Week 2

We welcome you to our worship service! Pastor Jake Snieder will lead us in worship this morning. Pastor William is in Strathroy this morning on a Classical Appointment.

This evening: our combined worship service is at 5pm and it will be led by First and located at Grace CRC. Pastor Jack will continue with John 19:1-15, Lord’s Day 15, “Behold The Man!”

GRACE CHURCH VISION STATEMENT: As disciples of Christ our purpose is to encourage spiritual growth in ourselves, our family, and our church family so that we will be the presence of Christ to all the world around us in all we say and do.

January 8, 2012 - The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada: The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is the national association of evangelical Christians gathered together for influence, impact and identity in ministry and public witness. At a recent council meeting, council voted unanimously to become members of the The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada for 2012. Their mission is to foster and promote an integral faith, an intergenerational and intercultural Body of Christ, an incarnational Church and an influential community in Canada and around the world.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada began in 1964 for the purposes of gathering churches and church leaders together to promote fellowship, cooperation and a united voice to media and government. Today it is the national association of evangelic Christians in Canada and is a member of the World Evangelical Alliance. It gathers Evangelicals together for impact, influence and identity in public witness. The EFC includes 39 denominations, 85 ministry organizations, 34 higher educational institutions and more than 800 local congregations. The CRC partners with the EFC in various ways to promote a Christian witness in the political and legal realms in Canada. Typical areas of involvement include aboriginal ministries, marriage and family networks, ministry to Muslims, children’s ministry partnerships, poverty and homelessness and many other issues on the Canadian scene.

January 15, 2012 – Diaconate: The Grace CRC diaconate seeks to aid those in need both in our church and in our surrounding community. A portion of the money collected for the diaconal goes to Diaconal Ministries Canada whose mission is to inspire, equip and encourage deacons, churches and their partners in transforming communities with the love of Christ.

§ There is a worship service today at Copper Terrace (91 Tecumseh Rd.) at 2:30pm. The family asked to attend is Clarence & Jane. Please use the back door.

§ Please come Sunday mornings at 9am and join in prayer for our church and community. We meet in Room #2 (in the lower level)

§ Join us for prayer following the worship services in the room at the back of the sanctuary. All requests remain confidential.

Jesus tells us to love one another, as taught in Matthew 22. In Acts 2 we also see the example of the believers caring for each other. These are models for us to use with our church today as well. We are God’s family and we want to support and care for each other. That’s why it is so important that you talk to your elder, deacon, pastoral care worker, pastor, or Council Executive if there is something that you are burdened with. These burdens can be physical or spiritual, or maybe other needs. This way, we as a church family can support you and surround you with love and prayer as you work through these situations. Whether it’s concerns and frustrations or celebrations and joyful moments, we urge you to let us know.

CHRISTMAS PRAYER ORNAMENTS: Please take an ornament home with you to pray for the people in our church throughout 2012. There are many to choose from. Please help yourself. They are in a basket on the table in the narthex.

MAILSLOTS: Please note that we have changed the mail slots so make sure you take your mail and not someone else’s mail. Thank you.

FLOWER MINISTRY: The next schedule for donating flowers to the church is on the table in the Narthex. We are asking for people to donate a bouquet of flowers each week (only one vase) and they will be placed on the organ. Following the worship service this bouquet of flowers will be taken, by our elders & pastoral care workers, to someone in the congregation who is house bound, sick, or dealing with difficult circumstances. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please sign up in the narthex to donate a bouquet of flowers for a specific Sunday. Your job in this would be to purchase the flowers with a vase (there are extras in the Council room) and place them on the organ before church that Sunday morning.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS: are requested to ensure that all expenses for 2011 are submitted to the treasurer by January 31^st, 2012 so that the books for 2011 can be closed in a timely manner.

NEW OFFICE BEARERS: Council is collecting names of individuals who demonstrate the necessary leadership and gifts to serve as Elder or Deacon. Please prayerfully consider this and submit all nominations to Ray VanderSluis, Chair of Council, by Sunday January 22, 2012. Thank-you!

FROM THE TREASURER: Budget envelopes for 2012 have been placed in the mail slots. In many cases, the budget envelope number has been changed for 2012. Members are requested to take note of any changes, and to record the new number on those items presented to the counting committee, in order to receive proper credit for 2012 giving purposes.

Sabbatical Update: Many have been asking about the plans for my sabbatical, so I will provide an update. The sabbatical will begin the second week of February and extend into May (13 weeks). The time will be allocated primarily to research and writing of a commentary on the book of Haggai. It is projected to appear in a series entitled Historical Commentary on the Old Testament, published by Peeters Press (Leuven, Belgium). Thanks to all of you who have expressed best wishes and support regarding this up-coming study period!

TUESDAY NIGHT: We will meet at Pastor Jake's on Tuesday, January 10. Bring your Bibles.

TONIGHT: We kick off the new year with a gym night from 7-9pm at Chatham Christian School.

SKI TRIP: Feb 11-12 Parent drivers or minivans needed. Check our facebook page (Chatham Grace Youth Group) for more information.

UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICE SERIES

The Outreach Committee in conjunction with the Simulcast Committee will be presenting “The Case of Christianity”, a Simulcast event, on Saturday January 28^th. Pastor William will be doing a 3 part sermon series to introduce this event.

January 15 “Our God, All-Loving and All-Powerful” Romans 8:28-39

January 22 “Our One and Only Saviour” Acts 4:1-12

January 29 “The Fairness of God’s Electing Love” Romans 9:10-21

SIMULCAST EVENT: We are once again hosting a Video event- “The Case For Christianity” by Lee Strobel and Matt Mittelberg, on Jan. 28, 9am-4pm at a cost of $8.00, including refreshments and lunch. Would you consider helping by baking snacks? Check our signup sheet on the back table to let us know if you plan to attend and/or bake for us.

LIBRARY NEWS: Pippa, corporate headhunter, hears from one of her placements that he is unhappy with his job. Not taking his concerns too seriously, she is shocked two days later when her client commits suicide. Convinced it was not a suicide, Pippa goes on an investigation of her own. Who would smear her reputation as a coverup? Follow the conspiracy and intrigue in “The Second Mile” by Ron and Janet Benrey.

DISTRICT #3 COFFEE SOCIAL: Will take place after church in the Fellowship Hall.

EVENING COFFEEBREAK: The Grace CRC Evening Coffeebreak Bible study will resume Wed, Jan 11/12 at 7:30 pm. We will have a time of devotions and prayer, as well as an opportunity to reminisce and grieve the passing away of our leader, Linda Heyink. We also plan to discuss and decide on our Bible study material in the coming season. New ladies are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.