Brenda’s Bulletin

Archive for December, 2018

December 10, 2018 Merry Christmas!

December 10, 2018 - 10:48 pm - Posted by Brenda Matthews

Merry ChristmasI’m sure you’re really busy with the holiday season and all its activities, but I hope we can all take time to reflect on the significance of our Saviour’s incarnation.

Last Friday at our small group, I began by appointing teams for a mix of believers and non-Christians and asked them to write down everything that comes to mind when they think about Christmas.  The next step was to separate the cultural and traditional elements from the biblical ones.  I was saddened that no one mentioned the birth of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Emmanuel, God with us, angels, shepherds, etc.  So, I had them do it again, this time listing all the biblical elements they could think of.  They did much better!  We then read the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke and reflected on several points.  I hope you have a blessed time of refection.

After each of our groups having their teaching time, the children joined us to prepare our song for the Christmas program.  I volunteered to organize the Christmas program this year and got right to work on that after the conference.  The program will be held December 23rd, so please pray for good church attendance and participation, for a good attendance of invited guests, for a clear Gospel message, and for God to work in the lives of all who attend.

1-For FacebookThe simultaneous conferences in November were really good, but the attendance was abysmal.  Even so, there were reasons to be encouraged and we’ve decided to not do another conference over a long-weekend.  One new couple came after finding a discarded pamphlet on the street!  A couple of new families visiting had recently moved to the church’s neighbourhood and are considering making El Faro their church.  (One of those families was at El Faro on Sunday.)  After the conference, I edited and posted the messages from the adult conference to the church Facebook page.  You can listen to them and see more photos by clicking on this collage and scrolling down to Conferencia El Legado.  Just a few days before the conference, our cook informed us that she was sick and wouldn’t be able to provide the meals.  Fortunately, we were able to find some last minute replacements so we could still offer food so people could stay the whole day, just not with the same variety.  Although the attendance was low, the messages were excellent, and they are still being listened to.  Thank you for your prayers.

1-00000000000000000000 Baja collage assembly92The last time I wrote, it was right before the ladies’ group went kayaking.  They filled the kayaks, so I went skin diving.   You can click on the photo to watch the video.  It’s a longer one, so sit back with a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy!

In the morning, our ladies’ group will celebrate our Christmas party.  In preparation, I’ve been making Pan de Jamón (Ham Bread), a Venezuelan Christmas tradition. 1-00000000000000000000 Baja collage assembly93

It won’t be ready until tomorrow, so here’s a photo of last year’s finished product1-Collages19.

Friday our small group will have its celebration and then the next big event is the Christmas program.  We’re trying something different with a lot of participation followed by a Christmas meal.  Please do pray that the Lord be glorified as we celebrate God eternal taking on human flesh to provide a way of salvation for us.

I’m probably late in giving notice, but TEAM can no longer handle personal financial gifts as in the past.  I’m grateful for those who have sent a personal gift at Christmas or another time, but from now on those will be receipted and treated as a contribution to my financial support.

Since my record hasn’t been very good lately, if I don’t get another letter done before mid-January, please pray for our TEAM Mexico Annual Conference January 13-18.

May your Christmas be joyous and the New Year filled with unexpected blessings!

Brenda

Brenda

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