First Baptist Church
224
Main St. Penn Yan, NY 14527
(315) 536-9821 e-mail: pyfbc@peoplepc.com
Rev.
John R. Tharp, Pastor
December worship services
Dec.
7 The
Real Christmas Tree
Matthew 7:15-30
Dec.
14 What is God Doing in Our World?
John 18:28-38
Dec.
21 Church School Presentation
Dec.
24 Cantata
Dec.
28 Shepherd Tracks
Luke 2:8-20
Saturday, December 6
9 a.m.
Sunday, December 7
3 p.m. in our sanctuary
Children’s
Christmas Program
Sunday, December 21
10 a.m. Worship Service
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
Wednesday, December 24
7 p.m.
December birthdays
1 ~ Marge
Moulton 15 ~
Joyce Slocum
1 ~ Peyton
Hansen 17 ~
Paul MacDougall
4 ~ Kyle
Miller 31
~ Daryl Johnson
9 ~ Deb Eveland 31 ~ Virginia
DeLooza
LEADING WITH STYLE
Malcolm Muggeridge did much of his work in the first half
of the 20th century. Having graduated from Cambridge as a rather
unremarkable student, he accepted the invitation of a pastor and educator, Rev.
W.E.S. Holland, to go to India and teach English. He would write of this
experience, “India is a place in which it is impossible to avoid thinking.”
Along with his teaching duties, Malcolm wrote articles for the Culcutta Guardian.
In one of these he captured a snapshot of two styles of leadership.
On the road that passed by his house, there was an event
that took place each day. A boy, who was physically and mentally challenged in
may ways, would drive a flock of geese to the pond at the far end of the
village and then return with them later in the day. In Malcolm’s description of
this daily event: “He speaks to them in the soft, caressing voice a mother uses
to a very little baby. He carries not stick…but only a large leaf, which he
waves slowly to and fro. (They stay together) like a band of pilgrims or
workers working voluntarily together. He seemed less of a general ordering his
troops and more of a conductor orchestrating a dance, each one understanding
the other’s movements.
I realized how successful he was when, one day, another
boy was guiding the geese. The other boy was a bouncing, bumptious fellow, who
carried a switch and shouted at the geese. As a result the geese spread over
the road in a screaming, cackling mob - some getting left behind; some getting
run over by a passing motor car; all of them lost and bewildered.
Perhaps the boy with the special needs would never “write
a book or bleat a lecture or drone a sermon or do any of the things we wretched
intelligentsia preen ourselves on.” However, this boy had a happiness about him
as he used his obvious gift and would probably be content to do so for the rest
of his life.
(Quoted and paraphrased from Malcome Muggeridge: A Life,
by Ian Hunter)
Each person, each pastor, each church leader is gifted
with a different style of leadership. Some work better with the geese; some are
more suited to leading the charge of the light brigade for some cause; still
others do better at healing the wounds of people along the way. In the history
of our church there have been a great variety of talents shared by both the lay
people and the professional pastors.
On December 14th, we will receive our offering
for the Retired Ministers and Missionaries. It is our opportunity to say “thank
you” to those who have served and their spouses for the gifts shared with us in
the course of their ministry.
~ Pastor John
Mary & Martha Circle and
Fellowship Class OUT TO LUNCH!
Tuesday, December 9
12 O’clock noon
In the month of December
these two women’s groups will
enjoy a luncheon at the
Antique Inn. Call Marge Cornell
with your reservations.
536-6607.
·
Envelopes still left
to be delivered will be given out on Sunday at worship. Those that are left
after worship will be mailed.
·
We gave permission
for the older tables to be used for Christmas for the Needy at the Armory on
Dec. 16 until it is finished.
·
There will be a sign
up sheet for Bell Ringing for Christmas for the Needy. The Baptist are
responsible for December 12 at P&C.
·
It was mentioned that
some sort of speaker system is needed in the nursery so that those who have
nursery duty on Sunday can still hear the worship service. Someone has offered
to pay for the system.
The next Trustees meeting will be held on December 9.
Have you seen those
houses where people go all out with their
Christmas
decorations? The houses with 10,000 blinking lights,
the giant
inflatable Santas, and the loudspeakers blaring Christmas
music… Even God put
up just one North Star when Jesus was born.
He didn’t do a
meteor shower, a solar eclipse, and a giant volcanic explosion.
Music is such an important part of the holidays. It
surrounds us everywhere we go. Shopping, concerts, radio and of course worship
services. Here is a preview of what the choir has in store for you during the
Advent Season. Please come, enjoy, praise,
or quietly pray. Hear the message in these beautiful songs.
Dec. 7 ~ “Emmanuel Is Coming”
Dec. 14 ~ “We Want to Be Ready”
Dec. 21 ~ “Where Will We See Him?”
Dec. 24 ~ “Cool Night, Quiet Night”
Cantata:
“Messiah”
Dec. 28 ~ “Do You Know?”
We extend our sympathy
to Mrs. Susan Harding, our Special Interest Home Missionary in Alaska, on the
recent death of her husband, The Rev. Mr. Richard Harding.
Congratulations to Clifford LeBarr on his recent
effort in the Yates Great Track & Field Team Special Olympics. Held
recently in the Rochester Genesse Region, Clifford won a silver medal in the 10
Meter Walk; and a bronze medal in the softball throw. Congratulations Clifford
! ! ! ! !
It was a privilege
to have the ABC/NYS Biennial Meeting held in our midst this year.
Thank you, First
Baptist members, by providing assistance in hospitality, transportation,
and history moments
during this event, as part of Finger Lakes host responsibilities.
I was pleased at
the generous response by the churches of our Association.
Blessings,
Ruth Spencer
PANCAKE DAY!
A Starshine Celebration!
Friday,
December 5
Serving
begins at 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and then 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
St.
Michael’s Church Dining Hall, Liberty Street, Penn Yan
$18 Family
$6 Adult $ 4
5 - 12 years
THE CANDLES OF ADVENT
Starting the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, the season of Advent is when we celebrate the coming of Christ into the world as a tiny baby born in Bethlehem. Advent candles are what guide us through these weeks, sharing with us the messages of our salvation in Jesus.
Be Enlightened ! One candle glows the first week of Advent, then two,
three and four are lit in the weeks following. As we watch the light of candles
glow and grow each week, we are reminded that our souls are being enlightened
as well by the message of this season: “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1)
Get Ready ! Advent is when we “prepare the way for the Lord”
(Mark 1:3). The candles serve as signals to us to brighten things up around our
home and our church in preparation for Jesus’ entry into our midst. Putting up
Christmas lights outside, decorating a Christmas tree, baking colorful cookies
and candy, wrapping presents in pretty paper are all ways for us to say
“Welcome!” to Jesus.
Wait and See ! The advent candles provide us with a way to count the
weeks until Christmas. They subtly teach us that waiting is a part of the
process of God’s unfolding plan. “At just the right time, God sent his Son,”
Galatians 4:4 says. Advent helps us remember that we are living in God’s time,
not our own.
Gather Round ! The
candles of Advent (most often arranged in the form of a circle) beckon us to
gather round to worship and pray, to give thanks and sing, to read God’s Word
together and share our experiences. We do this when we come to church on Sunday
mornings and when we sit around the dinner table with family and friends. The
candles of Advent make us realize how important it is to love one another as
God has loved us in Christ, our Lord.
KUDOS!
To Brittany Griffin and Tatiana Scheel who received recognition
recently
at the 2008 4-H Achievement Award Night. Brittany and
Tatiana both
won the Stepping Stone Award and Brittany also won the Milestone Award
as well as the Kiawanas Fenton Wager Memorial Award.
When you see the
girls, be sure to congratulate them ! ! ! !
Out of the Mouths of God’s Kids
A little girl was fascinated by a nativity scene set up in her church.
Asked by her mother, she was able to identify Mary, Joseph,
the shepherds, and the animals in the stable.
“And what’s that?” her mother asked, pointing to the manger.
“Oh, that’s Baby Jesus’ car seat, Mommy!” the little girl said proudly.