Pastor’s Corner
What a special time of year to share with all of you. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. You all hold a special place in my heart. I am grateful for the spiritual growth I have seen in so many and how many are happy and excited about what God is doing in our church. Thanksgiving is something that God exhorts us to do each and every day of the year. When we give thanks for all that God has given us, God is worshiped and praised in our lives.
As we approach the Christmas season, the greatest gift we can give one other is our hearts committed and united in God’s love and purpose. We are truly blessed to be a church that God has called to share the message of Jesus. Our world is so confused with all the hatred and anger that persists and searching for answers that would lead to love and peace. You and I have the answers of love and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ, and that message is spoken each Sunday as we gather. I would like to challenge each of you to invite folks to upcoming Christmas services. What greater gift do you have to share this coming Christmas?
In The Love Of Christ, Pastor Al
“Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.”
—Neal A. Maxwell
“Bless us, Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; teach us to be patient and always to be kind.”
—Helen Steiner Rice
“May God give you peace with yourselves; may he give you good will towards all your friends, your enemies and your neighbors; and may he give you grace to give glory to God in the highest.”
—Charles H. Spurgeon
Shepherding God, thank you for feeding your flock with love, gathering us lambs in your arms and carrying us close to your heart. (See Isaiah 40:11.)
Christmas Prayer
Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift, and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen!
—Robert Louis Stevenson
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Thursday’s at 1:00pm
You may reach Pastor Al at #609-529-7526, or Abh5676@yahoo.com
Sunday, December 3rd – First Sunday in Advent
Sunday, December 3rd – Coffee Hour & Fellowship following service – bring a snack if you are able.
Tuesday, December 5th – Ladies Tea at the Montrose Bible Conference – 11am
Sunday, December 10th – Second Sunday in Advent
Thursday, December 14th – Presbyterian Women Christmas Party – 2pm in the Community Building
Sunday, December 17th – Third Sunday in Advent
Wednesday, December 20th – Mens Group Meeting and Breakfast – 8am in the Community Building
Thursday, December 21st – First Day of Winter
Sunday, December 24th – Fourth Sunday in Advent
Sunday, December 24th – Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 24th – Candlelight Service – 6pm
Monday, December 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!
Tuesday, December 26th – Newsletter Deadline
Sunday, December 31st – New Year’s Eve
Monday, January 1st – HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sunday School begins at 8:30am. We are studying Chip Ingram’s series on Culture Shock. A Biblical Response to Today’s Most Divisive Issues. Please join us and be blessed.
Our Mission For Bill’s Kids end December 3rd. Please indicate on your giving envelopes.
Please contact Debbie Hickok at Debbers128@gmail.comwith revisions to the church directory. Updated directory will be available Oct. 1.
Email Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests you have throughout the week that you’d like to share with our church family.
Please sign up to host one of the social hours on the Sunday after Communion Service on the first Sunday of the month. Hosting only means setting out what is brought and cleaning up afterward. It does not mean bringing everything to share.
Don’t forget our card ministry – If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Cathe. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Cathe will address the envelopes and mail them.
Loose Change Offerings ( coins and bills)
1st Sunday – Local Missions
2nd Sunday – General Fund
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malabo
4th Sunday – General Fund
5th Sunday – Trehab Local Food Bank (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)
