First Baptist Voices: Advent 2013

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The Newsletter of First Baptist Church Halifax Vol. 25 No 4 December 2013

Where Faith Comes To Life!

W e are about to enter a series of “seasons” in the

Christian tradition that sometimes become “blurred” in our minds as

“Christmas.” They are Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Although the three seasons are inter-related and share some common themes, it can be useful to reflect on each of them as an opportunity to enhance our spiritual connection to the stupendous event at the heart of it all - the coming of Jesus into the world. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas - this year that will be December 1

st.

The name for the season comes from the Latin, adventus, which means coming or arrival. Traditionally, Advent is a bi-directional season that begins by looking ahead to what is often called the Second Coming of Christ and concludes by looking back on that moment in history when Jesus was born. The spiritual themes of Advent include waiting, preparation and repentance, and each Sunday many Churches light a series of candles representing hope, peace, joy and love in an Advent Wreath. It is often difficult for people to “wait” through Advent and to take full advantage of its spiritual message as the whole world seems to hurtle as quickly as possible to Christmas. Christmas begins on the night of Christmas Eve (December 24) and lasts for 12 days. The Church celebrates the birth of Jesus with

services on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (or both) and we hear again the message of the angels - peace on earth and good will to all. There are usually two Sundays during the 12 Days of Christmas, with one telling a story from the time of Jesus’ infancy and the other focussing on the theological meaning of his birth as conveyed in the first chapter of John’s Gospel - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. There was once a tradition of giving gifts on each of the 12 Days of Christmas (hence the famous song), especially to the poor, but this emphasis has been moved back into Advent as Christians hold White Gift Services to provide a Christmas meal and gifts for those in need. Our third season is Epiphany, which begins on the Feast of Epiphany (January 6) and continues to the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 5 in 2014). The length of the season depends on when Easter is celebrated and can range from four to ten Sundays. An epiphany is an aha! moment, an experience of something being revealed. The story of the Magi, who follow a Star until the Christ Child is revealed to them in Bethlehem, launches this season and invites us to go on a spiritual journey of discovery. Each Sunday in Epiphany reveals more of the person and message of Jesus - his baptism, his proclamation that God’s Reign has come near,

SEASONS OF OUR FAITH

Continued on page 2

NEWS IS POWER

K nowledge is power. News is power. Financial firms pay a lot for cutting edge

communication technologies. The firm that gets the trading news first from Wall Street or Tokyo has the advantage over all the other firms. Every nanosecond matters. The firm that gets the news first wins. This is also true for political power. Some governments put a blockade on the communication of news. Such governments don’t want the world to know what is going on. Knowledge is power; news is power. News is especially important for warrior nations, for nations whose identity is tied to war—a nation whose history can be told as a great chain of wars. For warriors, knowledge is power—to anticipate your enemy’s next move, to know the enemy better then they know themselves. And news about the enemy is power—to decide what news the public should know about and what to hide and what to lie about—to decide what news to tell us about, what facts to keep a secret, and what knowledge to manipulate. That’s just the way of the warrior. Truth is sacrificed on the altar of power. So, how strange is it that the news of Jesus’ birth first comes to lowly shepherds? “[The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk. 2:10-11). Notice how the news is so personal: twice the angel addresses the shepherds as “you”—“I am bringing you good

news,” and “to you is born this day.” Yes, this news will change the world, but it is also for the shepherds, maybe even primarily for the shepherds, because they get the news first. The lowly get the news first, not Emperor Augustus. Everyone would expect that Augustus would get the news first. His reign extended throughout the known world. Many even thought he was more like a god than a human—all powerful, all knowing, a benevolent leader. Roman citizens hailed Augustus as a force of peace since he united the empire and efficiently put down insurrectionists and invaders. But that’s not who first gets the news. The good news comes to the shepherds, to the lowly, to the ones without any plans to change the world, to the outsiders. Maybe that’s why they get the news first. Unlike people with power, the shepherds have no reason to make the good news useful for their own plans. The shepherds don’t need to manipulate the news, the fact on the ground, because they don’t have any desires or dreams or responsibilities that can corrupt the news. They don’t need to manipulate the news for their own ends, for their security, for their economic prosperity, for their hold on power. This good news comes to those without power. The news of Christ’s birth comes to lowly shepherds in the fields, tending their flocks, providing for their families, doing their jobs. And when they hear the angels, they follow. “I am bringing you good news… to you is born this day a Savior.”

Continued from page 1

his calling of disciples, his ministry of healing and his demonstration of God’s justice. As we “see” more and more of Jesus ourselves, we are challenged to deepen our commitment as his disciples and followers.

It is my prayer that our times of worship, our personal devotions and our service to others will infuse our celebration of these three seasons with new dimensions of faith and joy!

- Rev. John E. Boyd

Continued on page 3

DO YOU LOVE TO

SING?

Check out the fantastic Music Page on our website for information about the Senior Choir,

Men’s Choir, Children’s Choirs and more!

CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS

The office will be closed December 24 - 27, 2013 and January 1, 2014.

This is a word for us as well. We are also included in that “you”—you means you and me, all of us, a humble congregation, gathered to receive the good news… and it’s not just for us, but for the world. As the angel says, “I am bringing good news of great joy for all the people” (v. 10). And all means all—people you may like, and those you who don’t; friends and enemies; neighbors and strangers. We don’t get to decide who deserves the good news; it’s just our job to share it with anyone. As we draw ever closer to Christmas may our thoughts center on the Good News of God's love for all people as revealed in the birth of Jesus. For many of us, this Good News touches a place of deep sadness as we face a Christmas without a cherished loved one; for others of us, the Good News touches a place of joy as we celebrate with family and friends. For all of us, the Good New illuminates the path before us as we move into a New Year knowing that we are held in the loving embrace of God. May you have a truly blessed Christmas.

-Your Minister of Visitation, Nelson Metcalfe

Continued from page 2

MEMBERSHIP CLASSES

A class will be held in March to prepare people to join First Baptist Church Hali-

fax either by Believer’s Baptism or by transfer from another Christian Church. The all day class will take place on March 1, with a re-peat on March 22. The class will cover such questions as: What does it mean to be a Christian? Why do Baptists baptize the way they do? What is different about a Baptist Church? How can I continue to grow in my faith? If you are interested in participating in the classes, please contact Rev. John Boyd at [email protected] or 422-5203. The class is always open to inquirers who have not made up their minds about joining the Church, but have lots of questions!

CHRISTMAS OFFERING

E very year we receive a special Christmas Offering that makes all the

difference in whether or not we meet the commitments we make through our annual operating budget. Most of us are making our plans for Christmas gifts for the special people in our lives. Let us prayerfully consider a generous gift to honour our Saviour and support the work we do together in his Name.

Sunday School Presentation December 15, 2013, 1:00 p.m.

Lunch at 12:00 p.m.

The Clues to Christmas By Maria Pereira

Featuring the children of the Sunday School and Songsters Choir.

Two young girls travel back in time to discover clues to the meaning of Christmas. Come make the journey with them!

All welcome— an offering will be taken for Camp Brigadoon!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

T he last date for donations eligible for the 2013 tax year is December 31, 2013.

Please have expense claims such as White Gifts, etc. to the office by January 6, 2014 for inclusion in the 2013 financial year.

Annual reports are due January 13, 2014. Please note that all boards, committees and groups of the church are asked to submit a report.

A Congregational Meeting will be held January 26, 2014. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and approve the 2014 Operating Budget.

The 2013 Annual Business Meeting will be held February 23, 2014.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL

FLOWERS

M embers and friends of First Baptist

church are invited to place Memorial Flowers, the

beautiful Poinsettias, in church this Christmas season.

If you wish to make a donation toward the flowers, please contact the

Church Office, before December 10th . The acknowledgements will be placed in the bulletin Sunday, December 15, 2013.

December 1st - 10:30 am Service FBC Choir with special guests

Jason Davis, tenor and Lucy Hayes-Davis, mezzo-soprano

Katherine Fitch Loza, harp http://www.stcecilia.ca

December 8th - 10:30 am Service

Guitar Ensemble Songsters Children’s Choir

FBC Choir: "Wolcum Yole" from Britten's Ceremony of Carols

December - 15th 10:30 am Service

FBC Choir and Maritime Brass Quintet music by Bach, Shephard

Curtis Dietz (trumpet) Richard Simoneau (trumpet)

Gina Patterson (horn) Eric Mathis (trombone)

Bob Nicholson (tuba & bass trombone) http://www.maritimebrassquintet.ca

December 22nd - 10:30 am service

Diana Hazelton, soloist FBC Choir: music by Britten

December 22nd 7 pm Carols by Candlelight FBC Choir: music by

Palestrina, Britten, Bach, Shephard Kimberley North, flute

Katherine Fitch Loza, harp Shawn Whynot, organ

http://duotranquillo.com

December 24th - 4 pm Christmas Eve

Family service Guitar Ensemble

Songsters Children’s Choir Diana and James Hazelton, soloists

December 24th - 11 pm Christmas Eve Service

FBC Choir and Kimberley North, flute

December 29th - 10:30 am Service

FBC pick-up choir (guests invited, practice at 9:30 am) Carols: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, and

Ding Dong Merrily on High

January 5th - 10:30 am Service

FBC choir: Schubert German Mass

AN EXCITING PROGRAM OF SPECIAL MUSIC DURING ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

All of our FBC musicians wish you and yours a blessed Christmas season!

http://www.stcecilia.ca/

http://www.maritimebrassquintet.ca/

http://duotranquillo.com

PAST, PRESENT

and FUTURE

Marriages

Danielle Dove and Richard Chute

October 5, 2013

Richard and Robin (Illsley) MacKay October 12, 2013

Parents: Charles and Lynne Illsley Grandmother: Sally Illsley

Deaths

Doris Morgan—October 2, 2013 Mother of Alberta Morgan

Elva Robertson—September 25, 2013

Mother of Lorraine Robertson

A Plan for the New Year

A s we begin to plan for 2014, our thoughts turn to our hopes and wishes

for the New Year. At First Baptist, we are preparing for change as we begin our search for new leadership and what that may mean for the future. Knowing that we can provide financially for any changes that may come, we can move forward with confidence. God has given First Baptist work to do. Our willingness to give has been demonstrated in so many ways over and over again. As the budget for the coming year is developed and eventually approved, First Baptist Church offers you a simple confidential way to provide financial support through the Preauthorized Offering Plan (POP). Through POP, you decide your level of annual giving in twelve monthly pre-approved donations. The preauthorized plan helps to ensure that the work of the Church is supported consistently year round. You may continue to use your envelopes for special gifts at any time. The church office (422- 5203) can provide you with the information that you require to participate in preauthorized giving. We hope you will consider POP as part of your planning in the coming year. Our thanks and appreciation to those who are already participating in the Preauthorized Offering Plan.

ADVENT EVENT

D ecember 1st is the first Sunday in Advent and

we are having a "Pot Luck Luncheon". Perhaps you have a

favourite dish you like to make or have a special dessert recipe that you want to share with everyone. Please bring an item to the CE Advent Luncheon. We'll share lunch together and sing a few Christmas carols just to put us in the spirit. We plan on having some cookies to decorate too! A sign up sheet is in the parlor - bring what you can. All members of the congregation are welcome to come and enjoy this special fellowship time!

CHILDREn’S PagE

COMMUNITY OUTREACH NEWS

WHITE GIFT

T his is the time of year when we plan our White gift Program which will take place on

December 8th. Here’s a great way for you to get

involved! Last year, members of the congrega-tion generously donated $8,285.00 to the pro-gram. This year we are hoping to provide gifts for at least 80 people and donate a minimum of $1000.00 for Christmas dinners as well as sup-port a few other worthy organizations this holi-day season. Volunteers are needed to: Shop for (and wrap) presents, help pack the food boxes on December 13

th from 6:00 PM – 8:00

PM at the Ward 5 Neighbourhood Centre, deliv-er the food boxes, as well as the gifts, to the re-cipients on December 14

th at 9:00 AM.

A sign up sheet is outside the parlour. We’re counting on your support to make our White Gift Program a success again this year – a wonderful way to bring Christmas to families in need!

JUST US! COFFEE

People and the Planet Before Profits

The Community Outreach committee has bags of coffee, boxes of tea, and chocolate bars for sale. Proceeds from the sale of coffee are used to buy food items for the Brunswick Street Breakfast Program (i.e., pancakes, sausages, eggs, hash browns, juice, fruit, and sandwich-es). Buying Just Us! Coffee also supports the Fair Trade partnership between producers, trad-ers or buyers, and consumers. Our regular cof-fee sells for $10.00 per bag, the decaf sells for $11.00 per bag, the tea is $4.00 per box, and the chocolate bars sell for $2.00 and $2.50 each. Thank you for your continued support of this Outreach project.

BRUNSWICK STREET MISSION BREAKFAST PROGRAM

First Baptist Church will be preparing and serv-ing breakfast for the Brunswick Street Mission on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 AM. Although a busy time of year for everyone, I’m hoping that we will have lots of volunteers sign up for this very rewarding outreach project. A sign up sheet is outside the parlour.

REMEMBER OUR FOOD TRUNK

The third Sunday of each month has been des-ignated as Food Bank Sunday, with donations going to local food banks such as Feed Nova Scotia, Ward 5 Food Bank, and the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank to help feed those in need. Donations can be dropped off at other times as well.

ADSUM FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN Adsum for Women and Children was the focus of our annual Harvest Supper and Silent Auction with all our proceeds supporting their organiza-tion. We are also collecting some items (for women, youth, and children) from their wish list of the following new or gently used items: Coats and (rain) jackets, hoodies, NEW under-wear, socks, leggings, $5 Tim cards, NEW hair brushes, personal care items, pajamas, and towels (hand and bath size). They are also looking for the following used items: seasonally appropriate clothing, coffee makers, non-stick frying pans, toasters, oven mitts, double and queen size sheets, and comforters. If you have any questions, you can call Gwendo-lyn MacLean at 425-6959 or the church office at 422-5203.

