Hi, Friends!
This morning we rehearsed for the Candlelight Carol Service, and let me tell you that tomorrow night's service is going to be FANTASTIC! Please bring friends and loved ones and join us as we settle into the story of Christmas and enjoy singing, lights, and reflections on the season. As a reminder, the service starts at 6PM. You'll get a preview during our regular worship service tomorrow morning. We can't wait!
Nursery - Elementary
This Sunday our nursery kids will continue to tell the story of Jesus' birth by reading about the animals and shepherds that came to see the baby Jesus. It will be so fun (and so cute!) to think about all of creation participating in the glorious birth of Christ!
Family Discussion Starters:
Why does it matter that there were animals who came to see the baby Jesus?
Why do you think God chose shepherds to be part of the birth story of Christ?
What is most surprising about the story this week?
Prayer: God, thank you for inviting all people and creatures into your story! Help us to include those who are not always included.
Children's Choir
Parents, we had a great rehearsal today, so here are a few updates about the schedule for tomorrow! We are asking kids to arrive at 9:45AM on Sunday morning for another short rehearsal, and they will be singing "Do You Hear What I Hear" during our morning worship service as a preview to the evening Candlelight Carol Service. They can come back at 5:45PM Sunday night, and we will provide some finger foods for dinner and prepare for the service that starts at 6PM. (Note that change—we no longer need them as early as 5PM because they did so well rehearsing today! We think 5:45PM is early enough.) 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 help prepare some other things for the carol service!
Fuller Youth Institute Cohort
Get excited! We have been accepted to a two-year cohort project with other churches and the Fuller Youth Institute. The goal of the project is to design new and relevant ways to disciple youth, and I am so excited for this opportunity to innovate and grow our youth program in the context of solid research and other like-minded folks. Stay tuned for more information, and let me know if you are interested in being part of the work!
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
A Word on Joy
This Sunday we will light the advent candle of Joy during service. I found a great post about Joy on SALT's most recent commentary on this week of Advent. I want to share this gem from that with you since they quote Henri Nouwen, one of my favorite thinkers.
"...is it really possible to be joyful in the midst of the shadows of sorrow? Henri Nouwen puts it this way: while happiness usually depends on circumstances, joy runs deeper. 'Joy,' he writes, 'is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing - sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death - can take that love away.' Thus joy and sorrow can not only coexist; joy can even be found in the midst of sorrowful circumstances."
Know that you are loved unconditionally by God and that we as a church are always seeking to share unconditional love with one another. You give me great joy, indeed!
So thankful for you,
Lindsay Dorman | Family Pastor