September 2011

A new beginning
II. Thou shalt not expect everything to stay the same when the new Pastor arrives. Nor shalt thou resist change, nor assume that change is bad, but thou shalt trust that the Lord thy God isnt finished with your church yet and is bringing change for your good and the good of your mission.
Second Commandment from Brian D. McLaren, Ten Commandments for Welcoming a New Pastor (Eds emphasis)

PEEBLES BAPTIST CHURCH

Magazine

Even if they are delivered very much tongue-in-cheek, there are probably a few messages we would all do well to take to heart, in Brian McLarens Ten Commandments for Welcoming a New Pastor (http://www.brianmclaren.net/emc/archives/imported/tencommandments-for-welcoming-a.html) I especially loved:

VII. Thou shalt not come to the new pastor with your demands, pressure, complaints, bad reports, manipulations, threats, agendas, unsolicited advice, or snide comments. But thou shalt say, Welcome! How can we help you? We love you! We would like to increase our giving significantly. Were praying for you and your family. Welcome to our community! We baked you some cookies! And each week, thou shalt do so again and again until the new pastor begs you to stop.
Humour aside the last of McLarens Commandments ties very well with part of the deeply challenging message preached by Baptist Union General Director, Alan Donaldson, at our morning service on 21 August. If the Good News about Gods love and grace is to reach our postChristian neighbours, those of us who claim to be Christians need to live like Jesus. Perhaps an important role for pastors and church fellowships is in supporting and equipping each of us to do just that. But Alans sermon reminded us that our primary individual responsibility is to stay rooted and grounded in Gods love (Ephesians 3:17). Or, as the last of McLarens Commandments puts it,

X. Most important, thou shalt trust God, and stay connected to God, and draw strength from God, staying deeply rooted in the message of Gods grace. For God is good, and God will never leave you nor forsake you. You can count on that for sure!
Ed.

We give thanks to God that

Ian Gray
has accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate of Peebles Baptist Church and we extend a very warm welcome to Ian and Lindsey, Gillian and Callum, as they settle in to their new life in Peebles. Our love and prayers are also with Kirstin, who is staying on with her Gran in Clackmannanshire to continue her schooling. Ian will be taking up his new role in September, but his

ORDINATION AND INDUCTION SERVICE

will be on the afternoon of

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER
in the Leckie Memorial Church, followed by an evening get-together. PLEASE MARK THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY (times will be confirmed ASAP)

Are Christians being marginalised in public life? Is it becoming

more difficult to speak freely or be authentically Christian in the workplace? What does the law actually have to say about these issues? These are just some of the questions a cross-party group of Christian MPs and Peers are attempting to address as part of Clearing the Ground - a parliamentary inquiry to see how the law treats Christians. Gary Streeter MP, who is chairing the inquiry, said: "There has never been a more significant time for Christians to make a positive contribution to our society, but if we are to do that it is important to clear the ground of the confusion that sometimes appears to hinder our capacity to live and speak freely. This cross-party enquiry from both the Commons and the Lords attempts to do just that. " Clearing the Ground follows a series of high profile cases of Christians facing the courts because of the way they have lived out their beliefs - particularly in the workplace. (from an Evangelical Alliance press release, 24 August 2011)

Prayer Points for September

Praise and thank God for answered prayer. Pray for the folks in our fellowship who are on holiday, for their safety in travelling, and that they have Gods peace and blessing as they relax. Pray also for those who are waiting for health test results and those going for scans etc., that God will give them courage and patience as they wait. Let us pray and thank God for our Pastor Ian, his wife Lindsey and their children, and ask that Gods blessing will be upon them as they settle into their new home, church and school; pray also for Kirstin and her Granny as they adjust to the changes in their home life. Pray for our community: for homeless people, single parents, elderly people who are housebound and lonely, and for the folk who struggle to get through each day. May God use us to tell them of His love. Pray also for the leaders of our country, that they will seek Gods wisdom in all their decision making Continue to pray for Gods intervention in all the countries at war and in the atrocities happening daily around the world. Continue to pray for the work of Open Doors and for the persecuted church worldwide.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
Ephesians 3:20,21

Please pass prayer requests to Wilma Wintour, 723023

in Brazil with Wycliffe Bible Translators

Dear all, Doval and his young nephew left by passenger boat for the village a few days ago. We were able to get all the necessary documents for him to legally buy a shotgun. Now I have to hand these into the gun store, wait two months for police clearance and then Doval can buy his gun. He really needs a gun for hunting wild pig, as the food situation at Monkey River is not good. Nilsa is still with us. She attended the doctor yesterday and her cataract surgery has been scheduled for the 16th. I took Judy to the hospital yesterday as she's got malaria again. Now that she's started the treatment she's feeling a lot better. Next month we hope to have a two week Bible school here in Manaus for up to ten Apurina. PRAY: * For Nilsa's cataract surgery * For Doval's salvation. He listened very intently as we studied John 3 together. Previously he has shown no interest in spiritual things. * For the proposed Bible school in September. * Protection from further malaria. PRAISE: * Nilsa's surgery scheduled so quickly. * We were able to complete the complicated process for getting all the necessary gun documents. * The Lord's help with looking after Apurina here in the city shopping, cooking, entertaining etc. Thanks so much for your prayers for us, In Him, Cathie

MENS GROUP: The night we walked round Scotland.

'Scotland' and Moray Firth from 'Duncansby Head'
Copyright ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

On 16 August, 11 members and friends of the group enjoyed an evening stroll through the lovely grounds of the Barony Castle Hotel, giving us an opportunity to admire, and walk all round, the concrete relief map of Scotland conceived by the

late General Maczek and his Polish army companions as a permanent threedimensional reminder of their part in Scotlands defence and of Scotlands wartime hospitality. Sadly, the features of the map were rather obscured by
weeds, despite the work of MAPA Scotland, the group dedicated to restoring this amazing local artefact (see http://www.makers.org.uk/place/Maczek.) The venue gave us the chance to assist our new Pastor in searching for a geocache hidden close by (alas, without success) and to enjoy a drink in the hotel afterwards.

September Meeting - Vision Ministries

The Group has asked Barbara Edmondson to give an illustrated talk about how she and her late husband, David (whos sadly missed by us all) became aware of needs in Kibera, Nairobi, and about the work thats being carried on there through their charity, Vision Ministries. Many of us have heard bits and pieces about the work, in conversations with David and Barbara over cups of tea after Sunday morning services; our appetites have been whetted to learn more. We expect that this talk will be of interest to a large number of members and friends - women as well as menso we have booked the use of the Lounge at Tweedbridge Court for the event, which will be held on Tuesday, 20 September at 7.30p.m.

October Meeting - Deaf Awareness

Borders Deaf Club chairman, Michael Davis, in gratitude for the funds gifted to the Club by the Church, has kindly offered to provide us with Deaf Awareness Training. Again we anticipate a lot of interest from across the congregation and beyond, so the meeting will be open to everyone and will be held in the TBC lounge at 7.30pm on Tuesday 4 October (date to be confirmed)

NOTICEBOARD
Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer. (Ed Cole)
The next Vickys Tearoom will be on Sunday 11 September.

CHURCH PRAYER MEETING

SATURDAY 3 September, 8.30am AT THE WILSONS HOME
Even if youre not involved as a helper, please do pray for the Tearoom and for our guests.

ABSOLUTELY last call! If youd like to attend this event in Edinburgh on 4&5 November, please speak to Christine or Frank Drummond THIS SUNDAY 28 AUGUST. Letter writing, and prayer for persecuted Christians, at Willie and Wilmas home, on Tuesday 13 September at 10am.

Peebles Churches Together

final summer evening service in EDDLESTON CHURCH 6pm, Sunday 28 August

Services, September 2011

Sunday 4 September
Service led by Rev. Bill Clark Communion servers: Jacqueline Wilson, Carlyn McCall Stewards: Jacqueline Wilson, Vi Brown Flowers: Pat Hamilton Teas: Hazel Hoggan Transport: Fergus Brown, Stan Henderson, Margaret Cowan

Secretary, Christine Drummond, tel 722062, Treasurer, Liz Keiro, tel 730217

Sunday 11 September
Service led by Christian Motorcyclists Association Stewards: Margaret Cowan, Pat Hamilton Flowers: Helen Henderson Teas: Margaret Johnstone Transport: Tom Wight, Stan Henderson, Margaret Cowan

Services in Victoria Park Centre, unless otherwise indicated

Website: http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org/

Pastor (from 5 September 2011) Ian Gray

Sunday 18 September
Service led by Ian Gray Communion servers: Fergus Brown, Liz Keiro Stewards: Liz Keiro, Hazel Hoggan Flowers: Janet Smith Teas: Kenny Hamilton Transport: Fergus Brown, Stan Henderson, Margaret Cowan

Sunday 25 September
Service led by Ian Leitch, The Heralds Trust Stewards: Janet Smith, Carlyn McCall Flowers: Carlyn McCall Teas: Stan Henderson Transport: Tom Wight, Stan Henderson, Margaret Cowan COMMUNION TABLE SETTING IN AUGUST Vi Brown