P EEBL ES BA P TIS T C H U R C H

Advent

December 2013

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given Isaiah 9:6

ith just a few weeks left of 2013, were nearly at the end of our E100 bible study challenge. For those who dont know what that is, we decided at the beginning of the year to journey together and inspire one another to read the Bible. As a whole church weve been working through E100: 100 essential Bible passages from both the Old and New Testaments, that together help show the big picture of Gods plan for mankind. Its interesting to reflect on this during Advent - the season when we await the birth of Jesus - because if youve been taking part in E100, you will have noticed how the readings have been consistently pointing forwards or backwards to Jesus. Its all about him. Part of the point of doing this was to help people get into the habit of regularly setting aside time to pray and study Gods word. For many people thats a hard discipline to cultivate, but its such an important one for the growth and development of our relationship with God. So whether youve being doing E100 enthusiastically, or you started it but fell behind in the readings, or even if you never tried it at all - let me encourage you to plan something into your day for this coming year that will keep you listening to God. Well be talking about some of the options for bible reading aids in the next few weeks - but you dont need to wait until January 1st to start! In the meantime, you might want to set your Sky+ boxes or DVD recorders to Channel 5. Starting at 9pm on Saturday 30th November, The Bible is a 10-hour mini series which journeys from Genesis to Revelation, visiting famous stories and iconic characters: from Noahs Ark, the Exodus and Daniel in the lions den to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Its definitely one to watch!
If youd like to know more about what our friends in the other Peebles churches are doing, you can find some of their own magazines online: Old Parish Church: topcopmag.wordpress.com St Peters: www.stpeterspeebles.org.uk/netmagazine.php St Josephs: www.stjosephschurch.org.uk/?Home%3A:Current_Newsletter

Ian

From the Editor

Well, its that time of year. . . Merry Christmas everyone! There are lots of ecumenical advent events on over the coming weeks, some are detailed in the magazine, but others are awaiting confirmation on dates/times, so please keep checking the weekly bulletins and the church website. You will see that the Christmas theme runs through the magazine: there is a review on a new Christmas Worship album and a review on a topical but fictional Christian book well worth a read. However, as much as we would like them to, the problems the world faces do not disappear for Christmas. Please take note in the BMS section of the magazine a small notice about how people in the Philippines could be helped with the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan by our donations. Im sure there are different charities providing aid, but the details for the BMS appeal have been given here as an option. Thank you for the jars of coffee and hot chocolate that you have brought in so far we still have another week or so to meet our target. Wishing you all a lovely Christmas,

Morag

t Cards by Margare 2.50 Pack of cards: Pack of gift tags: 1

Prayer B

PCT Carol Sing

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Carol Singing
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Messy Church
Ladies Who Lunch
12 AM, Wed 11 Dec Carfraemill
Saturday 7 December 3.30 - 5.30pm Helpers needed to set up, cook, serve, play, chat, and clean - see Ian if youre available.

The Alpha Co Leaders/hel meeting Monday 25t 7.30pm at Ch house

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Victoria Park Centre

This year we sent 58 shoeboxes, 1 online 20 donation and 44 jumpers (knitted and donated by Margaret Johnston to Belarus. Thank you to everyone who got involved in this and who helped in any waylarge or small. Every box does make such a difference. Love in Jesus Margaret Cowan

Prayer Points
Pray for the survivors of Typhoon Halyan which devastated the Phil-

ippines. Its Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said the needs are so great with hundreds of thousands of people displaced. People desperately need the basics of food, water and shelter Pray also for the 12strong team of British Doctors, Surgeons and Paramedics who have landed in Manila to help treat the survivors of the Typhoon. Continue to pray for our Link missionaries as they work hard to bring practical help to people in various countries. Pray for our town of Peebles and the other Border towns. Pray for the youth of our towns, those who wander aimlessly about the streets at night. Continue to pray for Baby Kendal and her mum Jade that our Father will be all that they need Him to be at this time. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Prayer Breakfasts
Early mornings: pray 7 8 am, breakfast (optional) 88.30 AM Late mornings: breakfast (optional) 8.309AM, pray 910 AM

Date 14 December 2013 11 January 2014 8 February 2014 8 March 2014 12 April 2014 10 May 2014 14 June 2014

Time Early morning Late morning Early morning Late morning Early morning Afternoon tea Late morning

Place The Manse John and Moiras Bill and Jennies Carlyn and Douglas Janets Jacquelines Frank and Christines

A Prayer of Blessing from Persecuted Children

Dear God, Please bless my mummy and all my friends. Please keep my Country safe and protect all the children here from terrible things Thank you dear God for the birds, the beautiful sky, butterflies and all the animals. Help me to remember them when things get bad. Help me to have good dreams because bad dreams make me afraid. You can do this because even though you are everywhere, you are also with me in my heart and stay with me when I sleep. Thank you God for the gifts you give us. Thank you for every believer from around the world who helps you to do this, so that we can have the things we need. Thank you for everything. Father I love you! Amen.

Open Doors

Prayer Time before Sunday services Please remember that there is a group of people who meet Sunday mornings at 10.30 AM to pray for the service. This is really important and we would urge you to join us just follow the signs in the foyer.

Rev. Alex Russell

As the magazine goes to press, weve just heard of the death of Alex Russell on Wednesday 20th November. Alex was pastor here at Peebles Baptist Church from 1997 - 2001, and also served in Alexandria, Buckhaven, Dunoon, Bromley and Wester Hailes. Please remember Eileen and the rest of the family in your prayers.

Kings Meadow Update

As we get ready for winter, we can reflect on the first year of the Kings Meadow garden. The plot has developed into a space where we will be able to grow veg, fruit and flowers over the next few years. As with any community project, it is unfolding as we go; the generosity and goodwill from people around us and from local organizations have made this first year very productive. Many of us have noted how great it is to spend time with others in the garden its a time when the world drifts away a bit, and we get caught up in the job in hand and relationships and friendship blossom as do the plants! The garden has become part of the life of the church and its been a real lesson in reminding us to give thanks to a God whose business is growth and new life. All he asks from us is that we respond with glad and grateful hearts and share his generosity and love with the world around us. A working party in November put some spring bulbs, wallflowers and polyanthus into the beds to ensure some colour after winter. These bulbs will eventually be transplanted to new beds in the far end of the

garden where a seating and social area is planned. The wildflower bed was a test patch this year and it was a big success. One passer-by on Saturday asked whether we would be planting more wildflowers in 2014 and the answer is definitely yes since these Scottish wild flower seeds added a beautiful splash of colour and seemed to go on and on all through the later months in the summer. One of our regular volunteers, Alexander, is studying horticulture at the High School and has a great knowledge of plants and propagation and so we are looking forward very much to his input to the garden. More volunteers (old or young) are very welcome to join us. Saturday morning sessions will be scheduled throughout the winter (weather permitting) and these will focus on the structure of the garden - shed, compost bins, paths, trellis etc, leaving the plot ready for serious planting next spring. Being a community garden isnt much good without the community using it, so if there are any groups or organisations out there who might have an interest in using some growing space in the raised beds please give Ian a ring on 07881 518854.

Directors appointed for International Mission Centre

BMS World Mission is delighted to announce a new joint appointment of Rev Claire Ord and Rev Mark Ord as co-Directors of the International Mission Centre (IMC) in Birmingham.
Former mission workers in Italy are to share Directors role at BMS World Missions training facility. IMC is the training centre for all BMS mission personnel, from gap year students on our Action Team programme to those who will serve long term in various countries.

Claire and Mark both trained at Spurgeons College in London, and served in Italy with BMS from 1994 until 2010, in Liguria. Initially Mark was pastor in Genoa and Claire was pastor of a Filipino congregation in Rapallo. They then became joint pastors of the Baptist church in Genoa and over ten years the church grew significantly into a diverse multi-cultural community. They also had pastoral oversight of the other Baptist churches in Liguria. Since their return to the UK they have served as co-pastors at Burton Latimer Baptist Church and Claire has served as a Trustee of BMS World Mission. Claire and Mark have three children, Elizabeth 20, Naomi 17 and Lewis aged 4. Commenting on their appointment, Mark and Claire said, We feel very blessed by God to be back with BMS: it feels like coming home. It will be a great privilege to work with people who are responding to God's call and going to serve and follow Christ in places of need. We are really excited about being involved in the formation of mission personnel going to a variety of places and occupying such a wide range of roles. David Kerrigan, General Director of BMS, added: We are delighted by this joint appointment, a first for BMS at Director level, and we look forward to Claire and Mark joining the team in the summer of 2014. They bring so much to this role including their years of mission experience, rich theological insight, a commitment to justice in all its forms, and a proven ministry of sharing the good news of Jesus in such a way that lives are transformed. 7/11/13

&
Our New Link Partner
Who: Sarah McArthur Where: Peru How long: Since 2013 Principal ministries: Development Sarah is moving to Peru in early 2014 after a period of training at IMC. Sarah will be joining other BMS workers in Nauta, in the Amazon forest, helping to train pastors and the local community in creation care and sustainable agricultural methodology such as plant propagation. She may also be involved in youth work through the local church.

Sarah is when she was seven. She has previously been coming to working as a plant propagator at Glendoick Gardens, mainly working with rhododendrons. Peebles! Please She has been on two work parties to Peru and keep Thursday Tanzania and she feels God has been preparing Jan 9th free. her for work with BMS. Her home church is
Perth Baptist Church. Typhoon Haiyan: Philippines appeal BMS is responding through Baptist partners in the Philippines to bring emergency relief to the thousands of people left homeless by Typhoon Haiyan. You can donate online here: http://www.bmsworldmission.org/donate? donation_area=BMS%20Philippines%20Appeal

Sarah was born in Kuwait and moved to Scotland

Update from Cathie Aberdour

Dear All, I'm writing this from the States. I arrived here a week ago and God willing I'll be here until I get back to Scotland on Dec. 9th. I've been helping Judy get things done in her house. She'll be having two Brazilians and three Canadians staying with her over Christmas. Just before I left Scotland I was able to have a Skype contact with Dominguinho. He and his wife Sandra are with Brad and Melissa just now in Manaus as he has some health problems and hasn't been well for a while. Brad and Jason had a recent visit to the Apurina and so Brad brought him out to Manaus to get some medical help. It was really good to speak face to face with Dominguinho after not having had contact with the Apurina for more than a year. Brad and Jason have now made a few visits to Monkey River and plan to go again soon. Brad has made some more copies of Apurina Genesis as he's been teaching the Apurina from this part of Scripture. I'm in the process of sending Apurina Exodus to him so that he can make more copies of this book as well. A few weeks ago I translated the first chapter of 1Samuel into Apurina as Jason requested the first few chapters of 1 Samuel. He's going to get Makoaa to check this and send me the results back and then hopefully this method will work to translate further chapters. Jason got Makoaa to translate Psalm 2 and we've still got to check that out. Do value prayer that Jason will learn Apurina so that he can do the translation himself. He's already been working on the first two lessons of the Apurina grammar book. My breast cancer surgery was successful but I still have to have radio therapy as a cautionary measure and that begins the day after I arrive back in Scotland, so value prayer for that as I'll still be getting over jet lag! Thanks for your prayers, In Him, Cathie

Part 2

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. (Eph. 6:10-11) Strong in the Lord Its tempting to hear a very different message from that of Paul, namely, Come on, get your act together! Keep pressing on. Stand on your feet. Whats wrong with you? Shouldnt you dare to be a Daniel or be another David? Thats not the message of grace. The gospel comes to us and declares, Be strong in the Lord. A more accurate translation of this verse is Be strengthened in the Lord and in the power of his might. Were looking at a passive imperative similar to the one we find in Ephesians 5 where Paul says Be filled with the Spirit. Its easy to obey an active imperative like: Be quiet. But be filled or be strengthened? How do you obey an imperative thats passive? Scripture that give us keys to this. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46 Its a real tonic to stumble on a command like this, particularly when youre going through a tough patch. In the margin of the NASB it says relax, cease striving. In other words, enough, stop. You cant skip over those things, you need to let them pour into your inner being. How do we go the long journey? How did Moses keep going year in year out, decade in decade out? How did David keep going through the hounding of Saul with the heartbreak of Absalom? How do you do this? How did Paul do it? I think God just found some very strong people. No He didnt! He found some people who discovered how to draw down the energy of God into their little lives. Change your attitude Before we come to these pieces of armour, theres the call, Be strong! Its possible to sidestep this command and charge for the armour. This can

result in a rather defensive attitude: Circle the wagons, hold the fort, watch out. But Paul begins, Be strong. Strength comes first. Were called to have a good attitude or morale before we get into the battle.

Confidence changes things You dont play to your strengths without confidence. And here Paul is saying: Now come on, I want you to have the kind of attitude that declares, Im strong. Paul is reminding his readers that theyre not injured civilians but soldiers who have been equipped for warfare. Isaiah declared, Awake, awake, clothe yourselves in your strength O Zion. Clothe yourselves in your beautiful garments. Shake yourself from the dust. Rise up. Loose yourself from the chains around your neck (Is. 52:1,2). He was calling Gods people to recognise who they were. Come on, he was urging. God has called you. Youre his people. Dont live in the dust; dont live in chains. Shake them off. Saints not sinners Paul echoes his words. He too is writing not to sinners, but to Gods people whom the New Testament describes as saints. Its very important for us to understand that God calls us saints. Too often I meet with people who want to appeal to the fact that they feel that theyre preeminently sinners. They say things like: Im just one sinner telling another sinner how to find God. The Lord disagrees. True, you were once far off, living in darkness, godlessness and hopelessness, but now youve been brought near to God and Hes made you into a new creation. New creation is your new identity. You used to be darkness. Now youre light in the Lord! Thats who you are! In Jesus estimation either youre a bad tree producing bad fruit, or youre a good tree producing good fruit. So many Christians think that theyre still a bad tree, trying to tie some fruit onto the branches, trying to do good things to make God happy. When youre born again you have a new identity and new life flows from within. Paul is writing to soldiers, people who are the light of the world, Gods blessing to the nations. He tells them that once they were nowhere with God, but that now they have a totally new nature. The people who were once nobodies have been transformed into a people who are the praise of Gods glory. Be strong he says, and be aware of exactly who you are.
This post was adapted from the 1st of three sermons on the Armour of God preached at Together on a Mission 2010; www.terryvirgo.org/Articles/264622/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Articles/Series/ Armour_of_God_A_fighting.aspx

Book Review
Title: Oriels Diary: An Arch angels account of the Life of Jesus Robert Harrison Scripture Union

Author: Publisher:

Release date: 10 April 2002 Price: 9.99

About the Book

Told from the perspective of Oriel, one of the angelic host and an archangel colleague of Gabriel and Michael, this fictionalised re-telling of the life of Jesus is closely based on Luke's Gospel. The diary opens with the Boss giving the go-ahead to initiate the plan of salvation, Gabriel is about to appear to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus... A fresh view of a very familiar story giving, as it were, sneak insights into God's intentions. Very entertaining, often humorous, and sometimes very moving. This book will appeal to both Christians and non-Christians.

About the Author

Robert Harrison studied theology at Oxford, then became a church youth worker in Coventry, involved in Christian drama in church and street theatre. After ordination, he was seconded as Religious Programmes Producer of Radio Solent, moving on to become Communications Officer for the Bishop of Willesden and part of the London Diocese Communications Team. For a number of years Robert has been the Vicar of Hillingdon in West London.

Customer Reviews
Sapphira Brown Amazing 5 stars you should DEFINITELY purchase this book! It is one of the best books I have ever read, in terms of characters, plot, quality of writing, etc. Oriel, the archangel who narrates the book is so funny, though Jesus was my fave character, because He is cool and passionate, and so Godly yet so human at the same time! It's a really hard concept to understand, but Harrison puts it across crystal clear. I could not put this book down. I now want all my friends to read it. You don't have to be all religiony and Christiany to enjoy it, just read it because it's funny and sad and totally totally gripping. It'll make you laugh and it'll make you cry. Louise Knight Insightful and well researched 5 stars This is a delightful book! A must to read at Christmastime. It may change your thinking on the birth of Christ forever. KK-Gee-Att Excellent 5 stars This is the first one of this series of boks that i read. I could not put it down. Once i finished i was straight on the net buying the next one. I even bought my mum one of the books. any time someone visits looking for a christian fiction this is one of the first books i recommend. Happy reading. An Angel's world is an interesting one and humorous too. Cristine Robinson Wonderful 5 stars This is probably the most beautiful, lovely story of the life of Jesus after the Gospels - Its good for adults and children alike, I've used it in our church services on several occasions - if you haven't read it yet - you're missing out!

Music Review
Title: Artist: Price: Christmas Worship Paul Baloche 9.20

A brave question is asked by consummate worship leader Paul Baloche with his first Christmas offering, Christmas Worship. The question is, Do our cherished Christmas carols encourage passionate sprit and truth worship? If not, then should we do something about that? To some the question could be akin to asking, Does the Mona Lisa need a mustache? With Christmas Worship Paul Baloche sat down with such eminent writers as Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, George Frederick Handel, and John Francis Wade and then invited some of this centurys most influential hymn crafters into the room: Jason Ingram, Lincoln Brewster, Graham Kendrick, Glenn Packiam, and Kathryn Scott. Paul, together with these artists, furnished classic hymns such as Hark the Harold Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and O Come All Ye Faithful, among others, with singable choruses that complement the themes of each hymn and raise their overall emotive power, fit for the modern musical sensibility. And the overall result is the Christmas album every worship leader must have in their arsenal. Matching his non-seasonal releases, Baloche created this with his colleagues in mind (as well as their congregations)Christmas Worship is a worship-leading tool, completely unique in its purpose and approach. Songwriting, song selection, song augmentation, and even the addition of a worship choir on many tracks makes this release the most congregationally intentional Christmas release we have ever come across. As hes done before, Baloche also put new settings to a few of his original songs. Offering has been given a Christmas treatment before, and is represented again here flowing from a contemporary worship arrange-

