Christ Press. December Newsletter

Transcription

1 Christ Press Newsletter Christ Presbyterian Church Flower Mound, Texas December 2016 The season is once again upon us to celebrate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, it seems that the season has come quite early this year. Christmas decorations were up in malls and stores by the second week of November; Black Friday began the evening of Thanksgiving Day. Commercialism seems to be the only reason for the season, and the Christ forgotten amidst it all. Don t let yourself be bullied by the relentless retail pressure to buy, buy, buy! Slow down and take time to contemplate and celebrate the joy of Christmas. This wonderful time of the year reminds us that God is so committed to us personally, and to this entire world, that he has not remained distant. Rather, he has come into our very midst Jesus, the Immanuel God with us.

2 We have many exciting opportunities to celebrate together the birth of Savior this month: a special service on Christmas Eve, the Christmas party and the Festival of Lessons and Carols, along with our Christmas in the Park outreach. The details are listed later in the newsletter. These programs and services are an excellent way to share Christ with our friends and neighbors. The world around us is increasingly in despair, and we can give them no greater gift than to introduce them to the divine Child who grew up to become the Light of the world. Some folks who might not come to Church at other times of the year will come to a Christmas program or service if they are invited. So, don t be shy! I look forward to all the celebrations together with you. May you have a blessed Christmas! Gloria in Excelsis Deo! In Christ s love, Pastor John

3 Announcements Service of Lessons and Carols: Our service of Lessons and Carols will be Sunday, December 4 at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. This is a wonderful time for us to worship our Savior and celebrate his advent. Opportunities for reading a short passage of scripture, are available. Parents, this is a great scripture learning opportunity for your children. There will be a total of ten readings. If you would like to read, sing, or play for the service of Lessons and Carols contact Chris at chris.oglesby@christpresbyterian.org Please bring cookies to share for the time of fellowship afterward. This casual service is an excellent outreach opportunity, so invite your friends, family, and neighbors. Christmas at the Park: Saturday, December 10 from 2:00 4:00 p.m., all children are invited to participate in our annual Christmas program with the children of Northwood Mobile Home Park in Lewisville. Men s Grill Night: Tuesday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your own meat, beverages, lawn chairs, and cigar (if desired). It s a great time of fellowship and encouragement for men as husbands, fathers and disciples of Christ. Adult Christmas Party: When: December 16 at 7:00 p.m. Where: The Canales Home 1205 Wildflower Lane, Flower Mound, TX Bring: Finger food, sweet or savory. RSVP to: Mary Jo Canales at or mj.canales@me.com Ladies Monthly Breakfast: will resume in January; however, an activity is planned for the ladies for fellowship and fun during the month of December. Details will be announced.

4 Special Offering: Four times per year, a special gift is collected for one of the various ministries of our church and denomination. During the month of December, we will collect an offering to support: PCA Ministerial Relief Fund and CPC Justice and Mercy Fund.

5 Spanish-Speaking Ministry Domingo ~ Sunday Escuela dominical ~ Sunday school CPC 9:30 a.m. Servicio ~ Service CPC 10:30 a.m 12:00 p.m. Evangelio de Lucas ~ Gospel of Luke Martes ~ Tuesday Discipulado ~ Discipleship Mama s Daughters Diner, Lewisville 6:00 7:30 a.m. Martes ~ Tuesday (every other week) Ministerio de guitarra ~ Guitar ministry Northwood Mobile Home Park, Lewisville 6:30 7:30 p.m. Evangelio de Juan ~ Gospel of John Miércoles ~ Wednesday Clases de Inglés ~ ESL CPC 6:30 8:00 p.m. Carta a los Colosenses ~ Book of Colossians Viernes ~ Friday (every other week ; 1 st and 3 rd ) Estudio de la Biblia ~ Home Fellowship Group Cantu s House 7:00 8:30 p.m. Regresando a lo Basico ~ Back to Basics

6 December Calendar Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Life Change Offering 6:00 Service of Lessons and Carols :30 Family Night 6:00 Men s Grill Night 6:30 ESL 7:00 Adult Bible Study 14 6:30 Family Night 6:30 ESL 7:00 Adult Bible Study :30 Family Night :00 Session 16 7:00 Adult Christmas Party 2:00 Christmas at the Park :30 ESL 7:00 Adult Bible Study :00 Christmas Eve Service

7 December Nursery Schedule 4 Arlys Wydner, Lucia Abuhl 11 Sarah Abuhl, Rhea Abuhl 18 Mary Jo Canales, Greyson Ea 25 Susan Miller, Avery Rooney Happy Birthday Ray White (1) Mary Jo Canals (18) Lori Peterson (2) Ansel Pipkin (22) Tami Smith (4) Max Miller (27) Chris Oglesby (5) Kora Smith (30) Scott Peterson (16)

8 Book Recommendations We have two wonderful books by Ann Voskamp to recommend this year for Christmas, the second being a companion of the first. Enjoy! The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp Hundreds of thousands of readers have already fallen in love with Ann Voskamp s One Thousand Gifts, and this Christmas, Ann invites readers into the rich and meaningful celebration of Christmas we all long for a celebration of the complete love story that s been coming for you since the very beginning. In what is certain to become an instant holiday classic, Voskamp reaches back into the pages of the Old Testament to explore the lineage of Jesus the greatest gift through the majestic advent tradition of The Jesse Tree, each day featuring its own exquisite ornament highlighting the Biblical story (free download of each of the 25 ornaments available from Voskamp s website, annvoskamp.com ). Beginning with Jesse, the father of David, The Greatest Gift retraces the epic pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, with each day s profound reading pointing to the coming promise of Christ, so that come Christmas morning you find that the season hasn t blurred past you but your heart s fully unwrapped the greatest gift you ve always yearned for.

9 Sure to become a holiday staple in every Christian home, The Greatest Gift, a New York Times bestseller, is the perfect gift for the holidays and a timeless invitation into the richness of the true meaning of Christmas. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp 2016 ECPA Christian Book Award winner! Based on the overwhelming success of The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp has expanded her presentation of the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree so families can celebrate together. Each day, families can read the provided Scripture passage (in connection with the original book), engage with a specially written devotion to help children of all ages understand the Advent theme for the day, and participate in suggested activities to apply the theme. This special edition is beautifully illustrated. It can serve as a precious guide to help recapture the sacredness of the Advent season and to help the entire family understand and celebrate the epic pageantry of humankind from Adam to the Messiah.

10 Missions Our Missionaries Krista White CPC/Missionary to professional sports players Checks payable to CPC for Krista White Dr Anees Zaka Church without Walls and Biblical Institute for Islamic Studies Checks payable to CPC for Anees Zaka MNA/ Muslim Outreach Rick & Pam Box MTW donation # *** MTW/Colombia Terry & Francine Clarke MTW donation # MTW/Australia Larry & Sandy Trotter MTW/Mexico cristoredentor.org.mx/trottermex MTW donation # Doug & Masha Shepherd MTW donation # MTW/Ukraine For MTW missionaries, make checks payable to MTW PO Box Atlanta, GA

11 Shepherding Groups Daniel Beal Sam Bridgeman Jahaziél Cantú Ray White

12 Training and Education Sunday School Classes Toddlers Room 102 Preschool Room 103 First/Second Grades Room 105 Third/Fourth Grades Room 207 Fifth/Sixth Grades 301 Annex Junior High 302 Annex Senior High 304 Annex Adults Sanctuary Adults in Spanish Annex Amanda Grimes Amanda Grimes Laura Boswell Paula Ea Ronda Sands, Jeanette Sands Rod Alexander Nick Jones John Canales Jahaziél Cantú

13 Adult Sunday School: Christian History Made Easy People and events every Christian should know Engage in an entertaining tour through the most important events in Christian history from the time of the apostles to today. Video presentations and class discussions will bring to life the fascinating people and events that shaped our world through dramatic stories told with a touch of humor. This series, based on Dr. Timothy Paul Jones popular award-winning book Christian History Made Easy, ties in spiritual lessons believers can learn by looking at the past, and shows how God is still working in his church despite all the ups and downs. Newcomers Class: An overview of our church s history, distinctives and vision. Learn about opportunities to serve and find a small group that really connects you with other members at CPC. While these sessions are a prerequisite to membership, they are open to anyone who wants to explore CPC before deciding if it is the church for them. Taught by the pastor and elders twice a year in February and September, the class meets on two consecutive Sunday afternoons. Lunch is provided, and nursery care is available, if requested. Call the church office to reserve a place and nursery care, if necessary. Men s Bible Study: Tuesday mornings at Mama s Daughter s Diner in Lewisville at Old Orchard and 1171 (Main St.). Study starts at 7:00 a.m. and Breakfast at 6:00 a.m. We are studying What Jesus demands from the world by John Piper, PDF copy available free on line. Come join us! Ray White Spanish Bible Study: Every other Friday at 7:00 p.m., this study is for the growth and discipling of new believers. Childcare for nursery and pre-school ages is provided. English as a Second Language (ESL): Taught by trained volunteers, this outreach ministry offers free English classes to immigrants and other non-native speakers. For more information, contact Ray White at raymonddwhite1945@gmail.com or

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15 Ministry Contact List Worship and Arts Christopher Oglesby Music Ensembles Christopher Oglesby Sermon Recording Rod Alexander Training and Education Daniel Beal (RE) Sunday School Coordinator Laurie Boswell Nursery Sarah Abuhl New Members Class John Canales (TE) Men s Bible Study Ray White (RE) Women s Bible Study Youth Church Life Coordinator Adam Grimes Visitor follow-up John Canales (TE) Fellowship Dinner Church Office Silver Sheep Olivia White Prayer Chain Yvonne Bridgeman Missions Ray White (RE) Hispanic Ministry Jahaziél Cantú (TE) ESL Ronda Sands Vacation Bible School Jahaziél Cantú (TE) Assisted Living Ministry Ray White (RE)

16 Shepherding Daniel Beal (RE) Diaconate Rod Miller (DM) Justice and Mercy All Deacons Finances Rod Miller (DM Facilities All Deacons Grounds Decorating Diaconal Aide Adam Grimes Session Stated Clerk, Daniel Beal (RE) RE = Ruling Elder TE = Teaching Elder DM = Diaconal Minister 3410 Peters Colony Road Flower Mound, TX officemanager@christpresbyterian.org