P EEBL ES BA P TIS T C H U R C H

Faith in Action

March 2014

n all the frequently peculiar language of the church, there are few more peculiar expressions (when you stop to think about it) than pastoral care. The dictionary defines the word pastoral as used for or related to the keeping or grazing of sheep - and frankly, most of us would be moderately offended to be likened to animals primarily famous for their stupidity. You may be surprised to learn, however, that in fact sheep are remarkably intelligent animals. Tests demonstrate sheep recognize individual human and sheep faces and can remember them for years. Sheep are able to differentiate emotional states through facial characteristics, have shown problem-solving skills, and have been taught to learn their names. Some days thats significantly better than me... But the other important characteristic of sheep is their gregarious nature. They are friendly and social, enjoying living and growing together in small groups. They naturally flock together because sheep love sheep. Sheep are dependent, not just on the shepherd, but also on each other. The reason for all this ovine discussion is that we have just launched a new pastoral care initiative in PBC, called PULSE. The acronym stands for Prayerful, Unending, Love, Service, and Encouragement; PULSE aims to be the heartbeat of the fellowship by:

spending time in prayer for one another actively sharing time with each other providing practical assistance for one other providing a safety net and preventing crises providing a rapid response where necessary

James 2:17 says that faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. By that measure, pastoral care for one another and for those around us isnt an optional add-on - its an essential component of what we claim to believe. Please think about how you can get involved in PULSE - whether it be through prayer, visiting, or practical help. On the flip side of the coin, please use the service too - dont be ashamed to ask for confidential prayer, or a visit from the visiting team. You might be giving someone the opportunity to bring their faith to life!

Ian

From the (Locum!) Editor

Its been a while since I last burned the midnight oil to meet a Magazine deadline, and its a bit scaryunder Morags editorship standards have really been driven up over the last year. But everyone will also agree that she deserves a wee while off to prepare for, and settle down with, the new babyand just to enjoy her lovely family! The look of the Mag has changed a lot over the last year, but even more encouraging is the increase in volume of PBC activity that it now needs to cover. Theres a huge amount happening in our small corner these days, and we thank God for the ways in which the church is being re-energised. Activitys not everything, though! Alastair Begg, who served at Charlotte Chapel (ask Fergus!) and Hamilton Baptist Church before embarking on thirty years of ministry in the USA, says A good church is a Biblecentred church. Nothing is as important as this. We want PBC to be a Biblecentred church. If youve just completed E100 the overview of the Bible in 100 selected passages that our Church embarked on just over a year ago where do you go from here to make Gods Word a central part of everyday life? Weve highlighted a few ideas in this issue, but the choice is enormous. It would be good to hear what works for you.

Christine

Showers of blessing!
A baby shower was held for Morag on February 15th, and we all had a lovely time drinking tea, eating cakes and sandwiches and taking part in Emma and Moiras excellent quiz which featured song clips with the word baby in them. We showered Morag with some pampering gifts for herself, and a few wee things for the baby, and we spent some time in prayer for her and the family as they approach the happy day.

Prayer Breakfast
Saturday 8 March 8.30 10am (breakfast 8.30 - 9am) Carlyn & Douglas McCal ls

Diversity
Thursday 27 March Kolkata evening and Freeset bag and gift party 7.30 pm Venue TBC

Vickys Tearoom Sunday 9 March 3 4:30 PM

Messy Church
Saturday 22nd March 3.30 - 5.30pm Helpers needed to set up, cook, serve, play, chat, and clean - see Ian if youre available.

World Day of Pray

er

Friday 7th March at 7pm St Josephs Churc h

This year the serv ice has been written by Egyptia n Christians and is entitled 'Stream s in the Desert'.

Praying about Premises Sunday 16 March 1:00pm

LISTEN FOR MORE INFORMATION

ether at Singing Tog rt Dovecot Cou

Wed nesday 5 March 2.00
PM

Open Doors
Tues 11 March 10am Willie and Wilm as 8 Connor Ridge

hristine for See Linda or C ion more informat

Mens Group
Observatory Trip Tuesday 25 Marc Details from Frank Drummon d h

The Kings Meadow

Saturday 1st March Shaping & Scraping Saturday 8th March Community planting day Saturday 22nd March Car boot sale & coffee morning See article for more info

Dovecot Court Service

Wednesday 26 March Please join us at 3pm, as we take our turn to lead the fortnightly service at Dovecot Court.

