Dear Church Family,

As we approach the Holy Sabbath hours, we may notice much of the world also pausing from their labors to celebrate but instead of Sabbath, it will be Christmas. How sad that while so many will exchange gifts tomorrow, they will neglect the wonderful gift of the Sabbath. While we can appreciate the Christmas season, tomorrow is first and foremost, the Holy Sabbath, a gift given us from the Creator Himself. Some may even question, is Christmas something we should acknowledge at all, much less celebrate? Here are some helpful resources on how we might relate to this season. Here is an article entitled, Ellen G. White & Christmas and another article entitled, “Should We Celebrate Christmas?” Lastly, here is a collection of quotations from Ellen White on the topic of Christmas. May God grant you and your family wisdom & direction as you seek His guidance in how to relate to this popular holiday. I know for our family, while we decorate and exchange gifts each Christmas season, when Christmas falls on Sabbath as it does this year, we choose Sabbath first, and exchange gifts before or after the Sabbath hours as we want to keep Sabbath first and foremost in our hearts. Also, this is a wonderful time to remind our children of the importance of giving to others and to missions and the church. And of course, it’s a wonderful time to remind them of the greatest gift of all, the gift of Jesus who came as a babe in Bethlehem.

In the news:

1.This Sabbath we will have Galina Timofeez and friends sharing music for Sabbath School & the worship hour. The message this Sabbath is entitled, “Do You See What I See?”

2. There will be no AYA this week nor will there be a mid-week service due to the holidays.

3. Remember as you plan your year end giving, that our annual Christmas offering this year has been designated for church lighting renovation. Once completed, the new lighting will allow for a much brighter sanctuary and foyer and the stained glass in the sanctuary will be illuminated at night. Plans are underway to install the new lighting system in March.

4. I am sad to share that we have had two members lose loved ones in the last couple of weeks and we also lost a member as well. Gayle Garrett lost her 46 year old daughter, her only child, a couple of weeks ago. Her daughter died due to a blood clot. Kim Veeley lost her mother this week. Kim had been serving as her caretaker for some time. Let’s remember Gayle & Kim in our prayers. We also lost Lisa Johnson this week. Lisa was only 59 and died in her sleep. I am so thankful for the testimony of her baptism not too long ago and her enthusiasm for her new found church family and faith. Let’s remember these families and those in our church family who have also lost loved ones this year. Come soon Lord Jesus!

5. Finally, here’s a message Pastor Jared & I wanted to share with you during this Christmas season.

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy