Soli deo gloriaSoli deo gloriaSoli deo gloriaSoli deo gloriaGlory to God AloneGlory to God AloneGlory to God AloneGlory to God Alone

Volume 37, Issue 12December 2011

By Pastor John Dawson

NewsletterAbingdon Presbyterian

Church

He comes for all, he comes for oneHe comes for all, he comes for oneHe comes for all, he comes for oneHe comes for all, he comes for one

Lift up your Lift up your Lift up your Lift up your heads, o ye heads, o ye heads, o ye heads, o ye

gates; and be gates; and be gates; and be gates; and be ye lifted up, ye lifted up, ye lifted up, ye lifted up,

ye ye ye ye everlasting everlasting everlasting everlasting doors; and doors; and doors; and doors; and the king of the king of the king of the king of glory shall glory shall glory shall glory shall

come in.come in.come in.come in.

Psalm 24: 7Psalm 24: 7Psalm 24: 7Psalm 24: 7

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2: 11

Christmas is the time we celebrate Jesus’ birth. It is a time of excitement, memories and celebration. It is a time to welcome Jesus anew. We welcome Jesus as a community because he came for the whole world. We also must welcome Jesus as individuals because that is how he saves us – as individuals.

He comes for all, he comes for one (Cont.)He comes for all, he comes for one (Cont.)He comes for all, he comes for one (Cont.)He comes for all, he comes for one (Cont.)

With all the celebration around Jesus’ birth it is easy to be part of the group celebration. The carols play at the stores – even before Thanksgiving! The calendar fills up with parties and gatherings with family and friends. Even those who do not know who Jesus is can’t miss that this is the season where people remember that Jesus was born.

But Jesus did not come for the world in general or “people” in the abstract. Jesus came to save actual people. Jesus personally touches our hearts one at a time. The first heart that Jesus touched was the first person who touched him, his mother Mary. Yes, she was chosen to be the Mother of Jesus, but she was just as real a person as you are. She was not born with a halo. She had her bumps and scrapes like you have. In Mary, we do not see the picture of a super person. Instead we see the picture of what super things God can do with a very ordinary person. The angel Gabriel told her that she would be the mother of Jesus. She gave herself to the task entirely, saying, “Let it be unto me as you have said.”

Mary’s heart was changed by Jesus. In the Magnificat, the song that she sang about the birth of Jesus, she described herself as a lowly servant that Jesus had used and honored. She describes the mission of Jesus to rescue the poor and lowly of the whole world. But she also sang about what Jesus did for her personally. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. Luke 1: 49. The only way to welcome Jesus that really matters for you is to welcome him personally. And once you have welcomed him into your heart, you need to praise him by singing what he has done for you.

There are many things that we do to celebrate and honor the birth of Jesus. Please add this to your list. If Jesus has done something great for you, sing about it; talk about it. Tell someone else. There is no greater way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than by helping him be born in the heart of someone else. They need to hear your story or the great things the Mighty One has done for you.

Merry Christmas

Pastor John

WomenWomenWomenWomen’’’’s ministriess ministriess ministriess ministries

December Nursery ScheduleDec 4th – Chellie Davis & Annie DawsonDec 11th – Teresa Berg & Debra KiserDec 18th – Andrea Moormans & Brenda HolbrookDec 25th – No nursery, babies are all (as always) welcome in the service!

Joy to the Joy to the Joy to the Joy to the world! world! world! world! The lord The lord The lord The lord is come: is come: is come: is come:

let earth let earth let earth let earth receive receive receive receive her King.her King.her King.her King.

Report from the amazing grace 360 conference

In October, Miranda drove off from APC loaded down with Carolyn, Sally, their matching purses, luggage, and Chellie. We looped to pick up Teresa who was ready in a jiffy. First stop was the Urban Stack in Chattanooga where James Dawson was our waiter for dinner. We took a carryout burger and passed it to Susan who rendezvoused with us, briefly interrupting the radio program announcing the Detroit Tiger’s Championship bid.

For the next three days we were showered with encouragement to see and share the grace of God. Lydia Brownback explained that when we see our need of a Savior, we taste grace. Instead of following a program of self-righteousness, seeking our perfection and keeping all the rules, we have a Savior. We look to Him believing that every failure, loss, sorrow, and sickness is being redeemed. The devil is our accuser, leaving us feeling dirty and distant from God, blinding us to grace. However, Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

We were continually brought to Jesus who gives grace. Each seminar sought to bring us before the Lord to restore our relationship with Jesus and others.

