Blessings and Joy to you all,

As the college football season has ended and the professional football

season is coming to a close — our church will be bucking the trend again as

we have KICK-OFF Saturday to begin our Capital Campaign to build a bridge -

connecting more than buildings.

You are invited to share in this time in our church life as we offer

breakfast from 8 – 10 this Saturday in the Fellowship Hall.  Ann Vivian (the

architect of the connector project) will be here to give us an update and a

possible time-frame for the project as well as to be here for any questions

or comments. We will share more than food as we will be open to other fund

(fun) raising ideas.  There will be no charge for the breakfast — only a

bit of time.  Come and join us anytime between 8 and 10.  Bring the kids

(they will be the biggest beneficiaries of this project to make easier

access to the space next door for them and future generations).  This should

be a fun time.

I hope to see you then -

Faithfully

Gary

Blessings and Peace to you all,

This Sunday will be an exciting Sunday — not only will we be gathering for worship together — not only will the Sunday School kick back into gear — not only will the choir kick back into gear (you are invited to join your voice to the choir beginning at 8:15 on Sunday) — not only will we be focusing on Mark 1:1-13 with some help from Genesis 1:1-5 — not only will the message entitled: “Claim – Proclaim – Reclaim” be delivered — BUT — we will be celebrating two (2) baptisms and receiving six (6) new members into the fellowship of our church. Following the service there will be CAKE — and during the cake eating (sometimes known as the coffee hour) you may purchase the study book about the Gospel of Mark in preparation for next Sundays Bible Study with Marybeth and Melissa Partington facilitating. Each book is $10.00 and if that is a bit out of the question — the church will cover the cost — just grab one in preparation for the 15th.

Following a bit of cake and coffee and book purchasing — you are invited to assist in the de-decorating of the sanctuary (FUN) as we take down the tree – rebox the Crèche Scene and dehang the garland. Talk about a fun day. looking forward to seeing you.

In Christ,

Gary

Blessings to you all, This coming Sunday is January 1st. What a wonderful way to start the new year — worship and communion and community all wrapped up in a Sunday morning experience right here. The scripture is: Matthew 2:1-12 (Matthew’s birth narrative) the message is entitled: “What Do You Seek?”

For those beginning the year with a New Year’s resolution we will have a certified, accurate to the nearest 10th of an ounce — scale to weigh people as they come in. It is good to have a beginning point. What I am thinking is that maybe we can take pictures of each person as well — maybe a profile shot and put the pictures with the weights on the bulletin board and on the web site and we can track how we are doing throughout the year. WOW what a full service church. OK we are not going to do that. Just a thought. I will let it pass.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Have a safe weekend.

in Christ,

Gary

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve Day — which is followed immediately by Christmas Eve Eve. We will be celebrating with 2 Christmas Eve Eve services: The 4:30 service will offer an experience for the children to travel around the sanctuary and hear and visualize the Christmas story through word as well as with the wonderful visual effects of Mel Simmon’s marionettes. If you know of other families who might appreciate this — please invite them or let them know of this service.

The 7:00 service is our traditional Christmas Eve service which will include the choir and a Christmas message. Both services will include candle lighting at the end.

All of this leads up to the really big show — Sunday morning worship at 9:30 (Christmas Day).

Christmas Schedule for 2011

Christmas Eve Family Service (with Marionettes) : Saturday Dec 24, 4:30 PM

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (with Choir) : Saturday Dec 24, 7:00 PM

Christmas Day Service: Sunday Dec 25, 9:30 AM