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Common Bulletin Insert

Chatham-Kent CRC’s

Sunday, February 5, 2012                                          

TO ALL CHURCHES: Mission Of Tears- Haiti Trip:  Jeff and Oliver covet your prayers as they plan to go to Haiti to help our Jeff's cousin Karen at her orphanage/medical help centre/school. They leave on February 15 and return on February 26. If you feel called to support this trip you can make donations either to Mission of Tears (Karen will get 80% of the money) or simply give cash to Jeff and he will bring it directly to Karen. Money is better than donating goods for two reasons. It supports the local economy there and is easier to transport. Karen's cupboards are bare.  If you want to read more about what Karen does check it out online: http://haiticoramdeo.blogspot.com/ 

GRACE CHURCH:  Clarence and Jane  like to thank the congregation for the many cards and other tokens of sympathy we received after the passing of our dear granddaughter Jessica Dekker.  In times like this we really feel how important and comforting it is to belong to a caring church community.  From Wilma: The doctor was pleased with the results for the removal of the kidney on Brianna.  She is off the medication and will undergo tests in 6 weeks to see if other kidney works properly.  We praise God and are thankful for the continued prayers and support of our congregation.  Win Elzinga returned home from the hospital after experiencing a lot of pain in his hip.  He is awaiting surgery in the near future.  Mieke continues to recuperate from her broken arm and we lift her up in prayer.  We offer our condolences to Jim, Kathy, Aaron, and Amelia with the passing away of Kathy’s mother Teena this past Tuesday.  The funeral took place on Friday. 

Please pray for and encourage our shut ins throughout this month: Tina, Bea, Mary, Al, Irene, Marya, and others who are going through difficult times.  Happy birthday to Sjouk who is 86 today, to Melvin who is 75 today, and to Clarence who is turning 84 on the 10^th.  Have a blessed day! 

CALVARY CHURCH: Give thanks with us for the arrival of Kathryn Renee, 3rd daughter of Ryan and Heather. She arrived safely Wednesday morning weighing 7 pounds. All are well! 

FIRST CHURCH: We continue to pray for Benjamin Andrew, infant son of Cady and David, grandson of Tim and Cathy.  Benjamin was to have undergone open heart surgery this past Friday at Toronto, Sick Kids hospital.  We commit him and his family to God’s gracious care and healing.  We also join Josh and Corina and their families, in celebrating God’s gift of new life with the birth of Adele, born on Tuesday morning.  Peter’s surgery has been rescheduled for February 13.  Mike enters his fourth week of treatment in Hamilton.  Jack came home from hospital this past Wednesday.  He is very tired and recuperation can take up to a year.  Jack and Carol were also blessed this past week with a new grandson, born to Karl and Karen.  Please keep these brothers and sisters in prayer before our heavenly Father. 

Please pray for and encourage our shut ins throughout this month: Tina at Riverview Gardens, Johanna at Riverview Gardens, Wendy at St. Andrews Residence, Brian at home, Tina at home, and others who are going through difficult times.

Gerard and Henny wish to thank everyone who came out to make their 60th wedding anniversary a memorable occasion. Praise be to God!

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tina who is turning 75 on February 7th.  Have a blessed day!

BLENHEIM CHURCH:  We continue to pray for Cor and Johanna  and are thankful for the help Cor is receiving so that he can continue to live at home.  We pray for Margaret who spent five days in the hospital due to nausea and vomiting and because of a problem with her eye.  We also pray for Julian  who spent time in the hospital after a severe seizure and underwent several tests.  We look forward to celebrating Dick's 75th birthday next Sunday. 

SERVICE TIME & LOCATION: Services are at First CRC and at 5 pm.  PLEASE NOTE the change in location.

OFFERINGS FOR FEBRUARY ARE FOR:  Shepherd’s Way Inn. 

CHATHAM ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE INFORMATION NIGHT: Please come out Thursday February 23, 2012 to Chatham-Kent Children’s Services (495 Grand Ave. W.) to learn more about adoption.  These children need you!  Call to register: 519-352-0440. 

NEIGHBOURLINK FUNDRAISER: A mystery dinner theatre and silent auction will be held on March 3, 2012 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm at Lawson Hall, 304 St. Clair Street in Chatham. Come out and enjoy a four-course meal while trying to solve the mystery. All proceeds have been designated for NeighbourLink-Chatham-Kent. For more information and tickets please contact your local church representative or Myrna Panjer at 519 397-3677 or mpanjer@cogeco.ca . 

GENERATION NOW: We encourage you to come out to this exciting day on Saturday February 11^th at Good News Church (476 Clarke Rd.) in London from 9am – 3pm.  We will be having conversations with and about Emerging Adults: the relevance of a Reformed Worldview, Cultural Realities & Shifts, and meaningful mentoring & discipleship.  Cost is $10 with lunch included.  For more information and to register contact Marianne Idema at majidema@gmail.com or 519-424-3948. 

