas that remind me of our precious Savior! Sometimes we become overwhelmed by the commercialization of Christmas, and the LifeWay Kids team wants to help you bring families back to the reason for the season. Our 2017 Family Advent Guide is an excellent way for you to help the families in your church connect with each other. Each week, families can read, discuss, and participate in a meaningful Christ-centered devotional and activity. We hope you enjoy this devotional and the LifeWay Kids team hopes to be one of the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas!