THE CHURCH VOICE William C. George, Pastor Craig B. Teer, Director of Music 301 942-4400 Web Page: www.kensingtonbaptistchurch.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter November-December 2018 PASTOR'S REFLECTIONS Change is the canvas on which ministry is painted. (D. Hull, 2014) We live in a world that is constantly changing. Change will occur whether or not we choose to do anything. We cannot control the fact that change occurs. The good news is that God is unchanging and steadfast and that the Bible provides us spiritual guidance as we seek to muster and grow in our faith in these changing and challenging times. My son was a gifted artist and he loved to create using various mediums. Maybe that is why this quote from David Hill struck my attention. He loved to vary styles, colors and concepts. Nothing was ever quite the same. As I reflect back, he taught me much about change and how I relate to my world. The world I was born into is far different than the world my children were born in or that of my grandson. In truth, due to change, these worlds are far different. Now change presents new opportunities and challenges. Pray that we will see the needs and meet them. Seeing a need and acting on it, is both an opportunity and our responsibility as we seek to follow God's lead. It is a joy to meet new people and watch them prosper and grow as we share God's love by helping in some small way to meet their needs. The truth is that change occurs with each ministry opportunity. And truly this is the season of change. It is the season of giving thanks followed by Advent --- preparing for and waiting for God's love to once again renew and equip as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Think about it! An unchanging God sent Jesus into the world in a way that we could relate to and understand. Love came down and the world was changed. Come and express your thanks for God at work during November. Come and celebrate the gifts of Christmas --- hope, peace, joy and love! Seek to use those gifts on the canvas of change that God is preparing for you, me and KBC in the coming months. Simply put --- Change is a given. To grow as God leads is a choice. It is a choice that each of us is called to make! See you on the journey,
DECORATE FOR ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SEASON & PIZZA FELLOWSHIP (NOVEMBER 18 th ): Following Morning Worship plan to stay and help decorate for the Advent/ Christmas Season. Many hands working together make the labor much easier. Following the decorating plan to stay and fellowship over pizza and beverage. SEE YOU THERE. AFTER WORSHIP FELLOWSHIP (DECEMBER 2) Following Worship we will have our next After Worship Fellowship on Sunday, December 2 nd in conjunction with our 2019 Proposed Budget presentation by our Resourcing Team. Come and bring either a fruit, finger food, or snack to share at this time of fellowship. PICK UP YOUR 2018-2019 CHURCH DIRECTORY: New directories are available in the sanctuary vestibule. If you see an item that needs correcting, please contact the church office (301 942-4400). Thanks! DON'T FORGET OUR CHURCHWIDE THANKSGIVING DINNER (Wednesday, November 14 th at 6:45 p.m.): Come and celebrate Thanksgiving with your church family. Turkey, dressing and gravy will be provided along with dessert and beverage. You bring the rest of the side dishes/fixings. Use the sign-up sheet found in vestibule outside of sanctuary. WORSHIP AND PRAISE: Each Sunday we gather to give God the praise and the glory. Join us in worship, as we gather together, before God almighty. Come and experience anew God's wondrous love and discerning spirit at 11:00 a.m. Each service is a gift to a loving Creator. We come just as we are and God uses our worship to change lives and bestow His grace as we seek to show our love through our time together. Come and bring a friend or neighbor. Help them to experience the gift of worship! A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH Just as our faith strengthens our prayer life, so do our prayers deepen our faith. Let us pray often, starting today, for a deeper, more powerful faith. Shirley Dobson
WOMEN'S CARE & SHARE GROUP MEETING (NOVEMBER 10 & DECEMBER 1): The next two scheduled meetings are on 11/10 and 12/1 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm. The cost is $5/person to cover the cost of the monthly craft. As women craft together, they can share and talk and build mutual support. Sign-up sheet can be found in the vestibule. For more information and questions, contact Di George at 443-621-4378 or at digeorge53@aol.com WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY GROUP: This year's Bible study centers on the apostles of Jesus. The group will be meeting on 11/7, 12/5, and 12/19. Bible study begins at 10:15 am. All are welcome. 2019 BUDGET DISCUSSION AND AFTER WORSHIP FELLOWSHIP (DECEMBER 2 nd ): Following the Worship Service on December 2, KBC will hold an After Worship Fellowship and Business Meeting to present and discuss the proposed 2019 Ministry Action Budget that will help us fulfill our mission and vision as a church. The vote to adopt the budget will take place at the January 6, 2019 Quarterly Business Meeting. DEACON MINISTRY CALL ON US: Please feel free to call on you deacon if you have a need. We are willing to lend a listening ear and helping hand. Please know we are praying for you. Deacon Family Ministry lists are found on table in vestibule. Deacons presently serving include: Julie Barringer, Barbara Bryant, Di George, Sharon Hutko, Brett Jones and Rosalind Walker. IN HOME COMMUNION: If you are homebound and interested in receiving communion at home, please talk with Brett Jones (301 946-5305). The Deacons are glad to make a visit and serve communion. OFFICERS FOR 2018-2019: Chairperson Brett Jones, Vice-Chairperson Di George, Secretary Julie Barringer, and Sunshine Barbara Bryant. HOMEBOUND CHURCH FAMILY: In November our featured homebound is Lidia Hernandez, 601 E. Randolph Road, #318, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Please send Lidia a note or card during November. In December our featured homebound is Bea Beach, 3203 Plyers Mill Road, Kensington, MD 20895. Please send Bea a note or card during December. MISSIONS OUTREACH NEWS UPDATES: We exceeded our (BCM/D State Missions Offering) goal of $650 by $385. Thank you to all who contributed to this important work in Maryland and Delaware. The Taft Women's Shelter say thank you for your generosity. We provided over 25 containers of laundry detergent.
DEADLINE: We are collecting food for the Bethesda Help Food Pantry through November 16 th. There is a special need for peanut butter, jelly, tuna, canned meat and individual packets of dried milk. This is the season of thanks giving, Advent and Christmas. Won't you share Christ's love in real and tangible that change people's lives? God calls us to open our eyes and hearts so that we can see and respond in faith. OUR OPPORTUNITIES NURSING HOME PROJECT: The Kensington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has been an opportunity for KBC to minister for well over 40 years. We will once again be seeking to brighten the spirit of some of the neediest people in our community. Because you are ill or older or have outlived your loved ones, does not diminish your worth as a child of God. KBC, you have an opportunity to brighten these residents by letting them know they are special and remembered. We are collecting the following small toiletry items: Talcum Powder (Scented & non-scented), Body Lotion (Scented & non-scented), Hand Lotion, Chap Stick, Nail File/Emory Boards, Mouth Wash (Non-Alcohol),, Deodorants (Men & Ladies), Shaving Cream, After Shave, Disposable Razors, Ladies Socks, Men's Socks, Footies, Boxes of Tissues, Large Print Puzzle Books/Word Search, etc. DEADLINE: DECEMBER 9 th PUT IN BOX IN VESTIBULE P.S. If you are willing to help wrap these items, please talk with Pat Doty (202 966-5310) GIVE SOMEONE CHRISTMAS AT THE TAFT COURT WOMEN'S SHELTER: Be on the lookout in mid-november for the Christmas tree that will hold tags. Our goal is to once again provide a $10 gift card to Target for every women at the Shelter. This means providing a total of 70 gifts cards. We will need all gift cards back by December 16 th. WINTER WOMEN'S SCARVES FOR WOMEN'S SHELTER: KBC will be receiving homemade women's winter scarves that will provide an act of love and warmth for some of the ladies in the shelter we minister to throughout the year thanks to Rebecca Frazier (Betty Putkovich's daughter). The Church Council would like to challenge the KBC family to help us minister to the rest of the ladies of the shelter as well. We probably need 35-40 more winter scarves for women. Take a scarf tag or more from the tree when you take your gift card tag(s). Go shopping and be a blessing. DEADLINE: DECEMBER 16TH
CHRISTMAS MISSIONS OFFERING: At this time of the year KBC collects a special missions offering to help share the good new of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We collect for both the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Global Missions Offering) and for Southern Baptist Convention (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering) to help our missionaries. All funds collected go directly to missions. Envelopes are in the vestibule and in offering envelope boxes. Please support one or both. The choice is yours. We ask that this be a love gift over and above your regular giving. Make it a love gift for what Jesus Christ means to you. OUR GOAL: $800.00 CHRISTMAS CARDS EXCHANGE: In the foyer during the month of December, there are racks set up for a Christmas Card exchange. Remember to bring only cards for members who attend regularly. The postage you save, please give to the Christmas Missions offering. Our missions goal at KBC Is $800. The church will not mail cards left in the racks. This year we are also having a wrapped box where you can send a card with a note to one or more of the women at the shelter where we try to demonstrate compassionate caring. You don't need a name. Just send an encouraging word. LIFTING UP IN PRAYER PLEASE LIFT UP IN PRAYER THOSE WHO HAVE A BIRTHDAY OR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER NOVEMBER HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 2 - Lee Anne Thompson Ken & Betty Dodds-Putkovich, Nov. 9 10 - Jackie Dickison Billy & Carol Finch, Nov. 18 12 - Huntley Guthrie, III, Patsy Young Charles & Heather Smith, Nov. 27 14- Anabelle Marino, Asher Barbour, Stephen Laney 22 - Marta Gomez
30- Donna Marino, Bob Young DECEMBER 1 - Rosalind Walker Mike & Helen Ray, Dec. 12 2 - Jeff Hill 4 - Al Del Grosso 6 - Dianne Sutton-Bowerman 10 Carol Bullock-Finch, Sidney Flumbaum, Mildren Hopwood 14 Kim Ock 17 Debbie Mayhew 21 Charlie Doty 22 Ledger Lents 24 Stephanie Barringer 27 Herbert Monger 28 Al Phillips PLEASE COMMIT TO PRAY! Make a difference! Pray daily and ask God to guide you in your life and to guide KBC as we seek to discern His presence and direction. Pray that KBC will be the best church in its service and ministry to our communities. Pray that we will be God's blessing to the world around. Without prayer, we are powerless. KATHRYN STARR PRAYER ROOM: It is open on Sundays from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays this room is open between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The third option is to call the pastor and schedule another time for use of the room. The Prayer Room is located in one of the side rooms that opens off the Social Hall. LOOKING AHEAD AT DECEMBER WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 12/2 (11:00 am) Advent I Communion Worship 12/9 - (11:00 am) Advent II Worship 12/16 (11:00 am) Advent III/Christmas Cantata ( Come Now to Bethlehem ) followed by Cookies & Punch Reception - 12/23 - (11:00 am) Christmas Worship - 12/30 (11:00 am) Gospel Sing Sunday (Worship in Social Hall, Dress comfortably, Christmas Continental Breakfast to precede worship at 10:00 am) CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS (DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 9TH: Each year we decorate the sanctuary by placing poinsettias in honor of someone or in memory of a loved one. The red poinsettias will be placed for Advent/Christmas Worship on Sunday Dec. 16 th. The cost per poinsettia is still to be decided.. Please give your order to either Julie Barringer or Di George.
WEEKLY ADVENT WORSHP (11:00 A.M.): Come and prepare your hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as we light the Advent Candles of Hope (12/2), Peace (12/9), Joy (12/16) and Love (12/23) as part of weekly Sunday Worship. CHRISTMAS CANTATA (DECEMBER 16-11:00 A.M.): The choir will be presenting Dale Wood's Come Now to Bethlehem on Sunday, December 16 as part of our Advent/Christmas Worship. Plan to come and worship. Celebrate Jesus birth. Jesus is the Light of the world that pierces the darkness and brings hope, peace, joy and love to our needy world. CHRISTMAS WORSHIP (DECEMBER 23 11:00 A.M.): It will be a service filled with music, congregational participation, and giving God our praises as we join together to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. CHRISTMAS CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & GOSPEL SING (DECEMBER 30): Join the KBC family for food, fellowship and worship to close the Christmas season on Sunday, December 30 from 10:00 am to Noon in the Social Hall. THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR BIBLE STUDY. Start with a Christmas Continental Breakfast and plenty of fellowship at 10:00 am. Come comfortably dressed and ready to worship, praise, and glorify God. Gospel Sing Sunday will follow the breakfast with our music accompanied by drummer, keyboard, piano and bass at 11:00 am. ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF & CHRISTMAS PARTY (DECEMBER 8 th FROM 4-7 P.M.): The event is so much fun. Folks make their best pot of chili and we judge who has the best. Then we crown the 2018 Chili King or Chili Queen. Those who don't like chili, have no fear, there will also be hot dogs. If making a pot of chili isn't your thing; you could bring corn bread, a salad or sodas. We also will need desserts. After the meal, we will gather our chairs into a big circle. Everyone is asked to bring a small gift between $5-$10 or you can re-gift something you don't want as long as it is in good condition. All gifts are to be wrapped. We place all gifts in the center of the circle. Everyone draws a number from Santa Hat. When your # is called you go choose a gift. You can choose an unopened gift or take someone's gift already open. This can get wild, but fun for all ages. We need to know what food you will be bringing, and how many folks are coming. SO DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP!
OTHER NEWS CHRISTMAS LOVE OFFERING FOR STAFF: The KBC Resourcing Team invites you to make a donation toward the Christmas Love Offering to be presented to the KBC staff. In order to have all the offerings collected in time, please turn them in by Sunday, December 16 th. Specify Christmas Love Offering for Staff on your check or envelope. OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2019: Offering Envelopes for 2019 will be available in the sanctuary vestibule in mid-december. If you give regularly, there are envelopes already made up for you. If you would like envelopes and do not find a set assigned to you, please contact the church office. We assign envelopes to children and youth only when they're requested. If a set is needed, please let us know. A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEARTS Dear Church Family, We re blessed by your love and caring. It means more than you could ever know as you have journeyed with us on the cancer roller coaster ride. It is our hope that each one of you will have a wonderful and blessed Christmas. May each of you experience anew the true meaning of this Advent/Christmas season as we worship and prepare to celebrate the birth of God's son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for being our blessing as we prepare to celebrate our Christmas with you. We give thanks to God for being a part of this church family. With our love, The George Family CHRISTMAS GREETING: During the season of Advent, we encourage you to take some time to reflect upon our Savior's love and good news as you prepare for the celebration of Jesus birth. May you experience hope, peace, joy and love as you remember how much God loves you. We hope that you and your family will have a blessed, spirit filled season of hope and renewal. Thank you for allowing us to serve and partner with you at KBC. With our best wishes, KBC Staff Andrew, Craig, Julie, Rosalind, and Pastor Bill
THE JOURNEY OUTWARD: SEEING & DOING MISSIONS AND YOU: MEETING NEEDS IN CHRIST'S NAME OUR HOMEBOUNDS: Continue to remember all those in our church family who are homebound or assisting family members who are homebound. In September, you are asked to especially remember Lillian Jones, 11109 Pinion Court, N Potomac, MD 20878. Send a card or note to encourage her during September. In October, you are asked to especially remember Mildred Hopwood, 3109 Jennings Road, Kensington, MD 20895. Send a card or note to her during October.