Sunday 2nd December 2018
A People Fully Alive
Restored, Resourced, Released
Isaiah 61:1-3; John 10:10
Today is Sunday 2nd December
We welcome you to our Service where we gather together not as those who have our lives perfectly sussed out, but as fellow pilgrims on a journey. We meet to acknowledge God’s power through the Holy Spirit in our lives, to celebrate and to affirm that we are not our own – we belong to God and belong to one another because of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
Reflections Our reading today is Matthew 2: 1-11a
There is no doubt that the birth of Christ was a significant event in history. The Magi from the East, avid observers of the stars, recognised the significance of the signs and changes and were compelled to find the reason. King Herod recognised the significance of the old prophecies and was truly worried for his own sake. The Magi were obviously convinced they had found the right person in Jesus. They were not going to hand over gold and expensive perfumes to just anyone. Jesus became ruler and shepherd beyond all their expectations and imagining. Pray for renewed significance of the birth of Jesus for you this year. “When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied”.
As you join us today you will notice that our service is typically in three parts. Until about 10:30am we encourage the whole family to engage in worship. After family notices/birthday greetings and offerings, the kids are provided with their own “kids’ time” while the adults can further worship pray and then reflect on the sermon.
Today’s Worship Leader is Jo Knowles
and Our Speaker is David Goodwin
MBC Prayer
Prayer Events and Requests
Prayer Fellowship: All are invited to come and pray for the church and the community third Thursday of each month. Next meeting is on 14th December. Queries to Diane Hutchinson.
Women’s prayer group: Wednesday fortnightly.
Monday morning: 6.30am
CAP prayer meeting first Tuesday of the month at 9am at church
If you have a prayer request or want to join the prayer team contact Diane Hutchinson at phone 455-0443 or email dianehutchinson41@yahoo.com .Please remember to use the prayer box at the back of the church if you want the prayer team to pray for anything specific in confidence. If you need prayer for sickness or other matters please contact one of the Elders
Foodbank: Donations of basic food items are appreciated for the Presbyterian Support Foodbank. There is a labelled box under the foyer table. Please be sure to replace it if it has to be removed for a particular event.
Contributions to the Newsletter: We welcome church members to contribute a praise item, bit of news or something that will encourage everyone. Email or drop a wee note to Tongsiew at admin@mbc.ac.nz – deadline is Friday evening of every week.
CAP Tuesday Mornings Coffee Group: From 10am to 12 noon at the church foyer for a devotion 
and Christmas Focused Craft/Gift making session. It will be relaxing and fun so do come by if you have a free
MBC Sharing & Caring
Hope In Hard Places this Christmas LeaDev-Langham would like to invite us to help them 
distribute 500 copies of the South-Asia Bible commentary, Africa Bible Commentary, Asia Bible Commentary Series and The Arab Contemporary Commentary on the Bible to grassroots pastors in South Asia. Each of these commentaries equip local leaders on the frontlines to teach the bible carefully and contextually to believers, both new and mature. Most leaders have little or no theological training and few if any Bible study books, but they do have a bible. The commentaries give them a much-needed tool for understanding and preaching the bible contextually. One contextual commentary Christmas gift is just $60. If you are interested, please visit www.commentarychallenge.nz. Thank-you from Tony Plews, Executive Director, LeaDev-Langham.
Just for clarity and because you were asking
Mike Tonks’ last day as the pastor of MBC will be Christmas day 2018 when he will give the Christmas reflection. Mike and Jacquie will continue on as members of Musselburgh Baptist Church and to support the ministry of this Church as much as possible. It is worth noting that Mike is away this weekend and the next on leave and if you need pastoral support, you can contact anyone of the eldership team.
From Jo Knowles
We will have our formal Thank you Lunch for Mike and Jacquie after church on Sunday 9th 
December so can people please bring food to share for lunch.
Upcoming Sunday Sermons
9th December Viv Anderson Advent #2
16th December Kids Christmas Service Advent #3
Next Week at Church Premises
3rd December Mon Prayer 6.30 am Musselburgh Music 9am
5th December Wed Prayer Meeting 7.15pm
6th December Thurs Playgroup 9.30 to 11.30 am
Musselburgh Baptist Church, 131 Musselburgh Rise, Dunedin 9013
www.mbc.ac.nz or contact admin@mbc.ac.nz phone 03-4562065 for more information
Church office hours On the following days you will usually find someone at the Church Office (or not too far away) to take your enquiries, or even just to pray with you. Monday 12-5, Tuesday 9-1 Wednesday 9-1 Thursday 9-12 or phone us on 456 2065.
Donations to the Church the church’s bank account number is 030881-0053478-00 for automatic payments to make a regular contribution to the church, or to make a one-off donation electronically. Receipts for all donations made during the financial year (which ends in March) will be issued in April.
Missed a sermon or want to hear it again? Want to check out the notes? Just head to www.mbc.ac.nz to check it out. All messages from the last few years are available on line.
Items for the Newsletter –. Please send items for the newsletter to Tongsiew at admin@mbc.ac.nz with Newsletter in the subject box. Deadline is Friday evening please.
Pastoral needs? Contact elders@mbc.ac.nz
Home Groups At MBC
Home groups provide an opportunity to have some concentrated time of fellowship and support, bible study and equipping and prayer that everyone can take part in. If you are not yet part of a Home Group we encourage you to think about being part of one. Please contact a person below in the first instance, as venues may vary. If you are unsure please see James Watson who will provide more information.