News ‘n Views Banwell Community Church

2400 Banwell Rd., Windsor, ON N8P 1X9 Phone: 519-735-2654,

Email: info@banwellchurch.org A member of the CBOQ Churches

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017

WORSHIP NOTES As we settle into the beginning of winter, our sanctuary will provide a lovely, warm atmosphere for our worship together. Of course, during the month of December the Pastor will be speaking on the Advent theme, as well as a New Year’s/Christmas message for Dec. 25

th. In the new year, he

will begin a series on the Lament Psalms and the month will culminate with our Anniversary on January 29

th with our guest

speaker Rev. Gene Templemeyer. As always, our worship will be complimented by our faithful musicians under the leadership of Ian McGregor Smith. May the Lord continue to bless us as we gather together in worship!

Dec. 4th “Packing…” (Luke 1:39-40)

Dec. 11th “Road Signs” (Isaiah 7:14)

Dec. 18th “Traveling Music” (Luke 2:13-14)

Dec. 25th “Memories of the Journey” (Luke 2:19)

Jan. 1st “A Worshipper’s Journey” (Psalm 42)

Jan. 8th “O Lord, Heal Me” (Psalm 6)

Jan. 15th “Faith, as Time Goes By” (Psalm 71:5-18)

Jan 22nd “A True Blessing…” (Psalm 32)

Jan. 29th Anniversary (Guest Speaker, Rev. Gene Templemeyer)

Sincere thanks to Donna Soper and her team of

decorators for the Christmas decorations that beautify

our Sanctuary.

Christmas Eve Service Saturday, Dec. 24th at 7:00 P.M.

Christmas Service Sunday, Dec. 25th at 10:30 A.M.

“Miracles From Heaven” January 20, 2017 at 7 p.m.

This movie is about a young girl suffering from a rare digestive disorder who finds herself miraculously cured after surviving a terrible accident.

“God’s Not Dead 2” March 24, 2017 at 7 p.m.

When a high school teacher is asked a question in class about Jesus, her response lands her in deep trouble. Would we be as strong as she was?

Proverbs 22:17

“A merry heart does good like medicine”

From the Staff of

News ‘n Views we extend thanks to our

dedicated contributors and sincere

warm wishes for a blessed Christmas

and New Year.

Update from Karen Saldaña

During my time away, I was able to go to the National Youth Workers Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. There were thousands of Youth Pastors encouraging and praying for one another and the ministries God has entrusted us. It was powerful to see that we all are going through something and we need the Lord and each other. God is molding and making us more like Him and it can be a painful process at times but it is so necessary if we want to serve Him and others better. The theme of the Conference was "Arise". To "Arise" is to live on earth as it is in heaven. We were reminded to do the "worship" before we do the "work". We need to spend daily time with God and grow spiritually. We all live crazy lives and it can be easy to forget about God. But we have to press on and put Him first in everything. We left the conference inspired and equipped to keep loving, teaching and encouraging our awesome youth!! Karen Saldaña Director of Youth Ministries

AGE UNLIMITED - DECEMBER

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:14

During the most wonderful time of the year, Age Unlimited will celebrate “A most memorable Christ-mas. Make your plans early, note the date change, invite your spouse or a special friend. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 13th, 2016 at 11 a.m. Location: The Other Place at 1395 Walker Road at 11 a.m. For this memorable meeting, we have planned a special program of scripture passages, Christmas carols, a devotional thought, “Wise Men Still Seek Him” and special music by George Boden who sings, tells stories and plays his guitar. Rev. Dr. Alex Moir and Joan Fulmer will narrate the scripture from Isaiah 9 and Luke 2. Donna Wil-cox will lead our carol singing.

Reservations have been made at “The Other Place”, 1395 Walker Road. Cost of a festive turkey dinner is $22.00. Please sign up prior to December 11th and pay Madelon Kidd. Dessert is not in-cluded so I am inviting members of our group who do Christmas baking to please bring a portion of cookies, tarts or squares to the meeting for our dessert table. A special Christmas selection of songs played on guitar, singing and story telling will be presented by George Boden - “Memorable Christmas Music”. Come and join us as we journey to Bethlehem for a memorable start to the Christmas season. Merry Christmas to all! Henry Nurse, Coordinator Submitted by Joan Fulmer

AGE UNLIMITED - JANUARY

May you each enjoy a most memorable New Year as we begin our new adventures into the new year of 2017.

Age Unlimited will meet in the Chapel Room on Wednesday, January 11th at 11 a.m. Our theme will continue - “Our Incredible Journey”. Henry Nurse is our group coordinator and Dr. Alex Moir, our spiritual advisor.

