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Hello, Church Family! What a week ahead of us! LIGHT is coming! I am sure I can speak for most of us, the to-do lists are LONG, to start this week off. Whether you’re cooking or cleaning or wrapping or traveling, I hope you make space to sit quietly at the feet of our kind and gracious God who, out of his deep love for us, gave us the “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) of his Son. 

Because all of our plates are full this week, I’ll keep this email short and sweet. This will be my last column for 2025, I sure do enjoy chatting with you all this way each week!

If your Christmas calendar allows it, I hope you’ll join us for worship on Christmas Eve, this Wednesday evening. Doors open at 6:00pm to give you an opportunity to take a family (or friends!) photo at the beautiful Christmas backdrop that Amanda Grumbling designed for us! We’ll have coffee and hot chocolate available in the Family Life Center as well as some caroling while we wait for the service to begin at 6:30pm. Many thanks to Kay Swarr for her hard work in helping design and plan this year’s Christmas Eve Service! It will be a meaningful experience through the story of Christmas! As is the tradition, we will conclude the Christmas Eve Service with candlelighting and carols as we usher in the birth of our King!

Our Worship Service on Sunday, December 28th will be a normal schedule, but come hear Pastor Kevin review and reflect on all the learning we’ve done together in 2025. We will also be launching the preaching and teaching plan for 2026 - the BELIEVE Series! Pastor Kevin and I are excited about what God has in store for our church family next year with this resource! Be here next Sunday to learn more!

I am looking forward to some down time after Christmas. Scott and I have had a busy past few weeks as the Christmas gatherings have taken place, my sister’s college graduation and more! Many thanks for all the cards and treats we’ve received from each of you for my birthday and Christmas. You all are truly a GIFT to us! Merry Christmas from the two of us!

 

What WE’RE Learning This Week: A nugget of what our Lil’, Youth and Adults Roots heard this week

Our Family Theme: Advent Week 4 - Love

Our Root Text: Deuteronomy 4:35-40, 1 John 4:7-12

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Listen to this week’s advent episode on “The Dig” podcast and complete the “Advent in action” challenge!

This season of the “The Dig” podcast is specifically designed for EVERY GENERATION to deepen their understanding, ignite their curiosity and grow as fruit-producing, God-glorying disciples! Don’t miss out! To make it easier for you to find and listen, you can now grab “The Dig” episodes on the church website: https://www.mgcb.org/family-ministries/the-dig-podcast--8

 

What I’M Learning This Week: Sharing what I’m reading and listening to lately

Last night many of you joined us for our Candlelight Communion Service. This is a simple, yet meaningful evening to prepare our hearts for the week of Christmas. If you’ve never been, let me paint the picture for you… The sanctuary is dark, which highlights the lit Christmas trees on the stage and the candles on the communion tables. The Deacons dismiss you and your family, pew by pew, to the tables where the pastoral team leads groups through communion. 

Last night I was seated in the front pew, and after my group finished communion, I returned to my seat. I was moved by the quiet echoes of group after group repeating “this bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ” and then “this cup which we drink is the communion of the blood of Christ.” I didn’t get to remember and give thanks, as 1 Corinthians 11 calls us, just once. I got to experience it over and over again as each of your voices recited it over and over. 

“To Him be the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen!”

 

Make Every Week Count: Parenting, Grandparenting & Spiritual Mentoring Resources

Something to Read: I was gifted this recently and wanted to share.. A Beautiful Year With Jesus - The 365 Day Bible Devotional from Alabaster.

Something to Listen to: Here’s a Christmas song I’m really enjoying right now… Adore Him (And He Is Called)

Something to Follow: Here’s a meaningful Christmas movie for you to watch this week… Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night

 

How Can You Pray? Prayer Requests and Praises from Roots Ministries

PRAY for that neighbor, friend or family member who you need to invite to our Christmas Eve Service

PRAISE for the hope, peace, joy and love that is ours in Christ!