News from Binkley Baptist Church

November 30, 2018

This Sunday at Binkley

December 2, 2018

The First Sunday in Advent

Morning Celebration

9:00 am, Lounge

Sunday School

9:30 am

Worship

11:00 am, Sanctuary

Dana Trent preaching

Bulletin & Announcements

Hanging of the Greens & Christmas Crafts

3:00 pm, Sunroom/Lounge

Advent Vespers

5:00 pm, Sanctuary

Chili Supper

5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

From Our Pastor

Advent is upon us. As our Advent brochure explains, this year's theme of Las Posadas captures the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph in search of lodging (the word itself, la posada, means lodging or accommodation). In various Latino cultures, starting nine days before Christmas Eve, children in costume representing the Holy Family proceed to homes and knock on doors to see if there will be "room in the inn," for lodging and a birth. Night after night they are denied...until Christmas Eve. Once invited into the home celebrations begin, including hot chocolate and a pinata enjoyed by the children. It is a sweet custom.

However, things aren't so warm and fuzzy or sweet for many in search of lodging, either at the U.S.-Mexican border, or inhumanely captured and deported from the safety of a Durham sanctuary. Images of asylum seekers---parents and children---being tear-gassed have assaulted our consciences and left us to conclude: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus would've been detained and denied entry into this country. After the blessed birth, according to Matthew's gospel story,

"An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.'

Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod." (Matthew 2:13-14). Herod still likes to trick folk into "self-deportation," using the old bait-and-switch rouse in order to drag refugees away.

As you place your creche or nativity sets around your homes, make sure to include a figurine that represents an ICE agent too. It'll keep Advent-Christmas from being too sweet...but will be realistic. Las Posadas , just like that first Christmas, isn't about refugees "pretending" to seek lodging...the knocking at doors never stops.

About Sunday: I've asked our own Dana Trent, member and former seminary intern here, to preach this week. You'll want to be here, I know. We will celebrate communion in the joyful eucharist expression----by passing the peace and greeting one another as expressions of joy in community. As I will say on Sunday from the Table,

"Listen! I am standing at the door knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me." (Rev. 3:20)

That is cause for real joy. Jesus the refugee child, Jesus the guest yet host, entering an open door and staying with us at table. See you Sunday.

With much affection for you,

Marcus

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Stewardship Update

As of November 30, we have received 115 pledges totaling $532,242. This represents 72.1% of our 2019 Pledge Goal of $738,327. If you have already pledged, THANK YOU! If you have yet to make your pledge for 2019, you may complete one and return to the church office or place it in the offering plate during worship. You can also email your pledge to Duane Gilbert . For all of us there will be many opportunities throughout the year to continue cultivating our time, talent and treasure. Thank you for giving and prayerfully supporting Christ’s ministry at Binkley.

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The Binkley 411

Men of Binkley

On Saturday morning December 1 , we have reserved the community room of the Egg & I ( 1101 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 ) from 8:00 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, fellowship and a short, but interesting program related to relief services for families along the Mexican border with the United States. Dutch treat.

All Men of Binkley and friends are welcome. It is not at all required, but if you plan to attend, drop one of us an email note.

Larry McManus and Charles Coble

Co-Chairs, Men of Binkley

Triangle Gay Men's Chorus

Holiday Concert

Saturday, Dec. 1, 6pm

Binkley Sanctuary

Binkley is honored to be the venue for The Triangle Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Concert, "There's No Business Like Snow Business." Enjoy singing, dancing, refreshments, raffle prizes, laughs, and perhaps a few happy tears at one of the best concert events of the season! Admission is free at the door, but donations are accepted.

Click the image or this link to learn about all 2018 Advent activities.

Adult Sunday School

This Sunday morning, December 2, 9:30-10:30 am, join an adult Sunday School class. There are a variety of opportunities to choose from, and each class is open to newcomers!

Mindful Parenting, Lounge: This week, Nan Pardington will be facilitating the conversation.

The Bible and The New York Times , Sunroom: Marcus is leading a discussion on Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts' article "How Hard is 'Love Thy Neighbor,'" and the Atlantic Magazine article, "America's Epidemic of Empty Churches."

Finding Myself on a Journey , Chapel: Meredith Bratcher guides this Bible-based experiential learning and life reflection class.

It’s Not Just One Way , Room 15: Each week in this class, an individual or couple shares their spiritual journey with the group.

English as a Second Language and Christianity , Room 18: Bo Lloyd leads the class in an engaging study of Christian faith, while also helping participants improve English vocabulary and fluency.

Wednesday Night Series

Dec. 5, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Program: The 12 Sustainable Days of Christmas. We want to simplify Christmas consumerism and lighten our carbon footprint – but it is easy to fall back into past ruts. Join Earth Ministries and friends as we playfully share 12 ways to make Christmas festivities both meaningful and fun, but lighter for our Earth to carry. Singing, too! ALL AGES, children and teens, too, are especially welcome. Dinner is $7 for adults, $4 for children. Check ‘Event’ in the Friendship Register or contact the office by NOON on Monday to make your reservation.

Poinsettias

It is time to order poinsettias to fill the Sanctuary for the Advent season. Poinsettias are $10 each; this cost also goes toward other wreaths and greenery purchased for Advent. A Memorial/Gratitude booklet will be published in worship on December 9. There will be order forms in your bulletins on 11/18, 11/25, and 12/2, or you may submit your order electronically using this form .

and Christmas Crafts

Sunday, Dec. 2, 3 pm

Don’t forget to put Binkley’s annual Hanging of the Greens with Christmas Crafts on your calendar. In a festive atmosphere, children of all ages enjoy the opportunity to make five crafts, decorate cookies (and eat a few) and sip hot cider. There is also the opportunity to wrap Moravian candles for the Lovefeast and to decorate the Crismon tree. There will be a brief time of Vespers at 5 pm with a chili supper to follow at 5:30.

Habitat Build

December 8, 8:15 am

There is now an additional date on which you can volunteer to help build Habitat for Humanity’s “Beloved Community.” The housing development, named Crescent Magnolia, is an affordable housing project for citizens in Orange County. The first building in the community will be named for our Minister Emeritus, Bob Seymour. Sign up to help in the narthex or online .

Christmas Eve Offering Nominations

The Outreach Committee requests nominations from the congregation for possible recipient(s) of the offering taken at the Christmas Eve service. Please send your nominations to Karen Long (Outreach Chair) , by Friday, December 7, 2018 . Please include the name of your nominated recipient as well information about its mission or needs. The Outreach Committee will meet and choose the recipient(s), which will be announced to the congregation by mid-December.

December Challenge

Have a Sustainable Christmas

Here are just a few ideas for a Sustainable Christmas:

Give the gift of a story previously unknown to your family;
Prepare some baked goods as a gift to friends and loved ones;
Give to a charity and encourage other family members to do the same;
Enjoy Christmas Day dinner minus the throwaways by taking your compostable leftovers to the outdoor compost bins at Binkley;
Create your own unique wrapping paper from potentially discarded paper or other materials.

The next meeting of the Earth Ministries Team is Thursday, December 6 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Church Library. Anyone feeling called to this ministry is invited to attend!

A Sign for the Future

As Binkley Church begins our 61st year, many voices were calling for a new outdoor church sign: a sign that would not only announce our location but attract the attention of those passing by and spark an interest in exploring Binkley as a church home. In response to those voices, a committee was appointed to explore and make recommendations for an updated sign for Binkley. (Funds were raised through the "Looking Good at 60" campaign to initiate this process).

Article continues, click here to keep reading.

Our Wider Community

Click the links below for more information on each event.

JUSTICE UNITED PUBLIC ACTION

Orange County Justice United needs 2-3 volunteers from Binkley Church to attend a Public Action rally on Monday, December 10 from 6:15 to 7:15 P.M. at the meeting of the Orange County School Board in Hillsborough. Justice United will be there to encourage board members to keep commitments to hire more minority teachers and have a Spanish-speaking person in the front office of every school. Justice United volunteers will be in the lobby to support a small delegation who will speak during the public comment period at 6:30 (the meeting room is too small for all to go inside). 200 E. King St., Hillsborough. If you can attend, please email or call Paul Lindsay, [email protected], 919-604-1699.

IFC EVENTS

Holiday Meals

Donate a holiday meal to a family.

IFC Food First Capital Campaign

Interfaith Council (IFC) is conducting a capital campaign to build a new food services building in Carrboro where meals will be served and folks can pick up groceries. Click the link above to contribute.

Support Binkley Preschool

Link your grocery store loyalty cards to BPS. Here's how.