Week 51

We welcome you to our worship service! Pastor William Koopmans will lead us in worship this morning. We will be celebrating Lord’s Supper in this worship service.

This evening: our combined worship service is a special Candlelight Service at 7pm, led by Calvary and located at Grace CRC. We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbours to this time of Christmas celebration. Please note the change in time.

DECEMBER 31: There will be a combined evening worship service at 7pm at Grace CRC.

On Sunday January 1^st we look forward to the celebration of baptism of Kailyn Judah.

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.

December 18, 2011 – Chaplaincy Ministries: As specially trained ministers of the gospel these pastors and chaplains seek to encourage others in their relationship with Jesus Christ in settings such as prisons, hospitals, counselling centers, and military installations. Their commitment is to be available to those who are suffering, alienated, and confused. They offer resources and guidance that lead towards spiritual renewal and reconciliation with God.

December 25, 2011 – CRWRC: The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee responds on your behalf to the needs of people who suffer from poverty, hunger, disaster, and injustice.

1. There is a worship service today at MeadowPark Senior Home (110 Sandys St.) at 2:30pm. The family asked to attend is Jeff & Jackie Bultje.

2. There is a worship service on Friday at Residence-on-the-Thames at 10am.

· 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.

EVERYONE TURNING 70 IN 2012: Please let me know at the church office by December 18^th if you would prefer not to have your birthday acknowledged in the Common Insert. Thank you.

BUDGET: The Stewardship Committee reports that for the month of December just over $100,000.00 is needed to meet our budget for 2011. The past 2 weeks we received $27,000.00 leaving $70,000.00 to be received by the final offering next Sunday. Let us as a congregation prayerfully do our obligation to the work of our church.

MAIL SLOTS: If you do not have a mail slot and would like to have one (whether you are a member or not) please contact the church office and let Julie know by Sunday December 18^th. If you currently have a mail slot and do not wish to have it anymore please let Julie know that as well.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: is cancelled for Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).

MEMBERSHIP PAPERS: The membership papers of Pastor Fred & Ella, and Steeve & Angela with their children, Sophie and Jonah, were received. We warmly welcome these families to our congregation.

CHRISTMAS CAROLLING: Roseanne and Alice would like to invite you to go Christmas Carolling with them this Christmas on December 22 at 7pm meeting at the VanStempvoort’s place. This is a wonderful way to spread the joy of Christmas to our neighbours around us. If you would like to join them please sign up on the sheet in the narthex, or call or email them. Refreshments will be served at the end of the evening.

DECEMBER 25^th IS YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE TO THE BUDGET AND OTHER CAUSES FOR 2011.

ALL 2011 VOUCHERS MUST ALSO BE USED BY THAT DATE.

Any monies collected after this time, including the December 31st service, will be considered as 2012 donations.

2011 vouchers cannot be carried over into 2012.

Thank you – the Counting Committee

2012 VOUCHERS: You can order your 2012 vouchers with the 2012 request form found on the information rack in the narthex. Cheques need to be postdated for January 2012.

The Cadets would like to thank the congregation for all of the support that you have given this past year for our Pop Can / Aluminum Fund Raiser. Over the past 18 months, we have collected 2480 lbs of pop cans at $0.65 per lb for $1612 and 600 lbs of Aluminum siding, extrusions and copper piping for an additional $648.
We would also like to thank Ed A for allowing us continued storage of the cans at his property, Heyink Excavating for providing the muscle to crush the cans and JP construction for providing the means to transport the cans to Zubicks in London. Thanks to everyone for another very profitable year. Keep those cans coming!

LIBRARY NEWS: Two novels of the “Secrets of Roux River Bayou” series by Kathy Herman are now in the Library. The next suspense novel will be available in May 2012. Get a head start on this series and enjoy these murder mysteries.

CHRISTMAS PRAYER ORNAMENTS: Each Sunday the Sunday School children put an ornament on the tree that goes with the theme and sermon for that Sunday.

November 27: King David: shepherd hooks and sheep

December 4: King Hezekiah: gifts (since he was given the gift of life)

December 11: King Josiah: Bibles (since Josiah found the law of the Lord)

December 18: Queen Esther: crowns

December 25: Jesus: cross

Please take an ornament home with you after the Christmas Day service to pray for the people in our church throughout 2012. There are many to choose from. Please help yourself.