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March2014FaithinAction

PEEBLES BAPTIST CHURCH

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In all the frequently peculiar language of thechurch, there are few more peculiar expressions(when you stop to think about it) than pastoral

care. The dictionary defines the word pastoral as usedfor or related to the keeping or grazing of sheep - andfrankly, 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 areremarkably intelligent

animals. Tests demonstrate sheep recognizeindividual human and sheep faces and canremember them for years. Sheep are able to

differentiate emotional states through facialcharacteristics, have shown problem-solving skills, andhave been taught to learn their names. Some days thatssignificantly 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 smallgroups. They naturally flock together because sheep love sheep. Sheep aredependent, not just on the shepherd, but also on each other.

The reason for all this ovine discussion is that we have just launched a newpastoral care initiative in PBC, called PULSE. The acronym stands forPrayerful, Unending, Love, Service, and Encouragement; PULSE aims to bethe 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, isdead. By that measure, pastoral care for one another and for those aroundus 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 itbe through prayer, visiting, or practical help. On the flipside of the coin, please use the service too - dont beashamed to ask for confidential prayer, or a visit from the

visiting team. You might be giving someone theopportunity to bring their faith to life! Ian

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From the (Locum!) EditorIts 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 weewhile off to prepare for, and settle down with, thenew 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 CharlotteChapel (ask Fergus!)and Hamilton Baptist Church before embarking on

thirty years of ministry in the USA, says A good church is a Bible-

centred 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 fewideas in this issue, but the choice is enormous. It would be good to hear

what works for you.

Showersofblessing!

A baby shower was held for Morag on

February 15th

, and we all had a lovelytime 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.

Christine

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Prayer reakfastSaturday8March

8.3010am

(breakfast8.30-9am)

Carlyn&DouglasMcCalls

Vickys earoomSunday9March

34:30PM

Messy hurchSaturday22nd

March

3.30-5.30pm

Helpersneededtosetup,

cook,serve,play,chat,

andclean-seeIanif

youreavailable.

iversityThursday27March

KolkataeveningandFreesetbagand

giftparty

7.30pm

VenueTBC

Praying aboutPremisesSunday 16 March

1: pmLISTEN FOR MOREINFORMATION

World ayofPrayerFriday7thMarchat7pm

StJosephsChurchThisyeartheservicehasbeenwrittenbyEgyptianChristiansandisentitled'StreamsintheDesert'.

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SingingTogetherat

DovecotCourt

Wednesday5March

2.00PM

SeeLindaorChristinefor

moreinformation

Lunchn hatHelpersneededfrom11AM,Mon17March

LeckieMemorialChurchHall

Open oorsTues11March10am

WillieandWilmas8ConnorRidge

Dovecot ourt ServiceWednesday26 March

Pleasejoinusat3pm, as we

take ourturnto lead the

fortnightlyserviceatDovecot

Court.

Mens roupObservatoryTripTuesday25March

DetailsfromFrankDrummond

The ingsMeadowSaturday1stMarch

Shaping&Scraping

Saturday8thMarchCommunityplantingday

Saturday22ndMarchCarbootsale&coffeemorningSeearticleformoreinfo

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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 AlphaCourse.

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 27March after her

Mission trip to Kolkata; pray for Sue as she prepares to shareher experiences.

Give thanks to God for the Kings Meadow project that Heplanted the seed of this exciting idea, and that its starting togrow!

Pray for the people weve met through the garden so far, andpray that this season well meet many more , and will be able tomake 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 particularlypray that the planning permission goes through swiftly andeasily, 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 12thconsecutive year headsthe Open Doors World Watch list. Its Christians faceABSOLUTE PERSECUTION, with an estimated 50,000-70,000 imprisoned in labour camps. Ask God to sustain them;pray that He would change the heart of the N. Korean leaderand use him to reform the country; and pray for protection forthose providing relief and shelter for Christian refugees inChina.

(Open DoorsHandbook ofPrayer.)

May your unfailing love be my comfort,according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 119: 76

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BUS Prayer Link Calendar:March 2014Sunday 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

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forwomen of all ages

Diversity Kolkata evening and Freeset bag and gift party

Thursday 27th

MarchVenue 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 tothe Evangelical Church for allowing us to meet in their

hall, and thanks to Frances for a really great, fun

evening.

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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 parsleywhich is growing in one of the beds, and is available to pick.

Rabhas 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.

Ianhas 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.

Billis 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 inwith fencing round them to keep any small people out as

water in a garden is of course a risk.

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Lindseyis 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 thecommunity, 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 1stMarchGraeme 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 8thMarchCommunity 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 prayingabout this event. Donations of cakes and scones for mid-morning

refreshments would be most welcome.

Saturday 22ndMarchCar 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 otherwork 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.

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Update fromCathie Aberdourformerly of Wycliffe Bible Translators10 February 2014

Dear allIt'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 Fellowshipat Charlotte Chapel on the 7th February on the subject of Bible transla-

tion. 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,CathieIts not all serious stuffA 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 theWorld Mission page on the church website.

STOP PRESS - SEE EXTRA UPDATE

FROM CATHIE ON THE NEXT PAGE

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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 200,000spectators 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 Goldbanner 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 Goldis 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 thelives 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 acommon vision, inspired ideas, and unity of mind.

Nearly 500 was raised at the recent united service for More

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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 Itravel 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

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You think, this guy might know a bit about pressure! A day and a night inthe deep is a verse I often recall when I have an extended delay at anairport. You can feel a bit vulnerable at times, but its nothing by

comparison with the experiences of Paul. And hes learned the secret ofbeing content.

Unbelievers are under the impression that Christians are forced intomorality, obey rules and go to church. If they really understood that wedfound the secret of being content theyd wonder where we got it. Andtheyd queue up outside our churches to find the secret for themselves.Pauls great claim has been tested through the centuries, I can do allthings through Christ who strengthens me.

Its about fellowship and communion with Christ. Now we mustdistinguish between these two different things: first being united withHim and declared righteous as a gift and second enjoying communion

with Him. In his book, Communion with the Triune God, John Owenspeaks about unionand communionwith Jesus.

Righteous yesterday, today and for ever

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

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)

Part 5: Union and Communion

with the King

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fellowship. Sadly, many believers think that if they have a season ofremoteness from God, hes unhappy with them and they end up incondemnation. Jesus is our righteousness for eternity. God poured outhis wrath on his Son and we escape. We never move from ourrighteousness in Christ. Even if we dont have an extended time offellowship with him, we can still say, Thank you, Lord. Youre the same

yesterday, today and for ever, my righteousness. Thats union withChrist.

Second, Owen says that once we have union with Christ, we go on to havecommunion with him. We talk to him and listen to his voice. We hear himthrough the Scriptures and sing praises to him for the sheer joy ofknowing that hes our God. This is how we get strengthened with might inour 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. Howdo we get through? Well, pull yourself together! No! Our strength comesfrom 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 tohimself in glory. But while were on earth things will go wrong. And then

well need to draw close to Jesus to be daily, continually, repeatedlysaved.

I must take care to cultivate communion with Christ, for though thatcan never be the basis of my peace, mark that, yet it will be the channelof it.

If you havent had amazing experiences of communion for a little whileare you losing your peace? No, because the basis of peace doesnt lie incommunion with Christ, but in his righteousness. Its by being justified byfaith that you have peace with God. Communion with Christ will be thechannel 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 aMission 2010; www.terryvirgo.org/Articles/264622/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Articles/Series/Armour_of_God_Genuine_conflict.aspx

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ven for Shirkers and Slackers?

Christians who neglect the Bible simply do not mature said John Stott.

Just as we know we oughtto 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 ayear 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 neattick 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

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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, bothavailable 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 severalfriends 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 doomedto 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 ableto 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 youhave arecommendation.

Christine

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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 DrummondTeas: 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 2Communion Servers: Janet Smith, Liz Keiro

Services in Victoria Park Centre (unless otherwise indicated)

Pastor: Ian Gray

07881 518854pastor@peeblesbaptistchurch.org

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Secretary: Christine Drummond

01721 722062

Treasurer: Liz Keiro01721 730217

Website: http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org

Sunday 23 March

Childrens talk: Christine Drummond

KAOS: Jennie Jacobs, Christine Drummond, AN Other

Teens: Helping with KAOS

Flowers: Margaret Cowan

Stewards: Stan Henderson, Lindsey GrayTeas: Hazel Hoggan

Setup: Team 1

Sunday 30 March

Childrens talk: Rab Bramhall

KAOS: Bill Jacobs, Janlyn Townley, Moira Dalrymple

Teens: Stay in service

Flowers: Pat Hamilton

Stewards: Bill Jacobs, Frank Drummond

Teas: Christine Drummond

Setup: 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!

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FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT

MONDAY 24 FEBSUNDAY 9 MARCH