During our fall. From Pastor Ralph...

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Dothan, Alabama December 7, 2011 334-702-6555 INSIDE THIS ISSUE In The Spotlight...2 Group Life...3 Advancing His Kingdom...3 In His Family...4 Harvest Worship...4 Harvest Kids...5 Harvest Youth.

.. During our fall conference, some of our leaders took time to talk with Bryan Collier, our speaker for the conference.

1 Dothan, Alabama December 7, INSIDE THIS ISSUE In The Spotlight...2 Group Life...3 Advancing His Kingdom...3 In His Family...4 Harvest Worship...4 Harvest Kids...5 Harvest Youth...6 Major Church Activities...7 The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 9:36-38 From Pastor Ralph... During our fall conference, some of our leaders took time to talk with Bryan Collier, our speaker for the conference. What some of us were already thinking became very clear one of our greatest needs at Harvest is for more of us to connect. If Harvest is going to accomplish all God has put us here for, we will need more of our people in small groups. A small group can be as simple as two people meeting regularly to read the Bible together. Just reading through the Bible with someone else is the simplest form of making disciples. Of course, we have a great Discipleship track for small groups to follow, as well as a number of life groups that focus on the different ways to grow. If you are not currently in a small group, be thinking over the next several weeks about getting involved in this important way. You may have someone or several people you would like to spend more time with, but if not you can just sign up or call the church office, and we will put you in a group. Why are small groups so important? Spiritual Growth: From the beginning 1 of Harvest Church, our vision has been for small groups to be our major means of helping people grow in relationship with God and in character. We grow best together. We rub each other s rough edges, and God uses that to help us grow up! In smaller groups we can take a more personal interest in each other s growth and welfare. Jesus did it this way, and small group discipling has worked throughout history. Relationships: Jesus said we would 2 be known as His disciples true followers by the way we love each other: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35. We need and long for true friendships with other Christians. Small groups create a natural avenue for meaningful friendships to develop. 3Connection: We commit more to Christ s kingdom and church when we have friendships with others in the church. 4Pastoral Care: In a healthy church, the people look out for and take care of each other this is not only done by the paid staff. Those of us who are best cared for are connected in a small group. When you need advice or counsel, it s natural to turn to someone you know and respect and who already knows something about your life. If you have to go to the hospital or need help in other ways, your small group will be there for you. We have many wonderful testimonies at Harvest to attest to this. 5Mobilization: We can always announce an outreach or mission opportunity on Sunday morning, and some individuals will respond, which is encouraging. But it is great when we have groups who take up God s call together. We are more powerful and effective when we work together with those we know, and it is more fun in the process. As Christians we are responsible for those in our region. If we are going to effectively reach the thousands around us who are not following Jesus, we must be committed to working together. Small groups can meet at any time and do not have to meet weekly. You can try something out of the box. Begin to pray and think about what you would like in a small group, and get connected. Take up your role in carrying out God s plan for Harvest Church!

Jeff Burnett Youth Pastor Keith Frith Director of Ministries Wilson Garzon Pastor of Hispanic

Sean Nix Pastor of Small Groups Debi Parnell Children s Director Bob Pitcher Church

Congregational Care Ralph Sigler Lead Pastor November 27 1,329 8:45 648 10:45 681 December 4

Anniversary Christmas Tour with special guest: Alicia Williamson Garcia, lead vocalist from

Enjoy an evening with Truth as they present classic favorites and sounds of the season with

Admission is free, but a love offering will be received.

Enjoy the evening with the Adult and Children s Choirs, Dance Ministry Team, and Worship Team

2 Jeff Burnett Youth Pastor Keith Frith Director of Ministries Wilson Garzon Pastor of Hispanic Ministries Cheryl Hidle Director of Worship and Performing Arts Josh Moore Assistant to Pastors Sean Nix Pastor of Small Groups Debi Parnell Children s Director Bob Pitcher Church Administrator Roy Rogers Congregational Care Pastor Will Siscel Assistant Pastor of Congregational Care Ralph Sigler Lead Pastor November 27 1,329 8: : December 4 1,462 8: : In The Spotlight Truth 40th Anniversary Christmas Concert Truth s 40th Anniversary Christmas Tour with special guest: Alicia Williamson Garcia, lead vocalist from Truth 1991, is coming to Harvest this Saturday, December 10, at 6:30pm in the Worship Center. Enjoy an evening with Truth as they present classic favorites and sounds of the season with their live brass section and incredible vocal harmonies. Admission is free, but a love offering will be received. Harvest Family Christmas Sunday, December 18, at 6:30 pm in the Worship Center. Enjoy the evening with the Adult and Children s Choirs, Dance Ministry Team, and Worship Team Members as they share songs of the Christmas season. Please bring a plate or bag of cookies for the refreshment time afterwards. Christmas Day Service Sunday, December 25, 11amnoon, Worship Center. Bring your own coffee! Page 2

Holy Land for the First time. Their goal (and yours): To discover if there is more to Christmas than what we typically experience here in North America.

3 Sean Nix Small Groups Journey to Christmas - Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30pm in the Worship Center. If you re looking for a new way to discover the richness of the Christmas season, we invite you to join us for a documentary series following the journey of five diverse people as they experience the Holy Land for the First time. Their goal (and yours): To discover if there is more to Christmas than what we typically experience here in North America. Guided by a local scholar and other experts, viewers will watch as the Christmas story unfolds through the eyes of each member on this pilgrimage as they search for answers to their questions about the deeper meaning of Christmas. The Purpose of Christmas by Pastor Rick Warren - Sundays at 6:30pm. Men meet in room 101 and women meet in room 207. Call x232 to join! New Men s Group - This new Men s Daytime Group meets on Monday mornings in the Prayer room at 10am. They are currently studying The Advent Conspiracy, a countercultural DVD-driven series on substituting Christmas commercialism with true Christ-like compassion. Call x232 to join! Discipleship I - A new Discipleship I (mixed) group is now meeting in Rm 101 in the Education Building on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Call Craig or Juanita Lobaugh at or to join! New Women s Group Forming - We are forming a new group for Women 50yr+ who are interested in Christian fellowship and growing in their personal walk with the Lord and their role as a godly woman. They will meet on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Call x232 to be added to this group s roster. Please note: There will be no childcare available on Sunday evenings December 25 & January 1 and on Wednesday evenings December 21 & 28. Contact Dana at x241 with any questions pertaining to childcare available for small groups during the holidays For more information on finding a group or leading a group, please contact Pastor Sean Nix at , x232 or grouplife@harvestdothan.com. ADVANCING HIS KINGDOM Men s Breakfast - Saturday, January 21, from 9-10:30am in the Youth Room. Special guest: Christian Comedian, Steve Durkac. Support Our Troops - We need the addresses of soldiers that you know that are stationed overseas. Please send their military stationed address to kfrith@harvestdothan. com. Collection boxes are available at the Welcome Center. Items desired are detergent, air freshener, small games, good Christian books, ID covers, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, lotion, comb, or brush, pens, pencils, make up pads, finger nail clippers, wipes. Anything liquid needs to be in a Ziploc bag. Baked items need to be completely wrapped, sealed, and put in small tin. Please include something special and personalized to let the soldiers know just how much we appreciate them and that we will be missing them as Christmas nears. If any small groups would like to sponser this event, that would be Keith Frith great! Please turn in boxes/items by Sunday, December 11, at 6:30pm in the Welcome Center. Ministry Opportunity - We need servers for the refreshment team during the break for the 8:45 service in the balcony. If you can serve, please contact Cheryl Frith at cfrith@harvestdothan.com or x231. Pastor of Ministries To get involved in the ministry of Harvest, contact Keith , x239 or kfrith@harvestdothan.com. Page 3

I n H i s F a m i l y Christmas Meal Gift Card Congregational Care invites all Harvest small groups or individual families to donate a $25 gift card from a grocery store of your choice for a

With Sympathy Our prayers are with the following families: Thomas Free and family for the loss of his mother, Latrelle Free. Lee Ann Davis and family for the loss of her father, Dennis McDougald.

4 I n H i s F a m i l y Christmas Meal Gift Card Congregational Care invites all Harvest small groups or individual families to donate a $25 gift card from a grocery store of your choice for a Christmas meal for a needy family. Please drop off gift cards to the church office (marked Attn: Congregational Care) by Sunday, December 18. With Sympathy Our prayers are with the following families: Thomas Free and family for the loss of his mother, Latrelle Free. Lee Ann Davis and family for the loss of her father, Dennis McDougald. Paula Carroll and family for the loss of her husband, Bill Carroll. Shyne Pilcher and family for the loss of her step-father. Jackie Campesi and family for the loss of her uncle, Paul Bromfield. Shirley Morris and family for the loss of her daughter, Lori Lipscombe. Congregational Roy Rogers Vera May Haney and family for the loss of her husband, Larry Haney. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 Care Pastor - Perspectives Course January 17 - April 24, Tuesdays, 6:20-8:50pm This course is created to help you discover the vital roles you can play in God s global purpose and how you can use your gifts for God s glory. Location: Friend Bank. Cost: $265 ($245 early registration; $100 rebate upon completion). Registation and information: visit or contact Reverend Mike Hoppe at Movie Night: Christmas with a Capital C Just for fun, for anyone who wants to come! Monday, December 12, 6:30pm in the Youth Room. Truth Concert - The Truth 40th Anniversary Tour will be coming to here to Harvest Church this Saturday, December 10, at 6:30pm with special guest, Alicia Williamson Garcia. During the late 1960s, John Roger Breland had a dream to start a Christian band. His goal was to share the message of the Gospel through music. In June of 1971, Breland s dream became a reality with the formation of the group Truth. Over the years that Truth toured, 60 albums were recorded, and about 300 to 400 people were a part of the group. Some of the former members include the guys from 4HIM, Alicia Williamson Garcia, Jody McBrayer and Melissa Greene from Avalon, Russ Lee of Newsong, Natalie Grant, and Leigh Cappillno from Point of Grace. Truth s local concert at Harvest Church will feature alumni guest, Alicia Williamson Garcia, lead vocalist from Truth Alicia has been privileged to partner with The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, The Gaither Homecoming, INSP, and many more! She is also the author of two books, Hold Nothing Back!: How Sacrificial Obedience Leads to Intimacy with God and A Seeking Heart: Rediscovering True Worship. Make plans to enjoy this free concert with Truth and Alicia Williamson Garcia on Saturday, December 10, at 6:30pm as they present classic favorites and sounds of the season with their live brass section and incredible vocal harmonies. Harvest Family Christmas Service - Sunday, December 18, at 6:30 pm in the Worship Center. To get involved, contact Cheryl Hidle, chidle@harvestdothan.com or , x247. Cheryl Hidle Director of Worship & Performing Arts Page 4

