MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Christmas season is here. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Remember, do not allow the socially expected traditions of mankind to obscure your view of the Christ Child in the manage. It is through Him that salvation is offered, for the Jew and the Gentile. He is the long awaited Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.
He is the hope of eternal life with God and a life on earth with purpose by giving His life as a ransome for many.

Have a great Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!
See you all soon.....
Commander Bobby

"And the virgin shall give birth to a Son, and His name shall be Immanuel (which means God with us).

Isaiah 7:14

THANKS FOR A GREAT PARADE!!!

What a great time we all had at the Pelham parade on Saturday. It was something that I will always remember....
It was great to see the float in it's finished state. The kids were all smiles and we loved having them all there to represent the chapel and the Awana club. And a special thanks to the adults who gave up their time to be a part of the parade, whether it was the volunteers on the float, the ladies who made our scarves, to parents driving their kids to the parade, or videotaping or taking pictures, thanks.....
We also gave away about 230 Bibles. Thanks to God who prepared the hearts of people to recieve His Word. Now we have to pray for those who recieved them that they would see their need and come forth to Jesus, the Savior of our lives.

Again, it was an awesome experience, and one three years in the making, since the Lord first dropped the thought into my head. It's been great seeing His hand at work preparing us and brining us together to accomplish something for His Kingdom.

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11

The Parade is a GO!

Now that all the scarves are done (thanks to all the ladies who made them!), the carols are being recorded and the float is almost completed (a special shout out to Kim and Kevin for all their hard work), it's time to think about how this is all going to work.
Everyone invloved with the float will meet at Bethany Christian Reformed Church on 1086 Balfour St. at 12:15 P.M. You will have to get there from Foss Rd. because Welland Rd. will be closed for the parade.
Parents are encouraged to park near the end of the parade route near Centennial Park on Church St. after dropping your kids off. This is where the parade will end and kids can be picked up.
There are free things to do and eat after the parade, but children will be the responsbiblity of thier parents.
PLEASE DRESS WARMLY, as Commander Bobby says, "This ain't golfing weather!!!"
Wear comfortable shoes, because the thing about parades, there's alot of walking for those who are in it....
On another note, the Christmas concert rehersals are done and it looks great. I can't wait to see all the parents, clubbers and leaders at the concert. It'll be alot of fun! Plan to stay afterwards for snacks...
Finally, as the term draws to a close, the winning teams were announced, and they were the Blue and Yellow teams. They, along with their parents are invited to a nite of pizza and a movie at the chapel for 6:15 P.M. on Friday December 17th. The winning team members will be recieving phone calls to confirm.
Anyways, that's it for now, lots going on, but that's the Christmas season.

But please, don't lose sight of the Light in the dark tunnel of gift buying, meal prepreations and the attempt at having the perfect Christmas (the only perfect Christmas was about 2000 years ago). The reason for the season is Jesus Christ, God's Beloved Son, who was born to die for our sins. Even from the womb, Jesus was not far from the tomb. From the cradel to the cross, He purposed Himself to die for the sins of mankind. May this be the thought and focus of our Christmas season.

"And she will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from thier sins."
Matthew 1:21

The Parade is coming!

We've begun initial preperations for the Ridgeville Bible Chapel/Awana float for the Pelham Christmas Parade. Any clubber who wish to participate will be advised of the schedule for December 11th (parade day) shortly.

Parents, keep an eye out for a notice regarding the parade.

Christmas time again

The club is a buzz with our Christmas concert preperations. There are alot of dedicated leaders and clubbers working hard at pulling off a great concert that is both entertaining, fun and honoring to the LORD.
Remember as we appraoch the date (Dec 14), it is really important for your clubbers to be at club, as we only have a few nites and a limited amount of time to prepare. Clubbers are asked to be at the chapel on concert nite at 6 pm.
The chapel also had a chance to put together twenty Christmas boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I took them over to Wellspring Church last Saturday. It was an incredible sight to see the thousands of boxes there, knowing they are headed to children in some of the poorest countries in the world. Pray for the boxes and the families recieving them, that they would feel the love of Christ and recieve Him as their Savior.
Finally, the chapel and the club is preparing for the Fenwick Christmas parade, which is being held on Dec 11th. We are putting together a float, and are really excited to spread the news of CHRISTmas!!!
See you guys around the club....

"But as many as recieved Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.." John 1:12

It's almost here!!

With the annual October candy grab behind us, it's time to start the annual Christmas countdown. For those of you who may not know this but I LOVE Christmas! Not for the presents (though I am now accepting personal cheque and mastercard ;) but for the simple reason that this is the time of year we celebrate Christ's coming to save mankind from it's sins.