DEC

15/JAN 16

 Waiting is difficult.
For most of us, at least, we want to get on with things
waiting seems like such a waste of time, when we could be
getting on with, well, whatever it is were w aiting for.
That thought comes into my mind partly because of
Advent, the season were now entering in the run up to
Christmas. Advent is all about waiting; in fact its about a
deliberate choice to wait, rather than simply plunge
straight into Christmas, which is what society would rather do. Advent is
deeply counter-cultural. We live in a society that hates to wait; fast food,
immediate results, instant win, microwave ovens, gratification now. But
Advent tells us to wait. It reminds us that we're not in control - God is.
Advent provides a structure for remembering that the world waited in lonely
cosmic exile until the Messiah, Jesus, arrived to redeem us from our sins and
start the process of restoring creation to what it was originally intended to
be. And Advent suggests what was true 2,000 years ago remains true today.
We do not set the agenda for our lives; God does.
But Advents waiting is more than just a reminder. Its an opportunity for
something exciting, something positive, something active. We often have a
very passive understanding of what it means to wait, where waiting is just
an empty pause, a gap until something happens. Nothing could be further
from the intention of Advent however this is a time where God calls us to
be proactive and intentional as we anticipate what he is going to do.
The other reason that the idea of waiting is high up in my mind, is because of
the decision weve taken as a church to take definite steps towards having a
new building of our own. Thats hugely exciting but of course I want it to
happen now! I dont want to have to wade through the long and messy
process of looking at options, doing surveys, talking to the community,
drawing up plans, raising funds, managing contractors and all that. (And lets
be clear, just to set expectations straight; it will be long longer I suspect
than some people think and it will be messy!)
God, however, does some of his most powerful work in the messy times. In
the times when everything is in turmoil. When his people have been shaken
out of their comfort and security and order. When they have to wait on him.
Are you ready to do some hard waiting?
Yours in anticipation,

BUS PRAYER DIARY. . .

December 6th
Stonehaven Baptist Church
Stranraer Baptist Church
Strathendrick Baptist Church
Stromness Baptist Church
December 13th
Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church
Thurso Baptist Church
Tillicoultry Baptist Church
Tiree Baptist Church
December 20th
Uddingston Baptist Church
Viewfield Baptist Church
Westray Baptist Church
Westwood Baptist Church
December 27th
Whytes Causeway Baptist
Church Wick Baptist Church
Wigtown Baptist Church
Wishaw Baptist Church
The 2016 dates are not yet available. Please check the Baptist Union
of Scotland website for further details: www.scottishbaptist.com.

107 boxes packed with

love for Operation
Christmas Child

Helen Craig coordinated this years Operation Christmas Child shoebox

appeal for Peebles Baptist Church.
Helen hosted a few packing days from Elliots Park, where there was
an endless supply of coffee and tea, cake, conversation and shopping

at Helens bazaar where we could purchase

items to fill the boxes.
This was a great way of organising fun and
fellowship, as well as having the outcome of 107
boxes filled up and sent off at the end of
November. Many folk from the church got
involved, but this was also a great opportunity
for involvement from many friends, family and
neighbours of the Craigs.

Well done Helen, this was an

example of your love for the Lord,
and your care for others

We support BMS partners around the

world, and in particular, we support and
pray for Sara McArthur in Peru, Abi and Ally
and their children Lachlan and Bethia in
Bangladesh, David and Ann MacFarlane in
Italy and Andy and Jutta Cowie in Guinea.
You can follow their news on the BMS
website, apart from Abi and Ally who are
working in a sensitive part of the world, and
so they share their updates via a blog.

