Newsletter for December 23rd, 2022
From Pastor Chris Platteel
Greetings Safe Haven Family:
Brothers and Sisters at Safe Haven,
I thank God for His gracious provision for me to preach His Word again.
These last six weeks have been a challenge and a blessing for me as I study God's Word, meditate on it and channel it to you as a congregation.
Now that we have celebrated the four Sundays of Advent together, we come on knees before the Newborn King in a manger - to worship Jesus.
As we celebrate Christmas, my hope and prayer is that we allow God to make "all things new". Renewed relationships, renewed commitment to follow the Holy Spirit, and renewed hope that the Lord of the Church will lead us to receive and share His blessings in the New Year.
My wife and I want to wish you the riches of a Blessed Christmas and a Joy-filled New Year.
Thank you for your encouragements and your fellowship.
In His Grace.
Pastor Chris and Henny.
Message from the Elders:
We have some GREAT NEWS to share with you. Pastor Chris has become a most blessed mainstay (praise the Lord) for our Safe Haven Church and its family, and as such has agreed to stay with us until the end of April preaching twice per month. The other Sundays will be covered by Alex and others. AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS!
His Word:
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel
Isaiah 9: 6-7 ESV
6) For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7) Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from the time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord God Almighty will accomplish this.
RightNow Media:
Safe Haven Church has a wonderful resource available for Christian Videos and more on-line. You can view these videos at your convenience, plus they are acceptable to all age groups. There is one in particular that we recommend, "Worship in the Word: Christmas" by Shane and Shane.
If you find a particular video from RightNow Media you would like to share, please advise Sid or an Elder and we will post your recommendation for others to enjoy.
Christmas and New Years Service:
We are pleased to announce that Friday December 23rd at 7:00pm will be SHCC's Christmas Service and Celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ's Birth. One of the holiest days for Christians worldwide! Please join us at the St. Francis Centre and bring your friends, neighbours and relatives, all are welcome! We will also be celebrating a New Years Service on Friday December 30th. The New Years Service will welcome everyone and anyone who would like to attend.
Christmas Card Distribution:
Once again this year we are able to provide the sorting and distribution of Christmas cards for our church family! Just drop off your cards at 82 Church St. S. or at the St. Francis Centre, and pick up any cards addressed to you.
Postage Stamps:
I was reminded this week of a fundraiser that has been going on for some time, but have forgotten its importance. Our very own Leona Slomka (Missions Deacon), has been collecting postage stamps for the Canadian Bible Society. If you could bring in your sent stamps with about a 1/4 inch border of paper surrounding the stamp, these will be given to this worthwhile charity. You can bring these to church and give them to Leona, or in her absence give them to Sid. During this holiday season, this is a perfect time to start collecting.
Christmas Office Hours:
Monday Dec 26th - Boxing Day CLOSED
Tuesday & Wednesday Dec. 27th and 28th - CLOSED
There will be NO SUNDAY MORNING Services on December 25th or January 1st.
The office will be OPEN on Thursday Dec. 29th from 9:30am to 3:30pm and Friday Dec. 30th from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
The office will reopen on Tuesday January 3rd @ 9:30am and resume normal days and hours.
Any 2022 year-end donations can be dropped off at 82 Church St. S. inside and to the left of the door in the big white mailbox at any time.
Birthdays
Week of December 19th, 2022 through January 1st, 2023
December 20th - Kristine Loney
December 23th - Verna Mole
December 27th - Roma Nelson
December 29th - Bert Hayes
December 31st - Doreen Hayes
If you would like to have your name represented in our birthday announcements or if you do not want your name shown, please contact Sid at sid.snider@outlook.com. We do not need the year you were born.
Fundraising
Our 'Making a Change for Safe Haven' coin collection at the Front and Side Doors continues to offset our expenses. This past week we received $87.40 resulting in a total collection of $400.25. This may not seem like much but it certainly makes a difference. We thank all who have contributed, and rest assured it does make a difference.
Wednesday Night Services
Beginning in the New Year we are returning back to our Wednesday evening services. It will be time for everyone to come together to pray and worship. This will be a time to pray together or on one's own, to worship and meet the Lord and His Holy Spirit. Please join us on Wednesday evenings.
Neighbourhood Activities
Many of our neighbouring churches and art studios are providing Christmas videos and plays. Below is one:
Many have travelled to Lancaster PA to see live productions -
Sight and Sound Theatres are providing one such production at
www.iheardthebellsmovie.com
Sad News:
It is with great sadness that we have lost 2 of our servants for Christ.
Marilyn Boden - The Memorial Service for Marilyn was held on December 20th at Mount Lawn Funeral and Cemetery in Whitby.
Elizabeth Mattson passed away on December 18th after a lengthy illness. Visitation & Funeral Service for Elizabeth will be held on December 28th at McEachnie Funeral Home in Pickering Village, with the Visitation at 10am and Service at 11am. The Service will be live-streamed by the McEachnie Funeral Home within their website.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these courageous Saints. They are both spending Christmas with their Lord and Saviour!
Message from Mother Teresa:
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is a beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is life, fight for it.
Children & Youth Update
Youth & Sunday School:
Thank you to all for your practicing this last week, and we are so excited for our show this Friday evening!
YOUTH
Reminder that we are taking a break from youth for the Christmas season. We will be coming back January 13th, 2023, so stay tuned for Winter break events.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Remember to be there on Friday for your presentations! Looking forward to seeing all your hard work on stage!
Alex Mitton
Financial Update
Financial Update for December 18th:
General Offering: $6,836.79 / Building Fund Offering: $260
Weekly Budget need: $7,260 / YTD General Offering need: $362,980
YTD General Offering: $278,451
YTD Building Fund Donations: $37,574
Building Update
There are no changes to the budget for the new building. We are continuing to work hard with the Town of Ajax, together with our General Contractor to secure the necessary permits. There are still many hurdles to overcome, yet with God and your prayers we can fulfill these obligations.
Total estimate needed to finish: $538,720
Building Fund balance: $231,359.54
Final amount needed to finish the building: $303,720
We are updating our budget to reflect this, so please pray for how you can support this while we still need to support the ongoing ministry expenses. We are considering borrowing options as a last resort, however, if you have assets to lend that will help us complete the project, please talk to someone on the Finance Committee.
Doug Hill
Care Groups: Physical & Virtual Options
Although some may not be ready for physical interaction with others, "Care Groups" are a wonderful way to have either physical or virtual options to interact with God's Word.
As a congregation, we desire a wholistic, intentional care for one another. In order to provide intimate, intentional regular care for one another, we have created several “Care Groups” for everyone to get involved in. The purpose of these groups will be to connect regularly and share together, pray together and study the Bible together. If you aren't yet part of a Care Group joining is easy. When people do, they wonder why they did not do so sooner. Let us not remain where we are, wander off the path, or head in the wrong direction. Let us be clear to follow the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, for no one gets to the Father, but by Him (John 14:6). Our goal is to have everyone be a part of a Care Group. Be a blessing and be blessed!
CLICK HERE TO CHOOSE WHICH CARE GROUP YOU WANT TO JOIN
Volunteer Opportunities
Progressing through the implementation of our building program, there are a lot of pieces needed to come together for us to move forward in the next phases of our ministry together. Everyone has something that God has equipped them to serve with. Our ability to serve one another and welcome guests to our ministry, depends on people willing to use their gifts and talents in the service of others. Please click the picture above or link below, and help make Safe Haven a place that truly ministers to the needs of our people and reaches out with Christ's love for others!
Our Daily Bread
The NEW December 2022-February 2023 Our Daily Bread small print devotionals are now available for pick up.
The NEW large print devotionals are here for January-March 2023.
Stop by Safe Haven anytime during the day (Monday to Friday) to get a copy, or pick one up when you come for worship on Sunday.
Tabletalk Online & Print Devotional
Tabletalk is a monthly discipleship magazine written by today’s leading theologians and pastors to help Christians grow in the knowledge of God. Daily devotionals make up over half of the content and typically exposit a book of the Bible or a specific topic over the course of the year. A third of the content is themed, dealing with a particular issue, and the rest consists of featured columns addressing a variety of issues ranging from theology to Christian living. The print version is digest-size, formatted to fit neatly into most Bibles and notebooks. Tabletalk, along with fresh online-exclusive content, is also available at TabletalkMagazine.com.
Safe Haven App & Digital Community
Join for free by clicking here. You can also download the Faithlife App and have access to everything through the app. If you have any problems, contact us so we can help you get started.
Volunteers at your Service:
Elders:
Roy Smyth
Walter Vanderknokke (Treasurer)
Carlos Mejia
Building Committee:
Doug Hill
Roy Smyth
Edna Hayes
Maria Javor
Finance Committee:
Trevor Hayes
Walter Vanderknokke
Sandra Phillips
Social Committee:
Edna & Bert Hayes
Maria & Jozef Javor
Doreen & Trevor Hayes
Jennifer & Roy Smyth
Janet & Doug Hill
Missions:
Leona Slomka
Newsletter:
Sid Snider (sid.snider@outlook.com)
