December 2008

Rejoice! The Savior is Born!

            Amid all the commercialism of Christmas, let us never forget the reason for the season. Christmas is not about gifts, parties, lights and trees! It is about a gracious God who made the ultimate sacrifice of his Son so that we could fully know him. As we remember the reason we celebrate, it should drive us to a new level of commitment and worship to the One who gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life!

Your Spiritual Health

            Everyone ought to be concerned about their health. We should eat right, exercise and get a medical check up from time to time. As Christians, we should also be vitally concerned about our spiritual health - and the spiritual health of our families.

            There are three essentials for your spiritual health: worship, small group, service.  By worship, we mean a time when we come together to sing, praise, pray, give and listen to God's counsel. Worship is all about giving God the glory he deserves. By worship we also mean that personal time of praise, prayer and Bible reading that should be part of your daily life. When we mention small groups, we are referring to our weekly Life Groups. These group are relational and intentionally geared to multiply by adding new believers - an imitation of what Jesus did with his disciples. By service, we mean using the spiritual gifts God has given you (every believer has one or more gifts) to serve the needs of each other and our community.

If you are not participating in these three essentials, you are losing ground spiritually. Commitment, dedication, perseverance, determination and a heart open to God's grace will enable you to fully participate and enjoy great spiritual blessings and growth in your life.

Life Groups

            Our Life Groups continue to grow and thrive. This is our current schedule:

Sunday at 9:45 a.m. at the church, we have groups for all ages. These groups are about 45 minutes in length and focus on curriculum produced by the Nazarene Publishing House.

Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the airport (for men) and at the church (for women).

Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the church (for women) These groups meet for about 90 minutes and include a great time for fellowship, the application of God's word to our lives and experiencing God's presence and direction. These groups are at the heart of disciple making according to The Master's Plan.

More groups of this nature will be introduced in January 2009 at other times and places to provide you with more choices that can fit your schedule. Everyone should be part of one of these groups. We are also planning Life Groups for teens. These will start soon and will help every teen become all that God wants them to be.

Encounter Weekend

            The foundation for your spiritual health and development starts with the Encounter Weekend. Our next Encounter Weekend is February 20-21. Mark your calendar, get your days off work and plan to be part of this Encounter if you have not yet attended. The Encounter Weekend gives you the opportunity to free yourself from the past, experience spiritual victory and launch a life of spiritual power! If you have never experienced Encounter Weekend, you should reserve your seat early! The Weekend includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch.

            For teens, there is an Encounter Weekend in Sulphur Springs January 30-31. To reserve your place at this Encounter contact the pastor.

            The Follower's Course is for those who have completed the Encounter Weekend. It will be offered from March 4 to April 8 on Wednesdays.

            The Disciple's Course is available to all who have completed the Follower's Course and will be taught from November December 10 to February 25 (holiday breaks: Dec 24 and 31). This spring, it will be taught from April 15 to June 24 (mid-term break: May 27).

            The Disciple Maker's Course will be offered this winter from January 4 to March 15 (mid-term break: Jan 25). It is available to all who have graduated from the Servant's Course. It will be taught on Sundays at 6:00 p.m.

Centennial T-Shirts

            A limited number of  Centennial T-Shirts are now available! These shirts are part of our celebration of 100 years of holiness! We ordered extra shirts and have a few sizes still available. You've probably seen lots of people wearing these, so if you'd like one, see Carol. They are just $10 each ($13 for 2X and 3X). Get one and help get the word of God's love to our community.

Stretch Your Food Dollar!!!

            Angel Food Ministries continues to touch hundreds of Upshur County lives! For just $30 you will receive a week of basic food for a family of four! What a great way to stretch your food dollar!  For December, we will be taking orders on Saturday, December 6^th from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Delivery day is Saturday, December 20^th from 10 a.m. until noon. Everyone is encouraged to participate by ordering or helping on delivery day - or both! For more information, see Cathy Yordy, Angel Food Ministry Director.  

Help Make a Huge Difference!

            We have extra Angel Food boxes to give away in December. If you know of someone who can use a box, contact Cathy Yordy or the Church Office to leave their name. We want to spread a little extra Christmas Cheer!

Email Reminders

            You can receive e-reminders in your inbox each week. Reminders include announcements, prayer requests, inspirational scriptures and even the weather! If you would like to receive these reminders email Pastor Jim at revjgw@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Hall Schedule

            There is a schedule of Fellowship Hall activities posted in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to use the Fellowship Hall for a church related event, such as a class party, mark the date and time of your event on the calendar to reserve it. If you would like to have a family event in the Fellowship Hall, you must coordinate that event through the church office (903-734-3375). You must be an active member to hold such an event at the church.

E-Newsletter - Coming Soon

            In order to save postage and printing costs, we are now distributing the Newsletter via e-mail! If you are receiving this newsletter in via regular mail, we need to get your email address. Send your email address to revjgw@yahoo.com. We will continue postal delivery of the newsletter for those without email addresses.

Christmas Parties!

Angel Food Ministry - will hold its first Christmas Party on December 11^th at the Yordy Home - 3481 Hwy 155 South at 7:00 p.m.

Church Board - Christmas Banquet will be at the Church on Friday, December 12^th at 6:00 p.m.

Shepherd's Golden Disciples Life Group - will hold their Christmas Party on Sunday, December 14^th after Church at the home of Joe and Mary Ann Smith - 224 Vintage Road, Gilmer.

Saying Good-bye

            November was a month to say good-bye to loved ones. Many of our church family and friends lost close family members. Remember them in your prayers:

Glenda Hubacek lost her brother.

Jarrod Wilson lost his grandfather.

Linda Numan lost her mother.

Paul Carpenter lost his mother.

Jeryl Monasco lost his sister.

Kim Phillips lost her aunt.

Thurman Cagle lost his brother-in-law.

New Arrivals!

We welcome Maverick and Madeline Ranes who made their entrance on October 29^th. Congratulations Tom and Michelle. Keep them in your prayers.

We also welcome Braylunn Upchurch who entered the world on November 1. Congratulations Brandi. Keep the Upchurch family in your prayer, as well.

Giving Season!

            Christmas is the season of giving. It is a time to be generous. As a church we give to two very special causes in December. On the 7^th, we take an offering for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. This vital ministry provides help around the world, responds to emergencies and gives daily help to many. On the 14^th, we give to the American Bible Society. The ABS does a great job in producing and distributing scriptures and we joyfully give so that more may hear and know Jesus!

Looking to 2009!

            It is a good time to think about your goals for the coming year. Spend some time praying about what God would have you do and how God would have you live in 2009. Think about your mission, your family and the biblical principles which can guide you to an abundant eternal life in Jesus. Then prayerfully record these goals, reviewing them regularly throughout the year. Help for goal setting will be presented in our December 28^th worship service!