Presbevents 17

Wednesday 16th December 2009
I had thought to put Presbevents out to graze till mid-January, but it didn’t like the idea!  So here is the next one. In fact I’ll mail out a Presbevents every week, unless I receive nothing in any week.
Doug
Robin and Linda Jacobson: It is so good to hear from you, and I am delighted to have this on-going link with my Presbyterian ‘family’. Linda and I have been at the North Lonsdale United Church www.nluc.org in North Vancouver now for almost 9 years – staggering isn’t
it? The United Church of Canada is a great deal more liberal than what we know and, as a result, I have found that I am now theologically both more ‘open’ as well as more ‘orthodox’ in my basic evangelical faith! I have stretched wider and I have consolidated deeper than I could
possibly have imagined. I have needed to be very clear about who and what I understand Our Lord Jesus to be and have found that that process has lost me ever deeper into His beautiful and wonder-full Gospel-grace.
Our 3 girls are all grown: Andrea (22) is at a local university, Amy (19) is taking some time out and working as our Youth Worker, and Meggan (17) is completing her schooling. Linda works in the church office as our ministry co-ordinator/administrator. It is such a joy being in team ministry with her.
Denis and Shirley Bolton (Canada): I don't know how I'd survive without the internet.... emails keep me in touch with so many people from "my past" including some very dear fellow believers who are still on their farm in Zimbabwe against unbelievable odds...
I also use my iPod as an aid to living by faith - sometimes so hard! I have dozens of sermons and teachings on my iPod and tonight I found that I can download many of Derek Prince's teachings... when I can't sleep too good I get up quietly and listen to teachings and Scripture
and music via earphones so as not to disturb Shirley in her sleep.
Roy and Tanya Wilson (Krugersdorp) (from Jerry Pillay, General Secretary): We ask you to uphold the Rev Roy Wilson and his family in your prayers as we received the sad news that his sister-in law and nephew died tragically in a motorcar accident.
The funeral will take place at St Andrew’s, Benoni on 15th December 2009, at 11h00.
We send our condolences to the Wilson family and friends and pray that they will look to God our Father, for the support and strength they will need to overcome this difficult time of grief and mourning.
Len Maart (Elsies’ River): I remember Rev Poho along with Robbie Robertson who were amongst the first representatives from the PCSA to the former BPC/ RPC General Assemblies during the 60s to late 80s. Thank God their efforts in the Unity Talks were not in vain.
From Elsies River to you and all your readers a Wonder Christmas and a Happy New Year Michelle Black (Durban): If you feel at all uninspired, consider these unique opportunities that come with proclaiming the Word of God in this special time of year:
·  Some people come to church as a blank slate with great curiosity, for in our biblically illiterate culture they were never taught the story of Christmas. They want to know what this is all about. From your lips they will hear the story of Jesus Christ for the first time.
·  Many come to church with heightened hope, excitement, anticipation. They are ready to celebrate. They are ready to remember and rejoice in the mystery of God with us.
They yearn to hear the old truths retold in the presence of God and his people.
·  Some come to church with a great longing. The world has lost its lustre. They are empty, and the season is increasing their emptiness. They want joy and are willing to consider that God may be able to provide it. From your lips they will hear—and for the first time take seriously—that Jesus Christ truly is the hope of the world. And some will believe.
·  Many will come who need you to correct their misunderstandings of God and the Bible.
·  Some are coming to church for all the wrong reasons, but God is at work and is about to take them by surprise. Their eyes and hearts will be opened through the preaching of the gospel and the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit, and they will see beyond the ceremony, sentimentality, ritual, and tradition to the reality of the Saviour. They will "get it." They will understand what the incarnation is about and truly believe the gospel. And the angels in heaven will rejoice before the God who came to seek and save what was lost.
People will be glad to hear you preach this Christmas.
Terry and Marcia Scholes (East London): Terry retired in April 2008 from St. Michael's in Springs, after his first ministry at Stutterheim and District which started in 1987. Strangely enough, the interim moderator at Stutterheim was Carl Morris Ashton, and we now find ourselves living quite close to him on the East Coast of East London, Carl and Dee at Sunrise on Sea and Terry and I at Yellow Sands.
It has been a very interesting retirement. We visited a number of churches around East London and were made to feel very welcome at Cambridge who were at that time without a full time minister. They used Terry frequently as pulpit supply during 2008 until Presbytery
appointed him as Status Supply in June until a full time minister could be called. This has now happened and their new minister will arrive, at the present moment, at the end of February.
Terry was also appointed interim moderator at Stirling Presbyterian Church who are seeking a colleague minister to Dave Templeton. So first retirement and then a very full life! But a very enjoyable one. Terry has always said that when he retired he "wanted to give something back" for the many blessings God has poured into our lives - He is faithful and just!