DECEMBER THE PLAIN FACTS a monthly newsletter of FIRST YARMOUTH PLAINS BAPTIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2018 THE PLAIN FACTS a monthly newsletter of FIRST YARMOUTH PLAINS BAPTIST CHURCH 6071 Fairview Road, R. R. # 4 St. Thomas ON N5P 3S8 plainschurch@rogers.com Website: Phone: Newsletter Staff Distribution: Barb Axford Technical Support: Phyllis Huffman Editor: Nancy Millman Contributors: Pastor Margaret Bell Rev. Malcolm Rust Plains family Once in a manger, a long time ago, Before there was Santa and reindeer in snow, A star shone down on humble beginnings below Of a baby just born whom the world would soon know.

2 2 PRAYER CONCERNS To protect the privacy concerns of our families, friends, neighbours and church family, it is requested that before names are submitted to the Pastor for prayer, or are put on the Plain Facts prayer list, permission be sought and granted from the individuals to be named, or from family members who have been given express permission to speak on their behalf. Sylvia Lusted Cathy Tredenick Marilyn Cartwright Jackie & Kayla Eleanor House Dennis Angyal Janet Stewart Wayne Dale Jim Duffy Marilyn Smith Joslyn Wilcox Jim Maynard Karl Crocker Randy Paul Mary Ellen Smith Betty Jones John Johnson Jason Carnegie George Eastbury Sally Paul Jill Coull Mary Underhill Cannady family Family of Lillian Huffman Alan Armstrong Warren Doner Pete DenBoer Cecil & Mabel Somerville George Lidster Mary Doner Sunday Scripture Readings December 02-Advent 1 Hope December 09-Advent 2 December 16-Advent-3 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13 Luke 3: 1-6 Sunday School Concert December 23 December 30 January 06 - Epiphany Luke 1: Luke 2: Matthew 2: 1-12 Isaiah 60: 1-6 NURSERY SUPERVISORS NEEDED We have a dedicated group of people who take turns supervising our younger children in Oak Hall during Sunday School time, but we could use a few more. Supervisory shifts are for one Sunday a month, and we schedule two people at a time to work these. If you are interested in helping with Nursery Supervision for 2019, please contact Barb Axford, , b_axford@rogers.com Just before Christmas, two brothers were spending the night at their Grandma's house. At bed time, they knelt down to say their prayers. As they closed their eyes, one boy said in a loud voice, "Dear Lord, please ask Santa Claus to bring me an ipod, a telescope and a new bike." His older brother said, "Why are you shouting? God isn't deaf." "I know," said his brother, "but Grandma is." Cutting down a Christmas tree is called Christmas Chopping.

3 EVENTS FOR DECEMBER Dec 02 Sun 10:00 A.M. Sunday Service - Advent 1 - Communion Sunday - Followed by 11:30 A.M. Soup and Sandwich luncheon in Oak Hall. 7:00 P.M. EBA Advent Music Night at Centre Street Baptist Church Dec 07 Fri 6:30 P.M. ELGIN BAPTIST WOMEN S CHRISTMAS DINNER at Plains $15.00 for a full course turkey dinner. Dec 09 Sun 10:00 A.M. Dec 11 Tues 12:00 noon 3 Sunday Service - Advent 2 - White Gift Sunday Bring White Gifts for Christmas Care. Bring plainly wrapped gifts of new toys, clothing, marked for boy or girl and age. Non perishable food and hygiene items also welcomed. Place your gifts under the tree in the sanctuary or at the rear of the sanctuary. Ladies Aid Potluck Dinner - Entertainment: Wendy Lessard, also Everyday People Sweet Adelines Quartet. All men and ladies are welcome. Dec 15 Sat 8:00 A.M. Breakfast at Sunset Café - Men, women and children invited, following 9:30 A.M. Packing food boxes at Christmas Care at the former Zellers in Elgin Centre (former Elgin Mall). 10:00 A.M.-12:00 Dress Rehearsal - Sunday School Christmas Concert Dec 16 Sun 10:00 A.M. Sunday Service - Advent 3 Sunday - School Christmas Concert - Apple crisp and hot chocolate served in Oak Hall following the concert. Dec 23 Sun 10:00 A.M. Sunday Service Dec 24 Mon 7:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols Dec 30 Sun 10:00 A.M. Sunday Service - Christmas 1 Jan 06 Sun 10:00 A.M. Sunday Service - Communion Sunday Jan 07 Mon 9:00-3:30 Plains Knotty Quilters commence quilting in Oak Hall. All crafters welcome-bring your own projects. Bring your own lunch. NOTE: There is no After 8's Breakfast in December The Elgin Baptist Association s Annual ADVENT MUSIC NIGHT will be held on Sunday, December 02, at 7:00 p.m. at Centre Street Baptist Church. Free will offering to support Pearce Williams Centre PLAINS CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS Sunday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. Free will offering Christmas envelopes will be available in the pew racks for those wishing a tax deductible receipt.

4 4 Church Notes 4 November 2018 Pastor Margaret provided a preamble to the Dedication for Plains Cemetery Fence & Automatic Entrance during the morning service. All the hymns were African American spirituals. We are giving thanks today for the completion of two major projects this year which we believe enhances our commitment to provide an environment for people to explore, develop and celebrate their faith. One project was the installation of an automatic entrance door on the front of the church. The other project was the installation of a fence which established a border and offered a finishing touch to the Plains Cemetery We also hope the fence will protect the cemetery from snowmobile traffic. Some of the funds used for these projects were donations given to the church in loving memory of the individuals whose names grace our two plaques. Other donations came from individuals, the Social Committee, Ladies Aid and the former Sparta Baptist Church. We offer a big thanks to the trustees who patiently planned, priced and presided over the completion of these two projects. We are also grateful to Shirley Dale our church treasurer for her exact and faithful book keeping, to the finance committee for their wise and willing oversight and to the membership for making these projects a priority. Above all, we give thanks to our generous God for the individuals whose names are listed on the memorial plaques. We are thankful to God for their lives and for the gifts they were to us. I invite you to stand for the service of Dedication and Memorial. In talking to the children on this first Sunday after All Saints Day Pastor Bell spoke of lower case s saints and those who have recognized over the years as large S saints. She told stories about several of them. This theme was continued as she preached about all faithful followers of Jesus as equally saints; sinners saved by grace and set apart to serve God. Traditionally Baptists have not used the word saint in the way our Roman Catholic friends have but in the process we have possibly overlooked some of the great men and women of the faith. The story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:32) recalls Jesus saying Release him, and let him go. As followers of Jesus we are called to share the love and message of Jesus that will release them from whatever is binding them today. We are called to stepup and engage in the saint-making business! Malcolm Rust DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES 4 th Kelly Ruddock 11 th Eugene & Mary Crosby 4 th Adam Rust 17 th Elizabeth Tucker 12 th Mike & Lorainne Plaunt 5 th Steve Plaunt 22 nd Linda Willand 20 th Don & Suzanne Ferguson 6 th Jim Cartwright 24 th Brock Dale 26 th George & Pat Martyn 7 th Melanie Wilcox 26 th Mabel Somerville (94) 31 st Chris & Stephanie Johnson 9 th Jon Ferguson 28 th Doug Sawyer 31 st Ryan & Meagan Ruddock 11 th Emily Brekelmans 30 th Josseline Mifsud 12 th Dave Axford 30 th Madison Hepburn 15 th Brent Peterson 31 st Betty Rewbotham ELGIN BAPTIST WOMEN S CHRISTMAS DINNER Friday, December 7, :30 p.m. at PLAINS CHURCH $15.00 for a full course turkey dinner Please advise LOUISE SARGEANT - mgsel@execulink.com or if you plan to attend, BY Monday, December 3. Bring a gift in a bag to be sold for $5.00 AND Bring Canadian Tire money - Proceeds of both going to SHE MATTERS

5 5 The Plains Ladies Aid held a successful Christmas Bazaar on November 17. Folks began arriving before 9:30 A.M. and Oak Hall was buzzing with activity right up to 11:30 A.M. closing time. The money raised by Ladies Aid was $1,985.00; the Social Committee, $554.75; the Sunday School $173. The draw winners were Bonnie Melvin, Sherrie Evans, Marilyn Smith, Anne Bond and Mary McCoubrey. Sydney McIntyre won the Sunday School hamper. THANK YOU to everyone who worked so hard baking, sewing, crafting, quilting, collecting, serving, setting up, clearing, cleaning and everything in between. THANK YOU Donna Limon and Donna Crocker for the creative decorations. Plains Church notes 11 November 2018 Remembrance Day was observed under the leadership of Pastor Margaret Bell. The songs selected were written around the time of the signing of the Armistice 100 years ago. (#472 ; 78; 512; Unto the Hills by 4th Governor General John Campbell; O Canada and #614. Over 100 pictures of family members from the 1 st and 2 nd World Wars submitted by the congregation were shown on a TV screen between the Union Jack and the Maple Leaf flags before and after the service. The late Robert (Bob) Harvey s service uniform was on display (thanks to Judy Burgess) as were the medals of the late Murray Duncan. The traditional Act of Remembrance was followed by the singing of Let There Be Peace on Earth concluded the service. Sherry Graham was at the organ and Amy Dale (piano) led the choir in singing Ask the Saviour to keep you He will Carry You Through. Happy Birthday was sung to Betty Jones in recognition of her 99 th birthday this week. After reading the story of the Poor Widow s Mite (Mark 12:38) Pastor Bell spoke of the hardships faced by widows in the time of Jesus. Then she spoke of the service given by men and women who wanted to preserve our way of life and who paid a debt we cannot repay. Many returned home but their minds, hearts and bodies could not stand the shell shock of the battle field. We long for peace. War was never a good option but humankind has consistently failed to live by the Golden Rule and treat others as they want to be treated. Pastor Bell spoke of war widows and especially of this year s Silver Cross mother in Ottawa whose son took his life after returning from service in Afghanistan. Jesus said that the mites given by the poor widow were of greater worth in God s eyes than those who gave out of their abundance. She demonstrated that her sacrificial devotion to her God was more important than her next meal. Out of His devotion to God Jesus would give His all. Out of our devotion to God we should change our warring ways, love our God and love others as we love ourselves. Malcolm Rust Following the service on November 18, Betty Jones shared Birthday Cake in celebration of her 99 th Birthday. Her daughters Marilyn Smith and Mary Sawyer did the cutting and serving.

6 6 FIRST YARMOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT as at November 30, 2018 General Fund Missions communion Fund Sundav School Totals lncome 92, , ,5L6.32 Expenses , Net Gain(Loss) 4,80L Balance end of 2OL7 42,402.L8 q 627.L L Balance as at LLlSOlzOLg 47, , Notes: 1. The General Fund has a net gain as at 30th of November, 2OLB of 54, Missions income as of the 30th of November 2018 totalled 53, That amount has been forwarded to CBOQ and CBM. This amount is made up as follows: CBOQ - Genera! Budget $2,00s.s0;- CBoQ Local Missions - 5zZo.oo; CBM - General Budget - $ggs.sz; and CBM Sharing Way undesignated The Communion fund had a net gain at the 30th of November, 2018 of There is an amount from previous years of $627.1?, for a total Communion Fund of The designated Sunday Schoolamount as at 3(hh of November,20lstotalled $ The designated Sunday School funds will be paid to the Treasurer of the Sunday school at the 6. end of the 4th Quarter. The memorial donations to honour the Iate Peg Bell have been designated as follows: for the new Church Computer for the Pastor's use, and $S00 is to go towards the new computer for the Treasurer's use. As well, $500 has been designated for new music for the Plains Choir. An amount of $500 had previously been designated for choir music, for a tota! of 51,000 in that account of that money has been used to purchase new choir books and music, leaving a balance of S for choir music. 8. An amount of $1,000 has been received from the Executors of the Estate of Helen (Peg) Bell, and is nol yet designated. 9. There is a memorial donation for the late Earl Kipp of $100, plus 51,000 from the Estate of the late EarlKipp. ro. Donations in memory of the late Tom Marshman total $ rr.lt is very helpful to the Financial Secretary when opening envelopes each Sunday morning if donors record on the outside of the envelope exactly where their donations are to go. Thank you for your $SOO is assistance in this. Respectfully Submitted, Shirley E. Dale, Treasurer SOUP AND SANDWICH LUNCH Sunday, December 2 at 11:30 A.M. (Following Sunday Service) ALL PROCEEDS from your donation for lunch will go to CHRISTMAS CARE.

7 7 Also note the name of Dan Peterson on the Board of Directors, who is also a member of Plains Church,. Material submitted by Malcolm Rust

8 8 KAREN COOK - CENTRAL ELGIN COUNCILLOR WARD #3 BY ACCLAIMATION As a life-long resident of Central Elgin, Karen Cook has worked and volunteered in her community throughout her career. Karen has many years of experience serving the public in health care, education, the legal field, as well as the automotive and service industries. She possesses a Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology, Small Business Management Certificate, Red Cross Instructors Certification, and diplomas as a Registered Practical Nurse, Operating Room Technician, and Paralegal. She is the owner of KC Training Plus offering First Aid & CPR certification, Babysitters & StaySafe! courses, "Welcome to Your Future" Vision Board Workshops, Ministry of Labour and Occupational Health & Safety compliance training, and KC Balloons Decorating & Delivery. Karen is a proud pet parent to Shar-pei's, Lacey, Piper and Leo. She enjoys spending time with her sister Kathy, brother-in-law Todd, and her extended family. As a Conservatory of Music graduate, Karen enjoys playing piano and singing. Karen is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses succeed. She is prepared to take office as Ward #3 Central Elgin Councillor. Her church family at Plains extend our congratulations and very best wishes. It was the Sunday after Christmas at a small church in town. The preacher was looking at the nativity scene prior to packing away the figures when she noticed the baby Jesus was missing from the scene. Immediately, she thought about calling the police, but as she was about to do so, she saw little Harry with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. The preacher walked up to Harry and said, 'Well, Harry, where did you get the little infant?' Harry replied honestly, 'I took him from the church, Pastor' 'And why did you take him?' With a sheepish smile, Harry said, 'Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to little Lord Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it.'

9 Greetings of the Seasons, my friends! No, I didn t make a typo. I intentionally typed an s on the end of Season. The reason is that we are on the cusp of three Seasons in the church: Advent, which is four weeks in length, Christmas, which is 12 days long, and Epiphany, the Season of light, which begins January 6 and ends with Lent. I m sure that thinking about just one Season right now is more than enough for you. However, all of the Church Seasons exist for one REASON, and that is the coming of Jesus, The Word of God made flesh who lived among us, full of grace and truth. Given media reports, Grace and Truth seem to be in short supply, even some places and people who claim the name of Christ. Fact is, we can always use more grace and truth in the world. However, grace and truth are both alive and well all around us, aren t they? Think of the people in your circle who are trustworthy, forgiving, generous, kind, humorous and wise. I am thankful to God in these Seasons for the expressions of grace and truth that have blessed my life through the presence, words and good deeds of our church family during the year. A lot of grace-filled and uplifting events happened at Plains in 2018 including $1000 raised for Union Community Centre, celebrating Malcolm Rust s 80 th Birthday, Betty Jones 99 th Birthday and Marion Maynard s 80 th Birthday. Twelve people joined the church membership, babies were blessed and for Black History Month we remembered the lives of two special men, Rev. Seymour Boyce and Johnny Stevens. The church marked our 188 th Anniversary in October and saw the completion of two large projects: Plains Cemetery Fence and Automatic Entrance Door. We worshipped, quilted, laughed, mourned, collected food for the Food Bank, introduced It s Your Choice! Sundays, celebrated Earth Day, Canada Day and Remembrance Day, shared hot dogs and campfires at Springwater, held bazaars and supported missions at home and abroad. WOW! That s a lot of grace and truth for a little country church! I have a saying from Mother Teresa that graces the wall of my office. It reads: We can do no great things only small things with great love. Over two thousand years ago God did a small thing but he did it with great love. A little baby was born to impoverished, parents, displaced and isolated from their familial support system. The child s first bassinette was a cow manger. His first visitors were not doting grandparents but strangers and smelly ones at that!

10 He lived his life within a small country. His ministry career only lasted about 3 years. His life was cut short at around age 33. But the great love that short life produced continues to bless the world and humanity with an abundance of amazing grace and eternal truth! May the grace and truth of Jesus, the Baby of Bethlehem and the Christ of Easter fill your lives, homes and our little church with the greatness of God s unconditional, forever, and ever true LOVE. Blessings & BIG Love,