Debi Parnell Children s Ministry Konstruction Zone - Sundays, 8:45 and 10:45am. KZ is a creative worship setting for children in Kindergarten through fourth grade.

For KZ Parents: On the Children s KZ webpage, you can now see a video about our monthly themes. You ll enjoy these inspirational videos and understand what your kids are learning.

SITE56 Preteen Ministry (5th/6th Grades) Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-8pm. S56 is a dynamic ministry designed to meet the special spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of 5th and 6th graders.

Please note that there will be no classes Wednesday December 21 or 28 so that you may enjoy the Christmas Holidays with your family.

5 Debi Parnell Children s Ministry Konstruction Zone - Sundays, 8:45 and 10:45am. KZ is a creative worship setting for children in Kindergarten through fourth grade. Kids see Bible lessons come to life through dynamic dramas, enjoy exciting worship music, and build relationships in agelevel small groups. For KZ Parents: On the Children s KZ webpage, you can now see a video about our monthly themes. You ll enjoy these inspirational videos and understand what your kids are learning. December: Memory Verse: Be rich in good deeds be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18, NIV Virtue: Generosity making someone s day by giving something away. SITE56 Preteen Ministry (5th/6th Grades) Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-8pm. S56 is a dynamic ministry designed to meet the special spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of 5th and 6th graders. SITE56 ers build relationships as they discover Biblical principles to help them with the unique issues that preteens encounter. Join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm! Please note that there will be no classes Wednesday December 21 or 28 so that you may enjoy the Christmas Holidays with your family. XTREMEKIDZ features a high energy focus on Bible study, prayer, and relationships. Classes for K-2nd grades and 3rd-4th grades meet Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. It s Xtreme Kidz for an Xtreme Jesus! Please note that there will be no classes Wednesday December 21 or 28 so that you may enjoy the Christmas Holidays with your family. Jinglebell Jam - A Joyful Worship Celebration of Jesus Birth. Christmas Day, 11am-noon in Konstruction Zone for Grades K-4th grade. Christmas Schedule for Sunday Evenings: There will be no classes on December 25 or January 1. To get involved, contact Debi, , x236/ childrensministry@harvestdothan.com. SUNDAYS: Noah s Park (6 weeks- Preschool) 8:45 & 10:45am Konstruction Zone (K-4th grade) 8:45 & 10:45am WEDNESDAYS: XtremeKidz (K-4th grade) Wednesdays 6:30-8pm SITE56 (5th-6th grades) 6:30-8pm Dana Britto The Dothan Food Pantry sends warm wishes and thanks to all the children for giving over 50 cans of food and food items to others at Thanksgiving. I ve had several parents tell me that their children want to bring more canned goods, so we will be collecting canned goods for Christmas, too! Please drop off canned goods to the Ark on Sundays or Wednesdays. It is fun to give to others; that s what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas, and God Bless! To get involved, contact Dana, , x241/childrensministry@harvestdothan.com. Preschool/Nursery Page 5

The Way - Wednesdays, 6:30pm, upstairs in the Ed Bldg. Harvest Youth Encounter Small Groups - Sundays, 6-8pm, upstairs in the Ed Bldg.

Join us! Board Game Day - Saturday, December 17, 1-4pm, Youth Room. Everyone bring a board game and a sweet or salty snack to share.

We will leave from the church at 8am on Sunday the 15th. What to pack: Bible, notepad, pen, food, money, extra blanket/pillow, toiletries, clothes (bring ski apparel and plan to dress in layers), etc.

A $75 deposit is due December 11; balance is due January 8. For more information, pick up an event brochure at youth on Wednesday or contact the church office at 702-6555.

Youth Pastor Je f Burnett Christmas Musical at Frazer United Methodist Church Sunday, December 11, 7pm, Montgomery Last year we took a bus load to the Christmas production at Frazer, and many have

6 The Way - Wednesdays, 6:30pm, upstairs in the Ed Bldg. Harvest Youth Encounter Small Groups - Sundays, 6-8pm, upstairs in the Ed Bldg. Youth Christmas Party Friday, December 9, 6-9:30pm, at the Nix home (316 County Rd 100, Headland, AL). Everyone bring a wrapped gift - $5 limit. Guys, bring a salty snack; girls, bring a sweet snack. Join us! Board Game Day - Saturday, December 17, 1-4pm, Youth Room. Everyone bring a board game and a sweet or salty snack to share. Harvest Family Christmas Service - Sunday, December 18, 6:30pm, Worship Center. There will be no Encounter that night Youth Ski Trip - January at Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. We will leave from the church at 8am on Sunday the 15th. What to pack: Bible, notepad, pen, food, money, extra blanket/pillow, toiletries, clothes (bring ski apparel and plan to dress in layers), etc. Cost: Basic ski package - $225; Ski trip with lesson - $240; Ski trip with snowboard - $245; Ski trip with snowboard & lesson - $260. Lessons are required for all first time skiers and snowboarders. A $75 deposit is due December 11; balance is due January 8. For more information, pick up an event brochure at youth on Wednesday or contact the church office at For more information, contact jburnett@harvestdothan.com. Youth Pastor Je f Burnett Christmas Musical at Frazer United Methodist Church Sunday, December 11, 7pm, Montgomery Last year we took a bus load to the Christmas production at Frazer, and many have asked to go again this year (it will be a new play). Pastor Ralph is going, and anyone who would like to drive up together is welcome to meet at Pastor Ralph s house at 4pm. Here s the description of the program: Experience the warmth, humor, and inspiration of our favorite Christmas Cards come to life through stage and song as we celebrate God s Christmas Card to the whole world the birth of Jesus Christ. Beautifully produced with a 200+ voice choir, orchestra, and original drama. Be sure to make the Frazer Christmas Musical a part of your holiday tradition. Two nights, December 10 and 11 at 7 pm in Wesley Hall. For more information: Please call Staci at or sspears@harvestdothan.com if you plan to come. Page 6

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat 11 12 13 Community Prayer 10am-12pm Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Worship Center major church activities December 2011 College &

Game Day 1-4pm College & Career Christmas Party 7pm 18 Harvest Family Christmas 6:30pm 25 Christmas Day Service 11am 19 20 Community Prayer 10am-12pm 26

27 Office closed Community Prayer 10am-12pm 21 The Way 6:30-8pm 28 The Way: game night 6:30-8pm 22 23 Celebrate Recovery 6pm 29 30 Celebrate Recovery 6pm 24

The pastor oncall will return your call as soon as possible.

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Community Prayer 10am-12pm Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Worship Center major church activities December 2011 College & Career Group 7pm 14 XtremeKidz 6:30pm SITE56 6:30pm The Way 6:30-8pm Kingdom Life: Journey to Christmas 6:30pm Celebrate Recovery 6pm 17 Youth Board Game Day 1-4pm College & Career Christmas Party 7pm 18 Harvest Family Christmas 6:30pm 25 Christmas Day Service 11am Community Prayer 10am-12pm 26 Office closed College & Career Caroling 5:45pm Missed Sunday Morning s Message? You Can Listen at or pick up a CD at the Welcome Center. 27 Office closed Community Prayer 10am-12pm 21 The Way 6:30-8pm 28 The Way: game night 6:30-8pm Celebrate Recovery 6pm Celebrate Recovery 6pm 24 Emergency Pastoral Care Only If you have an emergency and need to contact a pastor on the weekend or after hours, please call The pastor oncall will return your call as soon as possible. 31 Page 7 Harvest Nametags To request a permanent nametag, mark I would like a permanent nametag on your Communication Card on Sunday mornings or call the church office, Please allow one week for processing. They can be picked up Sun mornings at the Welcome Center, main lobby.

8 Harvest Church NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DOTHAN, AL PERMIT NO. 87 Worshiping Sunday Mornings: 8:45 and 10:45am

Only a couple. He is the one who can heal. Many adults continue to enjoy. From Pastor Ralph...

Only a couple. He is the one who can heal. Many adults continue to enjoy. From Pastor Ralph... Dothan, Alabama December 21, 2011 334-702-6555 INSIDE THIS ISSUE In The Spotlight...2 Group Life...3 In His Family...4 Harvest Worship...4 Harvest Kids...5 Harvest Youth...6 Advancing His Kingdom...6 Major