The Window Volume 70, Issue 12 December 2018 w w w.w i n b a p . o rg Check out our Facebook page and download the Winstanley app for more information on services, events, and opportunities to serve. Sign up for events & Sunday bulletins by texting “WINBAP” to 22828
Winstanley Baptist Church 9471 W. Hwy. 161 Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618-397-2010 October Financial Report Checkbook Bal. $115,280.29 Receipts $ 33,342.03 Expenditures $ 45,690.13 Ending Bal. $102,932.19
Search Committee Jim Bryant, Chairman Paul Flahan Ian Harrier Sally Horstmann Laura Osborn Dave Rochleau Linda Spradling Rick Haverman, alt.
Lottie Moon Our Goal:$8,000.00
It’s that time of year again! In case of church weather cancellations, a message will be put on the church phone, Facebook, the app, and channels 2, 4, 5, and 11.
Dear Winstanley Family, It is hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner. For all too many people, this is a season of high stress. We create much of that stress for ourselves by everything we try to do in just a few short weeks. During the Christmas season we decide to have more parties in one month than the rest of the year combined – in fact the party schedule gets so packed that my old Sunday School class at Hazelwood Baptist Church has its annual Christmas party in January!! And besides all these parties we say, “let’s write a little personal note to every person we’ve ever met in our lives.” If that were not enough, we redecorate our houses on the outside and on the inside. We add that to the list. Then we try to buy a special gift for every person that we love. And during Christmas, we bake! How often do you bake? But you do at Christmas! Then – as if all of this wasn’t crazy enough – we say, “Let’s let the kids out of school for 2 weeks.” It’s crazy what we do to ourselves. No wonder we have stress! No wonder we have anxiety during this time of the year. It’s a part of what all of us are facing. Because of the hectic schedule and the stress it brings, we lose sight of what Christmas is all about. I heard a story the other day about how one family has tried to re-create a true sense of anticipation of Christmas with their children. The family had the tradition – like many of us –of putting up all their Christmas decorations almost immediately after Thanksgiving dinner. They would routinely hang the lights, trim the tree, get out their Advent calendar and arrange the Nativity scene. It began to seem like they were rushing the coming of Jesus, so they could get to the “important” things like gifts and parties and watching Christmas movies. This was a strong Christian family who truly wanted to make Jesus the focus of Christmas – not just another “decoration.” And then the father had one of those “weird but wonderful” ideas. He took the baby Jesus out of the manger and hid Him! He then began leaving “ransom” notes with clues about the location of the baby Jesus. After checking to make certain that “dad had not lost his mind,” the four children began to diligently search for Jesus. For the past four years the search for Jesus has become a passion for that family. If the children find the box with baby Jesus before December 24, the father just hides Him again. They will not open the box and put Jesus back into the manger until Christmas Eve. And then they turn off the TV and all their electronic “gizmos” and read the Christmas story, sing “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night” and just focus on the Christ child. For that one family, at least, the Advent season has truly become a time of seeking Jesus. Sometimes we seem to forget that the most important thing about Christmas is seeking Christ. Much of the Christmas story is about people seeking Christ – from the lowly shepherds who were told by an angel how to find the baby to wise men who were led by a star. When I began to think more about the first Christmas, I realized that the search for Jesus was not the best part of the story. The most important element of the story is when both the shepherds and the wise men found Jesus. Matthew and Luke tell us that finding Jesus caused the shepherds to glorify and praise God and the wise men to fall on their knees in worship. It is my prayer that you enjoy all the activities of Christmas – the various church and school programs, family events, etc. – but that through all of that, you will truly seek Christ. And when you “find” Him, be sure to share Him with others. You can do that by inviting friends and family to our “Hanging of the Green” service on Dec. 2, the Children’s Christmas Program on December 9, the Chancel Choir program on December 17 and our Christmas Eve service. May you have a blessed Christmas season. Pastor Derald Pastor Search Committee Update Even though we have not given a formal report for a few months, let me assure you that the Search Committee is actively at work. We meet almost every Sunday afternoon and have had several additional meetings on weeknights. We are firmly committed to finding God’s person to be our next pastor at Winstanley. We have reviewed literally hundreds of submitted resumes and have had additional contact with a few people, but to date, we have not found that person. Remember that calling a pastor is not like filling a vacancy in a secular job. In the secular world, one is only seeking someone who meets the stated qualifications for the job. Within the church, we are seeking the ONE person that we believe God has appointed. Pastor Derald helped me in the sermon last Sunday morning when he spoke of God not having an alternate plan but is always working toward His primary and unique plan and purpose for our lives. The Pastor Search Committee asks that you continue to hold us up in prayer and pray that we all will be diligent and patient until God reveals His person in His time.
Have you noticed any new faces behind the sound booth in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings? Ian Harrier has recruited and trained several young men in the church to operate the sound booth during worship. Many of these young men are his students in the youth Sunday school class. Ian not only teaches them the truths of Scripture, but he’s also actively leading them into service. I’m greatly encouraged to see this type of growth unfold in our student ministry at Winstanley. On the topic of encouragement, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as encouraging as Elaine Gantner. And now our youth ministry is blessed to have her with us on Wednesday evenings. She brings a special sense of joy and warmth to our students and the rest of the leaders. We were happy to have Elaine join us for Youth Encounter this year! I thank the Lord for the leaders and volunteers he has placed in our student ministry. They are investing their lives in others and having a great impact in the Kingdom of Christ. Fielding
December 2 December 9
Hanging of the Green, Sweet and Savory Bar , 6 pm Deacon led Pancake Breakfast from 7:30-9 am. There will still be the early service at 8:15 am. That evening at 6 pm the Children’s Choir will present “The Smallest Shepherds”. There will be a reception afterwards in Garrison Hall. Chancel Choir, “Once Upon A Night” at 6 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6 pm
December 16 December 24
Christmas Basket Collection Items and Dates Dec. 2 Dec. 9
Boxed or Packaged Cookies & Crackers Corn Muffin Mix
December 14 is basket prep, December 15 is basket pick up.
Dates to Remember Dec. 2 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 24 Dec. 26 Dec. 30
Hanging of the Green, 6 p, Robbins Class Party, 6 pm Poe Class Party, 6 pm Pancake Breakfast, Children’s Choir 6 pm Basket Prep Basket Pick Up Chancel Choir, 6 pm No PM Service Christmas Eve Service, 6 pm No Activities No PM Service
Every Tuesday Romeo’s at 8 am, Juliet Breakfast at 8:30 am Every Thursday Open VB 7 pm
Messages in “God Is…” Series Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23
“God Is Trustworthy” “God Is With Us” “God Is Generous” “God Is Approachable”
“The Great Divide” by Alvin J. SchmidtThis book is dedicated to all who have wondered what the differences are between the West and Islam but were afraid to ask. The failure of Islam and the Triumph of the West. Differences in these more recent times have altered some of the facts in the book, but the premise is still the same. Three modern romances make falling in love simple and sweet, in this new book by Wanda E. Brunstetter, one of our favorite authors. it is titled “Love Finds a Way”. “An Amish Cradle”, four novellas by four different authors. Lives that will never be the same. A journey with four families as their lives are about to change forever. This is such a sweet book about the Amish; also a quick read.
Nursery Schedule Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Dec. 16
Laura Showmaker Carlene Mitchell Chris/Megan Flahan
Paul/Meredith Flahan Janice Henry Karen Sandefur Betty Heidenfelder Bill Phillips David Harrier Scott & Ellie Lively
Dec. 23
Dec. 30
Leah Williams Connie Rutledge Alison Poe Yvonne Saunders
Shelly Bell Charlotte Gunter Sally Horstmann Mary Jane Allard