With aging, comes health problems. It is so important to continue to be active, eat nutritious food, get adequate sleep and keep our brain functioning and our memory intact. Brain changes may oc-cur and help is available when early symptoms are diagnosed.

Tom Noble will be our special guest speaker. Tom is a volunteer with the Alzheimer's society and has personal experience with the care and placement of his wife Janet. Tom represents the society at Senior’s Health Fairs and has spoken to nursing students at the University of Windsor. Invite a friend to join you for this specific informational topic. Come learn, enjoy lunch, meet other Banwell seniors. May God continue to really bless each and everyone in our Banwell congregation. Happy New Year! Coordinator, Henry Nurse Submitted by Joan Fulmer

Christmas Note… I would like to extend a big thank you to all the Volunteers and Supporters of our Christian Education ministry. Thank you for stepping up while I have been sick. We have had a wonderful fall and are looking forward to the Christmas season and all the wonderful and exciting things that this time of year has to offer. Please take time to enjoy and share with those who are nearest and dearest to you and don’t get lost in the Christmas rush. Merry Christmas! Love, Marlee Page & Family

Rock Solid Ministries Dec. 2nd Friday Night Live Bible Study Dec. 9th Friday Night Live Bible Study Dec. 16th Christmas Party!! Dec. 23rd Off Dec. 30th Off Watch the bulletin for lots of fun events and studies for the new year!

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER I think for all of us there is always one special Christmas that stands out in our memory. Mine was a Christmas when I was about seven years old. At that time there were six children in our family (two more were to come at a later time). All of my maternal relatives lived in Michigan so we were frequent travelers crossing the border. I can still hear my Mother's warning for us to sit still and stay quiet when the Customs Officer was asking my Dad for our identification. My Mother was always worried that one false move and we would be sent back and she wouldn't be able to see her family again. To this day I have anxious moments when crossing the border to the U.S. That Christmas my Grandmother wanted all of us to come for Christmas Eve and stay overnight. I am sure it was a lot of extra work for my parents and Grandparents but for us it was all fun. My Grandparents had a converted attic that became our play room. I remember spending the evening playing board games and listening through the floor vent, which was above the dining room table where the adults sat, to hear any clues as to what we might get for Christmas. I know they heard our giggles and whispers. I have no memory of the gifts I received or where we all slept but I have wonderful memories of the love I felt when I was with my Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. It was a feeling of never being in the way or a bother to them. It was the joy of having someone laugh at a silly joke I would tell or clapping their hands as we would perform, singing and dancing in their small living room. I would love to have one more day with my Grandmother and thank her for the influence she had on my life. It is because of her I had a wonderful example to follow as a Grandma. Maybe this jogged your memory of a special Christmas you had. I hope you'll share it with me sometime. Merry Christmas, Donna Soper

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

We could use a few more volun-teers in the Nursery & Toddler classes on Sunday mornings dur-ing Worship Service.

We are also in need of a few more volunteers for Thursday nights at Kids Zone in various areas.

If you might be interested in any of these opportunities, please let Marlee know.

FACES IN THE CROWD We bid farewell to one of our dear members, Mrs. Monica Small, who moved to the Waterdown area to be near family members. Congratulations are in order to Nicole and Art Baron who received the Humanitarian award during the Vigor Awards Ceremony at the Ciociaro Club. Nicole is the daughter of Jim and Rita Demers. As well, we were glad to participate in the Barbados Association of Windsor and Essex County 50

Years of Independence

Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 5th where

Hyacinth Daniels received an award for Voluntary Community Involvement. Finally, many thanks to all of those who made the Sunday Night Live event on Nov. 13

th a real success. We thank Deborah

Doyle and John Goodwin, Ellen Doyle and the Hospitality Team, Jim Wheeler, the Mission and Outreach Committee, Emily Lemmon and Alan Brown for all their help. You will see a picture of all of the food stuff that we collected through your generosity, so a THANK YOU to all of you as well!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION HOUR

It will end on December 4th and restart on January 15

th

at 9:15 a.m. Beginning January 15th, Pastor Alex will lead the Open Session and Dave Page will be teaching the Adult class from January - March. Children’s classes are available during the C.E. Hour. Please contact Marlee if you know you have children who will be attending.

Kids Zone Dec. 8

th will be our last Kids Zone meeting for 2016. We

will start back up on January 19th at 6:30 p.m.

A hearty thank you to all of you who participated in our Thanksgiving offering this year which is going to a Canadian Baptist Ministries project “Build a School in the Congo”. The Banwell Church family generously donated $3,569 to this project. This means that Banwell contributed well over half of the goal which our Western Association set. Many thanks, my brothers and sisters in Christ, for your generosity.

THANKSGIVING OFFERING

Sunday Night Live Donations

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JOURNEY Submitted by Joan Fulmer During the month of December our focus is on the true meaning of Christmas. John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son.” This gift of Jesus in our life offers salvation and a path that leads to eternal life. God’s gift to Banwell Community Church has been our passion-ate pastor. During six decades of abundant living, our pastor has a fabulous family; ongoing education, dined with the Queen, been president of the convention, participated and been an enthusiastic sport spec-tator, preached powerful Bible-based messages, chaired committees, baptized people, dedicated infants and their parents, and offered encouragement and hope at farewell departures. These are the highlights of:

Reverend Doctor Alex Moir

The beloved parents, Wally and Barbara Moir were blessed with four wonderful children. Alex has two brothers and a sister who is nine years younger. His parents and sister Janet Rodger and hus-band Jim regularly attend Banwell. Alex was born in Chatham and enjoyed his elementary school years at S.S. #5 and Tecumseh Sec-ondary. He received an A.B. degree from Taylor University. He then attended Southern Baptist Theological in Louisville, Kentucky to graduate with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1978. Between 1989 and 1992, Alex completed the requirements to obtain a Doctor of Ministry Degree. Employment was obtained at First Baptist Church in Leamington, Ontario as associate pastor work-ing with Rev. Len O’Neil. Alex received a call to plant a new church, “Westview Baptist Church” in London where he provided leadership from 1981 to 2002. In 2002, Grace McCann, Chair of the Temple Baptist Church Search Committee, contacted Alex regarding employment in the newly named Banwell Community Church, that was made up of members of the old Olivet and Temple Baptist churches. Banwell has been truly blessed that Alex and Linda accepted the Windsor call! Services continued downtown in the Temple facility for a year and a half until we moved into the new Banwell building at 2400 Banwell Road in December of 2003. Alex met the love of his life, Linda, a beautiful southern belle, while they attended seminary. Attraction was evident. Love blossomed and they exchanged marriage vows in her home town Brownsville, Tennessee on a snowy January 8, 1977 and will celebrate their 40th anniversary next month. The couple were blessed with two sons, Zachary and Tyler. They are now the devoted grandparents of Mace and William. Over the years, Alex has had a variety of hobbies. He plays the guitar (in church praise songs and at campfires). He enjoys music, museums, travel, reading, historical research, yard work, and net-working with family and friends. During his life span Alex has had many sports interests: baseball, golf, basketball, swimming, running, tennis, curling, hockey, football and Olympic events. Alex and Linda have enjoyed many amazing adventures. Travel vacations have taken them to Scot-land and England, Greece and the Greek islands; Maritimes, Turkey, Europe in 2010. They were fortunate the tour allowed them to see the Passion Play and then continue to see historic Italy and the treasures of Rome. They also have seen the magnificent Rockies and Mount Rushmore and Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park while touring Western Canada and U.S.A. (Cont’d next page)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JOURNEY

Dr. Moir’s name was presented for nomination to be vice president of our convention of Ontario and Quebec. When he became president, he travelled to area churches to bring greetings and a mes-sage.

In this capacity Alex and Linda received an invitation to dine with Queen Elizabeth when the Royal couple visited Toronto. The Queen and Prince Philip came to Canada to celebrate the 500th anni-versary of Newfoundland. The Prime Minister, Jean Chretien and his wife Alene invited 900 special friends to a state dinner at the Royal York Hotel. Linda was stunning in an off-white crepe floor length gown with matching jacket, trimmed in pearls and sequins. Alex looked quite dashing in his black tuxedo. The banquet included toast to the Queen, peppered trout, Atlantic salmon, chicken breast, and wild risotto. Dessert was Niagara peaches with roasted walnut and chocolate tarts. “Overall this was an unforgettable evening.”

Dr. Moir stated he is able to preach Bible-based messages as he was inspired and indebted to “his good education and professors in seminary who taught me the basics of Hebrew and Greek lan-guages.” The Holy Spirit also guides his daily sermon preparation. “One of my professors said, “I’ve learned some from scholars, and a little from books, but the most from my students.”

“It is a pleasure to serve this congregation as pastor. There is such potential for ministry in our ar-ea”. “May the Lord continue to lead us as we strive to serve Him.”

Thanks be to God for blessing Banwell and may God continue to make us a blessing during the next decade as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. May God also continue to richly bless Linda and our beloved pastor, Alex Moir!