Lunch n Chat
Helpers neede d from 11 AM, Mon 17 March Leckie Memori al Church Hall

Prayer Points for March

Continue to pray for Linda, and thank God for her continuing

healing. Pray for Wilma, that her planned surgery will be 100% successful and that shell make a quick recovery; and pray that both she and Willie would know Gods peace. Continue to pray for the planning and preparation for the Alpha Course. Pray for the Churchs accommodation. Lets give thanks to God for our dear friend Jim McFarlane, as he begins his new ministry at Ladywell Baptist Church. Sue Swift will be visiting Diversity on 27 March after her Mission trip to Kolkata; pray for Sue as she prepares to share her experiences. Give thanks to God for the Kings Meadow project that He planted the seed of this exciting idea, and that its starting to grow! Pray for the people weve met through the garden so far, and pray that this season well meet many more , and will be able to make good relationships with them, letting them see Jesus in us, and hear about Jesus through our Church Pray for the plans and the funding of the project particularly pray that the planning permission goes through swiftly and easily, and that the accessible paths will become a reality soon, so that everyone can enter the garden easily and safely. Pray for North Korea, which for the 12th consecutive year heads the Open Doors World Watch list. Its Christians face ABSOLUTE PERSECUTION, with an estimated 50,00070,000 imprisoned in labour camps. Ask God to sustain them; pray that He would change the heart of the N. Korean leader and use him to reform the country; and pray for protection for those providing relief and shelter for Christian refugees in China. May your unfailing love be my comfort, (Open Doors according to your promise to your servant. Handbook of Prayer.) Psalm 119: 76

BUS Prayer Link Calendar: March 2014

Sunday 2 March
Leslie Edge (Chaplain, Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice) Burra Isle Baptist Church Calderwood Baptist Church Cambuslang Baptist Church

Sunday 9 March
Ron Flett (City Centre Chaplain, Aberdeen) Campbeltown Community Church Canonmills Baptist Church Carbrain Baptist Church

Sunday 16 March
Ronnie Hall (RAF Chaplain) Carluke Baptist Church Carnoustie Community Church Castlehill Baptist Church

Sunday 23 March
Cliff Jackson (Lead Chaplain, Auchlochan) Castlemilk Community Church Cathcart Baptist Church Central

Sunday 30 March
John Jamieson (Army Chaplain) Cleland Baptist Church Coastline Community Church Coatbridge Baptist Church

for women of all ages

Diversity Kolkata evening and Freeset bag and gift party Thursday 27th March
Venue to be confirmedhopefully Victoria Park Centre! Sue Swift came and talked to Diversity in November, and told us all about the forthcoming BMS trip to Kolkata. We learned a lot of information about life for women in Kolkata where the sex trade is a fact of life for hundreds of women and girls. Those present were touched by what we heard and we committed to pray for Sue and her friends as they go on the mission trip, and to pray about the situation in Kolkata. (See back page for more information about the trip.) Sue will be in Kolkata from 24th January until 6th February with a group of Christian women from around Scotland. Sue will come to visit us on the 27th March and tell us all about the trip.

Diversity had a crafty evening in January Frances Hider demonstrated the art of batik painting with wax onto cloth, and then applying coloured dyes to the cloth to create a very individual piece of art. 10 of us took part in the evening, and the whole experience was relaxing and stimulating all at once. Frances was a very patient and talented teacher, and her words of encouragement and advice were welcomed. Thanks to the Evangelical Church for allowing us to meet in their hall, and thanks to Frances for a really great, fun evening.

There are signs of spring in the Kings Meadow community garden and we have been planning ahead for the planting season that starts next month. Plans for the raised beds include onions, carrots, potatoes, leeks and parsnips, and the range of peas and beans such as runners, broad beans. Herbs are also on the list, and in fact there is a flourishing crop of parsley which is growing in one of the beds, and is available to pick. Rab has drawn up a 4 year planting plan with rotations of vegetables, and this has given us all a boost, as we can see a bit of structure coming in to the garden. Rab has also planned some great things for the social end of the garden - we will be ordering some seats and tables from the Restorative Justice project, and we will put in a path and some shrubs and wildflowers as well as a willow fedge. There will be plenty of work for us all, and it would be great to see some of you coming out to join in with the planting and bring friends and family too. Remember that this garden is a big part of our mission at PBC it is all for the glory of God so we might spread the good news of Jesus. Ian has ordered some signs a big one to put up at the entrance to the garden, with a space for a laminated sheet with dates and events, and a banner similar to the one we put up on the centre each Sunday. Ian has also been liaising with Peebleshire Youth Trust who are very excited about getting involved in the garden. Bill is busy planning the paths, and the shed area, and we are excited about both. His nephew Blair has been helping with the plans. Since starting the garden we have had such a lot of tools donated, and we need storage urgently. The shed may be big enough to put in a couple of seats to take shelter should it start raining. Since it has proved too expensive at this point to put in a tap, we will need to get some water butts safely put in with fencing round them to keep any small people out as water in a garden is of course a risk.

Lindsey is applying for more funding, and is currently investigating the local Community Fund the paths and accessible ramp to allow people in wheelchairs to enter the garden will be an expensive project, possibly exceeding our current budget. Lindsey has also drawn up some volunteering paperwork including risk assessments, a volunteer agreement and a sign in sheet since we are opening this project to folk from the community, we need to make sure that the way we work with volunteers is open and transparent and as safe as possible. Linda has been on leave for the last we while, but we look forward to her getting involved in the garden as much as she is able as her leg recovers and grows strong.

Dates for your diary:

Saturday 1st March Graeme Irvines digger will be in the garden, doing some shaping and scraping at the social end ready for planting. From 9am, all welcome to come and watch Saturday 8th March Community planting day all welcome to put in shrubs and willow. From 10am. This has been advertised in the Peebleshire, so please also tell your friends and family, and be praying about this event. Donations of cakes and scones for mid-morning refreshments would be most welcome. Saturday 22nd March Car Boot Sale & Coffee Morning (time to be confirmed). Thanks to the inspiration of Hazel at the church meeting, and Helen on Sunday, we have decided to have a fund raising car boot sale, which will take the place of the February fling oot that is normally held at Christines house. Well be raising money partly for the shed and other work in the Kings Meadow, but also to support the creation care and sustainable agricultural development work that Sarah McArthur is doing with BMS World Mission in Peru. If youd like to help with the planning of this event, please see Ian or Bill.

Update from Cathie Aberdour

formerly of Wycliffe Bible Translators

10 February 2014

Dear all,
It's about time I sent out an update. I finished the radio therapy a month ago. It went well but for sure got my ataxia going and my muscles have been affected a bit. However I was able to speak at the Men's Fellowship at Charlotte Chapel on the 7th February on the subject of Bible translation. I do value prayer as I speak to the women at the Old Parish St. Paul in Galashiels on the 12th February. Also I'm speaking at a school on the 14th and to the women at Hebron in Aberdeen on the 24th of the month. My niece Yvonne will be spending a few days with me next week and I look forward to that. She is a missionary with the WEC working with the Kurds in Rotterdam. Thanks so much for your prayers, In Him,

Cathie

STOP PRESS - SEE EXTRA UPDATE FROM CATHIE ON THE NEXT PAGE

Its not all serious stuff

A chocolate fest for Valentines Day in Haiti; the skill required to get off the bus to language school in Peru, where some interesting drivers dont really like to stop the bus completely - the blogs and newsletters of our BMS Link Missionaries give some intriguing insights into their lives!

...but they DO need our prayers!

Keep up to date with the MacFarlanes, the Cowies, the Eagles and Sarah McArthur, via the World Mission page on the church website.

Your Church Your Games

This summer, the eyes of the world will be watching as some 6,500 athletes and officials from 70 countries (as well as up to 200,000 spectators per day) descend on Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It will be far more than a sporting event. Just like in the 2012 Olympics, the Commonwealth Games present a unique and extraordinary opportunity to share something of the gospel. That's why churches across Scotland are coming together under the More Than Gold banner to draw up a co-ordinated approach in preparation for the Games and to make sure they do not let the moment pass them by. More Than Gold is an umbrella organisation representing the main denominations in Scotland including the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Baptist Union of Scotland among others (as well as para-church bodies such as Scripture Union, CLAN, Scottish Bible Society and the Evangelical Alliance), bringing them together to help churches seize the opportunity that the Commonwealth Games provide. The churches in Peebles want to be part of this exciting time, and an ecumenical planning group is being formed to explore ways in which we might get involved. By reaching out together, we want to impact the lives of this community children, young people and adults as well as international visitors. What can I do? There are several things that we need you to be doing right now: Please pray as the planning group begins to meet pray for a common vision, inspired ideas, and unity of mind. Nearly 500 was raised at the recent united service for More

Than Gold events in Peebles, and we will be exploring additional (non-lottery based) grant funding. Pray about the financing, and consider whether you might give sacrificially yourself. If youve got a great idea, or you want to offer your help in some way, speak to Ian, or send him an email pastor@peeblesbaptistchurch.org. Watch out for developments as the ideas take shape, and for ways in which you can be a part of the plans. Get excited! God is going to do great things in Peebles this summer!

