December - ​FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

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Sunday:
​Adult Sunday School - 9 am
Join us for fellowship, coffee and snacks at 10 am
Worship Service 10:30 am
Wednesday:
Kids Quest - 6:15 - 8 pm FREE - ages 3 years old  to 6th grade
 Adult Sermon Discussion and Bible Study - 6:30 pm
Friday:
Youth Group  - 6-8 pm
Second Saturday of Each Month:
Men's Breakfast and Bible Study 7:30 am
Dec 8th - Ladies and Girls Christmas Gathering
Dec 25 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
See weekly bulletin.

HOLIDAY CANCELLATIONS: The Wednesday ministries will not meet during Christmas break. No KIDS Quest or adult Bible Study on Dec 26th or Jan 2nd. They will resume Jan 9th.
 

For additional information call the church office Mon-Thurs, 10 am - 2 pm
​at 760 228-1747

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Candlelight Service

Preparing, promise kept, sacrifice, coming again, repentant hearts – these (and many more) are all concepts that surround the season of Advent. We undertake to celebrate the birth of our Savior, His First Advent. But in so doing, we remember and anticipate the coming of His Second Advent, when He returns as our King.     

In today’s culture we tend to focus on the gifts we exchange and remember in the background that the reason we’re giving and receiving them is the birth of Christ. In the celebration of Advent, the focus is different. It becomes a time of training for the young and a time of renewal for the old. Because in the Advent festivities the focus is on God and His amazing plan for humanity through the ages.

Jesus’ First Advent (arrival) was humble; a baby born to poor parents, whose first “bassinette” was a feeding trough for the animals because there was no room for His family at the local inn. In His First Advent He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45). In His first Advent, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, that He might offer forgiveness to all who will come to Him in faith. Quite a gift!

​We also look forward, in this festive season, to His next Advent (or as it’s more commonly known, His Second Coming). But far more than merely having a “prophecy conference”, we focus on our preparation for His soon return. Humility, repentance, personal spiritual renewal, serving others, giving, loving the brethren…these and many other character traits should occupy our thoughts and actions as we remember the first Advent and prepare for His Second Coming.

Be sure to get in on our Sunday morning Advent celebrations as each Sunday a different family in the church lights a candle on the Advent wreath. Watch also for Christmas activities going on around the church. Our Women’s Ministries are having a Christmas Gathering at the home of Janis Commentz on Saturday, December 8th. Check the bulletin for more details. The Children’s Church ministry will be sharing a special presentation with the congregation on December 16th. Our Advent celebration comes to a close with our annual Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. I hope you are able to take part in these events as the church celebrates this ‘most wonderful time of the year! 
                                                                                    Yours for making disciples for every nation,