Tremont Temple Baptist Church

Temple Tidings www.tremonttemple.com

DECEMBER 2009

Pastor’s Letter
Christmas 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ of Tremont Temple Baptist Church!
We greet you during this beautiful season of Advent and Christmas with the
words of Scripture of the Angel Gabriel to Mary:
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High….and of his
kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1: 32)
The Word of God has been preached at Tremont Temple for many years…it Dates to Remember:
has always been the Word of Jesus Christ! And indeed His kingdom will have no
end. Therefore it is with hope and joy that we greet you during this Christmas
Season. 12/6/09
TTBC has gone through many struggles and difficult times, but God has not
departed from us. Indeed we are pleased that the power of the Holy Spirit has Potluck Luncheon
again begun to breathe upon us. There is new hope and new joy! And therefore,
we greet each of you with that JOY that comes from knowing Jesus Christ! 12:30pm - 2pm Chipman
There are many things for which we can rejoice:
1. The Reconciliation Train: We thank God for our Missions Conference and for Wednesdays ~
Dr. Roger Fredrikson. In a very wonderful way he began the healing process in
our church. People have asked for forgiveness and have forgiven one another. Fellowship ~
There is a new sense that we are on the way to renewal! The "reconciliation
train" has left the station. Most people are on it and we pray that many others will Hospitality Room - 5:30pm
climb aboard! A redeemed and reconciled people filled with joy is the great way
to witness to the power of the Holy Spirit! We need you to join us in this
pilgrimage! Bible Study & Prayer -
2. Our Music Ministry: Thank God that TTBC does not have "worship wars" as
do many congregations. Under the leadership of Geoff Hicks we have four types 6:30 pm - 7:30pm Chapel
of music during the month. We are pleased that our music and choir will be
singing Christmas Carols on the steps of the church as a witness. Thursdays ~
How grateful we are for our new organist, William Parks, who will be giving
Advent Organ Recitals beginning, Thursday, December 3rd from 12:15 to 12:30. Organ Recital - 12:15 pm
We are calling these recitals, "Fifteen Minutes for God." The idea is from the
German Cathedral in Berlin which has noon concerts called, "Fuenfzehn Minuten “15 Minutes for God” -
fuer Gott!" Bring a friend. Let this be an opportunity for outreach!
3. Prayer Meetings: The powerhouse of any church is the prayer meeting. I
12/13/09
rejoice with you in that our participation continues to increase on Wednesday
evenings. A fellowship hour before hand from 5:30 to 6:30 gives opportunity for
members to eat and fellowship with one another before the prayer meeting begins Women’s Tea -
at 6:30. Come along and bring a friend!
4. Children and Youth Ministries: We are so pleased that Lucretia Rodriquez is 12:30pm - 2 pm Chipman
leading our Children's Ministry. A flyer to hand out to parents of children is now
available. Tell your neighbors of the opportunity to have their children learn the 12/20/09
ways of God!
We are sorry to say "good bye" to John Lee on December 13th. Thank you John Christmas Concert
for your ministry amongst us! John has completed his MBA at Brandeis and we
pray God's blessings upon him as he seeks further ministry. Alex Grant continues
to study in seminary. While no longer on the staff at TTBC, he continues to 12/24/09
volunteer. We need more youth workers? Any volunteers?
5. Thanksgiving for the Homeless: How grateful we are for the tremendous Christmas Eve Worship
witness of our church, under the leadership of Pastor Effie, in feeding the home-
less. It was a beautiful experience to witness the love and care given to so many 6:00 pm Lorimer
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DECEMBER 2009

Pastor’s Letter (continued)

homeless. This is a real witness and ministry to the people of Boston!

6. All Church Fellowship: Following worship on Sunday, December 6th, all are invited to bring a covered dish for a meal of fellow-
ship and friendship. It is important that we pray and fellowship together. Let the church office know that you will be bringing food
for this time of fellowship!
7. Women's Tea: Janice Lotz is working with many of the women of the church to organize our first Ladies' Tea. Following the
Worship Service on Sunday, December 13, 2009. All ladies are invited to Chipman Hall for tea and snacks. This is an opportunity
for fellowship but also for a discussion of what types of ministry women can lead us in. Janice will lead the devotional period.
8. Annual Christmas Concert: Sunday, December 20th, our Worship Service will celebrate Christ's birth with the choir leading in
Handel's Messiah! Don't miss this worship experience of joy and celebration
9. Christmas Eve Celebration: We will celebrate Christmas Eve as a church family on Thursday evening, December 24th at 6:00
p.m. This service will help you prepare your hearts and minds for the real celebration of God's love in Jesus Christ! (On Wednesday
evening, December 23rd, instead of Prayer Meeting, Sister Evans will lead us in a Christmas Play!)
10. Faith/Promise: It is important for the life of the Church and for your own spiritual life that you commit yourself to supporting the
work of Christ by your tithes and offerings. Our Faith/Promise campaign is open through December. In addition to your financial
pledge, we want each of you to fill out a card indicating what you feel your spiritual and practical gifts are for building up the
ministry of TTBC. This will help us as we seek new committee members and leadership for our annual business meeting in April!
Scripture through the prophet Malachi makes these strong words, "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me….Bring the full tithes
into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house!" (Malachi 3:8f.). For those who are sick are not able to travel, please send
in your pledge cards now! Thank you very much in Jesus' name!
11. Future events to remember: On Sunday, January 10th, following worship service, there will be a People Sing. All are invited by
the choir to join them for lunch in Chipman Hall!
I am pleased that we will have a Union Service on Sunday January 24th with the Ethiopian Church and the Hispanic Church. We are
one in Christ and we need to show that visibly!
On Sunday, January 31st, Pearl Gayle will be sponsoring with her team a luncheon emphasizing the Instrumentalists gifts she has
been leading!

Finally, brothers and sisters! "What ever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious excellent, anything worthy of praise, think
about these things….and the God of peace will be with you!" (Philippians 4: 8f.). Many have gone to be with the Lord this year.
They were faithful servants of Christ and lived a long life of service. We thank God for them! Many of us were shocked when we
learned of the death of our younger brother, Ted Harris. He had joined the reconciliation train and was so important in the renewal
within the church, but for reasons we do not understand, the Lord called him home, Sunday November 22d. Ted Harris should be an
example to all of us of the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing, forgiveness and renewal. He told Dr. Fredrikson after our
service of reconciliation, "A great burden has been lifted from me." Why, O Lord? We do not understand but we are challenged by
Ted's faith and courage and remember his family in our prayers! To God be the glory!
My wife, Janice and I, accepted the call to TTBC with fear and trepidation. We felt the Lord was calling us here. We had no idea
about the ministry to which we have been called. But, we rejoice in the movement of the Holy Spirit amongst you. Keep praying and
working. Work for reconciliation. Work for peace. Do it in Joy and Love! Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
For those of you receiving this letter that have left us for various reasons, you are cordially invited back. Come join the
"reconciliation train". It is not too late to get aboard! Jesus needs all the members of TTBC to re-commit their lives to mission and
evangelism, and to build up the kingdom of God amongst us! May that be our prayer as we enter 2010! May the Peace, Joy and Love
of Christ be with you this Christmas and in the coming year!

Yours in the Joy of Christ,

Denton Lotz, Pastor
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Message for Dr. Lotz and the Brothers and Sisters of Tremont Temple:
Thanks for opening your hearts with such warm hospitality to me last weekend. I am deeply grateful for your love,
prayers and warm support.

I praise God with you for the moving of His Spirit as many of you let go of some of the old things and opened your-
selves to the renewing grace of Christ and renewed your commitment to the mission of Christ through Tremont Tem-
ple.

I pray that the “renewal” will continue, knowing that God makes all things new!

I pray, too, that Pastor Lotz and Janice will be empowered by the Spirit as they continue their
ministry among you.

The future is as bright as the promises of God. Tremont Temple is moving into God’s new day !

In the bonds of Christ,

Pastoral Care
CHRISTMAS DINNER ~ DECEMBER 25, 2009 12 PM - 2 PM
CHRISTMAS DINNER will be served at Tremont Temple in Chipman Hall, 6th floor, from noon until 2 pm on December 25, 2009,
Christmas Day, extending the love of Christ to others in fellowship and with joyful hearts. Monetary donations for dinner
provisions are needed and will be gratefully accepted. Donations may be sent to the Church Office, 6th floor, or to the Boston
Christian Counseling Center. Both offices are located at 88 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108. Please make checks payable to :
Tremont Temple Baptist Church and indicate “Christmas Dinner” on the memo line.

Pastor Effie Sidiropoulou, Executive Director,

Boston Christian Counseling Center & Minister of Counseling, Tremont Temple Baptist Church

A WOMEN’S TEA WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DE- December Birthdays

CEMBER 13, 2009, 12:30 PM TO 2:00PM IN CHIPMAN
HALL. 12/3 Elizabeth Mercer
ALL WOMEN, YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE IN- 12/5 Rosemarie Calvert
VITED TO ATTEND AND JOIN IN 12/7 Marilyn Lee
EXPLORING NEW IDEAS IN WOMEN’S 12/8 Sharon Edwards/Grant
12/12 Thelma Peele
FELLOWSHIP. 12/18 Betty Porter
12/20 Pearl Gayle
12/23 Katie Bennett
12/26 Michele Zarbo
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Page 4 DECEMBER 2009

Music Ministry Notes...

All interested singers are invited to join us as we prepare to sing selections from the “Messiah” of George
Frederick Handel on Sunday, December 20th, during the morning service. Choir rehearsals will be held
every Wednesday evening , 7:30pm, 7th floor, Choir Room until that time. Please try to join us!
Many blessings,
Dr. Geoffrey Hicks, Minister of Music

December 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 Prayer Meeting 3 Organ Recital 4 5 Gospel Choir

& Bible Study 12:15 - 12:30 pm Rehearsal
6:30 PM Converse Hall 10:00am - 11:00am
Currie Chapel Choir Rm,7th fl

6 Communion 7 8 9 Prayer Meeting 10 Organ Recital 11 12

Potluck & Bible Study 12:15 - 12:30 pm Christmas Play
Luncheon 6:30 PM Converse Hall Lorimer Hall
12:30 - 2 pm Currie Chapel 4 pm

13 Women’s 14 15 16 Prayer Meeting 17 Organ Recital 18 19

Advent Tea & Bible Study 12:15 - 12:30 pm
12:30 - 2 pm 6:30 PM Converse Hall
Chipman Currie Chapel

20 Christmas 21 22 23 Prayer Meeting 24 Christmas Eve 25 CHRISTMAS! 26

Concert & Bible Study Service ~ 6 pm Christmas Dinner
During Worship 6:30 PM Organ Recital 12 - 2 pm
Service 11 am Currie Chapel 12:15 - 12:30 pm Chipman Hall

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