GBC Community Update: The greatest Christmas gift

​Good afternoon. I hope you’re making this a great week!  Lots going on these days here at GBC and all around. You know I love this time of year but I need to remind myself to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord and not get distracted. May you not either!
 
 
Giving Update to the End of November
The latest report from our treasurer is below.  We’re making progress on our ‘pastor fund’ which is great but are still behind on giving for our general needs.  I know that operating may not be as exciting as special projects but is critically important to the overall operation of our church. As we approach year-end, I’d encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can help us out. Thanks, as always, to those who have been faithful in giving. It means a LOT to me.
 
General Offerings 
Year to date, end of November
Budget                      $178,720
Actual                        $165,665
Shortfall                     $13,055
 
Pastor Fund
Goal                            $50,000
Contributions To Date $10,530
Yet to be Raised          $39,470
 
 
Prayer for Transition, Provision, and Mission
We will again be hosting prayer for thirty minutes before the service this Sunday through to December 18 at 10 am in the Adult Ministry Room.  Prayer will be in-person and online.  There will be a time of praying for pastoral transition, raising funds for the next year, and gospel fruitfulness leading up to Christmas.  Coffee and donuts will be available for those who need fuel before prayer :) 
 
See link for Zoom below and the phone numbers for those who wish to join in online or by phone.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/21216757733?pwd=Z1JkN3dEeE9nTkhXY0tldlhEcWZFQT09

Meeting ID: 212 1675 7733                    Passcode: 733870
Dial by your location:    +1 647 558 0588 Canada or   +1 778 907 2071 Canada
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as continue our Christmas series: “Preparing for the King”
Are you ready for the coming of the king?  Have you ever thought of Christmas in those terms?  This Sunday is our annual Kid’s Church/Youth Christmas presentation, always a fun event!  I will be tying the presentations together under the idea of ‘experiencing the king’.  Remember, lunch follows too.
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: The Greatest Christmas Gift
What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? I can think of lots over the years that have been very special to me and even today I remember with a smile. I also reflect a lot at this time of year about the gift of salvation that Jennifer and I received one December many years ago. It was there, for the first time, I understood my need for a Savior. In many ways this is the heart of Christmas: not the tree, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.  But there’s a big difference between Adam’s sin that led to all our problems in the world and God’s gracious gift of Jesus. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man.  The Bible tells us: for Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s gift leads to our being made right with God; for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
So, this Christmas, lets remember that Jesus is the greatest gift!
Each year we are reminded that Christmas isn't just about giving and receiving presents. Yet, if we honestly consider the heart of Christmas, it is.  If we really think about it, the gift of Jesus is one given that needs to be received.  May this spur all our other activities on. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given, by the greatest gift-giver of all, our wonderful God and Father.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris