The Crest CHOIR LESSONS AND CAROLS ADVENT 2016 SCHEDULE DECEMBER 11, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. In This Issue A Word from Kory...

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1 The Crest Our Vision: Connecting People with God and Each Other Volume 55 Issue 25 December 7, 2016 DECEMBER 11, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT CHOIR LESSONS AND CAROLS WORSHIP 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School In This Issue A Word from Kory...page 2 Prayer Concerns...page 2 Trish Talk page 3 ADVENT 2016 SCHEDULE Sunday, Dec. 11 Third Sunday of Advent Choir Lessons and Carols 4 p.m. Children s Christmas Play Sunday, Dec. 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent Sermon The Ghosts of Christmas Future 5 p.m. Longest Night Service Saturday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 5 p.m. Children s Service 7 and 11 p.m. Candlelight Service Sunday, Dec. 25 Christmas Sunday ONE SERVICE at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1 New Year s Day ONE SERVICE at 10:45 a.m. ManPower - Jan. 7...page 3 Children s Christmas Play - Dec page 4 S.R.O. Christmas Party - Dec page 4 Longest Night Worship Service - Dec page 4 December DWM Meetings...page 4 Attendance Figures, Stewardship, & Visitors.... page 5 Thank You Notes...page 6 DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT CREST IS NOON, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

2 Joys and Concerns Members *Bob Allen, *Megan Bacon and family, *Jim Barton, Cheryl Arnold Brown, Mona Pence Family of Members *Family of JoNell Baker (aunt of Jeanne Jouett), *Cynthia Dunn (of the McDonalds), *Danny Kearns (cousin of Billie Arnold), *Family of Stephen Kinny (cousin of Julie McDoanld), James May (father of Lucy Nall and Betsy May) Friends of Members *Johanna Crawford (of Joyce Leininger), Stacey Paulsen (of Cindy Brumley), *Ronald Russell (of Crestwood), *Pam Thompson (of Leigh Wilcoxson) Armed Forces Paul Baird (grandson-in-law of Minva Hodgins), Blake and Jill Chambers and family (grandson of Joe & Karen Billings), Travis Cramer (of Doug and Gayle Hutcherson), Bud DeLacey (nephew of Matt and Michelle DeLacey), James Derrick (nephew of Joyce Leininger); Isaiah Holguin (grandson of Joe & Karen Billings), Andrew Lynn (grandson of Joe & Karen Billings), Patrick Ritter (greatnephew of Betty Tester), David Schloesser (of Matt Staggs), Rocky Shapla (friend of Jane Johnson), Justin Witt (nephew of Jack Witt) Heart-to-Heart Members Jean Aspley, Neva Bailey, Virginia Bohanan, Dottie Bransom, Jim Brown, Margaret Buchanan, Mildred Cox, Isabel Goff, Dee Gudgell, Nettie Sue Hughbanks, Jean Mitchell, Tommy and Peggy Lyne, Jerry Reece, Ann Smith, Henry Spencer, Nellie Stapleton, Marshall Wall, John and Jean Walters, Jerry Wells Our World Community We pray for the inmates of the Fayette County Detention Center and God s presence and peace in the areas of turmoil and suffering around the world. *Names added this week. Names included on the prayer list for one month. If a name has been removed that you would like added back on, contact the church office. A WORD FROM KORY I was walking through the new South Wing a few days ago. The workers were gone. The drills and saws were quiet. The sunlight streamed in through the new windows. While there was still some patching and finishing to do, I was able to fully grasp what we have accomplished together, with the help and guidance of God. In July 2014, we began having some preliminary conversations about the future of our Children s Wing. Built in the early 1960s, it still had the concrete-block industrial feel that many 1960s church buildings possessed. It was functional, for sure, but not particularly warm and inviting. And that hallway to get to it? There s a reason it was nicknamed the dark and scary hallway. We formed an exploratory team, which led to recommendations, which led to architects. The drawings from those architects sparked our imagination, so we begun dreaming about how to fund such an ambitious project. We were told we could only raise about $1.1 million at the most, and to accomplish all that we had dreamed would take closer to $1.7 million. But through this congregation s radical generosity, we have raised over $1.3 million towards the total amount, and have financed the rest in a way that doesn t significantly hurt our ongoing ministries. Up to this point, the goal of our work has been nothing more than a concept, bullet points and architects renderings. Very soon, you will be able to see what all the work and talk and meetings (and more meetings!) has been about. You ll be taken aback by the amount of space that s been created. You ll marvel at the spacious choir room and the renovated arts and crafts room. You ll smile to see the new nursery space for our babies and toddlers. You ll be thankful for accessible bathrooms at that end of the building. And when you see the Children s Wing and the new flex room, with its splashy colors, ample space, and abundant natural light well, I hope it will take your breath away. It did mine. But I hope that s not all you experience when you first walk in (which may be as soon as this Sunday, if the construction fence is down). I hope you not only see what s there, but what is yet to come. In the Worship and Wonder rooms, youngsters will hear Bible stories for the first time in a way that ignites their young minds. In the music rooms, little voices will sing and shout! God s praise. In the Sunday School rooms, dedicated teachers will have a profound influence on the spiritual development of our kids. In the nurseries, our youngest Disciples will learn how much God loves them through the hands of those who care for them. And in the choir room, our wonderfully talented group of singers will continue to add their blessing to our worship services. Can you hear it? Can you hear the laughter of the kids, the playing of musical instruments, the squeals of excitement, the harmonizing of voices? Can you see the glue-and-glitter works of art, the little coats lined up in their cubbies, the smiling faces sharing coffee and stories in the gathering area? Can you sense the spirit of wonder, the curiosity of raised hands, the Aha! moment when a child realizes Jesus is real? We have built and renovated a building, Crestwood. But through God s grace and your generosity, we have done so much more. We have provided for future generations a place where they can feel welcomed, accepted, and loved. Our children will worship, sing, play, learn, and grow in a brightly-light, colorful, vibrant space that makes them want to come to church each Sunday. We didn t do this for us. We did it for them, and for all the ones yet to come. Seems like I read somewhere that when you do something for the least of these, you do it for Jesus Christ himself. Well done, good and faithful servants.

3 CARING AND SHARING The Giving Lane The Giving Lane is a centrally located area of the church dedicated for individuals to drop off the many items being collected for our Outreach Ministries. The hallway leading into the Administrative Wing has been set-up as our Giving Lane. From ink cartridges, to items for DWM, to items for KY Refugee Ministries, to World and Local Outreach donations, the Giving Lane has bins for you to place your donations. ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS FAIRE RECAP Thanks to your generosity, Crestwood raised $ in the Alternative Christmas Faire. Your dollars will make a difference in our community, helping those in need! Nathaniel Mission - $ Heifer International - $ Greenhouse 17 - $ Military Mission - $ Arbor Youth Services - $ Central Kentucky Music Academy - $ THANK YOU!!! MANPOWER Our next ManPower gathering will be Saturday, January 7, at 8:30 a.m. We will be cooking, and then delivering a meal. All men of the church are encouraged to participate. This is a great way to connect with each other and make a difference in the life of the church! If you are planning on attending, please Tim Letcher and let know (timletcher14@gmail.com). STEPHEN MINISTERS Stephen Ministers provide a listening ear and Christian companionship for those going through difficult times. If you have questions about the Stephen Ministers, or know of someone who may benefit from them, please contact Trish at: trish@crestwoodchristian.org TRISH TALK Dear Friends, I put up my Christmas tree this week. It is not beautiful to the average eye, but to me it is a treasure. I see the rocking horse that one of my grandmother s and the handmade ornament crafted by my other grandmother. I have ornaments from my childhood, from church members from churches I have served, and from dear friends. I have one ornament that is a wax paper circle with melted crayons. Every year it takes me longer and longer to decorate the tree because I take my time and cherish each ornament. I pause to remember the people and to give thanks for them. Among the many of gifts of this season are the traditions that link us to memories and blessings. During these busy days, let us take time to be mindful of how we celebrate and why we do what we do. Let us look for the meaning in the traditions. Let us cherish our memories. As we move quickly to Christmas, be sure to slow down to ponder the amazing love of God that breaks into this world in unexpected ways and in unexpected places. Listen for angels or messengers of God that remind us of the good news of great joy. Look for the light in the darkness. Take time to share goodness and be light. Friends, we get out this season what we put into it. We can arrive at the 25 th exhausted and weary or we can arrive with a sense of wonder at the amazing gift of God that we encounter in Jesus Christ. As we make our way to Bethlehem again, let Kory or I know if we can help you in any way experience the marvel that is Christmas. Blessed to share the journey! Trish

4 "THE BEST GIFT: A CHRISTMAS MUSICAL" SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 4 P.M. ~ SANCTUARY This year's Children's Christmas Play, written by Tara Wilkinson and directed by Lauren York, features a cast that spans the generations. We hope you will join us for this joyful event! SRO CHRISTMAS PARTY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 11:30 A.M. In place of any regular program, all are invited Wednesday, December 14th at 11:30 for a Christmas Party! A delicious lunch will be provided. Stories will be shared. Games will be played. (We may even Farkle!) If you want to bring cookies and treats to swap, that will be great. Everyone will leave with a bag of goodies! So, seniors, retirees, and others mark your calendar now for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. If you know you are coming, please let the church office know. Reservations are helpful but not required! YOU ARE INVITED TO CRESTWOOD S LONGEST NIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 5 P.M., IN THE SANCTUARY We are approaching the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. But this time of year, nights are long for other reasons. Memories of lost loved ones and the pain of present experiences and situations can become overwhelming. While the holidays are supposed to be full of joy, some of us experience only sadness, or grief, or anxiety. This worship service, led by our Stephen Ministers, is meant for those of us who ve lost a loved one or are struggling with other issues during this season. All are welcomed, no questions asked. The service will be followed by a meal, so please RSVP to Monte LaFrana at (859) or mhlafrana@gmail.com if you are planning on attending. We trust that you will find hope and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. DECEMBER DISCIPLES WOMEN S CIRCLE MEETINGS Mary Martha Circle will meet on Monday, December 12, at the home of Martha Duttlinger (address in your yearbooks), at 6:30 p.m. It will be a potluck so bring a vegetable or dessert to share. We will all take time to share a happy Christmas remembrance for our program. Naomi Circle will have a meeting on Tuesday, December (a week early), at 10:15 a.m., in Chalice Hall. Barbara Estes will give the program, Under the shelter of my room. We will then have lunch at 11:30 a.m., at The Gift Box Tea Room. Trish Standifur will be our guest. Dorcas Circle will meet on Wednesday, December 14, at 10 a.m., in the CYF Room. Katherine Steckler will present a program of Christmas music. Lunch to follow at The Gift Box Tea Room. Priscilla Circle will not have a meeting in December. UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE CHILDREN S WING God s Gifts Schedule of Classes: Cake Decorating by Doug Wilkinson, Thursday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. Story Writing by Virginia Long, for 3 rd -5 th graders, Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. Puppet Show for Preschoolers by Martha Dutlinger, date TBD. Pottery by Becky Faulconer, date TBD. Water Color Painting by Julie McDonald, date TBD. Kids Yoga by Ali Dial, date TBD. Painting with Acrylics by Minva Hodgins, date TBD. Needlepoint by Monte LaFrana, date TBD. We are still searching for talent such as Storytelling, Carpentry, Dance, Building, Gardening, Acting, or ANYTHING you would like to share with our kids! If you would like to be a participant, or have questions about God s Gifts, please call or me. If you are interested in signing your child up for a class, watch your ; invitations will be coming. Most classes will have a limited number of participants. If you don t get in the first time, most classes will be repeated. ~Blessings, Peggy King peggy@crestwoodchristian.org (859)

5 STEWARDSHIP & ATTENDANCE November 27, 2016 Contributions: Pledges & Offering $7, Capital Campaign $1, Attendance: Detention Center 72 8:30 a.m. Worship 60 10:45 a.m. Worship 195 Total Worship 255 STEWARDSHIP & ATTENDANCE December 4, 2016 WORSHIP VISITORS NOVEMBER 27, 2016 Charlie Adams; The Adamson family; Rebecca Ashby; Melissa Barlow- Fiero; the Bennett family; Laura Carby; Anna Carey; Troy and Nicole Morgan; Betty Shanklin; the Shirey family; James and Pam Slaughter; Michael Trowbridge; Steve Underwood; Pamela Wainscott; Kara Wells DECEMBER 4, 2016 Charlie Adams; Audrey and Alice Bradley; the Burlison family; Melissa Embry; Sally Fordham; Ken and Sue Greves; Alan and Lenore Hounschell; Noemi Lugo; Johnnie Miller; the Morgan family; Vicki Nelson; Cassidy Padgett; Dan and Dixie Peden; Ron and Ann Pennington; the Schell family; Betty Shanklin; Nancy Lou Slone; Shawn and Sabrina Stephens; Bill and Renee Summerlin; Bob and Kellie Swezey; Dorothy Wharton; Contributions: Pledges & Offering $22, Capital Campaign $1, Attendance: Detention Center 8:30 a.m. Worship 59 10:45 a.m. Worship 315 Total Worship 374 THE CREST PUBLICATION SCHEDULE The last edition of The Crest for 2016 will be published on December 21. The deadline for articles for this edition is noon, on Friday, December 16. The first edition of The Crest for 2017 will be published on January 11. The deadline for articles for this edition is noon, on Friday, January 6. Thanks! ABOVE: Thanks to Cane Ridge Revival for entertaining us with some wonderful Christmas music during our all-church fellowship dinner. They brought the Christmas spirit to our gathering! RIGHT: The youth packed 250 boxes of food to be delivered to families this Christmas season. Thanks to everyone who donated food or money to help make this happen. Way to make a difference, Crestwood Youth!

6 1882 Bellefonte Drive Lexington, Kentucky (859) Fax: (859) THE CREST Crestwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Return Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage-Paid Lexington, KY Permit No. #695 Dear Crestwood Christian Church, Since receiving our first residents in 1884, Christian Care Communities has grown to become Kentucky s largest faithbased provider of affordable housing and long-term care for Older Adults. The Kentucky Christian Churches have been and are our faithful partners in this ministry. You have helped enhance the journey of life for thousands of individuals and families. Their lives have been touched by compassionate care in the name of Christ. We at Christian Care celebrate this 132-year partnership! We thank you for your gift of $ Your gift is a wonderful blessing to those Older Adults we serve together! During this Holiday Season, we thank God for you and your ministry! ~In His Service, James W. Patton, LL.M., M.Div. Vice President - Mission Advancement and General Counsel Laura, Please let everyone at Crestwood Christian Church know how much we wish to thank them for letting the Garden Club of Lexington have our meetings at your facility. It s a lovely space and perfect for our meeting, so we really appreciate being able to use it. Please accept this donation as a token of our thanks! ~Taylor Fister, Treasurer CRESTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH Church School 9:30 a.m. Worship 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. Youth Programs 4 p.m. CHURCH STAFF Rev. Kory Wilcoxson, Senior Minister Rev. Trish Standifur, Associate Minister Laura Kaczmarek, Church Administrator Peggy King, Children s Coordinator Casey McDonald, Middle School Coordinator Patrick Lakin, High School Coordinator Frank Spragens, Music Director Dr. Noemi Lugo, Children and Youth Music Director Martha Duttlinger, Cherub Choir Director Jane Johnson, Organist Maureen Howell, Pianist Michelle Mayes, Child Care Director Lynn West, Facilities Manager Laura Kaczmarek: Kory Wilcoxson: Trish Standifur Peggy King Casey McDonald Patrick Lakin Frank Spragens: Lynn West ADDRESSES Laura@crestwoodchristian.org Kory@crestwoodchristian.org trish@crestwoodchristian.org peggy@crestwoodchristian.org casey@crestwoodchristian.org Patrick@crestwoodchristian.org fspragens@yahoo.com Custodian@crestwoodchristian.org WEBSITE: