Children’s Church Choir
Ms. Tena is excited for the children to sing during the Worship Service this Sunday, December 17. She and Deborah Morris have been working hard with the kids in Children’s Church practicing songs. If you would like your child to perform with us, please have them meet Ms. Tena in the little chapel at 9:00 AM for Sunday School to get costumes and for a dress rehearsal.
Yesterday an email went out to parents with children who have been practicing that includes the lyrics and songs to practice with your kids at home this week, if you did not receive the email, please contact the church office so we can share those songs with you.
Worship Center Flowers
The flower chart for 2024 has been posted in the foyer. We invite you to sign up for one or more dates to provide altar flowers for our Sunday worship service. You might choose a special date to give flowers in celebration of a family birthday or anniversary, or perhaps dedicate the flowers in honor of or in memory of a loved one. If so, we would be glad to create a slide that will be shown as part of the announcements before the service.
If needed, we can help provide you with contact information for a florist who is willing to deliver flowers on Sunday mornings, or you are welcome to create an arrangement and bring it before the service. Flowers may be taken home with you following the service or left at the church. If you would like to participate, just sign your name next to your chosen date on the chart.
Church staff will contact you ahead of time to remind you of your date and to discuss the wording of the announcement if you like. Thank you for helping to enhance the beauty of our sanctuary as we gather to worship!
November Financial Information
The Stewards have requested that monthly financial updates be posted on the church website to keep the congregation informed of our church finances. You can find the financial summary for November by following this link.
As of November 30th, our general fund reflects a year-to-date cash flow deficit of about $70,000. As you make plans for year-end giving, we ask that you prayerfully consider making a contribution to the church. If you feel led to contribute, please visit the “Give” page linked here for details on how to donate online or you can bring a contribution directly to the church office or mail it to the church. For your giving to be included in 2023 contribution statements, please note that all giving must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2023.
Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting the ministries of the church with your finances, and for the many ways that you use your time and your talents to bless our congregation and our community.
Special Holiday Service Times
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, December 24, join us for Worship Service at 10:00 AM. Also, plan on celebrating with us that evening at the traditional Candlelight Service at 6:00 PM. There will be no Sunday School classes that morning, but the nursery will be available during both services for children 6 weeks to under 3 years.
New Year’s Eve Services
Sunday, December 31, join us for Worship Service at 10:00 AM. There will be no Sunday School classes that morning. Then join us that evening for a come-and-go prayer time and communion in the Chapel from 6:00-7:00 PM. On December 31, the nursery will only be available for the morning Worship Service.
Visit the website for a complete list of all Holiday Worship Times.
Advent Bible Study
A women’s online Advent Bible Study group is connecting on Facebook as a way to stay focused on the good news of the season and journey together through The Savior’s Story. While we are in the second week of Advent, feel free to join as there are some beautiful conversations and ideas to consider.
One post that stands out is a consideration of Matthew 1 and the genealogy of Jesus’s lineage. Not all of us get excited about tracing back generations of family heritage, but hearing the stories of where we came from can be hugely profound in understanding connections to our past and to each other. Understanding Jesus’s past ushered in the opportunity for readers to be led to a new hope. This online conversation about the importance of understanding our past is reminiscent of our tradition at Friendswood Friends of sharing Advent testimonies or stories of how Jesus has presented himself in our lives. “Advent is a season of anticipation and expectancy, of looking backward while simultaneously looking forward. During this season, tune your heart to the words of Scripture, remembering why, how, and when Jesus came and reflecting on what his coming means for us today.” Maybe this season consider how your own story has been shaped by the coming and waiting of Jesus.
To read more or get plugged in, follow the Facebook link and click the blue “join group” button to be added to the private group. Contact Kody Shepherd if you need help getting plugged in with this online Advent Bible Study.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:22-23