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| CHINESE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP |
Newsletter - November 15, 2009 |
I sat in a window seat of an airplane recently and watched with fascination as the wing of the airplane flexed up and down, something like a bird's wing. Now I know planes don't fly like birds with flapping wings, but the sight of the wing rising and falling a little can become nerve racking. What if the wing falls off? My assumption would be that the wing should remain rigid.
But a rigid wing is disaster in the making, as well a wing that flaps like a bird wing. The airplane wing has a designed integrity. Integrity is a word used by engineers to describe the range of motion between being rigid and flexible. Being too rigid is no good and being too flexible is also too risky. There's to be a balance. Churches have the same tension of creating integrity. Being faithful to the gospel, without being too rigid; but also being flexible in ministry but not to the point of becoming all things to all men and so compromise the Lord's vision for His Church. Being too rigid creates legalism and a cult-like atmosphere. Becoming too flexible will make for nothing and everything - a who cares? atmosphere. So, what we need in church leadership are men and women (young and old) who help define integrity. Council and congregation work together to find the range between the two extremes. So, we speak to each other in hope of finding common ground, because of a common love for this Body of Christ, here in this place, called First CRC. Pastor Bernie DeJonge HOME MISSIONS - 40 Days of Prayer - 40 days of prayer: Nov. 15--Dec. 25: With Advent approaching, CRC churches from across Central and Eastern Canada , will join for 40 days of prayer focusing on the theme “Come Lord Jesus!” With a desire to reach every household, the theme verse is “All the men of Judah with their wives, children and little ones stood before the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:13 A daily prayer guide has been distributed to each local church and everyone is invited to join this prayer journey. |
Life @ First Interim ministry and long-term ministry
Keith Knight
Congregational meeting Wednesday, November 25 Beginning with dinner provided by Youth Group. Approval of the 2010 budget. A focus on our future. |
Activities
DISTRICT LUNCHEON!! District 2 will have luncheon on Sunday, November 22, after the morning service. DISTRICT LUNCHEON!! District 7 will have luncheon on Sunday, November 29, after the morning service. You will be called with more information. Hope to see you all there. Ladies Volleyball Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in the gym. There is no commitment to be available every Monday night so come any Monday night that works for you. Just show up with your running shoes (no black soles) and plan to have some fun. If you have any questions, please call Ruth Kuipery in the evenings or the church office at 519-822-7720. Coffee Break COFFEEBREAK is held on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 - 11:15. Wednesday, November 18 we will begin a 4 week study "Becoming a Woman of Excellence" by Cynthia Heald. So ladies come and join us for a morning of fellowship and learning together. Nursery provided. Men's Life Every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. JOIN US FOR YOUTH Group Wednesday evenings at 7:30! Call the church at 519-822-7720 for more information. College and Careers: Are you a young adult, either at the university or in a career, and you are looking for a place to belong? Email or call Marijke VanAndel at mvanande@uoguelph.ca 519-830-3027. The Prayer Ministry Team invites everyone who is interested to an informal evening of connecting together. On Friday November 20th, 2009 from 7:30-9:00 pm. Evelyn De Mos-Wiebenga will give her personal testimony. This will be an evening of inspiration and encouragement. Knight Small Group The Knight small group meets tonight at the home of Eldon and Phyllis Lehman to watch and discuss the third in the Charles Price sermon series on Genesis.. The group typically meets the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Seniors Christmas Dinner The deacons are inviting all Seniors to our annual Seniors Christmas Dinner to be held in the Church auditorium on Saturday November 28, 2009 with punch and fellowship at 5.30 and dinner at 6.00 pm. Hope to see everyone there. In His Service Your Deacons
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FROM THE GEMS!!! ONE WEEK LEFT!!! GET YOUR CHOCOLATE LETTER ORDERS READY FOR NOVEMBER 23RD!!! That's right! You have one week left to think of all the initials you need for the family, friends and neighbors that you want to give a little gift to. Please have all your chocolate letter orders, including payment, submitted by November 23rd. That is next week Monday! Orders and payment can be placed in Rachel de Jager's mail slot (I will be checking our mailslot Sunday and Monday) or given to any of the Gems counselors. We cannot accept any late orders or any orders without payment. You can make payment by cheque (payable to First CRC) or cash. The 65 gram letters come in milk or bittersweet chocolate from DeHeer and cost only $2.00 each. Please note that they are not made in a peanut free facility. Also, please remember to pick up your orders on Monday, November 30th between 7-8:30 p.m. If you cannot do so, please arrange for someone to pick them up for you for we do not have the space to store them. Thank you in advance for making this fundraiser a success! Collecting for the Seafarers We are collecting Seafarers parcels again. As in previous years we are asking for socks, scarf's, toques, mittens, hygiene articles (combs, toothpaste, soap), souvenirs of Canada , pens, notepaper, playing cards, candy etc. The Seafarers have a tough time in this economic climate with little work. Let us be generous if we can. A suggestion is to take something along to the congregational meeting or to the Seniors Dinner. There will be a box for donations by the mailboxes. We thank you for partnering with us in this way! From-the small group who have taken this on as their yearly project. CAMPUS MINISTRY COFFEE HOUSE On November 21, at 7:30pm, Waterloo CRC will be hosting a Coffee House Fundraiser for the campus ministries in Guelph and Waterloo . It'll be an evening of music, poetry, and stories about what's happening on campus. Isobelle Gunn - a stellar group from London , ON - will perform! Admission is $10 ($5 for students), and all proceeds will go to ministry programming and new initiatives on the campuses. All are welcome! For more details, email Rev. Brian Bork @ waterloocampusministry@gmail.com. Satellite Director Beginnings Pregnancy Care Centre is looking for a caring, motivated leader to serve as Satellite Director of the Guelph office. Experience with lay counselling and support, staff oversight, financial management, and the direction of service and program delivery according to an approved budget are necessary. Fundraising experience, public speaking skills, and experience working with an Advisory Committee would be an asset. Interested persons should submit a cover letter and resume to the attention of Jetty Vanderkamp: support@beginningsguelph.ca or by fax to 519-763-5742, or to Beginnings Pregnancy Care Centre, 64 Baker St. Guelph , ON , N1H 4G1 . A HUGE THANK YOU! If you happened to poke your head into the church on the evening of October 31st, you would have been met with the sight of children, their parents and volunteers in a bee hive of activity! What a blessing it was, to see so many smiles and hear so much laughter as young and old truly enjoyed the evening. We had children from the church, Guelph Community school, but it was children from the community who were the highest in attendance. Thank you everyone who worked so hard to pull together the Costume Party on October 31st. Without willing volunteers, an abundance of donations, community and church support it would not have been the great ministry success it was. A special thank you to those of all ages in attendance from First CRC who welcomed and embraced children from all walks of life! RDSP Reminder The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) came into effect less than a year ago. It helps Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future without being penalized through claw-backs or loss of entitlement. Lots of information is readily available on the government website ww.disabilitysavings.gc.ca Arnold Franssen, Church Advocate Disability Concerns |
CALENDAR of EVENTS NOVEMBER 2009 Beginnings Pregnancy Care Centre is having a "Heart to Heart". (Don't worry men.you won't be missing the hockey game for it 'cause.this night is for women only!) Ladies get excited about a night full of good fellowship, great music, client stories, and scrumptious desserts!!! This 2nd Annual Women's Dessert Night Fundraiser will be taking place Friday November 27, 2009, 7:30 pm at Emmanuel Canadian Reformed Church which is located at 8037 Highway #7 East, Guelph . In order to get in you need to bring something that can be used for a new mom's or new baby's gift basket, so have fun shopping! There will also be a freewill offering taken. To reserve seats (there are no tickets) call either Jane Moore at 519-837-1986 or Deanna Linde at 519-837-9029. ***** SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MUSICAL EVENING For an inspirational musical evening come and join us for our Christmas Concert. The Guelph Men's Choir will perform their Christmas Concert in our church on Sunday Dec. 6 at 7:30. For more information look in next week's newsletter. PLAN AHEAD AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Sunday School corner: All Sunday School children will be involved in a Christmas play along with some youth group, Gems and others which will be part of a Candlelight Service on Sun. Dec. 20th at 4:30 pm. Parents - mark your calendar! Some children will be given parts to memorize and others will participate in singing. A 20 min. practice will take place following the morning service on Dec. 13th and 20th. If your child has a speaking part, Mary-Jane Oussoren will be contacting you soon. Following that service, children will have an opportunity to decorate Christmas cookies and everyone is invited for hot cider and light lunch. Invite your friends and neighbours to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with us! In Sunday School we have all been memorizing the 23rd Psalm. Ask your child to recite it with you. How are the toonies for Kits 4 Kids coming along? Are children able to do chores and then in turn fill the toonie card for our neighbours in Kenya ? If your card is full, bring it to Sunday School. We will collect the cards by Dec 13th! Marg Elgersma/Mary-Jane Oussoren
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Council in brief November 4
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DENOMINATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS BACK TO GOD HOUR RADIO - Visit www.BacktoGod.net for local stations and times. You can also download our podcast. No station in your area? Can't listen on line? Call or email to request a CD to be sent to you. KIDSCORNER - Go to www.kidscorner.net for stories, devotions, puzzles and more. CRC PRAYER LINE: Your prayers help transform lives and communities worldwide! Did you know that you could receive weekly specific prayer requests and updates via the CRC Prayer Line? Call 1-888-CRC-PRAY or visit us on the web at www.crcna.org/pages/prayer_requests.cfm to receive current prayer requests for the mission agencies and ministries of the CRC. Sign up to receive the weekly email Prayer Line update.
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FIRST CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH |