Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! “…. The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:6-7 These words from the Apostle Paul are also appropriate for me at this stage of our ministry. For seven and a half years, I have been blessed to be your Pastor. Last January, when I turned 77, I told you that I would be retiring on December 31 st of this year. The time has gone by very quickly. When I look back , I can confess with the Apostle Paul that I have fought the good fight. Indeed, at the beginning of my ministry here, there were too many fights. By God’s grace, we have finished those. But, Paul means the fight of faith, of defending the Gospel, of preaching the Word, of lifting up Christ crucified, risen and coming again. This has been the good fight! Continue to lift up Christ and He will bless you. You have often heard me preach about how life is a pilgrimage. It is also a race. In all of life, there is a goal to our running. The race for peace, the race for justice, and the race for love…this has been the race which Janice and I have run with you. Thanks be to God, we now have peace. Now is the time to continue the race and to evangelize and grow even more. Together in Christ, we have kept the faith. Christ has been honored and elevated. It is faith in Christ that has made the race possible and joyful. Thank you for your love and loyalty. Who knows the future? Pastor Jaime has been nominated by the Deacons and elected by the Church Council to be the Interim Pastor. We shall pray for him as he leads you during this time when we await the recommendation of the Search Committee. Support and encourage him during these days of waiting! Thank you for your love, loyalty and steadfastness. We will not be far away. As of now, we will continue to live on the Cape and look forward to occasional visits. May the Christ of All Joy surround you during this Christmas Season and in the New Year! We love you in Christ and pray God’s continual blessings upon all of you! Yours in the Love of Christ, Denton and Janice Lotz Pastor’s Letter... Sunday, December 4th SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT COMMUNION Sunday Adult Prayer Time ~ 9 am Reception area (6th flr.) Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am ~ 7th, 5th, 1st flr Young Adult Bible Study 9:45am ~ 5th floor Worship service ~ 11am Converse Hall Share Your Food Sunday Narthex (lobby) Coffee Hour ~ 12:15 pm NARTHEX (Lobby) MESSIAH CONCERT 4 PM Converse Hall Sunday, December 11th THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Worship service ~ 11am Converse Hall Sunday, December 18th Worship service ~ 11am Converse Hall CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG 12:30 PM ~ Chipman Hall, 6th fl Wednesday, December 21st CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE (COMMUNION SERVICE) 6 pm ~ Lorimer Hall Sunday, December 25th CHRISTMAS DAY! SPECIAL CHRISTMAS WORSHIP 11am Converse Hall WEDNESDAY Bible Study/Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm ~ Chapel website: www.tremonttemple.org (617) 523 - 7320 email: s[email protected] TREMONT TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH 88 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108