CAROLS by CANDLELIGHT

DECEMBER 22, 2013 7:00 p.m.

Our annual service of lessons and carols

Special Guests Kimberley North - Flute

Katherine Fitch Loza - Harp

and the Choirs of First Baptist Halifax

Shawn Whynot, Organ Lynette Wahlstrom, Director of Music

WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE! fbchalifax.ca

Our new website, developed by William Crowdis, has a fresh, clean look with lots of useful information on our church and activities. We have new emails too! More news and info can be found on:

Blog: boydsblog-jeb.blogspot.net Twitter: @FBCHfx

facebook.com/FirstBaptistHalifax

Have a look and let us know what you think!

THANK YOU !

Two of the most overused words in the English language, but without them it would be very difficult for us to succinctly express our gratitude for your willingness to volunteer your time and talents to make this year's Annual Tea & Sale such a success. The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well at First Baptist. As well we want to publicly thank our commercial sponsors Scotsburn Dairy, the Superstore, and Charles and Verne Florists - and in the midst of all the pre-sale chaos, Alana and Wayne, brought sanity and calm, as well as answers to all our many requests; we thank you from the depth of our hearts. You truly are the patron saints of our

Annual Tea and Sale. - The Women's Auxiliary.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Contact us today to find your place in serving our fellowship and our community.

It is the time of year when the Nominating Committee starts looking for volunteers to serve on our various boards and committees. Please prayerfully consider your role in our church.

Nominating Committee Chairs are:

- for the Diaconate, Sheila Stanley and David Dexter

- for Boards and Committees, Joe O’Brien – 422-9859/[email protected]

Please speak to us at any time with your ideas about serving in our fellowship!

RCCO CAROLFEST Monday December 2nd,

7 pm Organ Prelude, 7:30 Program

Cathedral Church of All Saints 6732 College St.

Music by Massed Choir and RCCO Organists with guest harpist

Katherine Fitch Loza.

All welcome, free-will offering. (Snow date - December 3rd)

More information at rccohalifax.com

Worship at First Baptist Advent to Epiphany

December 1: Advent 1; Communion Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122

Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 Expecting the Unexpected - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Lucy & Jason Davis, soloists; Katherine Fitch Loza, harp

December 8: Advent 2; White Gift Service Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

Making Peace, Creating Community - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Songsters & Guitar Ensemble

December 15: Advent 3 Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:47-55

James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

A Reason for Joy - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Maritime Brass Quintet, Bach Shephard

Sunday School Presentation 1:00 pm.

December 22: Advent 4 Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

Emmanuel: God With Us - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Diana Hazelton, soloist, Britten

December 22: Carols By Candlelight, 7:00 p.m.

December 24: Christmas Eve Family Service; 4:00 p.m. Readings, Children’s Story

Music: Young Musicians, Songsters & Guitar Ensemble

Communion, 11:00 p.m. Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

The Wondrous Gift Is Given - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Kimberley North, flute, Britten, Galaway

December 29: Christmas 1 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148

Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52

The Wonder Years - Rev. Nelson Metcalfe

Music: Willcox, Daquin Noels

January 5: Christmas 2; Communion Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

The Journey’s End - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Shubert Mass

January 12: Baptism of Christ Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29

Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

Back to the Beginning - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: American Spirituals

January 19: Epiphany 2

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11

1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

Why Follow Jesus? - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Bruckner, Dubois

January 26: Epiphany 3

Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9

1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

The Lord Is My Light - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Duruflé, Widor

February 2: Epiphany 4; Communion

Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15


How Blessed Are You? - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Byrd Tallis

February 9: Epiphany 5

Isaiah 58:1-9a, (9b-12); Psalm 112:1-9, (10)

1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20

This Little Light of Mine - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Palestrina, Poulenc

February 16: Epiphany 6

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8


A Lesson in Ethics - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Duke Ellington

February 23: Epiphany 7 Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119:33-40

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23; Matthew 5:38-48

Living In The Image of God - Rev. John E. Boyd

Music: Mendelssohn, Rutter

March 2: Transfiguration; Communion Exodus 24:29-35; Psalm 99

2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:7; Luke 9:28-43a

Getting Off the Mountain - Rev. Nelson Metcalfe

Music: Haydn, Mozart

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HOW TO CONNECT?

First Baptist Church Halifax 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax Nova Scotia, B3H 3Y8

Web Site: fbchalifax.ca

Telephone: (902) 422-5203 FAX: (902) 422-8665

General E-mail: [email protected] Personal E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Blog: boydsblog-jeb.blogspot.net Twitter: @FBCHfx facebook.com/FirstBaptistHalifax

Matthew 2:2

“. . . We saw his star when it rose and

have come to worship him.”

Epiphany

First Baptist Voices: Advent 2013

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