December 22 It Really Is Hard to Believe Advent and Christmas Is Here
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Swift Creek Chronicler Page 4 Swift Creek Baptist Church 9300 Penny Road Raleigh, NC 27606 Swift Creek Baptist Church From the Pastor…. 9300 Penny Road Raleigh, NC 27606 I begin with thanks for the card and gift from the church for Pastor Appre- (919) 851-0112 ciation Day. It was so thoughtful of you to remember me and Angie and I truly Fax (919) 851-0171 appreciate the ministry we all have here at Swift Creek. I also want to say a word Email: of thanks to everyone who helped in any way with Operation Christmas Child. [email protected] www.swiftcreekchurch.com Our church members gave115 shoe boxes and overall our Relay Center re- ceived 2093 shoe boxes. Special thanks goes to Lynn & Will Cullins who faithful- ly spear headed this project. In the coming weeks we should see evidence of our portico/foyer project. The permitting process has been completed and the final timeframes will be set soon. We anticipate some disruption during construction, so flexibility will go a long way for everyone. December 22 It really is hard to believe Advent and Christmas is here. Christmas is filled Church Staff: with so much tradition and remembrances it can be overwhelming to the point Dr. David Vess, Pastor where we can miss the simple story of God's love coming to us in a meager Foyer/Portico Building Fund Update Rev. David Beaver, Minister of Music manger. Years ago The Christian Century published a story written by Harriet Mrs. Robin Atkins, Director of Richie. It was about an incident in her family's life that revealed to her the true Children and Youth Activities nature of Christmas. It is one of my favorite Christmas stories. Construction/Architectural Modifications Cost: $129,571 Mr. Bobby Mills, Grounds Maintenance Following their church's midnight Christmas Eve service, Harriet's family Average Attendance and Giving Received as of 11/23/2014: $ 58,301 Mrs. Sandy Jones, Custodian decided to stop somewhere for a late-night breakfast. The only place open that October 26 –November 23, 2014 Mrs. Sandy Jones, Church Secretary late on Christmas Eve was a truck stop at a nearby interstate junction. Bible Study Attendance 51 Mrs. Susan Moore, Financial Secretary Worship Service 85 Balance Required to Complete Project: $ 71,270 A few big diesels rumbled outside. Inside a few truckers sat at the counter. Tithes and offerings $3,992 A jukebox played a country song that went something like this: "When You Needed weekly to meet budget $4,119 Church Office Hours: Leave, Walk Out Backwards So I'll Think You're Coming In." On the front window Thank you for your gifts! Monday -- Friday - 9 a.m.-1p.m. Tuesday Dec. 16th were a few multicolored blinking lights. The place smelled like bacon grease and stale cigarette smoke. A one-armed man stood behind the counter. The family Online available at December Nursery Sunday Schedule: squeezed into a booth. A thin waitress named Rita sauntered over. She man- www.swiftcreekchurch.com Coffee Fellowship—9:30 a.m. 7– Jennie Jones, Margie Britt Bible Study—9:45 a.m. aged a weary smile and handed them their menus. 14– Christian Leggett, Judy Durden CARE Worship Service—11:00 a.m. Harriet looked around. She felt a little bit like a snob and out of place. Her 21– Dorothy Smith JoAnne King family had just come from a beautiful Christmas Eve service. And soon they Cans for Christ 28– Pearl Strickland, Joyce Powell Wednesday Schedule: would be heading to their lovely home for the night. She thought one day they 10:00 am Fellowship Meal—5:30 p.m. would look back with a laugh and say to each other: "Remember the Christmas Shopping List Prayer and Bible Study—6:30 p.m. we ate breakfast at that truck stop? That awful music and those tacky lights?" Handbells—6:15 p.m. Instant mashed potatoes She was staring out the window when an old Volkswagen van drove up. A Swift Creek Baptist Church Clothes Closet and Food Pantry Adult Choir Rehearsal—7:15 p.m. young man with a beard and wearing jeans got out. He walked around and Cranberry sauce opened the door for a young woman who was holding a baby. They hurried in- AS OF NOVEMBER 25 WE HAVE FED AND CLOTHED Monthly Events: side and took a booth nearby. Candied yams 994 PEOPLE IN NEED THIS YEAR! 1st Sunday-Men’s Breakfast 1st and 3rd Sunday – Youth When Rita, the waitress, took their order the baby began to cry and nei- Canned pumpkin Don’t forget the food pantry on your next shopping trip. 2nd Friday - PNO ther of the young parents could quiet him. Rita reached over and held out her Stuffing mix Anything you donate that is store bought is greatly appreciated. 3rd Thursday - WOM arms. "Sit down and drink your coffee, hon, let me see what I can do." 4th Wednesday-C.A.R.E. Ministry ***Continued on next page Page 2 Swift Creek Chronicler Swift Creek Chronicler Page 3 It was evident that Rita had done this before with her own brood. She began talking and walking The Sanctuary Choir, soloists, children, ladies ensemble, around the place. She showed the baby to one of the truckers who began whistling and making silly faces. handbells and instrumentalists will provide worshipful music through- The baby stopped crying. She showed the baby the blinking lights on the window and the lights on the out the Advent season. MUSIC jukebox. She brought the baby over to Harriet's table. "Just look at this little darlin'." She said. "Mine are so The cantata, “Carols of Christmas” will be presented during the big and grown." The one-armed fellow behind the counter brought a pot of coffee to Harriet's table. As he worship service on December 7th. The composer, John W. Peterson, refilled their mugs, Harriet felt tears in her eyes. Her husband wanted to know what was wrong. arranged some of our favorite carols in a style that became his trade- "Nothing. Just Christmas," she told him, reaching in her purse for a Kleenex and a quarter. "Go see if you mark back in the fifties and sixties. The congregation will have an op- can find a Christmas song on the jukebox," she told the children. portunity to participate, as well! When they were gone, Harriet said, "He'd come here, wouldn't he?" "Who?" her husband asked. Harp and strings will combine for our Christmas Eve service at “Jesus," Harriet said. "If Jesus were born in this town tonight and the choices were our neighborhood, the 6:00 o’clock, P.M. This community event promises to be a meaningful church or this truck stop, it would be here, wouldn't it?" time as we celebrate together the birth of our Savior. Her husband didn't answer right away, but looked around the place, looked at the people. Finally he From my family to yours, we wish you all a Merry Christmas NOTES said, "Either here or a homeless shelter." and a Blessed New Year. “That's what bothers me," Harriet said. "When we first got here I felt sorry for these people because David Beaver they probably aren't going home to neighborhoods where the houses have candles in the windows and Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoul- wreaths on the doors. And listening to that awful music, I thought, I'll bet nobody here has even heard of der: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Handel. Now I think that more than any place I know, this is where Christmas is. But I don't belong." Prince of Peace. As they walked to the car, her husband put his arm around her. "Remember," he reminded her "the angel said, 'I bring good news of great joy to ALL people.'" If you have a cold heart, that story will mean nothing to you. If you have room in your heart for Christ Thank you for opening your door and this night, it could change the way you look at the world. welcoming our group. May God bless you This Christmas our Cantata will be presented on December 7th and the Christmas Eve service will 100 fold for your generosity and hospitali- be at 6PM. May the blessing of the Christ fill you hearts this year. ty. Praise the Lord for He is good!! In God's Grace Prayers and blessing on this place. David Vess Dear SCBC Family My appreciation and gratitude is extended to Dear Swift Creek Baptist pastor, staff, & members, everyone for the many cards, calls, and visits We are so grateful for your generous hospitality to- Swift Creek, I received in the last 3 months. Those SCBC wards our CC group! It is such a joy to come every Thank you for opening Roses have been enjoyed by many people Thursday to have fun, fellowship, and learning at your your doors to our Robin’s Roundtable Women On Mission News here at Rex Rehab & Nursing. Your prayers facility. We pray that God will richly bless you as you group! Your generosity First, I want to thank everyone who helped with the Operation Christmas and kindness helped me along the way, I’m serve Him. You are a great blessing to us! has been a blessing to our family as we gather We have a busy and wonderful month of Child shoebox Collections.