←Back

Common Bulletin Insert

Chatham-Kent CRC’s

Sunday, December 18, 2011                                      

FIRST CHURCH:   We express our Christian sympathy to the Smids family with the passing of Bill Smids (brother-in-law to Johanna) of Sarnia.  The funeral took place this past Wednesday morning.  May God provide comfort to all his children who grieve the passing of loved ones.  Bill has returned home from the hospital and continues to recuperate there.  Both him and Leida are very thankful for the cards, calls, words of encouragement, and prayer support and are thankful to each of you and most of all to God.

We are thankful that we have no members in hospital at this time of writing.  Please remember our shut-ins during this busy Christmas season.

Happy birthday to Mrs. Henny who is turning 71 on December 21.  Have a blessed day!

First Church expresses Christmas blessings to our sister churches, praying that Christ will fill our hearts with joy and thanksgiving as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.  Have a blessed Christmas. 

GRACE CHURCH:   Please remember Gary & Linda in  your prayers as a tumor was found on Linda’s ovary.  They are doing further testing and she remains in hospital at this time.  We also want to remember in prayer Teena as she has a re-occurrence of cancer and is going for further testing.  Ralph and Marg were involved in a serious car accident this past Wednesday.  Marg was hospitalized with a fractured pelvis.  They praise God for protection through it all. 

Happy birthday to Wilma who is turning 86 on December 23.  Have a blessed day!

From Jim and Ann:  Thank you all for the many cards and best wishes sent our way as we celebrated our 50^th wedding anniversary.  We feel blessed by your kindness and God’s care in our lives. 

BLENHEIM CHURCH:    We continue our prayers for Cor and Johanna as Cor continues to remain at home.  We also continue to pray for Wouter.  We offer our congratulations to Brad and Julia  in the birth of Elliana Grace last week Thursday.  But we continue to pray for them as Elliana was born with a birth weight of only 1 and 1/2 pounds.  We are thankful that Julia can stay at the Ronald MacDonald House for the duration of Elliana's stay at London hospital.  We also congratulate Colin and Nicole, as well as Chloe, with the arrival of Lydia Noel to their family on Monday.   

We look forward to celebrating the 70th birthday of Dirk on Tuesday and 80th birthday of Hilda on Saturday. 

SERVICE TIME & LOCATION: Services are at Grace CRC and at 5 pm  (Unless changes noted below).

OFFERINGS FOR December:  Chatham Christian Schools - Transportation Fund. 

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES: 

Tonight the combined worship service is a Candlelight service and will be at 7pm at Grace CRC and led by Calvary CRC.  Name Above All Names is a special service of carols, readings and special music.  

Saturday, December 24 at 7pm at CALVARY church. Christmas Eve is a family service of lessons and carols. 

Next week Sunday (December 25): The combined evening service is cancelled. 

December 31: There is a combined worship service celebrating the close of the year at 7pm at Grace CRC and led by Grace CRC. 

Sunday January 1^st: The combined evening service is cancelled. 

BIRTHDAY CALENDAR:  By now you should have received your C.C.S. calendar.  If you have not yet paid, please put payment in the mail slot of the designated person on your envelope.  It would be great to have all the money received before the end of the year. 

Gift Certificates and Gift Cards:   Chatham Christian School is open Thursday Dec.22, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Gift cards and gift certificates can be purchased for your everyday purchasing needs or Christmas gift needs during this time at the school. We are also OPEN the Thursdays during Christmas break 3:00-4:30 pm.  This important program has raised $30,602.00 for the 7 months ending November 31, 2011 and needs you to continue raising this amount.  Visit www.chathamchristian.ca then select T.R.I.P. for additional information. 

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul -- Ontario Regional Council Requires an Administrative Assistant to perform a variety of administrative duties. This is a P/T work from home position.  Anyone interested should contact Jim Paddon at jpaddon4@cogeco.ca  for a full job description.  Closing date for applications is Jan.30th, 2012. 

SAVE THE DATE…..for Classis Chatham’s annual DAY OF ENCOURAGEMENT on February 11, 2012 at London District Christian Secondary School.  The theme for this year is Generation Now…. Conversations with and about Emerging Adults (18-25+).  Stay tuned for more information. 

GROUNDWORK - Facts and the First Christmas, Part 2: Despite all the “XMAS” commercialism that has crept into this season, we haven't yet quite managed to destroy the wonder and joy of this celebration of the birth of God's greatest gift to the world. Historian Dr. Paul Maier joins Dave Bast to separate fact from fantasy as we explore the story of the first Christmas. Join the December 25th Groundwork conversation, based on Matthew 1 and 2. Find a local radio station or listen online at www.GroundworkOnline.com.  

KIDS CORNER - Mary's Miracle: Have you ever wondered what Mary thought about the very first Christmas? Was she scared? Excited? Happy? Listen to Mary’s Miracle on this week’s Kids Corner and then check out kids@kidscorner.net for devotions, puzzles and more.  

Ask A Ministry Question - Have you ever thought "I wish I could ask other church members how they handled this particular ministry situation?" Now on The Network, you can post your ministry question and tap into the collective knowledge and experience of fellow CRC members. Ask or answer a ministry question today: http://bit.ly/ministryq 

This past weekend, the Indian Family Centre in Winnipeg was broken into and six large bags of children’s books and toys that were intended for setting up a Family Room at the Centre, were the only items stolen. If you are still looking at making a difference in other people’s lives, then a donation to help replenish these books and toys would be appreciated. Please contact the CRCNA office in Burlington (800-730-3490).