From Jesus we are shown mercy, compassion kindness, patience, repentance and grace. We likewise will show to our family, church and others the mercy and grace we have received.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Ah! What a mercy it is that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but his hold of you! What a sweet fact that it is not how you grasp his hand, but his grasp of yours that saves you.”

What a wonder Savior!

Selected CDs of the conference will be available soon.

By Sally Dawson

Session update:1. Budget report

a. October Income $12,484.17b. October Expenses $13,206.43c. Budget – January - October $129,418d. Offerings – January - October $121,068e. Expenses – January - October $126,756

2. The Care Groups continue to study the following:a. Abingdon Group – The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction by Sinclair Ferguson.b. Bristol Group – Your Walk with God is a Community Project video series by Paul David

Tripp.3. The Prison Ministry that APC usually takes place on the second Sunday evening of the month was

handled by Chaplain Danny Thompson, since all participants from APC were out of town that weekend. (This was the reason there was no new Prison Ministry Prayer list from the session the following Sunday.)

4. The Session is investigating the following facility related issues:a. The replacement of the front sign. The current sign is too rusted to warrant repair. Randy Ojanen is going to work with a committee to begin the process of recommending a suitable replacement.b. A small sign is going to be purchased to show our hours of services.c. The manse roof, which was also damaged by the wind storm, is being priced by the same roofer who did the church roof. We have been waiting for the backlog of roofing projects to slow down, in order to get a better price.d. The front doors to the church need to be upgraded. The Session would like to put in one 36”door with glass in it and glass on each side of the door to replace the existing door. This will bring the entrance up to code and will hopefully be more inviting to visitors.

Upcoming eventsUpcoming eventsUpcoming eventsUpcoming events

From the sessionFrom the sessionFrom the sessionFrom the session

Christmas Caroling & Chili DinnerWednesday, December 7th at 5:30 p.m. More

details forthcoming.

Five days in Haiti: November 6Five days in Haiti: November 6Five days in Haiti: November 6Five days in Haiti: November 6----11, 201111, 201111, 201111, 2011

“My, how they have grown!” That was my reaction upon seeing the boys again just one year after my first visit to the Bon Repos Orphanage on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The more likely than not pitfalls of travel are well worth it when you arrive at your destination to warm smiles and long handshakes. Welcome to world of Good Rest (Bon Repos)!

After a flurry of getting reacquainted and our bags carried up two flights to our rooms for the week, we sat down to our team electrician’s favorite Haitian meal: spaghetti with tomato sauce… & dreid fish. Rosette remembered how Jeff raved over the dish last year – she fixed it an extra time as our breakfast before heading to the airport that trip – and now greeted us with this special meal upon our return. Pair that with the freshest buttery avocados, and you’ve got a dinner worth the 3-hour layover that became 6 hours and a change of planes in Miami!

By Susan Ojanen

Bon Repos Orphanage

Tummies full and travel-weary, we all hit the hay. My roomie, Anita, tucked in my mosquito net, and we fell asleep serenaded by Jeff’s snoring outside the window on the balcony. He woke up with a little lizard on his pillow staring at him which quickly scurried away when he saw Jeff staring back at him. That little lizard was Jeff’s personal mosquito repellent each night. Mine…Deep Woods Off.

The Bon Repos Orphanage, established 14 years ago, is home to 20 boys and school to 250 beautiful children, as well as a Christian church for the community. They also supply the community with safe water from

Madeline & Rosette

their well. The boys gave up the more finished rooms of the orphanage to us, and our meals were prepared by three very special ladies: Rosette, Patricia and Madeline (Patricia’s mother). We were happy campers, and for those who know me, I don’t camp.

The building is made of cement block which had not yet been stuccoed when we visited last year. Now, however, a good portion has been completed, and the rest will follow. The Rotary Club of Bristol VA-TN raised funds to complete this work and purchase electrical conduit, utility boxes, receptacles and a breaker box. There had not been lights

in the building, and when it gets dark (and night falls early here), it gets very dark. Last year, the boys used the solar lights we brought for the entranceway as flashlights instead…soon they’ll have the real deal. Time to get to work!

Those who stuccoed___________(fill in: misunderstood/wasn’t told/conveniently forgot?) to leave open the places where the conduit was going in, so…the older boys and the fellows on the team started chiseling with spike & hammer while Anita and I painted a couple of the rooms. Our roller extender handles were made from a strong tree branch and worked beautifully.

