January 6, 2008
GUEST SPEAKER
Anne Fenske with Grace Acres Press will be our guest for dinner this Wednesday, January 9th. She will also speak with our T&T Boys and Girls about memorization during Council Time. Anne was an AWANA Clubber herself and earned the Citation Award, which is the highest award. Anne will also be sharing during Adult Bible Study. She is an award winning publisher and educator, professional consultant, and public speaker. She will have a table set up with her books and others from Grace Acres Press. Please plan to join us.
WALK FOR LIFE
The Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater will be hosting the annual “Walk for Life” fund raiser at Chesapeake Square Mall on Saturday, January 19th, between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Sign-up sheets for those interested in walking and for those making contributions to this important ministry are now available in the church office and will be placed in our Sunday School packets.
HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS
Are you interested in giving the gift of your time to hospice patients? Sentara Home Care Services Hospice Program is seeking individuals to volunteer in their zip code. If your heart calls you to this rewarding type of volunteer work, contact Lyn Carroll, RN at 757-549-5649 or lscarrol@sentara.com. Make a difference in your life and the lives of others: Become a Hospice Volunteer today!
FARM FRESH RECEIPTS
During January Farm Fresh will donate double points to our church for every dollar spent in their stores. If you shop there, save that portion of the receipt that reads, “Retain this receipt and give to your church for redemption by May 31, 2008.” A box has been placed in the lobby for the receipts.
MISSIONS SURVEY
Our Missions Council is surveying the church for our interests and abilities for missions. Please fill out the short survey forms in your Sunday School Class envelope. Additional forms are available on the buffet and can be turned in to the office. Thank you.
CHRISTMAS MAILBOX
Please stop by and pick up your holiday greetings to one another. The mailbox will close after the worship service this morning.
LOTTIE MOON OFFERING
Our grand total for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions now stands at $15,108.50. Let’s thank the Lord that we met not only our initial goal, but our advance challenge goal of $15,000 – Praise The Lord!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Our regular Wednesday evening schedule will resume this coming week on January 9. Be sure to sign up for dinner through your Sunday School class if you would like to come but your name is not on the permanent listing. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. All activities begin at 6:15.
BUSINESS MEETING
The monthly business meeting will be held this Wednesday, January 9, at 7:45 p.m. Please plan to attend.
Wednesday Night Dinner 1/9/08
Chili with beans, Rice, Salad, beverage and dessert – Team 2
Preschool Care for the Week
Sunday, 1/6 Connie Powell, Louise Beaman, Jackson Lifsey, Cindy Kochersperger, Rhonda Cornwell
Wednesay, 1/9 Pat Smead, Brenda Hostetler
Activities for the Week
Today, 1/6
9:00 AM Prayer Room Open
9:00 AM Fellowship Breakfast
9:30 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Worship
2:00 PM Missions Council Meeting
Mon, 1/7
6:30 PM Handbells
7:15 PM Orchestra
7:15 PM Visitation
Tues, 1/8
10:45 AM Morning Bible Study
Wed, 1/9
4:30 PM Senior Notes
5:30 PM Family Night Dinner
6:15 PM Awanas/Youth
6:15 PM Adult Bible Study/Adult Choir
Sat, 1/12 10:00
AM Library Work Day
Sermon Notes - “The Other Side of Christmas”- Matthew 2:13-18
There is a certain sadness that seems to descend upon many of us after the celebration of Christmas. The Christmas trees that were so beautifully decorated have been placed on the curb with the trash. The festive lights that illuminated our homes have been extinguished, and all of the presents have been unwrapped and put away. Even the account of Christ’s birth ends on a seemingly forlorn note. Mary and Joseph must flee to Egypt because Herod seeks to kill the Christ Child. Yes, the account of Christ’s birth in Matthew reminds us that we live in a fallen world where the forces of evil are constantly striving to get the upper hand. Nevertheless, there is a great spiritual truth which we need to embrace as we face the dawn of a new year. God’s purposes and plans for our world can be challenged and at times seemingly thwarted, but never defeated. As Paul so aptly declared in I Corinthians 15:57, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”