ment into a gospel choir sonic-explosion of praise. We also receive a revamped Your Name with incarnation-inspired verses and bridge. And the Kendrick/Baloche classic What Can I Do? where Baloche left the chorus intact but completely retooled the verses, is just as powerful as the original. While its filled with Christmas songs that have a bit of the seasons musical touches, Baloche and co-producers (Michael Rossback and Ben Gowell) also made sure the sounds avoid Christmas clichthe overall tone conveying a wintery, yuletide Montana ranch rather than your typical winter wonderland. The driving guitar and jingling bells are spare, yet lovingly accent just the right notes, and the mandolins and kick drums fill just the right spaces, while the stringed arrangements amplify the true glory of the incarnational message that spans the centuries, both in content and in collaboration. Less a single artists take on the Christmas season and more a collective of worship artists and leaders joining to serve worshipers everywhere, Christmas Worship will, without doubt, infuse new life into our seasonal services for years to come. Jeremy Armstrong 4.5 stars

Sunday 1 December Childrens talk: Jacqueline Wilson KAOS: Jennie Jacobs, Pat Hamilton & Wilma Wintour Flowers: Hazel Hogan Stewards: Christine Drummond, Gordon Craig Teas: Frank Drumond Transport/Setup: Team 1 Communion Servers: Christine Drummond, Liz Keiro Sunday 8 December Childrens talk: KAOS: Rab Bramhall Rab Bramhall, Charles Tulloch & Christine Drummond Flowers: Carlyn McCall Stewards: Bill Jacobs, Liz Keiro Teas: Kenny Hamilton Transport/Setup: Team 2 Sunday 15 December Childrens talk: KAOS: Jacqueline Wilson Christine Drummond, Janlyn Townley & Moira Dalrymple Flowers: Margaret McLennan Stewards: Jenny Jacobs, Carlyn McCall Teas: Helen Henderson Transport/Setup: Team 1 Communion Servers: Jaqueline Wilson, John Dalrymple

Services in Victoria Park Centre (unless otherwise indicated)

Pastor: Ian Gray 07881 518854 pastor@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Sunday 22 December: Family Service & Nativity Play Flowers: Stewards: Teas: Wilma Wintour Frank Drummond, Janet Smith Hazel Hogan

Sunday 29 December Childrens talk: KAOS: Flowers: Stewards: Teas: Transport/Setup: Carles Tulloch Jenny Jacobs, Pat Hamilton, Wilma Wintour Margaret Johnston Carolyn Munro , Lindsey Gray Douglas McCall Team 1

Transport Team 1 Douglas McCall, Jackie Tidder, Margaret Cowan Team 2 Christine Drummond, Margaret Cowan Setting up Team 1 David Tidder, Frank Drummond, Janet Smith, Team 2 Janet Smith, Bill Jacobs, Jacqueline Wilson Laying Communion Table in November Pat Hamilton

Secretary: Treasurer: Website:

Christine Drummond 01721 722062 Liz Keiro 01721 730217 http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Articles for the magazine

We would like the magazine to be as informative and relevant as possible. We aim to provide news about Peebles Baptist Church, its wider concerns and involvement, and Peebles Churches Together. If you have anything you feel you could provide a regular report about, or something you feel should be included in the magazine one month, a Christian book review, a report on an event etc., please do get in touch with us at magazine@peeblesbaptistchurch.org. All articles should be sent to this email address by the 12th of every month. If you do not have internet access or if you think you might have a problem meeting the deadline one month, please dont let that put you off; speak to Morag Bramhall to see how best you can supply something. We would love to have you involved in this project and enhance our church community.

Eco Tips
Wash up wisely If you use a sink of water to wash up twice a day instead of having the hot tap running, you could save up to 35 a year on your gas bill and 30 on your water bill (if you have a water meter). To load or not to load Your washing machine uses more water and energy for two half loads than for a single full load. So to save on your water and energy bills, its better to wait until you have enough laundry for a full load. Ditch the pre-wash With todays modern washing products you shouldnt need this function. Try not using the pre-wash and see how much you save on your water and energy bills. The cleanest way to save Thanks to the great cleaning power of Ariel, Flash and Fairy you could save up to 30% energy which adds up to 20 every year: - Switch from 40C to 30C when washing your clothes with Ariel - Use 50C or 55C eco cycles instead of Intensive when using Fairy dishwasher tablets - Swap 40C water with 20C water for Flash floor cleaner