onnection Church of the Foothills December 2010 Christmas Gifts, Goats and Chickens

Transcription

1 C T he onnection Church of the Foothills December 2010 Christmas Gifts, Goats and Chickens In a recent Seinfeld episode clip I saw, George Costanza was ranting to Jerry about a Christmas gift he got. He received a card which informed him that a gift was given in his name and honor, to someone in an impoverished nation. True to form, George was irate that someone would send him a card that basically said, Merry Christmas, I love you so much I m giving a gift to someone else. If you know anything about George s character in Seinfeld, he is a short, stocky, slow-witted bald man who is about as selfish as they come. While some of us may have identified with George s rants from time to time, most of us don t really want to be like him. The card and gift referenced in the episode are similar to what is available from Heifer International, World Vision or Gideon s International. At donate.worldvision.org you can give a gift in someone s name that keeps on giving. For example, for $75 dollars you can buy a goat. Goats nourish hungry children and families with healthy milk, cheese, and yogurt. Goats also give a much- needed income boost by providing offspring and extra dairy products for sale at the market. For $25 dollars you can give two chickens. Chickens give children and families a lasting source of income. Fresh eggs raise the levels of protein and other nutrients in a family s diet, and the sale of chickens can pay for vital basics. nutrition and extra eggs and This one is really cool. For $35 U.S. dollars, you can provide $385 worth of medicines. That s right your gift goes 11 times as far! Every day, thousands of children die because they do not have access to basic medicines that could save their lives. Your gift will multiply 11 times to help ship and distribute essential pharmaceuticals and medical supplies like: antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitic drugs, deworming medications, disposable syringes, gastrointestinal drugs, painkillers and surgical supplies. That is so much better than another shirt, tool or electronic gadget, isn t it? What a meaningful way to live out a Simple Christmas. I hope you ll consider giving like George Costanza s friend did. Love someone enough to give someone in an impoverished nation a goat, chicken or medicines in their name. For ideas and links for meaningful gifts like these check our website, and click on the Simple Christmas button under Upcoming Events. Seeking to be simple this Christmas, Pastor Brian

2 C hurch L ife CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Friday, Dec. 24 at 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00p.m. in the Worship Center! Sunday Services for A Simple Christmas Series November 28 December 5 December 12 December 19 December 26 Regular service times & venues Regular service times & venues Regular service times & venues Regular service times & venues (this is a change from previous announcements) 9:30 & 11a.m. in the Family Life Center only (Childcare for 5yrs. and under provided, no Sunday school) Christmas Choral Celebration You are invited to attend the annual free communitywide Christmas Choral Celebration, scheduled for December 5 at 4 and 6:30p.m. in the Church of the Foothills Worship Center. This event hosts various choirs from the community, including: Cantare Choral an El Dorado County community chorus, Shades of Blue an Acappella quintet with an AMAZING blend, Tien Hsieh a Piano virtuoso, and our own Solo Voce an Acappella ensemble. Bring your family and friends to this holiday season treat! Childcare available for 0-5yrs. A freewill offering will take place to benefit local El Dorado Co. charities and the Church of the Foothills Benevolent Fund. THANK YOU, CHURCH BODY Thanks to the very generous hearts of many people in our church, we collected over 300 gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! Way to get into the Christmas spirit! On September 13, over 10 puppies and their handlers descended on our church campus for training. Or rather, they ascended...the stairs, steps, elevator and open balconies as part of the training for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Currently, four Church of the Foothills families (Anderson, Pipkin, Shears, and Schwarzberg) are part of El Dorado Second Sight, the local puppy-raiser group for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Each family has a puppy for about 14 months and meets weekly for training and guidance on preparing their puppies for a future as a guide dog. The whole group would like to thank Pastor Dan for allowing us to use the church facility and we thank our church family for your patience when our puppies bark or whine during church; it truly takes a village to raise a puppy. For more information about Guide Dogs or maybe even becoming a puppy raiser, go online to or ask any of the puppy-raiser families. Did you know we have a Library on the Church campus? This wonderful ministry is located in the Family Life Center, in Room 1. It is headed up by our Librarian, Kathy Miles and several volunteers who keep our Library organized and assist us on Sunday mornings. The Library is open on Sundays during all three services, and now also on Tuesday mornings after Women s Bible Study from 11a.m - 12noon. This ministry needs a creative person to help with the abundance of extra book donations with which we have been blessed. We don t have room on our shelves at this time, and we need to find these books a new home. Some ideas are: internet book sales/trade, used book stores, flea markets, garage sales, etc. If you would like to take on this challenging and fun task, please Kathy at formrsbookworm@hotmail.com. Church Information (530) Administrative Office & Mailing Address 3939 Cambridge Road, Ste. 230 Cameron Park, CA Church Location 2380 Merrychase Drive Cameron Park, CA 95682

3 W omen s M inistry Christmas Brunch! Celebrate the Christmas season at the annual Women s Christmas potluck brunch, on Tuesday, Dec. 14th from 8:45-11a.m.This is a special way to connect with old friends and meet some new ones. Enjoy wonderful food, fun speaker and so much more! Please sign up at Tuesday Bible study or call Donna Parsons at (530) Women s Bible Study FAITHFUL, ABUNDANT, TRUE: THREE LIVES GOING DEEPER STILL Kay Arthur teaches from the entire book of Hebrews! Hebrews is both an example of God's faithfulness and a challenge to believers to be faithful in difficult times. Priscilla Shirer teaches from Ephesians 3:20-21 on God's abundance. A fundamental basis for every believer is the absolute reality that God can do whatever He chooses to do. God's ability empowers our faithfulness. Beth Moore teaches on the topic of discernment. In these difficult days it is absolutely essential that we learn to trust the Holy Spirit to enable us to determine what is true and what is false. Sign-ups begin on January 11th. Watch for details. GriefShare will be wrapping up the series on December 13, but don t worry! We ll start again after the New Year. Watch your Worship Guide and newsletter for our next start date. For more information please call Pastor Phil at (530) Just Older Youngsters 55 and older You re invited to our Annual Christmas Dinner on Friday, December 10th at 6:30p.m. in Group the Family Life Center. Join us for a sitdown dinner and a special program. We will also have an outreach program (details to follow). Tickets are $12.50 advance purchase. Sign up at the JOY Group Table through December 5th. Please contact Dick Rein at (916) for more information. Rooted in Christ 2011 Women s Retreat Please come join us for the 2011 Women s Retreat, Rooted in Christ, which will be held April 1-3, We will be staying at beautiful Zephyr Point on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe in hotel-style rooms with private bathrooms in the newest lodge. Sign up on the patio on December 5th & 12th. Space is limited, so plan to sign up and pay your non-refundable, but transferable, deposit of $50 to reserve a spot by December 19th, The cost ranges from $120 in a cabin or shared queen bed (max. 6/room) to $175 for non-shared bed, 2-3/room. (Monthly payments may be made or the balance is due by March 1, 2011.) Registration information is available at the Women s Ministry Table Sundays on the patio between services. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Foster at (530) , (530) or snfoster1@netzero.net.

4 M arriage M inistry Young Marrieds (couples married 3 years or less) Fresh marriages and brand new families are an amazing joy, but what happens when you hit bumps or have questions along the way? Like: how to tell the in-laws when it s okay to drop-in, how to improve your sex life, or how to stay connected at the speed of life? Come get answers to these questions and make friends in the process. If you re newly married (0-3 years-ish) then come be part of a group where we're all in the same boat. We meet Mondays, December 13th and 27th at the Christiansen s place. Snacks and social start about 6:30p.m. and our discussion begins about 7p.m. Our study, Your Time-Starved Marriage, will help you figure out how to make the most of every moment you have with your spouse. Married with Munchkins (For couples with young children) If you re married and have munchkins (preschool and younger) then this is the gathering for you. We ll meet December 1st and 15th at 6p.m. at the Christiansen s place to share a meal and some songs of worship with our children. Then we ll jump into our latest book, Your Time-Starved Marriage, and spend some time in discussion and prayer. If you re not yet on the e-vite list for dinner, please phil@cotf.org and we ll make sure you re in the loop! AGAPE (For couples in their 20 s to 40 s) Join us for our annual Christmas get-together and White Elephant gift exchange. Marcus and Jennifer Linden will be hosting on Saturday, December 11th at 5:30p.m. Be sure to R.S.V.P. to the Lindens at (530) and get your dish assignments. Boomers (For couples in their 40 s to 60 s - ish) We've finished meeting for Our next potluck is Saturday, January 22nd, We are looking for hosts for this date as well as the 4th Saturday in February thru October. If you can host, please call Jennie Zraick at (530) Hey Young Marrieds & Married with Munchkins! New Year s Day Naps, Snacks & Goofin : On January 1st come in your P.J.s for breakfast burritos, watch football, nap, play games and linger as long as you like. Drop-in begins at 10a.m. and it s hosted by Phil & Nancy. Don t forget to bring a snack to share! Ignite the Fire in you Marriage! Join us at the Creating an Intimate Marriage Conference February 4-6, 2011 at Church of the Foothills. Learn how to rekindle romance through affection, warmth and encouragement. Our speaker will be parenting and family expert, Dr. Jim Burns (learn more about Jim at homeword.com). Tickets are on sale now and are available on the patio between services, at the church office or on our website under Up Coming Events. Seating is limited, so get your tickets today!

5 Winter Sunday Seminars WINTER SUNDAY SEMINARS Sunday School Classes begin January 9th, sign up today! Bible Book Study: Luke Gene Tabb & Jerry Ford 9:30a.m., EDC 207/208 On-going study A verse-by-verse study of Luke. We encourage group discussion and questions involving doctrine and how the passage applies to our lives today. We also have occasional guest speakers. People of all ages are invited. The Secret to the Marriage You Want Lon & Cheryl House 9:30a.m., EDC 204 This class will pave the way to provide Biblical help for couples. This group experience can help couples to: increase passion in their relationship, eliminate nagging, short-circuit conflict, double the laughter, and infuse their marriage with grace. Bible Book Study: The Gospel of Matthew Stewart Lomax 11a.m., EDC 207/208 All are welcome to join us as we study the Gospel of Matthew. Stewart Lomax leads the discussions as we look at the life that Jesus lived. Come and join us for fellowship, prayer and discussion of God's Word. An Overview of Islam: history, beliefs, and practices Facilitator: TBA 11a.m., EDC 203 Watch for more class information coming soon! The Life You ve Always Wanted Matt Hilliker 11a.m., EDC 204 This popular class is back! The Coming Economic Armageddon Facilitator: TBA 11a.m., EDC 302 Never before have we read such jarring headlines, distressing news analyses, or dire predictions concerning the world's financial future. Did Bible prophecy predict this catastrophe? Are there Biblical clues to how soon, if ever, a viable, long-term recovery can be sustained? Is the financial collapse just one of several signs that we are living in the final days of Earth's history? In The Coming Economic Armageddon, David Jeremiah says we can know the meaning behind what we see in the daily news, and understand and prepare for living in the New Global Economy. For more information, visit the Adult Ministry Table on the patio or contact Kaley Long at kaley@cotf.org. Have you always wanted to visit Israel? Israel, Land of the Bible there is no place on earth like it! Join Pastor Brian and Bible teacher Jay McCarl as we explore the Promised Land, journeying together in the footsteps of prophets, apostles and the Son of God Himself, examining the events and people of the Bible right where it all happened. For more information please call the church office or Jennifer at Jennifer@cotf.org. Foothill Family Exchange Keep The Exchange in mind this Christmas to give away usable items you no longer need and to clear space for the new ones. This ministry recently met needs for firewood, a trundle bed, ceiling fan, TV, vacuum, desk chair, washing machine, basketball hoop set...and a high chair & crib loan for Thanksgiving. What do you need? Try the Exchange! For the current list of give-away items, go online to select Resources, then the exchange. To respond or post items, exchange@cotf.org.

6 . Thank You to everyone who helped make the Halloween Costume Party such a great success. We had over 100 young adults attend from around our community, and some of them came to Impact for the first time the following week! Thanks also to Snowline Hospice for allowing us to use their El Dorado building free of charge; it allowed us to have a great event without conflicting with the Harvest Festival. I MPACT Young Adults...18 to 20 s something We meet Sunday nights at 7p.m. in the Shed First Annual Christmas Ball Saturday, December 18 th from 7p.m. to 11p.m. in the Family Life Center. It s a Semi-Formal event featuring dessert, dancing and DJ Grant Peterson of GP Productions. Beginner Swing Dance lessons start at 7p.m. Tickets are $5 advance purchase and $7 at the door. No date required: just come and have fun! S tudent M inistry Dec. 22, 23, 29 & 30.No youth group Dec. 26 All Worship in the Worship Center, 9a.m. and 11a.m. No Sunday school. Pastor Danny is preaching on this Sunday. He'd love to see all your smiling faces in the Worship Center! Jan. 2, Student Ministry Sunday school at a new time! Be there at 11a.m. in the Gym! NEWS FLASH! Student Ministry Sunday Edition is Moving Starting on Sunday, January 2, 2011, the Student Ministry Sunday school hour will be at 11a.m. We are a growing church and need to make more space available in the worship services during the 9:30a.m. hour. We appreciate your flexibility as we strive to reach our community. RE: Action All High school students are invited to attend our annual Winter Camp weekend at Zephyr Point in Tahoe, February This is an excellent weekend of building relationships with other students and leaders, fun in the snow, amazing worship and challenging messages. Take advantage of our early-bird rate of $195 through December. On January 1, the price goes up to $225. Gift certificates make a great gift idea! Outreach Success! Available! Celebrate the New Year with a cool all-night event! It s our annual New Year s Invasion. Roll through the foothills in a bus with all your friends and leaders making stops at: Granite Arch, Sky High, In & Out Burger, Laser City and Folsom Lake Bowling. End it all back at the church with a movie and breakfast. The date is Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 6p.m. to Thursday morning at 7a.m. Cost is only $75 and deadline to register is Sunday, Dec. 19. All registration information is on the website under Student Ministries or in the Student Lounge. Last month the Student Ministry hosted two outreach events for the students in our community...one for Jr. High and one for High school. There were over 300 students who collectively attended these events and 23 students prayed to receive Christ! A big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who continue to love our students and serve in the Student Ministry Department!

7 C hildren s M inistry Church of the Foothills Children s Choir It s not too late to join the Children s Christmas Choir! For kids in kindergarten through 5th Grade. Rehearsals are Sundays at 1p.m. in EDC 303. Performance will be December 19th on the patio between services. Contact Jenny Crone at (530) or jennifer@jcrone.com for details. Do you have a heart for special needs kids? This amazing ministry needs someone to take it on. We have several special needs children at our church whose parents are not able to attend worship services due to a lack of childcare. Please consider this as an opportunity to carry your corner of the mat and serve in a unique way. Contact Patty at the church office if you are interested. A wana Club It s all about Our Awana Store Night is coming up fast on December 7 th. It s not too late to join in the fun of donating for this store. The kids enjoy buying things with their Awana Bucks they earn by memorizing verses. They use these bucks to purchase Christmas gifts. Feel free to bring your items Tuesday between 5p.m. and 6p.m. to the Worship Center Foyer. There is a list of ideas on on our Awana page. We are going Christmas Caroling! Our Annual Christmas Caroling will be at Gold Country on December 3rd. Our clubs have been practicing their songs all November to be ready to share some Christmas love with the residents. Thanks to many of you, our Awana Annual Canned Food Drive was a success! It was great to team up with our church family this year to reach many families with some food for Thanksgiving. What a wonderful way to teach the kids to love others by sharing! Please continue to pray for our need for three more leaders in Sparks (k-2 nd grades), one for Trek (6-8 th grade), and volunteers to care for our leaders babies. All for Jesus! JoAnn Lytle (530) Karri Koenig (530)

8 mailing list, please contact us at (530) Church of the Foothills 3939 Cambridge Rd. Ste. 230 Cameron Park, CA If you would like to be added to or removed from our Merry Christmas You're invited to A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS Join us for our Sunday Christmas Advent Series...A Simple Christmas, each Sunday beginning Nov. 28. Check inside for service times. Enjoy the simple sounds of the season~ Solo Voce Concert ~ come enjoy and support our own Solo Voce when they perform at the State Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 11:00 to 11:30a.m. Christmas Choral Celebration ~ It s time for the annual community wide Christmas Choral Celebration, Scheduled for Sunday, December 5 at 4:00 and 6:30p.m. in the Church of the Foothills Worship Center. This free event hosts various choirs from the community and is always a wonderful way to get in the simple Christmas spirit. childcare available for 0-5yrs. Christmas Eve Services at 4:00, 5:30 and 7:00p.m. For more information call (530)