PASTORAL CARE AND WORSHIP Submitted by Donna Soper

At this time of year there are many different opportunities to attend Christmas celebrations at Ban-well. We hope you are able to enjoy one or more of them. This past Sunday we were led in Worship by the Men's Ministry. We were so blessed with the mu-sic, the skit, the children's story and Ryan Richardson's message. What an uplifting service it was. We are so thankful for the men who used their talent ,but also for the dedication and commit-ment our men have to this ministry.

The Chocolate Ladies have been busy preparing their treats for us to purchase Sunday, December the 11th. The proceeds of the sale go toward different ministries that need financial help. You not only get to eat the most delicious chocolates in Windsor but you are helping ministries at a time when the need is great.

This year I was so grateful for the helping hands of Marsha Campbell, Laura Dick, Helen Fontaine and Marlee Page in decorating the church. Linda Stevenson made a new wall hanging for the greet-ing area that conveys the message of Christmas to everyone who enters our church. It is beautifully done. Thanks also to Jeff, Mark and Rick for putting up the stable.

We wish you all the joy of this Christmas season and let us never forget "Jesus is the reason for the season".

Chair, Kevin Andrews Members: Marsha Campbell, John Goodwin, Deborah Martel and Donna Soper.

Dawn Augustine Beth Adlam Rob Adlam

Mary Ann Adlam Dorothy Allan

Kim Anber Emily Andrews

Joy Andrews Kevin Andrews Luke Andrews

Nathan Andrews Hailey Beemer Anderson

Penny Bain Deborah Bevington

Laurie Beemer Pam Beemer Doreen Berg Pat Bodlack

Monika Blata Aaron Blata Danny Blata

Christa Braccio Braeden Braccio

Lino Braccio Monica Braccio Bob Bromley

Dawn Michelle Brown Betty Ann Brown

Kay Brown Rachel Brown John Buckler Alan Brown Doreen Berg

Claire Cameron Marsha Campbell Maureen Church

Ann Clark Pat Cowie

Hyacinth Daniels Claude Daniels

Rick Dinis Carson Doyle

Deborah Doyle Ellen Doyle

Heather Doyle Macy Doyle Sean Doyle

Tracey Doyle Renee Duffy

Yvonne Eberle Donna Elder

Jim Elder Linda Fawler Grant Fairley Dave Ferrato

Laura Ferguson

Cindy France Chris Freeman Kathy Freeman Gerry Freeman

Joan Fulmer Andrew Gallant Kathy Gallant Beth Gellner Roy Gellner Gord Gibb

John Goodwin Liam Goodwin

Vic Hawkeswood Matthew Habuda Bonnie Hammond Dave Hammond

Gord Hambly Marlene Hambly

Suzan Harper Heather Heuston

Ken Heuston Hal Herzog

Ross Hickling Zelma Horvath Tom Holmes Susan Holmes

Donna Hreceniuk Sandy Kettlewell Tyler Kettlewell Madeline Kidd Doreen Kidney John Komon

Danijela Kralik Ema Kralik

Rubin Kralik Vladimir Kralik

Melissa Lafontaine Joyce Lembke

Wayne Lemmon Debra Lemmon

Betty Leslie Jonathan Lock Sharon Lock Cheryl Lovell Meryl Lynn

Sharon Maitre Tony Marques Deborah Martel

Jason Martin Kevin Martin Gayle Marsh

George Morris Dave Morgan

Alex Moir Linda Moir Gail Morris Patti Moroz

Bryana McCarthy Riley McCarthy

Kaitlyn McCarthy Monique McCarthy

Geoff McKay Jan McKay

Barb McFadden Bob Middaugh

Carol Middaugh Bruce Musgrave

Mupanga Ngamangula Henry Nurse Linda Ogea Dave Page Kodi Page Kyrn Page

Wayne Parsons Wallie Pizzuti

Saundra Plummer Al Prevett

Terri Prevett Ruth Ann Purvis

Bruce Rand Dorothy Radin Edna Reynolds Dave Reynolds

Ryan Richardson Max Rolle

Marj Rusling Maureen Scott Donna Soper

Jeff Soper Barb Stephens

Camryn Stephens Carol Sipila

Brad Stevenson Kim Stevenson

Linda Stevenson Tony Tetley

Connie Turner Ann Van Wagner

Randy Van Wagner Fred Whittaker Jim Wheeler

Donna Wilcox Jackie Williams Barb Wickham Gord Wickham Dave Wickham Helen Wickham

Cheryl Willis Lilian Wilson

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CHILDCARE SCHEDULE /// DEC. 2016/JAN. 2017

Date Nursery Little Lambs

Dec. 4 Christa Braccio Claire Cameron

Dawn Michelle Brown Bryana McCarthy

Dec. 11 Beth Gellner Marlene Wray

Suzan Harper Macy Doyle

Dec. 18 Heather Doyle Mupanga Ngamangulu

Laurie Beemer Mary Ann Adlam

Dec. 25 Linda Stevenson Kodi & Kyrn Page

Linda Stevenson Kodi & Kyrn Page

Jan. 1 Linda Stevenson Kodi & Kyrn Page

Linda Stevenson Kodi & Kyrn Page

Jan. 8 Pat Cowie Tracy Doyle

Dawn Michelle Brown Bryana McCarthy

Jan. 15 Christa Braccio Claire Cameron

Suzan Harper Macy Doyle

Jan. 22 Joanne Kettlewell Marlene Wray

Laurie Beemer Mary Ann Adlam

Jan. 29 Heather Doyle Mupanga Ngamangulu

Carol Middaugh Gayle Marsh

Date Children’s Church

JK - Gr. 1

Children’s Church

Gr. 2 & 3

Children’s Church

Gr. 4 & 5

Dec. 4th Linda Moir Vlatka Kralik Macy Doyle

Kodi Page Kyrn Page

Karen Saldaña Ruben Kralik

Dec. 11th Linda Moir Kyrn page

Kathy Freeman Vlatka Kralik

Meryl Lynn Linda Ogea

Dec. 18th Linda Moir Kodi Page

Lorna Lounsbury Mary Lou Green

Meryl Lynn Linda Ogea

Dec. 25th Linda Moir Marlee Page

Linda Moir Marlee Page

Stay in Worship Service

Jan. 1st Linda Moir Marlee Page

Linda Moir Marlee Page

Stay in Worship Service

Jan. 8th Terri Prevett Macy Doyle

Kathy Freeman Vlatka Freeman

Karen Saldaña Ruben Kralik

Jan. 15th Beth Adlam Ema Kralik

Kodi Page Kyrn Page

Cindy France Kathy Gallant

Jan. 22nd Terri Prevett Danijela Kralik

Lorne Lounsbury Mary Lou Green

Marlee Page Kaitlyn McCarthy

MY BACK PAGES It seems almost impossible that we’ll be celebrating Christmas in just a few short weeks. I know that we say that every year … but this time it seems even more the case. The lovely fall weath-er stretched well into November this year, allowing extended time for outside recreation as well as “ketching up” on seasonal yard work. As the unseasonal weather persisted we became con-ditioned by the warm days … our cold climate senses have not yet kicked in. But if there was ever a time when we needed the message of Christmas and a new year to start us all over, it may be this year. Many families in our congregation have experienced health emergencies during this past year. We witnessed a contentious election in the United States and our politics in Canada remain challenging as well. We watch with concern as refugees flee their countries of birth, caused most often by ruling parties or individuals grasping for power. Although the concept of a free society is not new, its application remains elusive. In the light of all of these challenges two lessons, one from Christmas and the other applying to the new year, are worth remembering. Around Christmas time we often hear Jesus referred to as “Prince of Peace” … and it has always been assumed that by engaging with Him through faith, that his followers might benefit from this attribute in our own lives. To be sure, circum-stances often make it difficult for us to enjoy personal peace … but the presence of the Spirit of Christ in our lives can often lead to a deep tranquility in spite of outward influences. And that deep inner peace can affect our relationships as well. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves”, Paul wrote (Philippians 2:3). When this component of our faith in Christ “kicks in” … what an impact on our families, neighbourhoods and workplaces. The second lesson has to do with the new year … which many will welcome with some sense of relief! Of course we know that a simple turning of a calendar does not leave behind the chal-lenges we face. But, once again, we are reminded that we serve a loving Father who is not ab-sent from our life circumstances. One of the visions the apostle John received in his revelation, during a similarly tumultuous period of world history, was a message from the One seated on the throne, “I am making everything new (Rev. 21:5)!” We are mistaken when we look around us and assume that the year we enter into will be more of the same, built on what sometimes is a disappointing past. When the Father and the Son are involved we can look into our future with great anticipation. May you be empowered to be a peacemaker through the Prince himself … and may you look with confidence at the new year before us because of the power of the Living God, who contin-ues to create and renew. Devotedly your pastor … Alex

NEWS TEAM MEMBERS Editor/Journalist: Jim Wheeler; Journalist: Donna Soper;

Typist & Designer: Debbie Ebel; Spiritual Leader: Pastor Alex Moir;

Production Staff: Deborah Bevington