December 2009 Good News!
THE BEST OF GIFTS
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15
Having trouble selecting that perfect gift for someone? A friend shared with me a few suggestions:
• The gift of listening. No interrupting, no planning your response. Just listening.
• The gift of affection. Being generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, and pats on the back.
• The gift of laughter. Sharing funny stories and jokes. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”
• The gift of a written note. Expressing in a brief, handwritten note your appreciation or affection.
• The gift of a compliment. Sincerely saying, “You look great today” or “You are special” can bring a smile.
But as we begin this special month of celebration, why not pass on the best gift you’ve ever received? Share the fact that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:23). Or share this verse from John 1:12, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Remind others that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The best gift of all is Jesus Christ. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15).
The greatest Gift that has ever been given
Is Jesus Christ who was sent down from heaven.
This Gift can be yours if you will believe;
Trust Him as Savior, and new life receive.
The best gift was found in a manger.
— Cindy Hess Kasper, from “Our Daily Bread”
LET’S CELEBRATE!!!
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
8 Betty Houghton
11 Mary Smith
12 Alison Brown
13 Ruth Holmes
14 John Couture Robert & Nola Wilson
15 Harry Williams
16 Nola Wilson Ben & Gerry Barber
18 Dick & Barbara Spong
19 Reg Fulton
26 Ray Porter
28 Randy Teets
29 Evelyn Ahn
30 Irene Norcross
BOOK CLUB SCHEDULE
The Book Club will be meeting on its regular day and time, Wednesday at 10:30. If you enjoy reading join us!
December 2nd – “Finding Noel”, by Richard Paul Evans. We are meeting at the church with Pat Foor hosting.
January 13th – “Here if you Need Me”, by Kate Braestrup. Barbara Reeder hosting.
February 10th – “Still Alice”, by Lisa Genova at Robbie McIntosh’s.
(If you would like to host the Book Club please let Linda DeMola know.)
STUFF WE CAN USE
Toilet Tissue (Always in need!)
Paper Towels – Rolls
Copy Paper–any quantity, any color
Bleach
Hand Soap
A/C Filters – 24×24 & 20×20
9 oz. Cold Drink Cups
If you can help with any of these items, please bring them to church with you on Sunday morning and place them in the foyer. Any donation, large or small will help the church to stay within the budget. Thanks for all that has been contributed to date.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
For November
For Coffee Hour:
Jean & Rosche Longenecker; Nola & Bob Wilson; Pat & Bob Foor; Robbie & Jim McIntosh; and Jane Coatney & Betty Russell.
For Greeters:
Robbie & Jim McIntosh; Pat & Bob Foor; Jane Coatney & Betty Russell; Virginia Parrish & Evelyn Ahn; and Barbara Norcross and Rose Marie Shea.
For Worship Leader:
Jim Nelson, Clay Maxwell, Mary Smith, John Carter, and Pat Foor.
For Flowers:
Lucy Haddow, Ruth Warren, Norm & Irene Norcross, Doris & Tony Lambusta.
PRAYER CHAIN
The following is an updated list of the Prayer
Chain members at this time, with phone numbers:
Robbie McIntosh 734-1237
Vickie Churchill 488-4812
Barb and Bill Reeder 738-0084
Betty Russell 791-3390
Glenna Teets 781-0595
Vicky Cyphers 734-3999
Jean Carrier 736-0491
Irene Norcross 785-4384
Jane Coatney 942-1847
Barbara Powers 736-9484
SOUP’ER SUPPER AND AUCTION
The Supper and auction is scheduled for Saturday, January 30th at 6 p.m. Again this year we are looking forward to a great social with an auction for fun and a few laughs.
Plan now to attend. Start thinking now about the auction. We will be doing things the same way as we did last year with a combination “Silent Auction” and a short live auction of a few mystery items just for fun. If you have any items for the silent auction please speak to the pastor or someone from the Program/Ministry Team. Some auction ideas include restaurant gift cards, rounds of golf, a couple nights at a resort, or a Christmas gift you’d be willing to donate instead of going through the hassle of returning.
FAITH EXPLORATION
(During the Lenten Season)
After the Holiday season we will be starting a “Faith Exploration” experience. This will be an opportunity to ask questions about the nature of God and the role of faith in your life. We want to do this in a setting that will encourage openness, questioning, and doubt. There will be no “expectations” or “responsibilities” — just to be open to what God might have in store.
To facilitate the process, you are asked to pick up a copy of The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young and read it over the next couple months. The book is available at most bookstores or on-line through Barnes and Nobel or Amazon.com.
FOOD TABLE FOR RCS
Again our tables in the sanctuary are overflowing! the food will be picked up for the RCS Food Bank on Monday, November 30th. It will help replenish the shelves in preparation for the Christmas holiday food needs. The Food Bank expects to serve 8,000 families during each month, November and December. The need in these economically troubled times has tripled. We will continue to collect and distribute food items to the RCS Food Bank throughout the year, so continue to bring in your contributions any time. Thank you, ECC Congregation and Community Concert attendees, for your generosity.
ADOPT A FAMILY
Sponsored by the Program/Ministry Team the church has adopted a family from the Haven this year.
We will be receiving a list of items they are “wishing” for. The giving tree in the annex is where you can pick a “wish” to fulfill. Then place the unwrapped item under the tree. The items will be delivered to the Haven on or around December 14th. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Donations of wrapping paper, tape and bows is also appreciated, as at the Haven the moms get together to wrap the gifts.
THANKS RICK
A friend of the pastor, Rick Bollenger, who has a small contracting business power-washed the walk around the sanctuary. Thanks Rick!
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
FOR SHUT-INS
As we have done for the past two years, we are collecting items to make baskets for our members who are ill or unable to come to church. This is one way we show them that we still care about them. We will be making 9 baskets this year. Items we would like for the baskets include:
Apples bananas
Pears crackers
Candies cheese
Nuts
Homemade treats such as cookies, candies and breads
Cash donations to purchase some items and the baskets is also welcome. See Linda DeMola or Robbie McIntosh.
CHOIR MUSIC MINISTRY
How about our choir! Have you noticed our 3 new members? They all are amazing participants and so faithful. I have tried out many new pieces of music, even with C.D. accompaniment, and they still come. They have been a blessing Be sure to encourage them individually. A special thanks to Mara. Hope you feel that the guest soloists and organist have added to the services. We are working on a special Christmas presentation for Sunday, December 22nd. Many blessings to you and your families.
Rejoicing always, Betty.
Please note I have changed my e-mail address to
bj33770@yahoo.com
Thanks, Bob Foor
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Speaking of e-mail addresses, does the church have your current e-mail address? If you are not sure, just send a note to the pastor by e-mail and it will be added to the e-mail directory. Thanks!
NOTES RECEIVED
Hello everyone at Emmanuel Community Church. Fall is now here in Maine. We have had our first snowfall. The leaves are mostly off the trees. We have a frost most mornings and all the birds have flown South. It is a beautiful time of year with clean refreshing air and Ruth and I are well–just a year older.
Ruth still gets around with a walker and Bill is waiting for a replacement rotor cuff for his shoulder. Otherwise we don’t see much change.
We still miss all of you and wish we could worship with you. It is good to hear from different ones every once in awhile. We appreciate the monthly news letter. It helps fill us in on what is going on with many of you.
Our prayers are with the church and the influence you have with the community. Keep up the good work.
Our love to all of you. Ruth and Bill Marstaller
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Dear friends at Emmanuel,
It was wonderful to visit everyone this past Sunday and for Nancy to be able to share her heart through singing. It is our hope that you were blessed with the songs she selected especially for our visit to Emmanuel. We have missed you all very much and will try not to be away for such an extended time. We would like to thank Betty Houghton for the invitation, Paul for his gracious welcome, and, of course, all of you for opening your hearts and sharing so many kind words. We continue to pray for Emmanuel and we hope to see you again in the near future.
Blessings to all,
Thom & Nancy Anderson
RETIRED MINISTER & MISSIONARIES OFFERING
Dear Friends,
Thank You check recipients and others who received financial assistance from the 2008 Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering were overwhelmed by the generosity of American Baptist congregations in the midst of the most severe recession since the Great Depression.
George and Charlotte Gillespie, Moorestown, NJ, wrote: “We deeply appreciate the members of our ABC congregations — many of whom may have been dealing with their own financial problems — who contributed to the RMMO out of their love, loyalty and faith.”
Contributions to the RMMO in 2008 totaled $1,383,537. Of that amount, 57% was distributed as Thank You checks to 3,238 retired American Baptist ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. The average check was $258.69.
Thirty-eight percent was made available to people with emergency and other heavy financial needs, and 5% was used for administrative expenses.
Please join me as we Remember with Love and Give with Gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to Christian ministry. Please make a generous contribution to the RMMO any Sunday during the month of December. Our goal is $600.00, an increase 5% from last year.
Your gift makes a difference.
Sincerely,
Paul Norcross, Pastor
