| Last Tuesday, we loaded up three trailers full of singers for a caroling hayride through town. The kids wore Santa hats, we ate pizza, read an Advent story, and sang as loud as we could! The hayride was so much fun! It was also a sweet time to connect with each other and with members of our community who are longing to be part of the season. One of our caroling stops was for our neighbors who live at the Stonesthrow Apartments. Tena and the kids at Kidzone have invited them to various fun events on Sunday evenings, like the Ice Cream Social with Grand Friends. Sometimes, they accept the invitation, and other times, they’re unsure about the six-year-old knocking on their door. But on Tuesday, when we showed up to sing, so many residents were outside singing along. They could see the love and joy of the season in the hearts of the caroling kids. The office received a blessing this week when one of the residents called to thank us for the caroling. She and her neighbors were so grateful. They even put together the cutest thank-you gift for our kids. What a sweet reminder: when we meet others with love, love is returned. Christmas is a designated time on our calendars to put Jesus at the center of everything we do. Even so, it’s easy to miss. The joy of the season is that we are called to celebrate Jesus’ arrival by spreading love. When we keep Jesus at the center of all seasons, we love better, and the Kingdom of God is felt all around. |
| Special Holiday Services |
| Join us on Christmas Eve at 6:00 pm for a Candlelight Service in the Worship Center, and on New Year’s Eve at 6:00 pm for a come-and-go Communion in the Chapel. |
| November 2024 Financial Update |
| November Income: $54,977.40 November Expense: $76,852.31 Cash flow deficit for November: $-21,874.91 Year-to-date Income (as of 11/31): $783,123.84 Year-to-date Expense: $926,963.40 Year-to-date Cash flow deficit: $-143,839.66 As you make plans for your year-end giving, we would be grateful if you would prayerfully consider making a year-end gift to the church to help defray the current deficit. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving of your finances, your time and your talents to serve the Lord, the church and the community! |
| Summer Save the Dates |
| As you begin planning Summer activities and vacations. Here are a few dates to add to your calendars: Dude Camp: May 25th – 28th | Registration for church 5th graders is available Feb. 2nd and Feb. 9th. Registration for community 5th graders opens Feb. 11th. HS Camp Quaker Haven: June 4th – 10th | Registration coming this Spring JH Camp Quaker Haven: June 9th – 10th | Registration coming this Spring Vacation Bible School: June 23rd – 27th | Registration for church families opens March 2nd and 9th. Registration for community members begins on March 11th. |
| Advent Choir |
| It was so exciting to sing together at our first rehearsal last Sunday, and it’s not too late to join us. Our next rehearsal is Sunday, December 15th at 5:00 pm. We hope you will feel welcome to sing with us and perform on December 22nd. |
| A Missions Angel Tree is in the foyer decorated with ornaments for you to take as a prayer reminder for our missionary families. There is a QR code on the back of each ornament if you feel led to donate to missions. The Angel Tree will be in the foyer from Nov. 24th to Dec. 29th. Contact Grace Kirkpatrick for more details. |
| Meals for the Elder Family |
| Thomas and Sara Elder will welcome a new baby girl to their family later this month. We are excited to celebrate with them and plan to have a Meal Train for the Elders once the baby arrives. Because the due date is right before Christmas, we realize that some of you will be traveling or have guests and might not be able to sign up for a meal at that time. If you would like to provide a meal but have holiday plans that would make participating in the Meal Train difficult, would you consider preparing a meal ahead of time that could be put in our church freezer? We would love to have a few meals available for them to use as needed after they get home from the hospital, to fill in any gaps on the Meal Train over the holidays. If you can help, contact Joyce Byrne at the church office. |
| Baby Bridges Sprinkle |
| The Bridges are welcoming a baby girl to their family soon. Join us in celebrating them as they grow to a family of four at a come-and-go Sprinkle on January 5th in the chapel. A link to their registry can be found below. |
| Registry for Baby Bridges |
| Student Ministries Update |
| Christmas Parties |
| Join us for our annual FUSE and CORE Christmas parties on Sunday, December 15. The parties will be our final Sunday evening gathering of the semester. We will play games with prizes instead of a white elephant gift exchange! In place of a gift, come with NEW and UNUSED toys and toiletries to donate to the Jack’s Project Donation Drive. These donations do not need to be wrapped! |
| Jack’s Project donates thousands of items each year for families at Texas Children’s Hospital. These items go out to patients year-round for treatments, unexpected hospital stays, holidays, and celebrations. |
| Jack’s Project |
| Student Ministries Alumni Party |
| Calling all Student Ministry Alumni! Join us for a fun night of food and games on January 2nd from 6:00-9:00 pm in the gym. RSVP to Katelyn Sanders by December 18th. |
| Children’s Ministry Update |
| “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) |
| Christmas Singing |
| Ms. Tena is thrilled to invite all the kids of Children’s Church to participate in a very special moment during our worship service this Sunday, December 15th. The children will be singing two Christmas songs as part of our celebration of the birth of Jesus.To help the kids feel prepared and confident, the links to the two songs are linked below so they can have additional practice at home before Sunday: |
| “Your Love for Me” “Jesus Savior of the World” |
| On Sunday morning, we will meet at 9:00 AM in the chapel for one last rehearsal. The children will then perform during the 10:00 AM worship service. We encourage them to wear their Christmas best to add to the festive joy of the morning! This is such a wonderful opportunity for the kids to share their excitement for Christmas and to bless our church family with their music. Thank you for encouraging your child to be part of this meaningful moment. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Looking forward to a beautiful morning of worship together! |
| As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:9&11 |