Andy and Jutta Cowie - Guinea

Latest team members to arrive in Guinea to join the Action Vivre Labe Team.
October 2015
Since Sunday we are back in Guinea.
Everything went well, we left Weston
at midnight to arrive at the car hire
drop-off location in London
Heathrow around 3am. The hotel told
us, that there would be no shuttle
bus going until 4.30 am, too late for
us. This was even though we had
called them previously and they said
there w as one. (One of those
moments where you have to
let things go :-) ) So we ordered a
taxi, a large one, Jutta was surprised
it actually fitted all in.

the airport, we checked in our luggage, paid for the extra 3 suitcases and
At

went through immigration. Our flight left at 7am with delay, stop in Brussels,
another one in Senegal (for refuelling) and then we arrived. The airport had
changed a bit. It looked more modern. Our luggage was nearly the last to
arrive, but w e were so happy when it did, every single case. Hallelujah.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Our colleagues were already outside waiting for us.
We had a good night sleep. Everything seems so familiar but also strange.
When we speak, we hear ourselves talking creole to people. It will probably
take a while to swap back to French. Please keep us in your prayers.
Tomorrow we will be going to the embassy, to register. If our visa arrives by
Wednesday we w ill be driving to Labe our new home Thursday.
Love from Andy & Jutta

Abi, Ally, Lachlan and Bethia in Bangladesh

Working in the textile industry to bring justice, fairness and Gods love.
This is a piece of writing from about a month after we arrived. The incident
occurred a couple of weeks into our settling in to Dhaka but I was still
troubled by it and needed to process it in some way a couple of weeks later. I
hope you can understand what I am describing as you use a bit of your
imagination
For now, Abi
I saw you
I saw you.and you took my breath away
But you didnt see me.
How could you?
I was sitting in the air-conditioned car,
Comfortable, protected, cool, shielded, being driven,
And you,
You were hot as the sun beat down,

Exposed, vulnerable, alone, likely aching and thirsty, yet independent.

We were both on our way somewhere.
You didnt seem to be looking for money
And perhaps it was this that drew me to see you.
You were apart from the crowds.
You were doing something I felt I hadnt seen before;
In the clinical, mechanised, technical world which I have known,
You would have been lifted up,
In a wheelchair, or on crutches.
But, yet, you w ere on the pavement.
The pavement, next to a busy, congested road,
Broken surface, uneven, potholed, strewn rubbish, rotten fruit,
Dusty, dirty, hot,
And you cautiously, slowly navigate your way,
All your weight pressing on your knee joints
And your elbow joints,
Your face close to the road.
You crawl along next to the snarling, stinky, ringing traffic..
I only saw you for, at most, a second,
And yet you tell me a story that breaks my heart,
That makes me rage at the gross inequality in life,
a cry for justice, for all of us to be treated the same
Thank you for allowing me to see you,
Even when there was no way
you could have seen me.

Peace
Sarah McArthur in Peru at 19:46 on 20th November 2015

Its been a really busy w eek. We have been helping the action team to settle
in here in Nauta and have also shown them around Iquitos. They have been
painting and also helping us with the sewing classes w hich are still going
well.
I was reading this morning from Psalm 63 and in particular verse 6: on my
bed I remember you, I think of you through the watches of the night.
I find myself talking to God before I get up in the mornings. I talk about the
day before and about the day to come. I praise him for his goodness and ask
for patience and guidance.
Its been a v ery long and tiring week but as I read the Psalm peace flowed
over me and I w as ready to start my day.
Please pray for the coming week which is our last pastors training for the
year. Pray that they can all arrive safe and that they may learn all that God
has for them.
I also encourage you to read the whole of Psalm 63 and feel Gods peace.
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David
was in the wilderness of Judah.

1
O God, you are m y God;
I e arnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
2
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
4
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

10

6
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7
Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8
I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
9
But those plotting to destroy me will come to
ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
10
They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
11
But the king will rejoice in God.
All who swear to tell the truth will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.

Psalm 63, New Living Translation

While Shepherds Watched

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around

"Fear not," he said, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind."

"To you in David's Town this day
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign."

"The heavenly Babe You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph, And forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song
Addressed their joyful song

"All glory be to God on high And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!"

11

Diversity had a couple of craft making sessions at Potters caf this autumn.
We were making items for the Bridge Christmas Charity craft sale, w hich was
held in the Burgh Halls on 14th November.
We had loads of fun making things to sell, and the stall was a successful
venture, raising nearly 300 that was donated to the BMS Syria refugee
appeal.
Watch out for notices for more craft making sessions soon.
Thanks to Chris and Linda for organising the stall and thanks to everyone
who helped.
Thanks also to James at Potters caf for making us tea, coffee and cake!

12

Things are quite quiet in the garden, with some digging and weeding
of beds ready for the winter, and some flowers still blooming.
Bill has been organising some path work so that the path that runs
down to the shed is safer to walk on. This is important, as this is where
the Saturday morning prayer meeting is held (8.30am at the garden).
Please consider coming along to the prayer meeting now we are
moving forwards with planning to build on our land, we need to make
sure our plans are committed to the Lord and covered with prayer so
we are in touch with Gods will for us.
Bill organises the regular work on the garden, so if you would like to
help with anything over the winter, please get in touch with Bill.

Prayer at the Kings Meadow,

Saturday mornings at 8.30 a.m.
Coffee and tea provided

13

The Building Group

Before Ians sermon on Sunday 22 November, six people were called out in
front of the congregation, prayed over, and commissioned. That afternoon
they began working together, starting to investigate the possibilities for
building a permanent home for the Church, that will provide a base for
both worship and service.

These six people (Chris Dewhurst, Christine Drummond, Lindsey Gray, Janet
Hunter, Liz Keiro and Jacqueline Wilson), now known collectively as the
Building Group, are only a tiny part of the workforce needed to make the
vision we believe God has given the Church into a reality. The task is huge,
and every single person in the congregation is needed.

From now on, the Building Group will be giving regular updates AND
regular requests for help! At the moment, we need folk to:

Think of ideas for raising funds (by methods that will be honouring to
God). We already know about a lot of talent in the congregation,
displayed at events like the recent craft stall and the many lunches and
coffee mornings PBC has hosted but its likely there are even more,
and different, skills amongst us, which could be put to fundraising
purposes. The more ideas the better jot some down, and give them to
the Building Group, or one of the deacons.

Volunteer! Already were keen to start work on a very exciting idea for
the Spring, providing value added afternoon teas for church groups
visiting Peebles. If you would like to help planning these, or other
events, please let us know as soon as possible.

Come with us on a fact-finding trip to one of the other places were
discovering, where new or adapted buildings are helping churches to
serve their neighbourhoods. Weve already had an invitation to visit a
church in Maybole, Ayrshire, and hope to make the trip there on
January 16th. If youre interested, please speak to a Building Group
member.

14

PRAY! Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain
(Psalm127:1a) Its not a platitude to say that THE SINGLE M OST
IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO IS PRAY. Some of us meet on the
Church ground at the Kings Meadow at 8:30 on Saturday mornings. It
would be great to have more folk coming along, but we know thats
just not possible for everyone (in wintry weather especially it can be a
real struggle!) What about making a commitment to pray, wherever
you are, at 8:30 on Saturday mornings (even if youre still in bed!)? The
Building Group will be providing regular prayer points look for the
picture of the bricks!

For wisdom for the Building

Group, for dependence on God
and obedience to Him.

That the group is able to meet with the

Property team from the Baptist Union of
Scotland, which has lots of experience
and expertise in this field, in the near
future.
That, as energy and attention are given
to the exciting possibilities of a new
building, we would all remember its
people- not buildings - that matter to
God.

15

O Holy Night


O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the w orld in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle w e stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise w e,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