THE WALLACEBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WILL BE HOSTING A WEEK OF PRAYER: from February 6 – 10.  Everyone, all ages and backgrounds, is invited to join us and come to the school from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. as we gather together in prayer.  If you have any specific requests you would like us to pray for, please let us know!   We are located at 693 Albert Street, Wallaceburg; if you have any questions or prayer requests, please call us at 519-627-6013, or send an email at admin@wallaceburgchristianschool.com 

The Chatham Solidarity local of CLAC is hosting an exciting education session on February 29^th at 7:00pm in the CLAC office, 455 Keil Dr. South.  Rob Joustra, a senior researcher with the think-tank ‘Cardus’ and PhD candidate at Bath University, will be speaking on The Global Resurgence of Religion and how to view labour in a changing world.  This free event promises to be both interesting and exciting.  We encourage everyone to attend.  If you have any questions, please call the CLAC office at 519 354 4831 for more info. 

This generation has a voice and a place at the planning tables of our communities - even our country. You, as a young person, can dream a vision of Canada where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people walk together and work together. Come to Ottawa, Feb 23-26
to participate in a youth symposium to cast a vision and take practical steps toward reconciliation. More information at roq.gatheringnations.ca or http://youtu.be/NZbElHyhSL0. Email Steve at svandehoef@crcna.org for details.

“GO” MISSIONS CONFERENCE: It's the last week to register for the “GO” Missions Conference on Feb. 11 at Fellowship CRC in Brighton. The plenary session, workshops and discussion groups are specifically geared to equip your church for global outreach. Registration details are available from Christian Reformed World Missions at www.crwm.org/gobrighton. For more information, contact Idella at 800-346-0075 or iwinfield@crcna.org.  

MINISTRY WEBINAR - The Network - Your Ministry Connection - Feb. 8: The Network is an online destination where you can connect with other CRC members who serve in their local churches. The Network is built on the idea that often the best help comes from people who are doing similar work and have struggled with similar questions. Discover all the resources and connections The Network has to offer. Presented by Jonathan Wilson the Community and Content Manager for The Network. Register at www.crcna.org/webinars 

GROUNDWORK - How to read the Hard Stories: If you are a long-time Christian, the Bible may be very familiar and comforting to you. Perhaps it’s so familiar that it no longer surprises you. But the Bible ought to startle us—even shock and upset us. Join the Feb. 12 Groundwork conversation on 2 Peter 3:15-18 and you'll see what we mean. Find a local radio station or listen online at www.GroundworkOnline.com.  

Day of Encouragement 2012:  Church councils throughout Classis Chatham have told us through a recent survey that the retention, discipline and mentoring of young adults is among the top issues facing our churches today and the Classis Chatham Day of Encouragement is tackling this important issue head-on.  Come join us next Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Good News Church, 476 Clarke Road, London for “GENERATION NOW”…A Discussion With and About Emerging Adults 18-25.  To register for this important event, which runs from 9 am-3pm, simply email your name, phone number and the church you attend to Marianne Idema: majidema@gmail.com or phone 519-424-3948 (evenings) by Thursday, February 9.  The $10.00 registration fee can be paid at the door.  For more information see the Classis Chatham web site: www.crc-churches.org.  

KIDS CORNER - Lucky Lizards: Liz just found $500.00 in the park, and he can’t wait to spend it! Check out what Liz decides to do with the money on this week’s Kids Corner. Visit www.kidscorner.net to find great Christian programs and music for kids.

The next Reformed Marriage Encounter Weekend is February 18-20, 2011 in St. Catharines, ON. Early registration is highly recommended.  For more information or to register on-line, visit www.reformedme.org or call David and Danielle at (905) 985-8305. There is no sharing in a group on the weekend. See also www.wwme.org. 

On February 19, 2011 please plan to attend Classis Chatham's Day of Encouragement to be held at London District Christian Secondary School. The theme for this year is "Does Your Church have Curbside Appeal", and the workshops will inspire your church to learn to better serve our Lord and Saviour by reaching out to those around us.   The deadline of February 7 is fast approaching so for more information, or to register, please call Marianne Idema at 519-424-3948, or email: jamidema@hotmail.com. 

MISSIONS WEBINAR SERIES - Long Term Missions Essentials: Do you feel God's call to explore International Missions and are stumped on how to go forward? On Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., (EST), bring your questions and together we will put together the next steps in your plan to learn more about what God may be asking of you. To register for this event visit www.crcna.org/MissionWebinars. 

GROUNDWORK - Searching for Financial Freedom: Financial issues often leave us feeling anxious.  I can be hard to trust God to provide. How can we find a real sense of peace? Join the Feb. 13 Groundwork conversation on Matthew 6:19-34. Go to www.GroundworkOnline.com to find a local radio station or listen online.  

KIDS CORNER - Power Trip 1: Liz and his friends are on a mission trip. Their job is to build a school and tell kids about Christ, but they are facing strong opposition. What will they do? Find out on this week’s Kids Corner. Then check out www.kids-corner.org for stories, devotions, puzzles and more.