*No Consistory update submitted Next Prayer Meeting: Next Prayer Meeting: Tuesday, May 9 th at 10:30am in the Prayer Room, all are welcome.

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2 *No Consistory update submitted Next Prayer Meeting: Next Prayer Meeting: Tuesday, May 9 th at 10:30am in the Prayer Room, all are welcome. 2 Adult Education Upcoming Approaching Your Bible Series Pastor Daniel I m going to pick up my Bible. (It s right here on my desk.) Now I m going to open it at random and point to a verse. Let s see what I come up with! Oh boy: Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were among her allies (Nahum 3:9). Okay, what s that verse all about? What does it have to do with your life? After all, Christians believe that the Bible is God s inspired word. The Bible opens our eyes to God s will and character. It also gives us direction for how to live. But as this little exercise demonstrates, the Bible is not always an easy book to understand. Maybe that s part of why many of us, if we re honest, avoid picking it up on a regular basis. In a moment of enthusiasm or conviction, we may take it off the shelf and open it up, but then we come to a screeching halt when we encounter a verse like Nahum 3:9. Let s think about some other issues. The Bible I just opened is the NIV Study Bible, a translation of the Bible that was published in But that s by no means the only English translation of the Bible. Before that, there was the TNIV, then the older NIV from 1984 (in which case New International Version is a bit misleading ), which is what stocks the pews in our sanctuary. Looking around my office, I also see the NASB, ESV, NIrV, and KJV, and I could name a whole slew more English translations beyond that. Why are there so many? Does having so many translations obscure God s word? Which one should you use? And how about: Why are there different versions of the same stories in the Bible itself? Why does 1-2 Chronicles basically just repeat parts of what s been told earlier in Samuel-Kings? And why are there small differences? Why are there four accounts of Jesus life? What s unique about each account? Why are Psalms 14 and 53 so similar but just a little different? Why are some Psalms so nice while others seem so mean? How can we reconcile the violent parts of Scripture with the parts that speak of God s amazing love and compassion? How do we read the Psalms? The Prophets? The Gospels? The Epistles? We could go on and on, but here s the real question: How on earth am I supposed to read this book, the Bible? The Bible is long, complex, and often very foreign to us. It was written in different languages than our own, in different cultures than our own, and in different times than our own. Furthermore, people today use the Bible for all kinds of different reasons. Some use it as a self-help book, selecting the parts that fit that purpose. In many universities, scholars pour over the Bible for its historical or literary worth with no interest at all in religion or God. Some use the Bible for preaching. Some use it for extending words of comfort to others. Some use it for finding answers, maybe even using the flip-and-point method that I tried a few moments ago. But how should Christians approach the Bible? (Probably not flip-and-point, by the way, though God could at times work through that means.) This all brings us to our main announcement. For four Sunday nights, beginning on May 21, we at Drayton Reformed Church will be looking together at the topic of approaching your Bible. I cannot promise to answer all the questions that I have raised here, but I do hope these evenings provide a time and place where we can talk and learn more together about God s rich word. Biblical interpretation is a huge topic, and even in four sessions we ll only be able to scratch the surface. But if we can open up the Bible just a little more, make

3 3 some of it just a little clearer, answer just a few of the questions we bring to the text, then I believe it will be well worth our time. I hope you ll be gracious as this is my first try at something like this. But I m also hoping you ll help me out. Here s how. If there are questions big or small that you have, things you ve always wondered, something you came across in the Bible that made you go, huh!? then I invite me to send me an (pastordaniel@draytonreformed.org). I would love to (try to!) speak to the questions that you have. Of course, I can t promise answers to all of them! I won t use your names when referring to your questions. But as I continue to gather material and topics, I would love to know what questions you might have. Hopefully through this series we can all grow a little more capable and confident as we take on the enriching joy of approaching our Bibles. Camp Shalom Updates Derek B (Camp Shalom Deacon) Are you sending your child to CAMP SHALOM this summer? Camp Shalome discounts are now available! $ per camper is available. Please use the online discount code DRAYTON If you have any questions, please contact Derek Bouwman (derekbouwman@gmail.com). SPRING is in the AIR! Countryside Camp has three spring work days where we recruit volunteers to help us clean up the grounds after winter and prepare for summer camp. Drayton Reformed Church has been assigned May 13, 9:00am. Lunch will be provided. If able and available, please sign up on the sheet outside of the sanctuary or contact Derek Bouwman (derekbouwman@gmail.com). From The Secretary s Office I Need Your Assistance Kelly R Find all 6 spelling errors in this, the MAY edition of the DRC News, pop by my office with them circled and claim you prize! This offer expires May 19 th Quilting Tying Knots is More Than Making Comforters Annette C This year a group of women met on Thursday mornings and completed 50 comforters which have been delivered to the Mennonite Central Committee to be used where needed, (*See the page entitled Donating Comforters, MCC). With the tops lovingly sewed by Christine (and Betty), many hours were spent putting them together with knots. Betty finished each of them up by sewing a border around them. The project creates a sense of purpose among those who volunteer and gives a good reason to get together to socialize and connect. Lots of laughter and chatter is heard along with a little grumbling when the thread makes an unintended knot.

4 4 Everyone looks forward to resuming the project in the fall. If you would like to try this out, look for an announcement in September. No experience is necessary. If you can thread a needle, you have all the training you need! Testimony God s Timeline Cobi K To God be the glory, for great things He has done, and is still doing. We may not see for many years that God has our timeline in His hand, but looking back on my life together with John I now see many times how God orchestrated happenings that we were not aware of at the time. I now see how God is the instigator and doer, by putting thoughts and ideas in people s minds that sets a course of action to accomplish His purposes. Here are a few examples from our lives that I hope will be a Godly inspiration to you. In the summer of 1977 our friend came to John for advice. He had a farm close to us in the Niagara Peninsula which had a very small house on it and he had 6 children. His dilemma was; what do I do, build a new house, or sell and find a farm that had a larger house on it. This was John s advice; If you decide to sell the sooner you do it the better, so your children can get well established in the new area. Their oldest then was in grade 8. Our friend and his family moved in November of 1977 to Listowel. This got John thinking; my children are almost the same age and sooner or later we will have to dissolve our partnership (with my twin brother) and go our own way so all of our boys (4 of them) would have a chance of farming down the road themselves. This started the course of events that brought us to Drayton in We truly felt that God had led us here to the land of milk and honey and still do. We prospered here, had a good living, had good land, and had a good church in which we could worship and grow. In the 1990 s Donna and Dave came to us, and told us that they felt that they were being called to be missionaries to a foreign land. John said, why go to a foreign land, when there is so much that needs to be done right here in our own backyards. But they insisted that is what they needed to do. And so the wheels in John s brain started turning. Perhaps I need to go on a mission trip to find out what missions in a foreign land is all about, and so he went to Haiti. The last few days before he left, he said to me, I don t know why I am going, I can t hammer, and I can hardly hold anything (his arthritis in his wrists was so that he could not hold a hymn book). Well, I said, you can always be a go-for. Bring a hammer, bring nails, help bring a sheet of plywood, etc. Little did we know they do not use wood for building in Haiti, but cement blocks and more cement. So on his arrival in Haiti his first task was to pick up a load of cement blocks and put them on a wagon, and then to unload them at the construction site. All week he worked with the cement and cement blocks and near the end of the week he realized that God had healed his wrists. It was a pivotal moment for him, and he grew immensely in his faith. He realized that God was still at work today. Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. John now knew that God was faithful to His Word and could be trusted. From then on his goal was to tell others what God had done for him, to bring God the glory and that God could work in their lives too. Fast forward to the last 3 years of John s life: John s cousin had visited Israel dozens of times and loved it. We had thought that would be awesome but so many things seemed to be in the way for that to happen for us and so that idea sat there for many years. We thought that we would never be able to go. That it was a pie in the sky idea.

5 5 Then an opportunity to visit Israel came up and in the fall of 2014 we booked to go to Israel in May of 2015, and what a trip it was for us, the trip of our lifetime. For us it was a pilgrimage to visit the places that Jesus had walked. Now the stories of the Bible lived before our eyes, whether it was the Old or the New Testament. In January 2015 before we went for our Israel trip, John had the first test to find out what may be going on with the stomach issues he was having. Unfortunately nothing was found that could indicate a problem and he was otherwise feeling quite well. And so while watching his food choices for what we thought were food intolerances we had an awesome trip. And so 2015 came and went with some more trips to the doctors, dietitian, blood tests, etc. January 2016 saw us go to Arizona to visit our son, Joe, who had moved there the year before. We saw his new business, did some sightseeing, enjoyed visiting Canadian friends in the sunny south and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. It was good to see our son enjoying his new venture and doing well for the first year in business in the US. Now we had a point of reference when he talked about what he was doing and planning to do in the future. Then we got a phone call from Donna and Dave to say that Dave had colon cancer and they were coming home early so treatment could happen here in Ontario. It was devastating to hear. Questions such as, why would God let something like that happen to ones that were serving Him overseas? Yet God used that situation to bring Donna and Dave and their family home to be with us when they needed our support. So they moved back into our home, and we had 4 months living together. When Dave was well again, and cancer free, OHIP told them that they could not leave until after so many days, which meant that they would not be leaving for overseas again until the summer of The 2 oldest boys would be entering university in the fall of 2017 and so it was decided to find a place of their own where the boys would be able to continue living while they were in school. And so the move was made to Waterloo. Summer came and the summer park trailer we had bought a few years back needed some outside work yet, and that was completed by the fall of 2016 while enjoying the rest and relaxation too. In late September the girl from Germany, Margit, who had lived with us for a year in the school year came for a visit. We had not seen her in 23 years. We had a grand time with her, visiting her old haunts and some new ones too. Then more trips to the specialist became evident, and Dec. 17 John entered the hospital because of extreme pain. During those last 3 months, God used John s mouth to tell us what we needed to do. One of those was; when it became evident that John was not going to be here much longer, our grandkids made arrangements to come visit their Opa planning for mid March. John said that is too long they need to come now. They came in early February. During the visit with the grandkids he was able to share his faith with each one. John passed away on March 14th. Visiting with Opa could not have happened. May God through the Holy Spirit use John s words to draw them to Jesus! The rest is history. To God be the glory, for great things He has done, and is still doing.

6 6 Worship Worship Update Mari-Anne T Worship is not a spectator sport! We worship God using our voices and instruments to show gratitude to God for all that He has done for us, and our desire to know Him more. But worship is not limited to music. We have witnessed over Lent that we can worship Him through art and drama as well. As a congregation we felt the power of His resurrection in many ways in our corporate worship services. Thank you to all who volunteered their time and talents to make our worship more meaningful and special. Thank you also to the wonderful members who have approached me with encouragement and offers to help participate in future worship services. We have a great new sermon series called "Joy Ride" and I am very much looking forward to studying the book of Philippians over the coming Sundays with you. I am looking for people to participate in a few presentations, and I ask that you contact me if you want to try something like this. No need to learn lines or complicated set ups. I am also looking for people who would like to participate in ministry of music, and musicians that will give of their talents to help lead worship with instruments and voice! The summer is a perfect time to see if you like being part of the worship leading at church. No long term commitment! Try it out! Let me know by , text, or phone call how you would like to be involved in worship at DRC! And keep on singing! VBS Vacation Bible School Tracy K This summer, the local churches will once again combine their efforts to organize Vacation Bible School. Imagine a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they're lovingly crafted by God. Join us for Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School! All children who have completed JK to those who have completed grade 5 are welcome to join this amazing adventure. Vacation Bible School will run from July at the Drayton Reformed Church (74 Wellington Street) Vacation Bible Schol (VBS) is a great way to feel a part of your community, meet other kids, and learn about Jesus. VBS is offered free thanks to the generosity of the local churches. This is a wonderful example of how the community of Drayton can work together for the benefit of our children. Kids at Maker fun Factory will be invited to bring in donated food items for our local food bank as our mission project this year. On the last day of VBS (July 14) at 11 a.m. we invite the community to come to the church for our VBS closing program. We encourage everyone to mark this date on your calendar the children s enthusiasm is contagious!! Join this amazing adventure by registering your kids to be a part of Maker Fun Factory Created By God and Built for a Purpose or better yet, help out!! This ministry cannot run without lots of wonderful volunteers. Think about helping for a day or two or, even better, the whole week. Teens: this counts for your volunteer high school hours.

events/p/events/draytonvbs Or check out our facebook page: Drayton VBS Vacation Bible school is run by all the local churches together. Questions- contact any of the church's VBS representatives.

7 7 Not able to volunteer but still want to help donate a gift card from our local grocery store to help purchase snacks for the week. They can be given to Tracy K, your church representative or dropped off at the Drayton Reformed Church Office. To register or volunteer go to Or check out our facebook page: Drayton VBS Vacation Bible school is run by all the local churches together. Questions- contact any of the church's VBS representatives. Youth Programes Jr. Youth Monday, May 1 Monday, May 15 Monday, May 29 Sr. Youth Sunday, May 14 Sunday, May 28 Upcoming: Sunday, June 1 Meeting 7:30-9:30pm Meagan R/snacks & Kamryn R/drinks Meeting 7:30-9:30pm Beth A/snacks & Julia V/drinks Summer Kick-Off Campfire 7:00-9:30pm at the Parsonage (please note the earlier start time) Meeting 8:00-10:00pm Bridget D/snacks & Jody & Mariah R/drinks Meeting 8:00-10:00pm Billy/Paxton K/snacks & Jenna H/drinks Summer Kick-Off Campfire 6:00-10:00pm at George & Amy V

8 Telephone: 519.323.3751 Email: Office@Ramoth.ca Celebrations: Our mom has moved into Step 2 Ramoth Apartments and is doing well. Two of our Mom attending church on Sunday.

As Ramoth Staff our theme for 2017 is Love April verse is: Prayer Request: Pray for the Board as they give direction and guidance and make on going decisions concerning the day to day operating of

8 8 Telephone: Celebrations: Our mom has moved into Step 2 Ramoth Apartments and is doing well. Two of our Mom attending church on Sunday. A new Support Team member has joined our team. As Ramoth Staff our theme for 2017 is Love April verse is: Prayer Request: Pray for the Board as they give direction and guidance and make on going decisions concerning the day to day operating of Ramoth Life Centre programs. Continue to pray for our moms in our Step 1 Ramoth House Program of Care as they strive and learn to be the moms that we believe that they can be. Please pray for a young mom as she prepares to move into Step 2 Ramoth Apartment in June, this is a big step for her. Pray for our resident living in Step 2 Ramoth Apartment Program of Care as they continues to make life changing decision for their future. Continue to remember our Moms and their little ones in our Step 3 Extended Care Program. Our staff need your prayers daily as they strive to mentor our young moms. Please also pray for safety as they drive on the roads and for health. Pray for us as staff as we continue to work together in the ministry that God has placed us. We are hiring a student for the summer to help cover some shifts while our team takes holidays. Keep her in your prayers. We need ladies to volunteer some time to cuddles, play and love our little ones allowing our moms a much needed break for themselves. Monthly financial donors to stand with us in support of this ministry.

9 9 REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS Redeemer University College Christian Education for the Common Good May 6 and June 2 Dr. Andrew Bennett, Canada's first ambassador for religious freedom, will speak in Hamilton and Ottawa on the need for Christian education to shape Christian public voices. For more information, and to register, visit Redeemer University College Friday Visits May 5 and June 2 Redeemer's campus has an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a variety of Fridays throughout the summer for prospective students and parents interested in getting a taste of what Redeemer is all about. Learn more and register at Ramoth House Baby Bottle Drive They are collecting monetary donations to support the life-changing programs at Ramoth House. Donations will be collected until Sunday, May 28. Ramoth House is a non-denominational, non-profit, charitable organization created to be a modern day place of refuge for young women and infants. If you would like to donate or would like more information about their programing, visit their website at ramoth.ca Blood Donor Clinic End your long weekend by donating blood! Drayton is holding its next Blood Donor Clinic on Monday, May 22 from 3:30 to 7:30 at the Community Christian School, 35 High Street. Remember that your donation can help up to three people. It s in you to give! Call DONATE( ) to make an appointment or just walk into the clinic. Seniors Centre for Excellence Congregate Dining Program on Friday, May 12 Please join us on Friday, May 12 at 12:00 pm for our monthly congregate dining program. Our topic this month is History of the Railroads. Join Kyle Smith, from the Wellington County Museum & Archives, as he shares the history of the railroads in Wellington County including photos from the area. A must for those who enjoy reminiscing about days gone by. Lunch starts at 12:00 pm and the cost of this delicious warm meal is $12. Please note the congregate dining price increase: The cost of the meal at the congregate dining programs will increase this month from $10 to $12 per person. Donna was so successful with her catering last year that she is now required to collect HST on her services. This increase covers the cost of the tax as well as allowing for an increase in food costs. We hope that you feel, as we do, that the meal is still good value for money. The presentation is free of charge and begins at 12:30 pm. We hope to see many of you there! Please register if you d like to join us by calling rightnow MEDEA: a customizable video bible study library available to and for everyone at DRC. Please visit If you have not received your unique login please contact pastorduane@draytonreformed.org to receive one.

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11 11 Happy MAY Birthdayz! MAY 02 MAY 03 MAY 05 MAY 06 Hank O Casey B Daniel K Jennifer M Janna O Dave S Brynn G Hank O Yvonne T MAY 14 MAY 15 MAY 16 MAY 17 Heather B Lori N Genise G Jake K Tammy K Jamie V George V Hennie T Adam D Stella L Mason L MAY 23 MAY 24 MAY 25 MAY 26 MAY 27 Bill D Gerda K Haile M Corey H Gerry K John S Jocelyn N Ronella C Jane H MAY 08 MAY 09 John D Sheree D MAY 18 Jenn M Makayla v Andrew W MAY 28 Theresa G Jerry K Ella M MAY 10 MAY 12 Diane O Peggy S Cindy H Megan K MAY 19 Jerry O Trevor P John T MAY 29 MAY 30 Eppie v MAY 20 Sieny K MAY 31 Nolan G Greta V Kim K MAY 13 Grace V MAY 21 Joshua T Alex V Happy May Anniversary! May 18 George & Alice

12 12 MAY 2017 Draytonne Reformed Church Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jr. Youth 7:30-9:30pm Girl Guides 6:30pm Prayer Gathering 7 Worship/Baptism/Casting of Lots 10am Sermon Discussion 6/7/8 Newcomers Luncheon (Sunset Room) Friends In Christ 8:30pm Worship Practice 8pm Worship Practice 8:30pm 8 9 Prayer Meeting10:30am SLC Meeting 7:30pm (Sr. Youth Room) Girl Guides 6:30pm Reapers of Hope Volunteer Day 8:30-12 Consistory Meeting 7:30pm (Sunset Room) Seniors Dining Program 12pm Wedding Rehearsal 6:00pm Spring Work Day at Camp Shalom 9:00am Keunen/Pridham Wedding 1:30pm Prayer Gathering 14 Worship 10am Hymnsing 6:45pm Sr. Youth 8:00-10:00pm Happy Mother s Day Jr. Youth 7:30-9:30pm 15 Worship Practice 8pm Girl Guides 6:30pm Les Amis 7:45pm (The Adventure Room) Prayer Gathering Worship 10am Christian Friends 8pm Approaching Your Bible 7:30pm (Sanctuary) 21 Victoria Day 22 Worship Practice 8pm 23 Profession of Faith Conversations w/ Elders 7:00pm (Sr. Youth Room) 24 CS Team Meeting 12:30-2:00pm (Sr. Youth Room) Girl Guides 6:30pm Young Adults Wing Night 8:00pm 25 Reapers of Hope Volunteer Day 8:30-12 ESL Class 9am- 12:30pm 26 Widow & Widowers Luncheon 12:30pm *Newsletter Submission Deadline 3pm 27 Prayer Gathering 28 Worship 10am Approaching Your Bible 7:30pm (Sanctuary) 29 Jr. Youth Summer Kick-Off 7:00-9:30pm (Campfire at the Parsonage) Girl Guides 6:30pm Sr. Youth 8:00-10:00pm

April 23, Reid L. Jackie M. Dirk & Teresa D Ab & Bonnie H Connection Centre Nancy K Tammy K Elevator Attendant Albert N John D.

April 23, Reid L. Jackie M. Dirk & Teresa D Ab & Bonnie H Connection Centre Nancy K Tammy K Elevator Attendant Albert N John D. Sunday, April 23 rd, 2017 April 23, 2017 2 WELCOME TO WORSHIP: WE RE GLAD YOU VE COME! FOR OUR GUESTS: We warmly welcome you to Drayton Reformed Church. Following worship this morning, please join us for