16

EASY FUNDRAISING
Christmas is not so far away. In fact, some shops are already trying to
entice us into m aking Christmas purchases. I will resist for as long as
possible, but when I do start Christmas shopping this year I will be raising
some money for our church, at least when shopping online. Let me
explain. Ian has mentioned in the past (over a year ago possibly longer so
you might not remember) a website called easyfundraising. By making
purchases through this site the retailer gives a donation to a cause you
specify. This would obviously be Peebles Baptist Church. Not all retailers
have signed up to this scheme, but certainly the big ones have.
The simplest way to start making extra money for our church is to install a
reminder button on your web browser. Type the following into your
web browser and follow the instructions:
new.easyfundraising.org.uk/donation-reminder/
During the installation process you open an account and select your cause
(Peebles Baptist Church). A blue ef button appears at the top and to the
right of the browser. Once installed it monitors any web site you visit. If
they are signed up a yellow banner appears across the top of the page
giving you the choice to Activate donation. You then browse the site as
normal. If you buy anything a donation is made automatically. If you click
on the reminder button you will see four tabs, favourites, activity, your
cause and settings. Your cause shows how much individual
supporters have raised, what you have raised and the total raised, for
the church.
At time of writing there are eight of us who are supporters of Peebles
Baptist Church.
In conclusion, installing the reminder button costs nothing and doesnt
require any change of shopping/buying habits. So what are you waiting
for? Sign up, install and make money for Peebles Baptist Church!
For those of you who are Only Fools and Horses fans, as Dell would say,
you know it m akes sense.
Your Treasurer J
David

17

 The Best of the Word Today,

Bob Gass, UCB

THIS YEAR PERSEVERE (5)

We will reap a harvest if we do not

give up.
(Galatians 6:9 NIV)
Here are three more enemies of
perseverance you will have to defeat each day of this year:
(1) Lack of resiliency. Harvard professor George Valliant identifies
resiliency as a characteristic of people who navigate the different
seasons of life from birth to old age. In his book Aging Well, he
writes, Resilient people are like a twig with a fresh, green, living
core. When twisted out of shape, the twig bends but it doesnt
break; instead it springs back and continues growing. Thats an
excellent description of perseverance. We must not become dry,
brittle and inflexible. We must draw on Gods grace and endeavor
to bounce back no matter how we feel.
(2) Lack of vision. Everything thats created is actually created twice.
First its created mentally, then its created physically. And where
does our creativity come from? God, our creator, who made us in
his likeness (see Ge 1:27). A God-given vision will keep you moving
forward when nothing else will. The lack of one will stop you dead
in your tracks.
(3) Lack of purpose. Rich Demoss remarked, Persistence is
stubbornness with a purpose. Its very difficult to develop
persistence when you lack a sense of purpose. Conversely, when
you have a passionate sense of purpose, energy rises, obstacles
become incidental and perseverance wins out. A world champion
boxer put it this way: Champions arent made in the gyms, they
are made from something they have deep inside thema desire, a
dream, a vision. They have last-minute stamina. They have to be a
little faster, and they have to have the skill and the will. But the will
must be stronger than the skill.
18

DIACONATE DIARY
It feels good that we have reached a stage in the life of the church
where our plans for the future are much clearer.
Our Vision Day in Symington in October, and our two subsequent
Members Meetings in October and November, helped us resolve that
we should look to develop our future home on the ground we
currently own adjacent to Victoria Park. We pray for Gods blessing on
the members of the planning group appointed by the church, and look
forward to their recommendations in the new year.
In the meantime we seem to have found our new interim home in the
Drill Hall. Although we will have to find alternative places to worship
on a small number of Sundays in the course of the year when some
long-standing Drill Hall bookings take precedence, the early signs are
that people are already beginning to feel at home in these more
intimate surroundings. Our ability to go back to a pattern of morning
services is also proving more popular and convenient with a number of
individuals and families.
Our next Diaconate Meeting takes place on Monday 7th December
when we will be confirming plans for the Christmas season, and
looking ahead to the all the various challenges and blessings that lie
ahead for us as we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ in 2016. Watch
this space!
Deacon Brodie November, 2015

19

REGULAR EVENTS
Sundays
Prayer Meeting 10.30 AM
Morning Service 11.00 AM
Vickys Tearoom 34 PM (second Sunday of the month)
Mondays
Lunch n Chat 12 .00 PM (every five weeks)
Tuesdays
Afternoon House Group 1.00 PM, Glensax Road
Evening House Group 7.30 PM, Kingsmeadows Gardens
Wednesdays
Dovecot Court Service 3.00 PM, (PBC every two months watch
calendar for details)
Singing Together 3.00 PM, Dovecot Court (Wed 3 June & 8 July)
Wednesday Evening House Group 7.30 PM, Margaret Cowans
Prayer meetings 7.30 pm, VPC (third Wednesday of the month)
Thursdays
West Linton House Group 7.30, 8 Lyne Park (fortnightly)
Diversity 7.30 PM, the Potters Caf (last Thursday of month)
Fridays
Kings Meadow Work Parties 24 PM (see Bill for dates)
Saturdays
Prayer meetings variable (watch out for details)

20

Updates and last minute changes are shown on the

weekly Supplement please keep your eyes peeled!

SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: Pat, Janlyn

Splash: Jan, AN Other
KAOS/Stay in

Childrens talk:
Prayer:
Commn Servers:

Lorna
Moira
Morag, Janet (Pat laying)

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Hele H
Janet S, Christine
Vi, M oira

Setup:

David, Ronnie

SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: All
Splash: All
Richard D

Childrens talk:
Prayer:

Bill
Chris

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Isobel
Bill J, Richard D
Wilma, Carolyn

Setup:

Bill, Jacqueline

NATIVITY SERVICE .
SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER

KAOS/Teens:

In Church

Prayer:

Wilma

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Janet S
Vi, Chris
Pat, Douglas

Setup:

David, Ronnie

SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: in church
Splash: in church
In church

Childrens talk:
Prayer:

Richard B
Lindsey

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Margaret J
Willie, Wilma, Moira
Ronnie, Frank

Setup:

Bill, Jacqueline

JANUARY 2016 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SUNDAY 3 JANUARY
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: Christine, Carlyn

Splash: Chris, AN Other
KAOS/Stay in

Childrens talk:
Prayer:
Commn Servers:

Jacqueline
Linda
Lindsey, Liz

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Wilma
Carlyn, Frank
Moira, Kenny

Setup:

David, Ronnie

(Jacqueline Laying)

SUNDAY 10 JANUARY

KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: Pat, Janlyn

Splash: Moira, AN Other
Jackie

Childrens talk:
Prayer:

Linda
Ralph

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Carolyn
Christine, Jacqueline
Carolyn, Helen H

Setup:

Bill, Jacqueline

SUNDAY 17 JANUARY
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: Jennie, Elaine

Splash: Bill, AN Other
KAOS/Stay in

Childrens talk:
Prayer:
Commn Servers:

Christine
Richard D
Moira, Ralph (Jacqueline
Laying)

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Carlyn
Richard D, Carolyn
Moira,Kenny

Setup:

David, Ronnie

SUNDAY 24 JANUARY
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: Pat, Carlyn

Splash: Jan, AN Other
Richard D

Childrens talk:
Prayer:

Lorna
Morag

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Margaret McL
Chris, Liz
Frank, Vi

Setup:

Bill, Jacqueline

SUNDAY 31 JANUARY
KAOS:

Teens:

Bubbles: Christine, Janlyn

Splash: Chris, AN Other
Richard B

Childrens talk:
Prayer:

Bill
Janet

Flowers:
Stewards:
Teas:

Hazel
Moira, Bill J
Kenny, Wilma

Setup:

David, Ronnie

PBC Community Party Saturday 2 January 2016!


Contacts Page
Pastor:
Ian K Gray
(day off: M onday)

07881 518854
pastor@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Secretary:
John Dalrymple

secretary@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Treasurer:
David Tidder

treasurer@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Magazine Editor:
Morag Bramhall

magazine@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Church website:

http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Practical
Help
Leave a
message:
01721
788592

Leave a message via email

(help@peeblessbaptistchurch.org)
or answering machine (01721 788592)
To request or offer jobs and skills,
driving, equipment loan etc

Prayer

Contact Fergus & Vi Brown with all

prayer requests (01721 720931)

Contact
Fergus & Vi:
01721
720931

Confidential requests to PULSE

prayer group

Visiting

Contact John & Moira Dalrymple

(01899 229343) with requests for
visits from the pastoral team

Contact
John & Moira:
01899
229343

"Public" requests to church

members
via text message

PULSE pastoral visiting group will

complement "normal" visiting

Pastor
You can still
call Ian:
07881
518854

Alternatively, or in an emergency, you can

always call Ian Gray on 07881 518854