We are fast approaching the end of our Church Calendar year! The Feast of Christ the King takes place on Sunday, November 22 then we begin our new year- First Sunday of Advent- on Sunday, November 29. As you might expect, there is a lot happening in and around this time.
Advent Inter-Generational Dinner and Event, takes place this Saturday, November 21 from 5-7 pm. Bring your favorite Christmas dish for the Pot Luck, and some ‘tinsel, Old Christmas ornaments, fresh cuttings from your evergreen trees for Advent wreaths’. This promises to be a great way of preparing for our Advent season.
The Men’s Group will meet in the Fellowship Hall this Saturday morning from 8:30-10 AM.
The Leadership Council will meet immediately following Men’s Group this Saturday at 10 AM.
Report on PEARUSA Conference: For those who are interested in hearing what is going on in PEARUSA, please join us in the Ministry room following the service to hear a report on the PEARUSA conference.
Coffee Time with a Rwandan Author, Eric Irivuzumugabe has been set for Thursday evening, December 3 at the church beginning at 7:30 pm. Eric will be sharing his story (and selling his book) about surviving the genocide. John Mulford, from Regent University has spoken highly of Eric and we look forward to meeting him and deepening our connection with Rwanda. We will have some ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ coffee for sale as well – always great Christmas gifts!
Our Annual General Meeting and Celebration takes place after worship on Sunday, December 6. We gather to give thanks for what God has done in and through us in 2015 and look forward to what God has in store for us in 2016. We will share in a Pot Luck Lunch that day and enjoy some good time of fellowship and reflection. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Pledge Cards for 2016 will be available this Sunday for your convenience. Financial giving is one aspect of our stewardship of our God given resources, and an important one for all of us. Janie Atwood, our treasurer, and the Leadership Council ask that we take the time to prayerfully decide on our financial commitment and then return the Pledge Card by December 6. This will greatly help us in our budget development for 2016.
Our Christmas Eve Service begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 24. Be sure to come early (4:30 pm) to help decorate the Christmas Tree and prepare for our Children’s Christmas Pageant and Holy Communion. Mark your calendars now and invite a friend to join you that night.
Toy Drive to benefit local children: In coordination with Park Place School, James Monroe Elementary, and other local churches and organizations, we will be collecting toys for the children in our local community. Park Place School is hosting “A Christmas Extravaganza” for local families where they will be sharing the Good News of Christ’s birth and giving away Holiday food baskets to the families and toy gifts to the children on Saturday, December 12th. If it is in your heart to give to your local community, please bring an inexpensive toy with a cost of about $5 and leave it in the toy drive box in the Narthex by Wednesday, December 9th.
Looking forward to ending the year with joy with you on Sunday.