The Window Volume 70, Issue 11 November 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 September Financial Report Checkbook Bal. $109,482.02 Receipts $ 35,466.70 Expenditures $ 29,668.43 Ending Bal. $115,280.29
Search Committee Jim Bryant, Chairman Paul Flahan Ian Harrier Sally Horstmann Laura Osborn Dave Rochleau Linda Spradling Rick Haverman, alt.
Senior Adult Fall Fellowship, Thursday, November 8 at noon Guest speaker is Christine Davidson from Heartland Hospice. Lunch provided. Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board.
Giving Thanks Even in Difficult Circumstances In just a few weeks we’re going to celebrate a national holiday called Thanksgiving. The irony of it is, very little thanksgiving usually takes place on Thanksgiving. The only thanks that is usually offered is a one or two minute prayer before the big meal and that’s by one person. We’re usually very busy doing everything else on Thanksgiving – preparing, cooking, eating, entertaining, talking with friends & family, watching football, reading the sale catalogs for Black Friday... and numerous other activities. The other day I was reading the account of one of the first thanksgiving meals. No, it didn’t involve Puritans, Pilgrims or Native Americans. It did not involve turkey or pumpkin pie. We know it better as the Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with His disciples the night He was arrested. In Mark’s account of this event, Jesus gave thanks twice. Have you ever thought about that? Now, Jesus never did anything just for ceremony or show. He gave thanks out of sincerity, not ritual. So, to me, this begs the question: WHY DID HE GIVE THANKS? Well, even as I ask the question, please don’t overthink the answer. He gave thanks for one very simple reason – He was thankful. That is fascinating. Sometimes you and I struggle to be thankful because we think of the troubles and difficulties we have experienced during the year. We may be worried about how we can afford the Christmas presents we think we need to buy during the next few weeks. We find it hard to be thankful because of the loneliness caused by loss of loved ones that will not be around our table this year. Yet, the fact that Jesus was thankful at THIS Passover dinner is a reminder that it is possible to be thankful even in the most difficult circumstances. Remember, Jesus knows He is about to face the most difficult day anyone could possibly ever go through. He is going to be arrested and falsely accused. One of His very best friends will deny Him 3 times. Many of His other closest friends will abandon Him. He will be beaten and scourged. He will be humiliated. He will be crucified. And because He will bear the weight of all the sins of the world, His Father will turn HIS back on Him. Jesus also knows the meaning that the bread and the cup will have – they will serve as reminders of the gruesome day He is about to have. AND YET JESUS WAS THANKFUL. Jesus was thankful, because He knew that His broken body and shed blood would result in forgiveness of sin, rebuilt relationships between God the Father and people created in His image and an eternity spent with the people who will become His brothers and sisters. Over the last several weeks we have been talking about God’s amazing grace. And we have seen that every benefit of grace is a direct result of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. I know many of you are going through difficult times. Some of you are struggling with health issues. Others will be experiencing Thanksgiving for the first time without a certain loved one. Others may be dealing with financial difficulties or family issues. Regardless of your circumstances, you can be thankful that all these difficulties are what the Apostle Paul called “minor and temporary.” If you have received God’s Saving Grace, you can be thankful you are looking forward to the day when you will be celebrating the goodness of the Lord for all eternity. Blessings, Pastor Derald
On the topic of thanksgiving, we ought to thank the Lord for a wonderful turnout at our Fall Festival this year. We had about 42 families in attendance, and many guest cards were filled out with contact information. The outreach committee has been following up with our guests in hopes that they will visit us again soon. Now that the Fall Festival is over, it would be easy for us to simply look forward to our next event. But now we must be in prayer for those who visited our church and for the follow up calls being made. On November 7 we have an opportunity to minister to a group of people in need of food and other basic necessities. Bruce Hicks and other church members will deliver an early Thanksgiving meal to some folks in East St. Louis. If you are interested in going with us or helping in some way, see Bruce. Please be in prayer for our youth this weekend as we head to Lake Sallateeska for our Fall Retreat. This is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth for all in attendance. Fielding
Hanging of the Green!! Sunday, December 2 at 6 pm Yes, it is indeed that time of year once again! ALL of the church gets to begin the Advent Celebration together by decorating the sanctuary Christmas tree. If your family doesn’t have an ornament here, make sure you bring one. Following the service in the sanctuary, everyone will be ushered into Garrison Hall for a spectacular Sweet & Savory Food Bar—appetizers and desserts. Of course, all attending this event are asked to provide the goodies. The Planning Committee is requesting that whatever you bring will be ready to put on the table using your own serving trays, etc. The church ovens will not be available that evening! Also, you will be responsible for taking your serving trays and utensils home with you UNWASHED. We have been “spoiled” in the past by at least 30 desserts that were graciously provided. That is not the case this year. What each of you provide will be what we eat. SOOO, that being said, BE GENEROUS!!
YOUTH EVENTS Fall Youth Retreat at Lake Sallateeska on November 2-3 Youth Encounter on November 11, see Fielding. Saturday, November 17 youth helping at Food Pantry, everyone welcome! Christmas Basket Collection Items and Dates Canned fruit, Canned Vegetables and Cash are collected on an ongoing basis now through December 9th. Money is used to purchase perishable food items Nov. 4 Nov. 11, 18 Nov. 25, Dec. 2 Dec. 9
Macaroni & Cheese Peanut Butter Boxed or Packaged Cookies & Crackers Corn Muffin Mix
Dates to Remember Nov. 2 Nov. 3 Nov. 8 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 23 Nov. 25
Youth Retreat Youth Retreat Senior Adult Fall Lunch Youth Encounter Business Meeting, 6 pm Office Closed Youth helping at Food Pantry No Wed. night activities Office Closed Office Closed No PM Service
Messages in “God Is…” Series Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25 Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23
Every Tuesday Romeo’s at 8 am, Juliet Breakfast at 8:30 am Every Thursday Open VB 7 pm
“God Is All-Knowing” “God Is Everywhere” “God Is In Control” “God Is All-Powerful “God Is Trustworthy” “God Is With Us” “God Is Generous” “God Is Approachable”
Nursery Schedule Nov. 4
Nov. 11
Nov. 18
Nov. 25
Leah Williams Connie Rutledge Alison Poe Yvonne Saunders
Shelly Bell Charlotte Gunter Sally Horstmann Mary Jane Allard
Ross/Nicole Poletti Charlene Siegel Evan Shepard
Lyn/Rick Haverman Samantha Maready Laura Osborn