GBC Community Update: Reflections on Christmas

Good morning.  I hope you’re making this a great Christmas week.  Here are a few updates:
There will be no updates next week as I will be off and away for a Christmas break.  Also, some have been asking about the impact the coming storm will have on the carol sing tomorrow night. The short answer is, I don’t know yet.  We’ll see where things are at as we get closer so stay tuned!
 
 
New Years Day Breakfast
As we ring in the New Year you’re invited to join us for breakfast at GBC from 8:30-9:30am.  What a great way to start off 2023!  If you’re interested in coming, please sign the list in the foyer or send me an email to confirm so we know how much food to prepare.
 
 
Financial Update from our treasurer
Here is the latest update from our treasurer, Ken Finlay.  Thank you to all who have given recently and throughout the year. We couldn’t do what we do without your help.
 
General Offerings
Year to date, December 20
Budget                       $195,891   
Actual                        $187,201   
Shortfall                        $8,690
(The Actual above excludes contributions to the Pastor Fund)

Pastor Fund
Goal                             $50,000
Contributions To Date $28,500
Yet to be Raised           $21,500

Tax Receipts for 2022 will be issued in February:  For offerings to be included in 2022 tax receipts, it must be received before January 1, next year.  Due to the office being closed most of next week, offerings put in the Chapel’s Offering Box must be there by Monday December 26 to ensure it is counted as 2022 offering.  Offerings sent via EFT and Canada Helps should be deposited by December 30th. .  (Note: an offering cheque dated in December but placed in the Chapel’s offering box after December 26th, may be counted as a 2023 offering)
 
Boxes of 2023 personal offering envelopes are now available in the front lobby.
 
 
Join us Christmas morning as we celebrate the arrival of the king
On Christmas morning at 10:30am we will be holding  a full service to celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the king. We will sing joyful songs of the day and I will be looking at the implications of the arrival of the king.
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
 Thought for the Day: Reflections on Christmas
There are a lot of things to distract us right now…inflation, wars and rumors of war and now we throw in a big snow storm coming! It would be easy to despair or want to get in bed and not get out.
Yet that would be a mistake.
As we’ve been looking at Sundays in our series “Preparing for the King”, we follow a  God who is in control, not surprised by what’s going on and loved us by sending his son. Immanuel, God with us, came that night in Bethlehem. As the angels shared with the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” 
Did the shepherds have their problems? Absolutely. They didn’t shrug it off, they went to see the Christ child and they rejoiced then spread the word of what had happened. In many ways I think this can be our template at Christmas time. We too have received this message, through the scriptures.  So, let’s not shrug it off and hunker down but may we gaze into the nativity, be inspired and encouraged by the examples of faithful servants like these shepherds, plus Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men and may we rejoice as well. Then, lets share the Good News with our world and perhaps we will see the same transformation, given time, that the night we celebrate in three days kicked off.
So, from my family and from me, have a very Happy Christmas and blessed New Year, no matter what it holds. I can’t wait for it!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris