Join us in the Advent Choir! Practices are November 21, November 28, December 5 and December 12, 12:30-1:00. The Advent Choir will sing at Sunday morning services on November 28, December 5, December 12 and December 19 and will need to be at church ready to sing at 10:45 AM those mornings. If interested, speak with Neal Tripp this Sunday.

Did you know that one of our church members lives in Thailand? John Middlewood, a native of North Carolina, is the founder and overseer of the Advent Christian mission work in that country. For legal reasons he needed to maintain membership in a U.S. church so, under the sponsorship of Pastor Clio Thomas, WVCC became his home church. Below is his latest newsletter, which we hope will be followed with regular reports regarding this great work.

Christian Mission Ban Naratchakwai
131 Mu 11
182 Mu 11  T. Na Ratchakwai            
A. Muang Nakhon Phanom 48000
Thailand Phone 086-861-2033/087-237-7758
Email: jmidds@hotmail.com

November 9, 2010

During the period November 2 - November 9, the Christian Mission has been blessed again beyond belief. We have been blessed by God to be able to hold a week long meeting with our brothers in Burma, New Zealand and the United States. It is very humbling to listen to the stories of God's work in Burma and it makes me thank and praise God for how easy our work is here in Thailand. The meetings, for me, have been like a very large injection of a strong vitamin giving me strength to continue.

Our eight students were blessed to be able to practice their English with real English speakers for a week, and this was a great blessing for them and me.

As most of you know, we have been praying for support for our students for next school year - God has already provided about 50% of what we need for school tuition for the girls. Yes, He does answer prayers and perform miracles.

Sunday morning was an even greater blessing when we had over 150 people show up for our morning service. The four churches we work with closed their churches to unite with us at the Christian Mission. In fact, we had so many people, we ran out of food - a first for the Christian Mission. We celebrated singing in six or seven different languages and were blessed by God.

We ask that you continue your prayers for our students. We have added one college student and there are prospects for one or two more girls; so we are waiting on God at the moment. We now have five girls that have not accepted Christ and need him as Lord and savior. Pray for Amporn, our special girl, that she may continue to grow an learn.

Again, we thank God for sending us visitors to spend the week, and thank Him for the opportunity to put bodies with faces from the internet. We thank God we could provide a week of peace for our Burma brothers, and ask for your continued prayer support for them. Pray for the strength and wisdom for all of us here; that we may walk in God's light and continue to do his will in all things. Pray that the Christian Mission will be a light in the darkness around this part of Thailand. Enjoy the pictures and keep praying for us.

God will continue to work through us as He wishes. There will be a few more newsletters coming, but I don't want to make them so big they can't get through!

Love and God Bless, John and Maeo Middlewood

Prayer is an important part of our walk with Jesus. Through prayer we form an intimate relationship with Him. One way to learn how to pray is to share the prayer of other great persons. Let's share one from: "The Saws* of David."

"I love you God - you make me strong.

You are the bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live.

You made my life complete, when I placed all the pieces before you.

Now I am alert to your ways.

That's why I'm thanking you, God."

* "Saws" means sayings.

Please be in prayer for the travels of Clio Thomas and Jim Crouse. They left last Wednesday afternoon for the Philippines and Japan. Their schedule was as follows: November 12-16 at the Orphanage in Mati meeting with Agape House people from many countries and trying to develop ways of expanding this ministry. Also met with the President of Oro Bible College and the Philippine conference of Advent Christian Churches, and attended the dedication of the new hospital in Mati and met with the Governor of the Province.
 
November 17 to 23 they will be in Japan meeting with Agape House people about theological training possibilities, and meet with the Japan conference leaders and attend their annual meeting.
 
Homeward bound in the evening of the 23rd and arrive home the 23rd. Because of time changes they arrive back in the US before they leave Japan!
 
Thanks for praying!

Breath of Aire is a choir whose roster draws from all over the state of Washington. Breath of Aire members range in age from high school to retirement, with talent ranging from first year singers to professional musicians. There are two concerts coming this weekend if you would like to attend. Click the links below to see the flyers for the concerts.

November 20, Grace Community Church in Auburn, benefiting the Dream Center

November 21, Seattle Hope Lutheran Church in Seattle, benefiting Haiti

Our fellowship meal for November will be held after the morning service on Sunday, November 21. Please bring a dish or dessert to share. Drinks will be provided. See Kathy Wheaton if you have questions.

Cookie Bake Sponsored by Women's Ministry
December 4 is the 1st annual Cookie Bake at the Church. The bake starts is 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everyone can bring 1-2 of your favorite recipes, extra bowls, measuring cups, spoons, baking sheets, and the supplies to make your cookies. We will put these together and bake as many as we can. These cookies are going to be used as gifts throughout the month of December. We will be sharing these cookies with the staff at Stafford, shut ins and anyone else you think would like a gift of cookies. I would like to get a sign up sheet of how many will be joining us on Saturday Dec 4. Please let me know if you are planning on being at the cookie bake. If you can't afford to buy the supplies for making cookies, let me know. I am putting together supplies and recipes for those who can't afford the supplies. If you have questions please contact Pami Hanson at 206-406-5115 or at my e-mail pumi7864@yahoo.com. Thanks

January 15th "Women Together" Kick off
We are going to have once a month "Women Together" group starting in January: a women's breakfast prayer group every 3rd Saturday from January through May. We will meet at the church fellowship hall for a light breakfast, devotions, words of testimonies and prayer with the focus being on our Missionaries around the world. Mark your calendars and come join us January 15 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

May 2011
Planning has begun for the Spring Retreat. It will be the weekend after Mother's Day this year. We will not be going to Oak Harbor as in the past and the cost will be a little more this year. I am trying to get the word out so we can save our money and find ways to get the ladies to this retreat. It has been a real blessing in my life and would encourage you to consider this retreat. The cost this year will be approximately $90.00. If you have questions come see me.

-- Pami Hanson

Come have a look! There are new books in the library. Jan Karon's second book in the Father Tim series, In the Company of Others, takes you on his long awaited trip to Ireland. Karon interweaves a charming narrative of Ireland past and present and as usual finds people who need his wise presence.

Karen Kingsbury's latest book Unlocked is set in a suburban high school and deals with autism, bullying, teen suicide and the power of music. This, her latest book, has been on the New York Times best seller list.

A three book series by Kingsbury has also been added stemming from a donated book with two others added to complete the Forever Faithful series. Kingsbury deals with real life issues and you may want to keep kleenex handy.

Ruby Payne has written an insightful book A Framework for Understanding Poverty that helps understand the effect of poverty on behavior. If you sometimes think "Why do they do such a thing" this book is enlightening. Our elementary school teachers Ruth Tripp and Kay Gomez have been in workshops in the Kent and Federal Way schools where this book was a resource. Its usefulness is not limited to working with children.

A Canadian author, Janine Maxwell, writes of her experiences of 9/ll, which caught her in New York City. A high powered executive, she was so shaken by her experience that she became aware of the needs in the world--especially Africa and was led to review her committment to Christ. A wonderfully inspiring story about work among orphans and an even greater work in the heart of Janine and her family. It's Not Okay With Me will touch your heart.

Two classics have come to us. E. Stanley Jones, missionary to India and ultimately the world, writes of his walk with Christ in The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person. As current today as years ago when he shared from his heart and soul. Madeleine L'Engle wrote Walking on Water, Reflections on Faith and Art. In describing her life as a Christian and an artist she shares abundant "wisdom, real life anecdotes and candid self-revelations." Other books by her are on our shelves.

ENJOY!

The next men's breakfast is on Friday, December 3. We will be doing a study of Proverbs - please join us!

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