The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath symbolizes watchfulness and increasing joy as we anticipate Jesus’ birth. The wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternity, or life without end.
The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World — He brought light and life to a dark world. On each of the four Sundays of Advent, we light a new candle. As the light grows, so do our hope and joy.
Several families will light specific candles as we approach Christmas Day. With Christ as the light of our world we can be assured that our destination is secured and present is firm within the promises of God never to leave us or forsake us. Our theme to those in our world is peace on earth and goodwill to all.
Whether we realize it or not, Jesus gave us the eternal life that began our spiritual journey. He alone is the only access to God. Our good works or claimed religious status or any other claim to fame falls short of what is required to receive eternal life. Christ’s death on the cross vents God’s wrath on sin. Christ raised from the dead provides forgiveness for the sinner who repents of their sins and receives God’s light seen in the life of Christ.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22
The Christmas grump
Uncle Henry had the reputation of being a curmudgeon. He always seemed to have something to grumble. Henry’s friends and family were used to his demeanor and usually took it with a grain of salt.
One year, while Henry’s relatives were decorating for Christmas, his six-year-old nephew wondered aloud, “Do you think Uncle Henry will put up the negativity scene again this year.”
Prayer Petitions: Beverly Andrews, Kevin Rogers’ mother. Ron Madison. Alex Fox is taking chemo for lymphoma. Paul Barnard’s daughter Colleen is fighting cancer. Louis Conyers. Mary Mowbray, friend of Juanita Townsend, is fighting cancer. Diana Ames. Maurice Beaver’s sister, Glenna Beavers. Melvin Messer. Rev. Edsel and Alice Trouten. Michael Stomm. George and Helen York. Carol Stinson. Elsie Hall. Margaret Beeson. Mary Holcomb and her mother Dorothy Larrison. Marilyn and Charles Burgess. Ernie and Faye Barnard. Marie Wilson. Albert Pence. Joetta Wilkinson. Nick Paul. Mark Ballenger. Olive Bruner. Olive Berkebile. Hailey Blevins. Jan Townsend. The Persecuted believers in Christ. Amazing Angel Childcare Ministry. Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Missionaries: Robert Pickle- Set Free Ministries. Dan & Sheri Miller. Dana Harding. Daniel Duke. Bob & Janet Miller. Dee Sudnig. Lindell & Kay Browning. Bill & Kay Swesay. Ken & Linda Walker. Greg & Amy Crofford. Wayne & Connie LaForce. Mark Ryan. Dan & Margaret Clark. Scott and Emily Armstrong. Kathy Matson. Matt & Priscilla Parrett.
Nursing Home: Rev. R.C. Boynton. Franklin White. Earl Goodwin. Bonnie McLain. Dorothy Hall. Kenny Williams.
News -
Community Christmas Advent Service is hosted by the Sugar Grove Church this evening at 6:00.
Small group discipleship and worship team singing practice meets each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. respectively.
Hagerstown Hometown Christmas begins this Friday and climaxes Sunday with the Tour of Churches that begins at our church, 5:30 p.m.
Recycle your computer printer cartridges Bring your used cartridges to the church and place them in the white box in the foyer for the daycare fundraiser.
Hagerstown Faith Housing is set up for senior rental assisted living. If you know of anyone interested, call Floyd Sanders at 489-4898. There are vacancies.
Glenna Beavers, Maurice Beaver’s sister is recovering from a severe stroke. For those who wish to send her a card, her home address is: Glenna Beavers, 3302 Diamond Ave., El Paso, TX 79904-2531.
Back to Belize! The church board is supporting Pastor Fannin and Pastor Ames to go to Belize this February. If you wish to support this work and witness trip, mark your gift “Back to Belize.”
Thanks for Giving to the Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism. Christians may not be making the headlines news but we are making a difference in the lives of countless people. The good news of God’s Son is for the whole world. WOW! What a privilege to be involved with something way bigger than ourselves.
Our goal for our Thanksgiving Offering is $1,500. Let’s do our best. The offering received so far is $1, 368.25. We are very near reaching our goal. “To God Be the Glory.”
Thank You, Kathie and Amanda for the beautifully decorating the church for the Christmas Season.
When doing your Christmas cards this year, fill out an extra one and send it to this address. If everyone sends at least one card, just think of how many cards these special courageous and sacrificial people would get.
A Recovering American Soldier
C/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
Coming Up:
Sun. Nov. 30: Community Advent Service at Sugar Grove Church, 6:00 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 5: Hagerstown Hometown Christmas begins
Sat. Dec. 6: Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Sun. Dec. 7: Church Board, 4:30 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 7: Hagerstown Christmas Tour of Churches:
Nazarene, 5:30 p.m.
Methodist, 6:00 p.m.
Christian Church, 6:30 p.m.
New Testament Church, 7:00 pm.
Refreshments by Women’s History Club, 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 12: Children’s Christmas Program, 7:30 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 14: Children’s Christmas Program
Sun. Dec. 14: All Church Christmas Fellowship at Hagerstown Elementary 5:00 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 19: Teen Overnighter
Sat. Dec. 20: Ladies Fellowship Breakfast
Wed. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Family Communions
Thu. Dec. 25: Community Christmas Dinner, 12:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Service, 7:00 p.m.
Watchnight Service, 11:30 p.m.
| November Finances | |||
| MONTHLY GIVING | Received last Sunday the 23rd | Received so far for the Month | Goal for the Month |
| Tithes and Offering | 1,613.75 | 5,248.83 | 7,000.00 |
| Building Fund Loan | 62.00 | 602.00 | 728.77 |
| Missions Thanksgiving | 125.00 785.25 | 377.74 1,368.25 | 300.00 1,500.00 |
0 comments:
Post a Comment