The school children were curious about our work and shyly popped their heads in during recess. Some of the older boys lent a hand until it was time for them to catch a Tap-tap bus to a high school outside of the orphanage teaching particular trades. Their studies varied from mechanics to agriculture to accounting to language.

In the evenings after dark, the boys would congregate at our dinner table, the older helping the younger with homework and teaching us Creole… and us teaching them English. Ger, who grew up in the orphanage, now manages it. The founder, Yves, has since established eight schools with churches, and travels among them. He raised the boys to become godly men and gives them the responsibility to work and teach.

Five Days in Haiti (Continued)Five Days in Haiti (Continued)Five Days in Haiti (Continued)Five Days in Haiti (Continued)

Bonzo giving Ryan Creole lessons

The boys are all talented musicians! Brass is very popular, and they treasure their instruments, the older sharing with the younger. After school, they gather to practice and play…if someone is off, they all let him know! Music and soccer…you can count on it anytime, anywhere. And if you don’t hear music or running after the soccer ball, you’ll find the boys tucked away somewhere studying. These precious children are proof that the desire is naturally there. Just add guidance, love and God’s Word.

We had a real treat one morning – we rode the orphanage’s school bus when it made the rounds. It was fun seeing the looks on the children’s faces when they spotted us. Many walked to the back of the bus to greet us: a handshake for the men, a kiss on our cheek for the women…and a sweet “Bonjour” to us all.

Raising the Haitian Flag

Another of the young men, Michelet, who went to school at Bon Repos and became a resident after the earthquake (he was found in the rubble of a toppled building where no others had survived –Michelet is a miracle, and he loves God with all of his heart, mind and soul), is now the school’s Principal. He is outside at 6:00 am raking the garbage to burn before the children arrive (there is no curbside pickup or even a landfill to take it to). Remember that night comes early? Well, morning does, too… the sun is up and bright about 5:00 am! The teachers are there, too, sweeping the dirt floor of their classrooms, preparing for the day. Changed into shirt and tie, or blouse and skirt, they are ready for the start of the school day.

Jerry & Jeff doing electrical work

The principal and teachers form a band, leading the children in hymns, the national anthem and pledge of allegiance while a boy and girl raise the Haitian flag together.

What’s next:-Completion of concrete, electrical work, and painting Bon Repos-Internet access for school and computer lab-Adding computers to computer lab-Continuing partnerships with local schools and orphanages, such as:

-Raising funds for a food program at a school operated by a church in another village-Installation of well at that church

-Organization of trips for 2012

Thank you to everyone at APC for contributing so many items for the orphanage, kitchen and school. You brought smiles to many with your loving supplies. I told them about you, and they want to be sure I tell you thank you from them. Mesi poutet ou ak Bondye beni nou! (Thank you and God bless you!)

Child of the stable’s secret birthBy timothy Dudley-smith

Eyes that shine in the lantern’s ray;A face so small in its nest of hay

Face of a child, who is born to scanThe world of men through the eyes of man:

And from that face in the final dayEarth and heaven shall flee away.

Voice that rang through the courts on highContracted now to a wordless cry,

A voice to master the wind and wave,The human heart and the hungry grave;The voice of God through the cedar trees

Rolling forth as the sound of seas.

Child of the stable’s secret birthThe Lord by right of the lords of earth,Let angels sing of a King newborn

The world is weaving a crown of thorn:A crown of thorn for that infant head

Cradled soft in the manger bed.

Child of the stable’s secret birth,The Father’s gift to a wayward earth,To drain the cup in a few short yearsOf all our sorrows, our sins and tears-Ours the prize for the road He trod:Risen with Christ; at peace with God.

DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember 2011201120112011DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember 2011201120112011

Every Sunday:

10 am Sunday School 11 am worship 6 pm evening study

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27

Abingdon

Care Group

Communion

Prison Ministry

Caroling &

Chili Dinner

5:30

28

3

4

Dinner Day

Prison Ministry

Did you know: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a Christmas Story about a girl named Marta.

1 2

Marjy Larson’s

Birthday

Bruce Dando’s

Birthday

David Bayly’s

Birthday

29 30 31

Jeff Clark’s

Birthday

Alan Davis’

Birthday

Henry Stelzl’s

Birthday

Jeff McCraw’s

Birthday

Carol Hull’s

Birthday

Jeff & Miranda

McCraw’s

Anniversary

Christmas

Eve Service

Mary

McKinnon’s

Birthday