Farewell to Rev. Nelson Metcalfe Annual Tea and Sale Nov. 4 Remembrance Day Service Nov. 5 Book Study Begins (4 weeks) Nov. 8 Retirement Celebration for Rev. Nelson Metcalfe Nov. 12 Men Without Jackets Rehearsal Nov. 25 Men at Work Breakfast Nov. 25 Service of Induction for Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Nov. 26
Our Minister of Visitation, Rev. Nelson Metcalfe will be retiring after 12 years of service on Dec. 31, 2017. Nelson has been faithfully visiting those in our congregation who are unable to attend worship whether in hospital, nursing home or other reasons. He has kept our faith community connected through prayer, conversation and a warm presence. He will be greatly missed. We send both him and his wife Arlene prayers and support for the next stage of life and wish them God’s blessings.
Join us in celebrating the ministry of Rev. Nelson Metcalfe on Nov. 12 following worship with a reception in the parlour.
PAGE 2
What Does the Reformation Mean for us Now? Five hundred years ago, on October 31, 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed 95 theses on the doors of All Saints Church in Wittenberg. His theses called for reform within the Christian Church and are credited as the start of the Protestant Reformation—the movement within Christianity that eventually brought us our own Baptist branch of the Christian Church. Of course, Luther himself did not actually begin the Protestant Reformation, but his actions are a symbol of his times. He called for reform in a period of time when the Western world was going through significant transition. Indeed, the period of Reformation was brought to us as the Western world was turned upside down politically and economically—changes fuelled by new technologies like commercial shipping and the printing press. It is not the first time that significant changes within the Church mirrored tsunami-like changes in the larger society. Go back fiver hundred years before the Reformation, and you have a schism in the Church that separated the Church of the West from Church of the East (leading to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy). That split within the Church mirrored the political separation of West and East politically, economically, and culturally. That split brought us two wonderfully rich Christian traditions. Five hundred years before that, Western society was rocked by the fall of the Roman empire and the beginning of the Dark Ages, which brought the church monasticism—a Spirit-filled movement that preserved our traditions and our holy texts amidst a world in upheaval. These traditions and practices of monastic Christianity, by the way, are influencing a new generation of Jesus followers—it is actually quite wonderful. Five hundred years before that, such astounding changes were occurring in the Western world that all of time was re-ordered—from “before the common era (B.C.)” to “common era (A.D.)” Of course, this is the time of great societal transition that Christ was born into, the period when Christianity was born. Church historian and sociologist Phyllis Tickle draws our attention to the pattern. It seems that about every five-hundred years Western society engages a time of significant transition, often fuelled by new modes of technology, new ways of understanding, and a great deal of questioning the political, economic, and yes, religious systems of the previous era. Continued on page 3
P A G E
3
November 5: Remembrance Day Service Isaiah 2:1-4; 1 Peter 3:8-12 Matthew 8:5-10 Guest Speaker: Debbie Eisan Music: Adesett and Jenkins November 12: Pentecost 23 Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 “Oil Crisis” Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Music: Halley and Clausen Reception following the service to honour our retiring Minister of Visitation, Rev. Nelson Metcalfe Novembers 19: Pentecost 24 Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 “The Church and Oak Island” Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Music: Rutter and Vaughan Williams
Join us for the Best Tea in Town Nov. 4 from 2-4:30pm
November 26: Christ the King Sunday Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95 Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 “Has the Church Found Jesus?” Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Music: Iseler and Archer
Continued from page 2
Pay attention, says Tickle, it has been five hundred years since that last upheaval, and it seems quite clear we are indeed in a time of great change every bit as unsettling and exciting as those periods of change before us. So this past week, I commemorated the great Protestant Reformation—even as I gave thanks for my fellow believers in Catholic and Eastern traditions. My Facebook timeline was packed with reflections on the Reformation (a sign that I have way too many minister/theologian friends). But most of my thoughts were not on what happened five hundred years ago, but on the present. If we are indeed in a time of great transition, what will it mean for the Christian Church? What will it mean for First Baptist Halifax? The foundational truths of our faith have remained the same since the Church was born two thousand years ago, but the vessels that hold that truth have indeed changed alongside the larger society. I for one am thrilled to be living in such a time… Journeying Together, Rusty
PAGE 4
Remembrance Day Service November 5 November 5th is Remembrance Sunday. Thank you to Elder Debbie Eisan for joining us this Sunday. Debbie is Ojibway Anishinabee kwe from Batchewana First Nation in Ontario. She retired from the Canadian military after 36 years. Also a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Debbie received the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Foundation Award of Distinction in 2004. She serves as the community planner for the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax. The Christmas Story: Group Book Discussion of the Nativity Commences Wed. Nov. 8, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 week program) Celebrating the Christmas story is one of our most beloved and treasured religious traditions. The narratives of Christ’s birth, which come to us via the Gospels of both Matthew and Luke, are certainly very familiar. Yet, as Géza Vermes’ book, The Nativity: History and Legend, suggests, there remains much to consider about this defining event. For instance, how do we account for the fact that the birth of Christ encompasses only a very small portion of the Gospels? In what ways do the Gospels of Matthew and Luke differ, and what might those differences mean? What might early Christians, given the Graeco Roman setting, understand about the Nativity? What do these narratives tell us about the person of Jesus? Using Vermes’ short-and very readable--book as a guide, we will consider the ways in which the Christmas Gospel narratives help us to examine aspects of our own Christian beliefs. Please join us four consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning November 8th at 5:30 PM until about 7:30 PM in the church parlour for an interactive and thought-provoking discussion. We will begin with a light meal and then proceed to our discussion of the Nativity. Vermes’ 2006 book can be obtained from Clyde Evans (our discussion facilitator). Even if you are not able to read the book section before each meeting, please come anyway. There is much room for discussion. We hope you will choose to attend and participate in this discussion and social interaction. Please feel free to ask questions of Clyde or Kathy Schwartzentruber. Please RSVP in advance to receive your copy of the book.
PAGE 5
December Dates to Add to Your Calendar:
Advent Potluck following worship Dec. 3
Advent Devotional Booklets Available Dec. 3
Christmas Play during worship Dec. 10
White Gift Dedication during worship Dec. 17
Carols By Candlelight Dec. 17, 7:00pm
Family Service, Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 4:00pm
Christmas Eve Communion Service Dec. 24, 11:00pm
PAGE 6
Faith Formation Notes Be part of the Congregational Advent Booklet Only 4 contributors are still needed! For this advent season, we want to hear from people in our congregation, similar to the Lent booklet. If you would like to offer a short devotion, prayer or story (approximately 250300 words) or photos or poems based on an assigned Scripture passage, speak to either Rev. Jenny Drewitz, or Bob or Lara Hazelton. All submissions must be received by Nov 15th. Approximately 25 volunteers are needed.
Here’s What’s Happening in Sunday School in November For the younger class, Primary—Grade 3 our focus is in the Lectionary so the same lessons during worship are what the kids will experience: Nov. 5– Be Humble Nov. 12– Ten Bridesmaids Nov. 19– Parable of the Talents Nov. 26– Sheep and Goats Dec. 3– Be Ready Our older class is experience more service projects and using their own spiritual gifts and are encouraged to stay in full worship the first Sunday of each month. Nov. 12– Discovering Spiritual gifts Nov. 19—Discovering Spiritual gifts Nov. 26– Preparation for 4:00 Christmas Eve Family Service—mission project
Pick up You Copy of the Nov.-Dec. Upper Room Mark Your Calendar for the Upcoming Advent Potluck Sunday, December 3, Following Worship Join the full church for a potluck lunch following worship on Sunday. December 3; the first Sunday of Advent. This is a great opportunity to bring faith conversations into your whole family. Sign up for a potluck item, bring a friend and come experience the beginning of this seasons journey of preparation.
The Upper Room at home devotional books are available free of charge throughout the church in both small and large print. Pick up yours today!
PAGE 7
Induction Service for Rev. Dr. Paul Russell “Rusty” Edwards
Everyone is welcome to the service of induction for Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Sunday, November 26th 3:00pm A reception will follow worship
1300 Oxford Street Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Phone: 902-422-5203 Email: office@fbchalifax.ca Facebook.com/FirstBaptistHalifax
. . .was founded in 1827 as the Granville Street Baptist Church (renamed First Baptist Church in 1886) and is a member of the Halifax Region United Baptist Association as well as the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms (formerly the Atlantic Baptist Fellowship). We are intentionally ecumenical and inclusive in our services (Sundays at 10:30 a.m.) and programs. We are an affirming church. Photo by Warren Hoeg - June 2016
at We’re on the web ca x. ifa www.fbchal
connect