Dear Faith Family,

          We are entering into the Season called Christmas.  This is the time that we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem.  This is the one holiday that is celebrated all over the world.  This is the season that touches the world in a special way.  We need to take time to make sure that we are preparing to make this season special for ourselves and for our families.

          I never grow tired of reading the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus.  I always see something new to share each year.  This year my thoughts have been leaning to thinking about kind of time is Christmas.  I know that many think of it as an end of the year celebration that comes right before the Bowl games.  I know that many simply think of it as time to catch up with families.  I know that some see it as an excuse to go on a month-long shopping spree. 

          For the Christian, it is a time to reflect on God’s plan being put into motion that allows us to rejoice that we have eternal life at the expense of Christ.  For the Christian, it is a time to remember that God so loved us that Jesus became our Emanuel-God with Us!   Yet many non-Christians are unaware of the fact that the Season of Christmas reminds us of the victory, salvation and reconciliation that is available to all who believe in Jesus. 

          This Christmas Season will you make it a point to tell others of God’s great love.  Will you invite a friend or family member to join you for a time of celebrating Christmas?  Will you look around for that person who would be sitting at home alone and invite them to the variety of celebrations that we will have a church?  Will you invite that person to hear of the amazing story of God’s love?

 

          I love being YOUR Pastor,

          Pastor Jay

 

Summerfield Bible Study:

          Each week, we have an opportunity to take the Word of God to Summerfield.  We want you to remember that in the village of Summerfield there families that need to hear the message of the Good news.  We want you to pray for the Bible Study there.  Our prayer is that in 2010 we will see more families become involved in the study.  Our prayer is that others will become prayer partners of the Bible Study.  Our prayer is that others in the church will encourage friends and acquaintances to come to the Bible Study.

          We are meeting in a new location.  We are meeting in the American Legion Hall right at the cross road of Summerfield.  We have a location that will allow us to increase our numbers at the Bible Study.  We met for 18 months at the Laipley’s store and God has done some amazing things during that time.  We are looking for even more amazing things to happen as we remain faithful in working in God’s field of ministry. 

 

Divorce Recovery Bible Study:

          Rick and Peg Davis have been leading a bible study on Sunday morning for a quarter now.  The Bible Study is for those who have been divorced and are going through a divorce currently.  The study has been touching lives and encouraging those attending.  This Bible Study group is reminding us of the pain that families experience when a relationship is severed.  The issue of divorce touches many families both in the church and outside of the church. 

          Pray for Rick and Peg as they share with their class biblical principles to those are hurting.  Pray for those attending that they will grow closer to the Great Physician who can heal those hurts we may not see every day. 

 

January Sermon Series:

          During the month of January, the morning sermons by Pastor Jay will be on the theme of “The Family God uses”.  The messages in that series will look at parenting from the pages of God’s word.  The messages will examine the importance of teaching our children God’s word.  The messages will look at the directives that God gave parents to follow as they raise their children.  The messages will look at the danger of being a passive parent. 

          Invite your friends who are raising children to join us in January for this special series of messages.  During the month of January, there will be a discussion time for those parents that would like to meet once a week to explore in greater depths the topic addressed in the sermon.  A sign up sheet will be in the foyer later in December for those interested in participating in the family forum.  Hope to see you there!

 

“To Know My Neighbor” Contest

          Pastor Jay is offering a challenge to identify a member or a person who has been attending recently by the clues offered below.  Fill out your answer and turn them into Pastor Jay.  All entries for a grand prize must be given to him by December 20^th.  All the entries with the correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a special prize.  Start asking questions to find out the person who matches the question- Who…?

Find a new friend and learn a little more about people who may be sitting in a Bible study with you or next to you in Service!  Have fun getting to know some new people!

 

Here are the clues:

1. Who recently retired from the Noble County Health department?
2. Who works at a company with the Spokesman Justin Case?
3. Who works at a bank as a Loan officer?
4. Who restores and repairs phonographs and old radios?
5. Who recently graduated from Shenandoah High School and is attending Malone College?
6. Who works at the Samaritan House in Caldwell each week?
7. Who drives a school bus?
8. Who cleans the church each week?
9. Who is the recent graduate of Moody Bible Institute?
10. Who is teaching a class here at the church on the “Lies that Girls believe”?

 

Remember to fill out your answers to the proper question and put your name on them!