News Notes from Rev. John E. Boyd
12 November 2009
Sunday, November 15th
This coming Sunday the service will be conducted by Deacon Frank McGill, and the sermon offered by Rev. Renee Clark is entitled "In Full Assurance." Music will be provided by the Senior Choir, under the direction of Lynette Wahlstrom. The brief Mission in Action message will be given by the Rev. Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Acadia Divinity College. The Scriptures will be 1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25; Mark 13:1-8.
Community Outreach Opportunities
The Community Outreach Committee is giving us great leadership, but needs our help for upcoming events. Let Gwendolyn MacLean know if you can help with any of these:
· Brunswick St. Mission Breakfast: Saturday, December 5th First Baptist will be responsible for preparing and serving the breakfast. The team works from 5:30 to 9 a.m.
· “St. Andrew’s Sunday Supper”: December 6th, 4 p.m. First Baptist will provide the meal for the homeless and poor. Menu - Beef Goulash. Sign-up sheets and recipes are on the bulletin board outside the parlour. The recipe can be found on the website as well (just scroll down the recipes to find the one you want).
· White Gift Program: Letters providing information on the White Gift Program and other Christmas outreach opportunities are available in the Narthex for you to pick up on Sunday. Not on our mailing list? Please call (422-5203) or email the office with your contact information.
· Pamphlets with information on outreach programs are available at various points throughout the church. Consider sharing yourself this Christmas season.
Clothing Drive
Dalhousie University is organizing winter clothing give-away for students. We welcome donations of winter coats, hats, scarves, mitts/gloves, and sweaters. Please deliver any donations of clean, new or gently used, clothing to the box in the Narthex before November 12.
Coming Soon
Our plan for a play on November 22nd has fallen through, but we still have something special for you! Rev. Gerald Burke and Rev. Adele Crowell, our Baptist Chaplains to the Halifax Hospitals, will be with us. Gerald will preach and Adele will give the Mission in Action message. Following the service there will be a lunch in the Assembly Room for everyone!
Financial Note from Dave Gibson
Two weeks ago, we announced "Mission in Action" month. This is a special focus celebrating the work we do together with other Baptist Churches and our Halifax Region United Baptist Association to accomplish things that we could not do alone. This focus will continue this week and next Sunday. Thank you to those who have already made your special contribution to these shared ministries! Simply put "Mission in Action" on the "other" area of your regular offering envelope or on one of the extra envelopes in the pew to contribute to our shared Baptist work-- including Acadia Divinity College, the Hospital Chaplaincy Association, Bayside Camp and New Churches in the Greater Halifax area.
More good news! Last week, offerings toward our General Operating Budget were good for the second week in a row. This is where we support our ministries, programs, personnel and infrastructure. Efforts to "catch up" with any regular offerings which were missed during the last several months are very much appreciated as we approach the end of this fiscal year. This is particularly important as we prepare for going into a balanced budget in 2010. Continued effort is required to meet the challenge of reducing our present deficit, but working together we can have a real impact! Thank you for your continued prayerful and financial support!
-David Gibson, Chair, Finance Committee
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee for FBC Halifax is beginning to prepare a list of committee and board volunteers to present at the 2010 Annual Meeting. Committee and Board Chairs are asked to confirm returning members and anyone interested, in joining their committees, to a member of the Nominating Committee. Interested in serving on one of our boards or committees? Speak to a member of that group!
The Face of Poverty Consultation
An Interfaith Coalition Working to Eliminate Poverty presents a Service of Reflection, to mark the 20th Anniversary of the unanimous passage in the House of Commons of Canada of a declaration to end child poverty by the year 2000. Today, there are still more than 1 million children in Canada living in poverty. Where: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 216 School St., Dartmouth (up the hill from the Macdonald Bridge). When: 7:00 p.m., Sun., Nov. 22. Speaker: Pauline Raven, author of the NS Poverty Report Card. Music provided by the Shining Lights Choir. Everyone welcome, reception following.
Inter-Generational Family Fellowship
The next meeting is this Saturday, Nov. 14, 5:30 pm, at the home of Craig and Naomi Shelton. We will start with a potluck supper, followed by a discussion of chapter 2 of Marcus Borg’s “Meeting Jesus for the First Time”. New participants are welcome. Child care provided.
Volunteer Opportunities
Ever wonder what kinds of things you could do as a volunteer? Here are a few opportunities and who you contact to sign up:
· Read Sunday scripture - contact Sharon McGill at 457-2229
· Sing in a choir - contact Lynette Wahlstrom at 422-5203
· Help out in the Sunday School – contact Rev. Renée Clark at 422-5203
· Serve as a Teller - contact the Office at 422-5203
· Help with St. Andrew’s Suppers or Brunswick St. Breakfasts - contact Gwendolyn MacLean at 425-6959
· Help at a funeral reception - contact the Office at 422-5203
Our Prayer List for the Week
At Home: Bernice Miller, Helen Milosevich, Reg Marshall
Hospital: Bill Kyle (NHI)
Convention: Pray for the Regional Ministers of NS and NL: Rev. Wayne Fevens, Southwestern NS, Rev. Ron Baxter, Annapolis/Eastern Valley. Dr. Frank Guinta, Eastern NS & NL, and Rev. Elias Mutale, African Association.
Sincere Sympathy is extended to Rev. Dr. W. Carey Harvey and family on the death of his wife, Fran, whose Memorial Service was held here on Tuesday; and to Alyce Feindel on the death of her mother, Rosamund Rice, whose Memorial Service will take place Saturday, November 14, in Bridgetown Baptist Church.
Birthday Congratulations to Eric Boyd who will be 80 on Tuesday, November 17.
Atlantic Voices Concert Series
A new concert series is being held here at FBC Halifax. The first in the series will be on November 21st, 7:30 p.m. featuring Andrew Pickett and the Renaissance Ensemble. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 for seniors and students. Proceeds go to the FBC Halifax music program.
Listen to a Service
We record our services each Sunday and upload them to the Church Website. Why not check this out and tell your family and friends if you like it. Click here.
Make a Donation
If you wish to contribute to the ongoing ministries of First Baptist, you can do so by going to this page on our website. PayPal provides a secure means for this transaction. Be sure to tell us if your donation should be credited to a particular purpose. Thank you!
First Baptist Calendar
Go to our monthly calendar with this link. We are trying to keep this as up to date as possible.
Coming Events at First Baptist
November 14th – Intergenerational Family Fellowship, 5:30 p.m.
3436 Rowe Avenue
November 15th - Worship, 10:30 a.m.
November 21st – Atlantic Voices Concert, 7:30 p.m.
November 22nd – Guest Preacher: Rev. Gerald Burke
November 25th – Decorating the Sanctuary, 5 p.m.
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