THE COMMUNITY CHURCHMAN

Transcription

1 THE COMMUNITY CHURCHMAN D E C E M B E R A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR... Dear Brothers and Sisters, This holiday season is a time of togetherness - with our families and friends, in special gatherings at church, in schools and businesses. Even the press of the shopping mall crowds reminds us of togetherness. It's wonderful that not only are we together with one another, but that God Himself is with us. Matthew 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. It seems our holiday celebrations are not quite complete if someone is missing. Once a mother had to be in the hospital at Christmas time. Her young daughter answered the phone at home and said, "Yes, daddy, brother, sister and I are home all alone." Even though there were four people in the house, she felt they were alone because mommy was missing. Our holiday celebrations may or may not be perfect this year, depending on who can make it, or even if someone will never make it again because they have been taken from us. Continued on pg. 2 IN THIS ISSUE A Note from the Pastor.. 1 Prayer in the Inside LVCC..3-4 Growth & Community LVCC Calendar.7 CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS 2 COMMUNION SUNDAY 2 BLESSING OF THE CHILDREN & FAMILY SUNDAY 2 MINI BOUTIQUE 7 REMEMBRANCE SERVICE 8 LADIES BREAKFAST CLUB STAY 9 SHARING TOUCH CHRISTMAS SUNDAY 9 CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE ENDS 10 DEACON S INSTALLATION DINNER 15 FAITH THEATER: THE STAR 18 HEARTS & HANDS 22 MEN S BREAKFAST 24 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 25 OFFICE CLOSED C O M E S E E U S S U N F I E L D A V E. L O N G B E A C H, C A C A L L U S ( ) VISIT US w w w. t h e L V C C. o r g 1

2 A N O T E F R O M T H E P A S T O R However, if we will invite Him, Jesus, Immanuel will always be there in our midst. The miraculous thing about His Infinite Presence is that even if someone is missing, or if there is some other lack or emptiness, He is able to bless us abundantly and fill us with joy so that our gatherings are completed in Him, Immanuel, God is with us. Our sermon themes leading up to Christmas will be Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. However, as it is said, "The Church was meant to gather around The Presence, not a sermon." The Presence is symbolized by the Christ Candle, which we will light on Christmas Eve. So in all of our activities and gatherings, let us be much in prayer for the supreme blessing - that Immanuel will truly be with us. Let us also be mindful and pray for one another in our various situations that Jesus will be with us in our midst to give us His supernatural hope, peace, joy and love in His Presence. Love in Immanuel, Pastor Steve - pastorsteve@thelvcc.org Christian Education Series WEDNESDAY EVENINGS GARDEN ROOM POTLUCK DINNER & BIBLE STUDY P R A Y E R I N T H E C H A P E L L ast month I wrote about Thanksgiving, but this time I want to write about thanksliving, living in a way each day that shows God how thankful I am for the new day He has given me. Following the example of my favorite Christian author, I take a black pen and draw a small cross on the inside of my wrist each day to remind me that when I reach out my hands to others, I am sharing the love of Jesus. We are what we repeatedly do. Forty-five per cent of what we do each day is out of habit. I don t know about you, but I was shocked when I read that. It made me think about how I was using my time and how I could get rid of some of the habits I have that are not productive. Thanksliving. Some days are easier than others. When everything is going well it is easier for me to live in a way that gives glory to my Heavenly Father. But what about those days when something just sets me off the minute my feet hit the floor? A phone call, a text, a sudden change in plans, or someone I had been counting on just lets me down or dropped the ball on something they promised me that they would do. More than once I have read that life is ten per cent what happens to us and ninety per cent how we react. My reaction can sometimes determine how thankful I feel. We all know what we have been denied but we don t know from what we have been spared. I have reminded myself of this many times during my lifetime. This Christmas season I am going to concentrate more than ever on going outside of my comfort zone, reaching out to others. We give what is good when we reach out with our hands, but we give what is eternal when we reach out with our hearts. God s Word reminds us that what we have done to the least of these we have done unto Him. So this month my focus is going to be on living in a way that shows how thankful I am for each day and reaching out to others to show them love in the name of Jesus. One of the most special ways for us to reach out to others with our hearts is to pray with them. Pastor Steve and the prayer warriors are always there for you in the chapel if you have a need. 2 Sandy Saldano

3 3 CALL CHURCH OFFICE FOR EVENT UPDATES!

4 I N S I D E LVCC CONTRIBUTION UPDATE WORLDSERVICE&MISSIONS October Holiday Food Baskets The Missions Committee is collecting food in the sanctuary foyer for families in need during the Christmas holiday. The following non-perishable food items are needed as well as gift cards and twin-size blankets. Items will be distributed on Sunday, December 9. BREAKFAST CEREAL MUFFIN OR CORNBREAD MIX DRESSING/STUFFING INSTANT MASHED POTATOES INSTANT PUDDING OR JELLO CANNED FRUIT GRAVY PACKETS BROWNIE/CAKEMIX FROSTING Thank you for your continued generosity & God Bless! 2018 Received Donations : $24,856 Budgeted: $32,084 AU C T I O N UP DA T E Wow! What a wonderful Chinese dinner that Betty prepared for our annual Chinese dinner and auction to benefit the Mission Board s Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. We all had a great time bidding on wrapped items that were really awesome. Everyone was really excited about the items that they had won. Happily we raised over $420 in our efforts. Missions now has more money to purchase food for the needy. Please continue to support Missions by donating. It will truly give families a Merry Christmas. GROWTH & COMMUNITY FAITHTHEATER S A T U R D AY N I G H T E R S S A T U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 5 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 4PM GARDEN ROOM GARDEN ROOM All friends and family are invited to the Faith Theater viewing of The Star. A wonderful family movie and animation of the first Christmas from the animals perspective. Please join us at 4:00 p.m. for a light supper [hot dogs, chips & salad] followed by a 4:45 p.m. viewing of The Star in the main sanctuary. December s meeting is another fun meeting as we celebrate the upcoming Christmas season and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. For dinner Betty will be cooking a ham and serving it with mashed potatoes and veggies. Those who plan on attending please feel free to bring your favorite side dish, a salad, or dessert. Those who choose to participate in the gift exchange can bring a wrapped gift [$15 value or less] as well. Jo Britton, who always supervised the gift exchange in the past, will really be missed this year. She always made it fun. We would like to wish all of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas full of joy and God s Grace. May your 2019 be better than any past years and be filled with love, good health and prosperity. Please R.S.V.P. to this event as it helps greatly with meal preparations. R.S.V.P. JOE (562) or Yours in Christ Our Lord, Joe & Betty Forgacs R.S.V.P. BETTY (562) R. S. V. P. ( ) ( )

5 G R O W T H & C O M M U N I T Y WORLD SERVICE & MISSIONS H E A R T S & H A N D S Ladies, are you ready for a fun evening? Join Hearts & Hands for a fun filled Christmas party. DECEMBER 18 6:30 PM GARDEN ROOM CALL CHURCH OFFICE FOR EVENT UPDATES! Bring a finger food or dessert to share. We will be having a fun Christmas sock gift exchange. Pick a pair of crazy socks and stuff with small items like: chap stick, hand cream, candy, and other things that will fit and then put a bow to hold it all together. We will be sharing stories of past Christmas too. Hope to see you there! Yours in Christ, Betty Forgacs (562) Transportation Available 5

6 GROWTH & COMMUNITY Saturday, December 22 Hof s N. Be l lf low e r B lvd. It s the last gathering before the new year! All men are invited for food and fellowship at Hof s Hut for the monthly Men s Breakfast Club. N O R S V P R EQ U IR E D. Saturday, December 8 Hof s 2147 N. Bellflower Blvd. All women are invited to Hof s Hut for a pre-christmas gathering with the Ladies Breakfast Club. R.S.V.P. Linda Shiffer (562) or YouKnowLinda@AOL.com 6

7 D E C E MBE R Sunday Monday Tuesday CA LE NDA R Wednesday Thursday Friday CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: 1 Saturday Nighters Christmas Party 5:00 PM FAMILY & 11:00 PM CANDLELIGHT 2 3 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT B L E S S I N G O F T H E CH I L D R E N, COMMUNION, MINI BOUTIQUE 4 Clark Crawford Room 9:30 AM Bell Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Tabletop Ministry (TTM)(18&up) 11 Clark Bible Study: 2 Corinthians Crawford Room Deacon's Installation Dinner 17 Hof's Hut Bellflower Blvd. 11:00 AM Celebration of Life: Ch. Room & Sanctuary Genevieve Kinkade Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall 24 Men's Prayer Group Library Youth Group Chancel Choir Rehearsal Upstairs Fellowship Hall Ch. Room & Sanctuary 26 Christmas Day 20 Preschool 'Happy 27 6:30 AM 7:30 AM & 6 PM Men's Breakfast Women's Prayer Group The Village Cafe Bible Study &Potluck Men's Prayer Group Library OFFICE CLOSED 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal Youth Group, UFH Ch. Room & Sanctuary 31 Clark :00 PM Faith Theater: TheStar & Clark 7:30 PM 21 Preschool 'Happy 6:30 AM Birthday Jesus' Celebration Birthday Jesus' Celebration Preschool Christmas Men's Breakfast 7:30 AM & 6 PM 7:00 PM Program, Sanctuary The Village Café Women's Prayer Group Exploring Tourist 11:00 AM 9:15 AM Attractions Bible Study: Preschool Christmas Program, Sanctuary 2 Corinthians Men's Prayer Group Crawford Room Library Bible Study &Potluck 7:30 PM HEARTS&HANDS 6:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal First Day of Winter Youth Group, UFH Ch. Room & Sanctuary Clark 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Family Service Bible Study & Potluck 7:00 PM Exploring Tourist Attractions 9:15 AM :30 AM 7:30 AM & 6 PM Men's Breakfast Women's Prayer Group The Village Cafe Clark 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Tabletop Ministry (TTM)(18&up) Ladies' Breakfast Club Chancel Choir Rehearsal :00 AM 6:30 PM 9:30 AM Bell Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Tabletop Ministry (TTM)(18&up) 30 8 Upstairs Fellowship Hall 23 7 Youth Group Fellowship Hall & Sanctuary :30 AM 7:30 AM & 6 PM 7:00 PM Men's Breakfast Women's Prayer Group Remembrance The Village Cafe Worship Service & Tree Trimming Bible Study & Sanctuary & Garden Men's Prayer Group Potluck Room Reception Library 7:30 PM 10 SHARING CHRISTMAS SUNDAY 9:30 AM Bell Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 11:15 AM Board of Director's Mtg., CR Tabletop Ministry (TTM)(18&up) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians SHARING TREE AVAILABLE 9:30 AM Bell Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 9:30 AM Missions Committee Mtg., Fellowship Hall 11:15 AM Music Committee Mtg., Library 5:00 PM Family Advent Wreath Workshop, GR Tabletop Ministry (TTM)(18&up) :00 AM Saturday 28 7:00 PM Exploring Tourist Attractions 22 Men's Breakfast Club Hof's Hut Bellflower Blvd. 29

8 S u n f i e l d A v e n u e L o n g B e a c h, C A RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED T e l : F a x : LVCC Nursery School T H E C O M M U N I T Y C H U R C H M A N SENIOR PASTOR: Steve Boggan ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Phillip Davis MAIN OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. C O M E W O R S H I P W I T H U S! S U N D AY S : 8 : 3 0 A M & 1 0 : 0 0 A M (TRADITIONAL WORSHIP) 1 0 : 0 0 A M (Contemporary Worship) C h i ldcare and S unday School are a v ailable dur i ng the 10:00 a.m. s ervice time for all children and yo ut h. SUNDAY EVENING: 7:00 PM (INFORMAL WORSHIP) 8