(Another) Update from Cathie Aberdour

(received just as the magazine went to press)

22 February 2014

Dear all, Thanks for your prayers for the last three speaking engagements. The Lord undertook wonderfully and although I haven't been very strong lately I was able to speak with no problem. I value prayer for when I travel to Aberdeen on Monday to speak to the ladies at Hebron in the afternoon. Brad & Melissa and four of their children spent a week with the Apurina a few days ago and had a blessed time. It was Melissa and three of the children's first visit to the village and they really enjoyed it and look forward to going again. Jason is in the village just now and is checking the first three chapters of the translation of 1Samuel that he asked me to translate and send to him. He is also aiming to do the fist few lessons of the pedagogical grammar in order to start learning Apurina. He's hoping to be with the Apurina for three weeks, speaking at the church there, visiting all of them and going hunting with the men. Pray for him as he's on his own. Andrea and their daughter have stayed this time in Manaus. Pray that he won't get malaria. In Him,

Cathie

Part 5: Union and Communion with the King

Far more labours, far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death, five times I received from the Jews the 39 lashes, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep, frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from countrymen, dangers from Gentiles ' (2 Corinthians 11:23-26)

You think, this guy might know a bit about pressure! A day and a night in the deep is a verse I often recall when I have an extended delay at an airport. You can feel a bit vulnerable at times, but its nothing by comparison with the experiences of Paul. And hes learned the secret of being content. Unbelievers are under the impression that Christians are forced into morality, obey rules and go to church. If they really understood that wed found the secret of being content theyd wonder where we got it. And theyd queue up outside our churches to find the secret for themselves. Pauls great claim has been tested through the centuries, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Its about fellowship and communion with Christ. Now we must distinguish between these two different things: first being united with Him and declared righteous as a gift and second enjoying communion with Him. In his book, Communion with the Triune God, John Owen speaks about union and communion with Jesus.

Righteous yesterday, today and for ever

First, he says that we are united with Jesus and have received his righteousness for ever and that this is the basis of our relationship with him. Our relationship is never based on how much weve enjoyed his

fellowship. Sadly, many believers think that if they have a season of remoteness from God, hes unhappy with them and they end up in condemnation. Jesus is our righteousness for eternity. God poured out his wrath on his Son and we escape. We never move from our righteousness in Christ. Even if we dont have an extended time of fellowship with him, we can still say, Thank you, Lord. Youre the same yesterday, today and for ever, my righteousness. Thats union with Christ. Second, Owen says that once we have union with Christ, we go on to have communion with him. We talk to him and listen to his voice. We hear him through the Scriptures and sing praises to him for the sheer joy of knowing that hes our God. This is how we get strengthened with might in our inner being. We have fellowship with Jesus.

When things go wrong...

Day after day we experience fear, battle, hurts, sickness, wounds, unkindness and perplexity. We didnt expect whats happened to us. How do we get through? Well, pull yourself together! No! Our strength comes from Jesus. Isnt He the Saviour? Doesnt He save? Fellowship with Him! Salvation is a huge thing. Jesus saved me back in the 50s and has been saving me daily ever since. One day hell save us when he presents us to himself in glory. But while were on earth things will go wrong. And then well need to draw close to Jesus to be daily, continually, repeatedly saved. I must take care to cultivate communion with Christ, for though that can never be the basis of my peace, mark that, yet it will be the channel of it. If you havent had amazing experiences of communion for a little while are you losing your peace? No, because the basis of peace doesnt lie in communion with Christ, but in his righteousness. Its by being justified by faith that you have peace with God. Communion with Christ will be the channel of peace, reflected in your enjoyment of him and his strength.

This post was adapted from the 1st of three sermons on the Armour of God preached at Together on a Mission 2010; www.terryvirgo.org/Articles/264622/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Articles/Series/ Armour_of_God_Genuine_conflict.aspx

Even for Shirkers and Slackers?

