| In Christmas, we celebrate two big miracles. One of them is the incarnation: the reality that God took on flesh and became human in the person of Jesus. After several hundred years of discussion, debate, and discernment, Christians officially adopted the doctrine that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. As Colossians 3 says it, “For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…” Jesus is fully God, and that empowers all of his saving work on our behalf! His life, miracles, teachings, death, and resurrection are all empowered and given significance because he is God. He was able to remain sinless because he is 100% God. At Christmas, though, we celebrate a very human aspect of Jesus—he was born! He experienced birth, growing up, having to flee the country because he was threatened, navigating life and ministry with parents, and the normal needs of a human: food, water, clothes, shelter, and rest. He was tempted by sin. He was not born into a wealthy family, but to a carpenter and young girl who hadn’t even started a family yet. He was 100% human. We serve a God that experienced what it was like to be human; a high priest and king that knows what we are going through. Whatever you are experiencing this Advent season, whether this is a good season or a tough one, I pray that you can find time to reflect on this reality: Jesus is 100% God, and also 100% human. His humanity and experiences on earth let us know that we serve the God that knows what we are going through and is there for us. Wherever you find yourself this season, know that God knows about the hardships of lifeand will be there with you through it. God loves you! Merry (early) Christmas! Bobby Kirkpatrick |
| Christmas Carol Hayride |
| Join us TONIGHT for an evening of caroling and Christmas fun! We will meet in the Coffee Café for pizza at 5:00 pm and then load up at 5:45 pm for a hayride through Friendswood. We hope you will join us this evening as we sing loud for all to hear on the Christmas Carol Hayride. RSVP by emailing Ms. Tena. |
| Women’s Ministry Cookie Exchange |
| All ladies, please join us at the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange on Dec. 9th at 6:30 pm! |
| Advent Choir |
| We will be singing together again this Christmas season under the direction of Melissa Smith. It is exciting to get back together, rehearse, and sing with as many as are willing! We hope to see you at our first rehearsal on December 8th. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| Advent Banners |
| Family Advent Activity Banners have been handed out and we hope they have been a fun addition to your Advent season traditions. We would love to see pictures of your families celebrating the season. If you are willing to share these photos with us, please email Ms. Tena. |
| Christmas Singing |
| We are so excited to invite your children to participate in singing two special Christmas songs during the church service on Sunday, December 15th! This is a wonderful opportunity for them to share the joy of Christ coming with our congregation. The schedule for the day will be as follows: 9:00 AM: We will meet in the chapel for one final rehearsal with Ms. Deborah. 10:00 AM: Performance during the church service. If you would like additional practice, the two songs can be found below so you can listen to them throughout the week. Please make plans to arrive at the chapel December 15th, by 9:00 AM so we can prepare together. We look forward to seeing your kids’ smiling faces and hearing their beautiful voices as we celebrate the birth of Jesus! Thank you for encouraging your children to be part of this special event. |
| “Your Love for Me” “Jesus Savior of the World” |
| 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. |
| You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 |
