Redeemer Christian Reformed Church Newsletter, Sunday December 23, 2018 Merry Christmas!

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1 Redeemer Christian Reformed Church Newsletter, Sunday December 23, 2018 Merry Christmas! Our Church Family REDEEMER CRC: Our sympathy to Clara and Bill B in the passing of Clara's sister, Teddy J in California last weekend. May God's comfort and peace surround you as you mourn this loss. Linda P's mother Johanna V underwent surgery for a heart valve replacement on Wednesday. She experienced some complications during the surgery. As of the writing of the newsletter, she was still in hospital. Please continue to pray for Johanna and Pastor Jim and Linda during this uncertain time. FIRST CRC: Please pray for Frank and Vicki K since Frank learned last Tuesday that his cancer has returned for a third time. At this point in time, surgery is not an option and there is no guarantee that any future cancer treatments would be effective. LIVING HOPE CRC: Dennis K was able to return home last week. Next Week s Message CHRISTMAS DAY: Christmas Day service will be at 10:00AM on Tuesday, December 25. The Worship Team will be leading this service. AM: Next Sunday Leo S will be reading a message titled, "There's No Invitation Like It!" by Rev. Jack V. The text is from Luke 14: As we prepare to enter another new year, what do you look forward to? What is awaiting us, also as Redeemer Church? The future is unknown, but one thing is certain. There s an invitation, an invitation to a banquet - one like no other. Are you going to accept that invitation and are you going to invite others to accept the invitation as well? NEXT WEEK'S OFFERING: NeighbourLink General Announcements OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK: The church office will be open on Thursday and Friday this week from 9AM-1PM. CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN DECEMBER: The following is a list of the various services that the three Christian Reformed Churches in Sarnia will be holding during this Christmas season: Dec. 24: Christmas Eve service Living Hope CRC Christmas Day services Redeemer CRC, and First CRC HIGHLIGHTS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18: 1. Final draft of the Facilities Rental Policy and Rates to be presented for approval at the January Full Council meeting. 2. Gift of $3000 received from the John C estate will be placed in the capital reserve fund for future allocation. 3. Employee review, contract and job description has been completed for the Office Administrator/Bookkeeper. The Custodian equivalent is currently being developed. 4. Concert request from Murray d was approved. 5. Collection schedule for 2019 received from the Deacons. 6. Motion made and carried to instruct the Facilities Team to move forward on purchasing items for the church sound system (approx. $ ). 7. Pastoral Search team will be meeting with council on January 8 to consider a couple, both who are candidates in the CRC. 8. Safe Church training video is now available to view. All council members and volunteers working with vulnerable children, youth and adults will be required to view the video, review the Safe Church Guidelines and sign a Volunteer Profile Form. 9. There will be a series of video sermons from Forest City North during February/March. The services for these four weeks will be simplified to show alternate ways worship services can be organized. It was noted that while change is important it should be recognized some members may be experiencing anxiety during this time of transition and this should be considered. 10. Good Friday service will be led by the Worship Team in lieu of a guest pastor. 11. Motion was made and carried to approve a Redeemer CRC Church Key Usage Form. All current and future key holders will be required to read and sign this form. 1

2 YOUTH CHRISTMAS BAGS: We have an opportunity to show our college and university students how important they are to us here at Redeemer. You can help by placing a card, note, or small item (candy, toothbrush, pens, gum etc.) in the bag which is available above the mailboxes. Thank you for your participation (there are 10 bags in total). TEEN CHALLENGE EVENT: On Sunday, January 6 th we will have the privilege of welcoming the Teen Challenge Ontario Men s Choir Team to our Morning Service. The Team s dynamic choir presentation also features students sharing their amazing stories of gaining freedom from addiction through their participation in Teen Challenge s 12 month faith-based residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. LUNCH NEEDED: A light lunch will be served to the Teen Challenge Choir after the service on January 6. If you are willing to provide a pan of soup (4 needed) please contact Corene H before December 31. Thanks. CHURCH VISITORS FROM CLASSIS CHATHAM will be attending our next Full Council meeting on Tuesday, January 8. They are Rev. Josh T and Charles F Please contact them by if there is anything you would like to bring up with them prior to our meeting or contact Cindy in the office. Community Announcements CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP: You are invited to Living Hope Church at 6:30 PM for a Christmas Eve worship service. It will include your favourite Christmas hymns and readings. Musicians for the night include Connor H, Amy G, Cameron V, and Chris H. Pastor Mark V will lead in the service of the Word. Invite your friends and neighbors as we celebrate our Saviour s birth! DESSERT INFORMATION EVENING at London Christian High - If you are considering London Christian High for your child s secondary education, we invite you to join us Wednesday, January 16 at 7pm at London Christian High. Tour the school, meet the teachers and learn more about our program of learning. Parents and students in grades 5-12 are welcome! To register for the evening, or for more information, Gabriella at ghoogstra@lchonline.ca. EMERGING PUBLIC INTELLECTUAL - JAN. 23, 2019: Dr. Heath Carter, a historian who specializes in the church's role in addressing inequality in America, has been named Redeemer's 2018 Emerging Public Intellectual! On January 23rd, join Dr. Carter at Redeemer as he receives his award and offers the prestigious World And Our Calling lecture. Learn more: redeemer.ca/whichside-are-you-on/ SCS FREE FAMILY FUN ON BOXING DAY AT PROGRESSIVE AUTO SALES ARENA: Excitement is building for the Annual Boxing Day Public Skate & Hockey Tournament, presented by Sarnia Cabinets, to be held at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena on December 26 th. The entire day will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the community to get out of their house and have some FREE fun! An exhilarating hockey tournament will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on both rinks. The fun continues with a free public skate from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the large rink, where your favourite Sarnia Sting hockey players skate! A concession stand featuring delectable treats and hot/cold drinks will be available all day long in support of Sarnia Christian School, so come thirsty and hungry. Christian Reformed Ministries CHRISTMAS REMIXED: Did you know the book of Revelation tells the Christmas story? It s true. Complete with dragons and intense drama. Study Revelation 12 with Groundwork see the cosmic perspective on Christ s birth and purpose revealed through the Apostle John s vision. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork s weekly s for future episodes. MARY S MIRACLE: The birth of Christ is the incarnation of God in human history. Kids Corner presents this dramatic presentation of the miracle of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Mary! Subscribe for free at getkidscorner.com. Free Giveaway: Kids Corner s Know Your Bible Activity Book, Part 4! Can you figure out all Kids Corner Christmas puzzles? JANUARY SERIES the award winning free liberal arts education delivered in 15 weekly, lunchtime lectures. This year the series begins on January 3 and continues weekdays through January 23 from 12:30 1:30 p.m. EST with topics such as technology and faith, the church and disabilities, restorative justice, cancer research, the #metoo movement, and so much more, by top experts in their fields. Thousands in west Michigan will join us on Calvin College s campus; others will watch the live feed at more than 50 remote webcast sites, while others listen online. 2