Christians who neglect the Bible simply do not mature said John Stott. Just as we know we ought to take regular exercise, we know we ought to read the Bible! But finding the time or the enthusiasm to persevere with either, can sometimes be really difficult. However, the range of helps to Bible reading is now so enormous that its hard to find an excuse for not getting started. Whatever your circumstances or personal preferences, theres a good chance you ll be able to find a Bible reading scheme that hits the spot for you. Even if you consider yourself a Shirkers and Slacker, theres a scheme just for you! This programme aims to cover the whole Bible in about a year year, with each day of the week focussed on one genre of material, i.e: Sundays: Poetry Mondays: Penteteuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy) Tuesdays: Old Testament history Wednesdays: Old Testament history Thursdays: Old Testament prophets Fridays: New Testament history Saturdays: New Testament epistles (letters) Personally, I think this scheme still demands quite a bit of motivation and disciplinethere are no explanatory or devotional notes, you have to (physically or online) look up each days reading, and if you need help understanding the passage you have to search elsewhere. Theres a neat tick box chart with all the readings, though, that you can either print out and hang on your wall, or fill in electronically, so you have a visual check on your progress through the Bible; and because the readings arent

consecutive day by day, its easy just to jump in again if you miss a day or two. Shirkers and Slackers can be downloaded free from www.ransomfellowship.org/publications/notes_biblereadingprogram.pdf From a programme specifying quite hefty chunks of Scripture, with no aids to life-application- right to the other end of the spectrum! In the Word for Today (published in booklet and electronic versions, both available free) the application seems to me to eclipse the selected Scripture, which is often confined to a single verse. Readings are dated, but not consecutive, although individual topics are often followed for several days. This one just doesnt work for me but I have several friends who just love the Word for Today. One talks about being able to chew on the single verse throughout the day, and another feels that since her life is particularly hectic, its better to have a very short reading which she can consistently fit in to her everyday routine , rather than trying to follow a more time-consuming programme which shes certain would be doomed to failure. For the last year or more Ive used Scripture Unions WordLive digital notes - again available free , and for viewing on PC, tablet, android or iphones. Each day theres what seems a good length of reading (e.g. at the moment were looking at a section of Jeremiah, and todays reading was nine verses ) printed in full. I believe SU programmes generally cover the whole Bible in three or four years (although I havent been able to find confirmation of the length of WordLives loop). Theres a basic commentary, and a going deeper section written by trustworthy commentators (eg some recent notes were contributed by Elaine Storkey). There are also often helpful visual illustrations. You can listen to the reading and some commentary as a podcast, which only takes five or six minutes. Highly recommended! I hope to look at other programmes in the next Magazinelet me know if you have a recommendation.

Christine

Sunday 2 March Childrens talk: Jacqueline Wilson KAOS: Bill Jacobs, Janlyn Townley, Moira Dalrymple Teens: Stay in service Flowers: Linda Bell Stewards: Jacqueline Wilson, Christine Drummond Teas: Pat Hamilton Setup: Team 2 Communion Servers: Rab Bramhall, Jacqueline Wilson Sunday 9 March Service led by Rev Ian Birch, Scottish Baptist College Childrens talk: Charles Tulloch KAOS: C. Drummond, Carol Jones, Emma Dalrymple Teens: Charles Tulloch Flowers: Vi Brown Stewards: Margaret Cowan, Hazel Hoggan Teas: Douglas McCall Setup: Team 1 Sunday 16 March Childrens talk: Linda Bell KAOS: Pat Hamilton, Carlyn McCall, Elaine Taylor Teens: Rab Bramhall Flowers: Margaret Cowan Stewards: Liz Keiro, Carlyn Munro Teas: Lindsey Gray Setup: Team 2 Communion Servers: Janet Smith, Liz Keiro

Services in Victoria Park Centre (unless otherwise indicated)

Pastor: Ian Gray 07881 518854 pastor@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Sunday 23 March Childrens talk: KAOS: Teens: Flowers: Stewards: Teas: Setup: Sunday 30 March Childrens talk: KAOS: Teens: Flowers: Stewards: Teas: Setup:

Christine Drummond Jennie Jacobs, Christine Drummond, AN Other Helping with KAOS Margaret Cowan Stan Henderson, Lindsey Gray Hazel Hoggan Team 1

Rab Bramhall Bill Jacobs, Janlyn Townley, Moira Dalrymple Stay in service Pat Hamilton Bill Jacobs, Frank Drummond Christine Drummond Team 2

Setting up Team 1 David Tidder, Frank Drummond, Janet Smith, Team 2 Janet Smith, Bill Jacobs, Jacqueline Wilson Laying Communion Table in MarchPat Hamilton TransportC. Drummond, M. Cowan, J. Tidder, D. McCall We re looking for people to join a rota to operate the laptop on Sunday mornings. If youre interested, please speak to Ian. Training will be given!

Secretary: Treasurer: Website:

Christine Drummond 01721 722062 Liz Keiro 01721 730217 http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org

FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT

MONDAY 24 FEBSUNDAY 9 MARCH