Hales Chapel Family,
Merry Christmas! Last Wednesday evening 53 of us went Christmas caroling. We had a wonderful time, and I think the visit and singing were appreciated by the ones who were on our circuit. Special thanks to Larry and Greg for driving, Lara for organizing and leading the singing, and Regina and crew for the refreshments. Last Sunday we enjoyed having Corey and Ashlee Ickes with us. Corey did a great job giving us insights into the ministry and life in Vermont, and a challenging sermon. Let’s continue to pray for them.
Our Hallelujah Goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is $9,000. As of last Sunday we had received $3983.74. Let’s give generously and sacrificially to support the missionaries serving through the IMB. Don’t forget the Pennies in a Barrel completion between the Sunday School classes. Positive Points in your “barrel” will be earned by pennies, cash, and checks. Negative points in other barrels will be earned by quarters, nickels and dimes. Let’s have fun and let’s raise money for Lottie! Mark your calendar for the Fellowship Meal and Cook-Off Competition on Sunday, January 3, 2016. We will vote for our favorite soup and chili, and once again the money will go towards our Lottie Moon Goal. Enjoy good food and support missions—what a great combination!
We will be having a Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 5:00 PM. We will sing beautiful Christmas music, hear the reading of the Christmas story, a challenge from God’s Word, and observe the Lord’s Supper. We will be finished by 5:45 PM, so you will have plenty of time for family activities. After the service, our family will sit down for our annual viewing of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” At some point during the movie I will fall asleep but I will wake up before it is over.
Please, remember that we will not have Wednesday activities on December 23rd or 30th.
From The Simons’ Family: We would like to extend a huge and heart felt thank-you for the giving and prayers offered for our family to help in providing a new wheelchair for Thomas. We are excited to say that is set for delivery this week!
Devotional Thought: I want to focus on Luke 2:8-20, which is about the shepherds hearing the news and going to the manger.
11 “Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” The message is straight forward: Jesus is the Savior, the Messiah, and the Lord. The message remains the same today. 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!” The message is for all the earth. During this emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, let us give so the message continues to go around the world to all people groups. 17 “After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” The shepherds reports the message, which is the same thing we are to do. 20 “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.” When we encounter God, we should do as the shepherds did by “glorifying and praising God.”
Merry Christmas!
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