www.harvestdothan.com Dothan, Alabama December 12, 2014 334-702-6555 INSIDE THIS ISSUE In The Spotlight...2 Group Life...3 Harvest Worship...3 In His Family...4 Ministry Teams...4 Harvest Kids...5 Harvest Youth...6 College&Career...6 Calendar Events...7 His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 From Pastor Ralph... The Wise Men asked, Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. (Matthew 2:2). The angel Gabriel told Mary,...His kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:33). What a strange way for a king to be born. Certainly not like King Herod s children or the children of Caesar. Royalty are born into unimaginable opulence and splendor. Yet, this was no ordinary king. This was the King of kings and Lord of lords the Son of God. He created the Universe and was worshiped by angels. All powerful, all knowing, all present, He laid aside His glory and power to become one of us. Unimaginable! And even though He laid aside His divinity, this baby in a manger is by far the most influential person in human history. Every time we look at a cell phone or newspaper and see the date, we are reminded of the one who split history in two, B.C. and A.D. Jesus and His followers brought to the world an understanding of compassion. We have orphanages, hospitals, the Red Cross, and almost every other movement of compassion and serving because of His followers. He gave us our view of equality, that all people are equal in value. He taught us that we can know God. Modern science arose from the belief that God is rational, and therefore, His creation can be understood. The best political systems have come from Christian thought. Our university system was formed by believers dedicated to spreading the gospel. Widespread literacy came about in order to enable people to read His Word. The Bible has been translated into over 2,200 languages, more than five times more than any other book, and most written languages of the world were developed by His followers. All this from a man who was never wealthy, never held political office, never led an army, nor wrote a book, or did any of the things that would bring notoriety in this world. But he did rise from the dead and prove Himself to be the Son of God! To bring good news of great joy to all people. That is the reason for the lowly birth. He came for all. For whosoever will. Rich, poor, young, old, married, single, educated or uneducated, those from a good family line or a broken family line, or having no family at all. He understands, and He came for you. This Christmas, bow before the manger of the King. Give Him praise for who He is and for what He has done. Worship Jesus with all that you are!
Debi Parnell Children s Director David Beaty Congregational Care Assistant James Keeler Assistant Pastor Josh Moore Youth Pastor Keith Frith Small Groups Pastor Ralph Sigler Founding and Lead Pastor Roy Rogers Congregational Care Pastor Rusty Frith Director of Worship and Performing Arts Sandy Uhler Interim Director of Ministries Wilson Garzon Pastor of Harvest En Español November 23 1,481 8:45 766 10:45 715 November 30 1,428 8:45 686 10:45 742 December 7 1,717 8:45 869 10:45 848, In The Spotlight < HPAA Christmas Recital Tuesday, December 16, 6:30pm, Worship Center Come out and enjoy the Harvest Performing Arts Academy Christmas Rectial as students present songs through voice, piano, and guitar. This event is free and open to the public. Women s Christmas Party A Cup of Christmas Wednesday, December 17, 6:30pm, Worship Center All Harvest ladies are invited to this joyous celebration with Christmas carols, great food, and awesome fellowship! Childcare will be provided for our single moms only (reservations required - call 334-702-6555 x231). christmas eve service Wednesday, December 24, 5:30-6:15pm, Worship Center Everyone is invited to join us for a special 45-minute service with music, a short message by Pastor Ralph, communion, and candlelighting. Merry Christmas! Christ has come! breaking the silence Human Trafficking Testimony Night Friday, January 9, 7pm, Worship Center Come out and hear Tajuan McCarty share her amazing story of how God rescued her out of a life of abuse and fear and led her to start The Wellhouse Ministry. More details to come. Women s Conference Fresh Grounded Faith February 6, 7-9:30pm - February 7, 9am-12:30pm Join us for this LIVE event at Covenant United Methodist Church. Tickets are $39 from December 16 - January 14 and $59 at the door. For more information, visit www.harvestdothan.com. Page 2
group life If you are interested in joining any of the following groups or would like to receive more information about other groups, please contact grouplife@harvestdothan.com or 334-702-6555 x232. A list of all current groups is available online at www.harvestdothan.com. Keith Frith Small Group Pastor December 17-31: No small groups meeting and no childcare available. January 4: Groups will start back this week. Financial Peace University - Begins Sunday, January 4, at 6:30pm in room 101. If you would like to be part of a life changing program, then Financial Peace University is for you. This system teaches you clear steps and useful strategies that will empower you with the practical skills and the confidence needed to help address debt problems and achieve your financial goals at any age or income level. Discipleship 3 Begins Sunday, January 4, at 6:30pm in room 204b. This a mixed group and is open to anyone who has completed Discipleship 1 & 2. Led by Lisa Rivers. Agents of the Apocalypse - Are we living in the end times? Is it possible that the events written about in the book of Revelation could be happening in our current times? And if they are, would you know how to recognize them? Everyone is invited to join us for Agents of the Apocalypse by David Jeremiah on Wednesdays at 6:45pm in the Worship Center starting January 7. The stage is set, and the curtain is about to rise on Earth s final act. Will you be ready? Really Bad Girls of the Bible You are sure to experience God s grace anew by learning more about our nefarious sisters during this eye-opening, cutting-edge, and Biblically sound study. Join us on Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Mothers Room starting January 7 as we look at the sovereign power of God as he rules our hearts and our lives with grace, compassion, and hope. Led by Salli Rogers. Restless Do you feel like you re missing something? What if this feeling wasn t a bad thing? Join us in the Café on Thursday mornings starting on January 8 at 9:30am as we discover the different threads that make up our lives and use them to glorify our Lord. Led by Janet Stone and Carrie Brown. End of the Year Contributions Please remember that all financial gifts must be postmarked by December 31 or brought to the church office by 3pm on December 31 to be included in the 2014 contributions. With a church our size, there are often duplicate names in our data base. If you use an offering envelope for your cash contributions, please write your name and address on the envelope so we can make sure all contributions are posted to the correct individual/family. Remember online giving is also now available on our website. Thank you for your obedient heart to give to the Lord His tithes and your offerings. Harvest Worship & Performing Arts Join the Worship Team - Interested in learning more about how to serve on the worship or tech team? Do you play brass or woodwind? If so, email worship@harvestdothan.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To get involved, contact Rusty Frith at 702-6555 x247 or worship@harvestdothan.com. Rusty Frith Director of Worship & Performing Arts Page 3
Congregational Care New Members The following people joined Harvest on Sunday, November 23, 2014: Tracey Allen Brantley Pamela Gayle Brantley Jarrett Aaron Brantley Sherri Brown Aeriel Davis Michael & Amy Dukes Jonathan & Jennifer Ellis Daniel Hadley Kenneth & Kara Harper Debbie McIntyre Anthony & Stacie Moat Micah & Susan Wall Callie Williams Baptisms The following people were baptized on Sunday, November 30, 2014: Luke Adams Lane Cook Aeriel Davis Michael Dukes Dawson Smith With Sympathy Please be in prayer for the following people: Bob Lawrence and family for the loss of his father, Chester Lawrence. Fred Dixon and family for Congregational the loss of his daughter, Alanna Joy Johnson. Roy Rogers Roby Benefield and family for the loss of his wife, Alexia Benefield. The family of John Bo Gary for their loss. Paula Stein and family for the loss of her father, James W. Moseley. The family of Roger Barnes for their loss. On-Call Pastor - For after office hours emergency pastoral care only, call 334-648-0270. Care Pastor COMING IN JANUARY Listen to sermons, view upcoming events, and explore all the content available through our new Harvest Church app to be launched in January! Messages Sermons Audio Articles Events Bible Online Giving Share events with your friends via Twitter, Facebook, or email. Our mobile app will work on these devices: iphone, ipad, Android Tablet, Android Phone, Fire Phone, Fire Tablet, and Windows Phone. Ministry Teams Christmas Caroling - Join us on Tuesday, December 16, as we go caroling to some in our church family who are in nursing homes, shut in, or on hospice care. We will meet in the Office Bldg at 6pm. RSVP to ministryteams@harvestdothan.com. A brief organizational meeting will take place on Sunday, December 14, at 5:30pm in the Office Bldg. Sandy Uhler Director of Ministries To get involved in the ministry of Harvest, contact ministryteams@harvestdothan.com. Page 4
To get involved, contact Debi, 702-6555 x236 / kids@harvestdothan.com. Debi Parnell Children s Ministry SPECIAL THANKS to the Praise Kids and Wee Worshipers volunteers who helped to make our Harvest Family Christmas Program such a wonderful blessing! CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS: There will be no children s classes on Wednesdays, December 17, 24, and 31, so that you may enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Check the website for the complete holiday schedule. Christmas blessings! KONSTRUCTION ZONE 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 age-level small groups. Konstruction Zone meets Sunday mornings at 8:45 and 10:45am in Room B-210. Join us this month as we celebrate God s Greatest Gift, Jesus! For the month of December in KZ: Memory Verse: Be rich in good deeds be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18, NIV Life App: Generosity making someone s day by giving something away. Harvest Nametags To request a permanent nametag (5th grade and up), mark I would like a permanent nametag on your Communication Card on Sunday mornings or call the church office, 702-6555. Please allow one week for processing. They can be picked up on Sunday mornings at the Welcome Center in the main lobby. Preschool/Nursery You have probably heard people ask, Why doesn t God perform miracles anymore? When I hear that question, I answer it with a question of my own. I ask, What is your definition of a miracle? I see God at work day after day, week after week in those who serve on ministry teams throughout Harvest Church. I have watched so many people selflessly serving in countless ways, giving of themselves their time, their talents, and their love. In Noah s Park, I am overwhelmed by the dedication of our teachers, volunteers, and workers. So the next time you hear someone ask that question, direct them to observe those who serve on our ministry teams. There they will see the definition of a miracle in action! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who serve. You truly are a miracle of God! To get involved, call 702-6555 x241 or email kids@harvestdothan.com. Bonnie West Page 5
Main Meeting Wednesdays, 6:45-8:15pm upstairs Education Bldg. Small Groups Sundays, 6:30-8pm upstairs Education Bldg. Ski Trip 2015 - January 21-25. Total cost: $245 for skiing or $260 for snow boarding. A $100 deposit is due ASAP. More details to come. instagram advent calendar contest - Follow us on Instagram @hydothan or like us at facebook. com/hydothan for daily advent activities. You could win 2 tickets to the Chris Tomlin concert in February! Small Group Caroling Hayride - Sunday, December 14. Meet at Harvest at 5pm. Youth Christmas Service - Wednesday, December 17, 6:45-9:15pm, Youth Room. Join us for a fun night of Christmas carols, games, and food! Please Note - We will not be meeting on Wednesday, December 24. Everyone is invited to attend the church-wide Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight Service from 5:30-6:15pm in the Worship Center. Small groups will not be meeting on Sunday, December 28. new years eve party - Wednesday, December 31, 7pm-12:30am, Youth Room. Join us for a time of celebrating with games, movies, food, worship, and fireworks! We will also be drawing from our Advent calendar entries for 2 tickets to the Chris Tomlin concert. Admission: 2 canned goods. Youth Pastor Visit HarvestDothan.com/Youth for more information about Harvest Youth and our upcoming events. Find us on Facebook: search HARVEST YOUTH. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information, email Wes at youth@harvestdothan.com. Josh Moore COLLEGE &and CAREER (18-29) Join us on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Youth Room Contact: youngadults@harvestdothan.com Find us on Facebook! Search Harvest College and Career Christmas Service - Tuesday, December 16, 7pm, Youth Room. Join us for Christmas carols, the reading of the Christmas story, and fellowship with cookies and hot chocolate. Fancy Christmas - Join us for dinner and a party on December 19 at 6pm! Dinner location TBD. Afterwards we will go to the Gevara s home for dessert and games. We ll be playing Dirty Santa, so remember to bring a $5 (or less) wrapped gift. Please Note - We WILL be meeting on December 23 and 30. Page 6
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat 14 Sunday Morning Worship 8:45 or 10:45 Youth Small Group Caroling Hayride 5pm major church activities December 2014 15 16 Christmas Caroling 6pm HPAA Christmas Recital 6:30pm College & Career Christmas Party 7pm 17 Youth Christmas Party 6:45-9:15pm Women s Christmas Party 6:30pm 18 19 Missed Sunday Morning s Message? You Can Listen at www. HarvestDothan. com or pick up a CD at the Welcome Center. College & Career Fancy Christmas 6pm Celebrate Recovery 6pm 20 21 Sunday Morning Worship 8:45 or 10:45 Youth Small Groups 6:30pm 22 23 Join the Yahoo Prayer Group without a Yahoo account. Send a blank email from your email address to: harvestchurchsubscribe@ yahoogroups. com. The facilitator will approve you shortly afterward. Community Prayer 2-4pm College & Career 7pm 24 Office Closed Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight Service 5:30-6:15pm 25 Office Closed 26 Celebrate Recovery 6pm Merry Christmas! 27 Emergency: Pastoral Care Only If you have an emergency and need to contact a pastor on the weekend or after hours, please call 648-0270. The pastor oncall will return your call as soon as possible. 28 Sunday Morning Worship 8:45 or 10:45 29 30 Community Prayer 2-4pm College & Career 7pm 31 Youth New Years Eve Party 7pm-12:30am 1 Office Closed HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2015 2 Celebrate Recovery 6pm 3 Page 7
Worshiping on Sunday mornings at 8:45 & 10:45am NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DOTHAN, AL PERMIT NO. 87