Baptist Notes. December 2012

Transcription

1 Baptist Notes A Publication of the First Baptist Church in Framingham PO Box 2415 ~ Framingham, MA The Rev. Jason R. Rutherford, Pastor fbcframingham@verizon.net Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer Psalm 19:14 ADVENT is a time of spiritual preparation. Quite literally, the word in Latin, Adventus, means to arrive. The time is now. This season embraces the first coming of Jesus into the world at Bethlehem of Judah two thousand years ago, as well as the anticipated return and second coming of Christ into the world. For now, we journey together as people focused on our spiritual heritage, our present reality, and our future hope. Because we are in a holy season, I ask that each of us set apart time in our daily schedule to clarify values, priorities, and what contribution we believe to be called to in this world. The four spiritual themes of this year s Advent season are Hope, Salvation, Belief, and Covenant. I drew these themes from the prayer of response by Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the announcement that she had been chosen by God. You may find this in the first chapter of Luke, verses forty-six to fifty-six. Our lives will intersect with opportunities to celebrate, testify, and share our spiritual life. Although spiritual preparation means facing parts of our lives that may be difficult, that may need changing, and that may lead to struggle Advent ultimately leads to life eternal. This Advent season begins Sunday, December 2, and continues through Christmas Eve. We will gather together for a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Throughout these twenty-three days between now and then, we will worship through song, scripture, and most of all in fellowship with one another. Also, members and friends of First Baptist have assembled an Advent Devotion Guide. This guide represents your journeys of faith and practice. There is an entry for each day of Advent and I respectfully offer this devotion guide to you. Copies are available beginning Sunday, December 2. It is my hope that these words will stimulate your thinking, heighten your devotion, and deepen your lives. God bless you. Jason

2 Page 2 Millie Levin/Kathie Chute Scholarships With the profits from our Talent Shows, we are pleased to inform the congregation that Fall Millie Levin/ Kathie Chute Scholarships have been awarded to Katie Donovan, Brian Halbert and Carlota Velazco. These Scholarships are a good way to honor the memory of Millie Levin, who was a very active Park St. Baptist Youth Advisor as well a the memory of the young college student, Kathie Chute. Though they passed away over 30 and 25 years ago, their influence is still felt as we award Scholarships. Diane Halbert and Marilyn Wakeman, co-chairs Ray Zeman, ML/KC treasurer Letters to Mary and Joseph Presented by the children and youth of the church Sunday, December 16 During the Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Pizza and cake to follow in Reilly Hall Christmas Post Office Our annual Christmas Post Office with Postmasters Bob and Dotty Phillips will begin on Sunday, December 2. You may start bringing your cards and place then in the tray in the Narthex. Please try to have them in alphabetical order, as it helps the postmasters and is greatly appreciated. Your Christmas cards will be ready for pick up on Sunday, December 23.

3 Page 3 Christmas Offering Designated for Hope Food Pantry Hope Food Pantry is located right here in Framingham. HOPE Worldwide's vision is to bring hope and change the lives of the world's most poor, sick and suffering. HOPE Worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. HOPE Worldwide was founded in response to the Scriptures, which call us to have the heart of Jesus by serving the poor and needy throughout the world. We began in 1991 with three small local programs. Today HOPE worldwide operates on every inhabited continent, serving more than two million people annually. Our Youth Group recently volunteered here one Saturday morning and found the work very rewarding. Baby Shower Please join us after worship on Sunday, December 9 for a Baby Shower in honor of Pastor Jason and Kelly as they expect the arrival of their third child in the middle of January. We will have an enhanced coffee hour that day including finger sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and a special cake. Kelly and Jason are registered at Target - visit your local store and check the gift registry or go on line to target.com. December Birthdays 2 Ray Zeman 6 Eric Reilly 8 Ginny Stearns 11 James Donovan 14 Dawn Marie McCormack Hanson 15 Jeanne Emmons 21 David Mayrand 23 Dorothy Tucker 26 Jay Reilly 26 Marilyn Wakeman 31 Winston Lewis

4 Page 4 Church Notes Mrs. Wakeman has received an from Reshima Samuel who now lives in Pune, India, with her husband, Nelson, and daughter Oshin. Reshima says: We have kept the aerial photograph of the Framingham Baptist Church taken during the Fall season that you had presented to us before we departed. It is in our living room. I have also decorated the hall with plastic Fall leaves, mini pumpkins, etc. that we brought from the USA. They keep reminding us of the beautiful Fall we used to see at Framingham and Westborough. Oshin (now years old) writes about school - I won a certificate in English Elocution competition. I got grade A1 in all subjects at school. Save the Date - Church Retreat: Saturday, February 9 from 9 am to Noon. We will continue the work we started at the first retreat in September. You need not have attended the first retreat to be a part of this one, so please put it on your calendar. A light continental breakfast will be served. Save the Date - New Year s Eve Gathering: this year will be held at the church. Bring a snack to share and an activity to share (a game, a puzzle, etc.). We start gathering at 7:00 p.m and will ring on the New year together. What happened to the world I knew? Where is the world I knew as a child? Where we worked together as a community and not against each other; where we accepted people for who they are and not what we think they should be? Unfortunately that world is gone. We live in a world where we ignore and pray our troubles will go away or blame them on someone else. We live in a world dictated by fear. Sometimes I wonder why I care so much, sometimes I think I should be like everyone else and just close my eyes and maybe it will go away. Life is not easy it is filled with many roadblocks but that is no excuse to give up. I will continue to care, I will continue to help when someone cries, I will continue to fight for what is right. (excerpted from an editorial to the Metrowest Daily News, submitted by Carolyn Reilly) Giving Tree The Board of Missions is collecting Christmas gifts for families in a local shelter. Please check the Giving Tree in the Church Sanctuary to find out what items are needed. Items need to be returned to the church by Sunday, December 16. Thank You!

5 Page 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 Potluck Lunch Wonderful Wednesday 6:30 pm Dinner 7:15 pm Bible Study 6 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Wonderful Wednesday 6:30 pm Dinner 7:15 pm Bible 13 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal 14 Salvation Army :00 pm A&F Meeting 19 7:00 pm Executive Council 20 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal :00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service 25 Merry Christmas :00 p.m. New Year s Eve Party at the Church Notes: Catedral Agape rents every Tuesday and Sunday night from 7-10 p.m. AA meets : Monday evenings at 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the Children s Room Wednesday and Friday at Noon in Reilly Hall All calendar entries are subject to change

6 First Baptist Church in Framingham 1013 Worcester Road PO Box 2415 Framingham, MA Monday, December 24 7:00 p.m. Rev. Jason Rutherford Preaching Special Music Candlelight