Hi Friends,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We just got back from Sacramento visiting my family and friends (Brody's first trip there!) . He is so excited to be back and can't wait for his baby dedication tomorrow. What a special church family he gets to belong to—we are so thankful for you!
Speaking of church family, I am so happy to share that Liv Taylor Pope arrived yesterday and is absolutely beautiful! Kate and Taylor are doing well and are so excited to welcome their precious baby girl to the world. We can't wait for her to meet her church!
If you didn't get to take home the Advent placemats and table tents last Sunday, we will have more out tomorrow. If you're still wondering what Advent is, it is the season of expectation leading up to Christmas. We hope everyone can enjoy this special time of year by slowing down and reflecting with loved ones, and those materials are a great way to do just that.
Oh, one more thing! Make sure you dress warmly tomorrow for worship as we wait on our heater to get a tune up.
Nursery - Elementary:
This Sunday our nursery kids will learn about a Ruler from Bethlehem in Micah 5:2-5. Kids who are in TK or older can join us in the sanctuary for worship because it's the first Sunday of the month! We love to have kids with us as we worship and pursue God together. Tomorrow's teaching will be the first in our Advent series, and we can't wait to share it with you.
Family Discussion Starters:
Do you have any special traditions with hanging greens or putting up a tree?
What can we learn or remember about God when we see Christmas trees and wreaths?
What do you hope to think about and thank God for as we prepare for Christmas day?
Prayer: God, help us to slow down and appreciate this season of Advent! Use us to bring new life to places that have withered.
Children's Choir
The kids are continuing to prepare to sing in December! They will perform at our 77th annual evening Carol Service on December 15th, and we will have a dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 14th. More details to come, but mark your calendars for this special event! You can encourage your child to practice using this lyric sheet and this video.
Youth:
This week the youth will gather for our regular youth time of lunch, discussion, and games. We will also begin preparing for our role in the Candlelight Carol Service. We are so excited to share the season with the youth!
Youth Christmas Party!
Our annual Youth Christmas Party is on Friday, December 6th! More details to come, but make sure you mark your calendars for that evening. We will start at 6PM and dinner is included along with Christmas festivities. Friends are welcome! Youth can RSVP for the party here. Yay!
Youth Winter Retreat
This winter we are joining up with two other church youth groups for a fun and meaningful weekend retreat! All middle and high schoolers are invited to attend our winter retreat January 18th-20th at Camp Sky Meadows near Big Bear Lake. Stay tuned for more details, and get excited for a super fun time up in the mountains!
News You Can Use
I recommend taking a minute to read "Remembering That It Happened Once" by Wendell Berry. It's about the Christmas story and is a beautiful way to begin the season of Advent. My favorite line is this: "we/ Ourselves are living in the world/ It happened in when it first happened." The "it" refers to the birth of Christ. So good!
Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday morning!
So thankful for you,
Lindsay Dorman
Family Pastor