3 CALVIN SYMPOSIUM ON WORSHIP: Join us January 24-26, 2019, at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. The three-day conference brings together a wide audience of artists, musicians, pastors, scholars, students, worship leaders and planners, and other interested worshipers. Excellent rates for students and groups from churches. All worship services are free and open to the public. See worship.calvin.edu/symposium/ for information and registration. ADVENT FAMILY FAITH FORMATION TIP: On this fourth Sunday in Advent, retell the events leading up to Jesus birth using the figures in your nativity creche. Don t have one? Use Lego or Playmobil people and blocks to make your own. Choose a narrator to read Luke 2:1-20 as the rest of you reenact the story. (Faith Formation Ministries; crcna.org/faithformation) 2018 CBC SING-IN: Recorded in mid-december at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montréal, the 39th annual CBC Sing-In will be broadcast on Christmas Day, December 25, on CBC Radio One at 12:00 (noon), again at 4 pm on CBC Music, as well as Dec. 25 at 2 pm on ICI Musique classique, Radio-Canada's classical web radio service. The program is hosted by Julie Nesrallah, produced by Robert Rowat and led by Conductor Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Organist and Director of Music, Dr. Jonathan Oldengarm, the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, and the CBC brass and percussion ensemble. It is available anytime on-line: CBCMusic.ca/SingIn Enjoy the program! GIVE THANKS FOR ABUNDANT LIFE: In John 10:10, Jesus says He came to bring us fullness of life. Share His abundance through the World Renew Gift Catalogue, and give others an opportunity to experience Uzima. Your gift of a chicken, a water filter, or goat can turn everyday events into miracles among people who face poverty, disaster, and injustice. Give at worldrenew.net/gifts or call to order. WORLD RENEW CAREER OPPORTUNITY - PROJECT MANAGER: Do you have a heart for responding to disasters around the world? Do you have a passion and gift in project management and administration? World Renew is looking to hire a Project Manager to join our International Disaster Response Team. Primary responsibilities include designing and submitting of proposals; managing, tracking and monitoring project implementation (including budgets and personnel) and contributing to efficient processes and systems. More information about this position, and the link to apply online, can be found on our website at worldrenew.net/careers. Offerings & Financial Information Deacons World Renew NeighbourLink Teen Challenge CHRISTMAS DAY OFFERING: World Renew (formerly Christian Reformed World Relief Committee) responds on your behalf to the needs of people who suffer from poverty, hunger, disaster, and injustice. World Renew is your resource for volunteer opportunities, advocacy ideas, and educational materials. NEXT WEEK'S OFFERING: Neighbourlink helps churches build relationships with their neighbours by: 1) Providing a forum for local churches and agencies to share what they are doing in the community. 2) Equipping churches with the tools and training to assess their communities and develop an effective network. Each church chooses how it will participate in the network based on its vision, gifts, and ministries. Connecting neighbours in need with church volunteers, ministry projects, and agencies. It helps churches establish a centralized database and telephone resource centre to assess people's needs and refer them to the appropriate people or project. THANK YOU: Thank you, Canadian members of the CRCA. Sometimes you must wonder what impact we are having as a denomination. This year, the impact ranges from being part of winning the Nobel Peace Prize to launching youth curriculum, from dialoguing with Parliament on key issues to working toward 21st century communications tools for churches. God is good! Thank you for being part of these successes as a member of the CRCNA. May we continue to be used together for God's glory in 2019! THANK YOU: Just a note to thank you for your generous gift of $ for the ministry of Pastor Church Resources. We greatly appreciate you partnering with us as we walk alongside pastors, pastor's spouses, congregations and ministry leaders in a variety of ways. Your gift impacts many. Youth News FAITH FORMATION meets again February 6, December: January: Coffee Servers District #1 - Kees & Alice K District #2 Jim & Kaaren D 3

4 Greeters/Ushers Ushers for December: Harry & Lammie J Ushers for January: Chad & Ari D (Jan.6, 13) Len, Ashlyn S & Martin V (Jan. 20, 27) Sunday: Tuesday: Thursday: calendar of the Week 9:30AM - Worship Service 10:45AM Prayer 10:00AM Christmas Day service 8:00PM - Praise Team Practise Greeters for December: Tip H & Mark R Greeters for January: Kees & Alice K Prayers of the People The following people will be leading the prayers of the people during the worship service: Jan. 20: Kees K Cisca D Murray d Janette W Audio/Visual Technicians Sound: John D Projection: Jenny D Sound: John D Projection: Jenny D Sound: Jacob F Projection: Jordan F Sound: Chris V Projection: Amanda S Sound: Gerald V Projection: Nell V Nursery Schedule December 23: December 23: December 24: December 30: January 1: January 3: January 13: January 13: January 16: January 17: January 19: January 19: January 22: January 30: Dick R Sara S Rhea H Larry L Alice K John D Jim D Linda P Alendra d Joan D Anne R Auke Z Anita I Evan G Herman S Ted S Clara B Birthdays Pauline M Hannah I Sam O Janette W Amy D Anne R Nell V Ashley O Helen L Trish V Joe M Denise Z Elysia R Sydney Children s Worship Teachers Dec. Age 3-Grade 4 Jan. Age 3-Grade 4 Deborah d & Derk R Didi v & Iza Maey d Prayer Room Schedule Elaine S & Kees K Jeanne F & Joleen V CHAIR OF COUNCIL: Larry L TREASURER: Bill Z treasurer@redeemercrc.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/BULLETIN EDITOR/CLERK: Cindy B Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 AM - 1 PM Office Phone: Please submit bulletin announcements in writing to the church office or to: info@redeemercrc.com Deadline for announcements: Thursdays, 8:00AM 4

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