Christmas week

As i wrapped up my morning walk through the dark streets of the Geo-center, it struck that today was literally the darkest Monday of the year - winter solstice is just three days away. What a crazy contrast in one sense with Christmas upon us in  a mere week. During the darkest week of our year - every year - we celebrate the ultimate gift of LIGHT - the birth of Jesus Christ. I realize many scholars believe Jesus was probably actually born sometime in the spring - mid to late April is typically the best guess. But this year, and every year, in the midst of our darkest days, LIGHTS are everywhere. And we are getting ready to remember and celebrate the LIGHT of the world being born in the most humble of circumstances.

This Sunday - Christmas Eve - gives you multiple opportunities to celebrate Jesus - will you make the most of these?

Sunday morning at 9:30am, we will have a ONE SERVICE Sunday at 9:30am - Ruth and Samuel have planned this service together and the adult choir will be sharing a special in song. The message this week is Christmas through the eyes of the Father - the story of 3 trees! First Kids is doing a special Christmas pajama party downstairs in the First Kids area - you will NOT want to miss this Sunday morning!

Christmas Eve services are set for 4pm and 6pm - Samuel and his team have put together a 50 minute service that will help each us worship our newborn King, Jesus Christ! Invite, invite invite! I would love to see both services packed!

News and Notes:

Christmas Offering - New Life Pregnancy Center in Decatur - let's show them the love of Jesus through this special offering!

Christmas at FCC - I LOVE the look of our building - I think it is the most beautifully decorated church year in, year out I have ever been a part of! Gigantic thank you's to Mary Holland, Joyce Mathias and Nancy Beeker for the days spent making FCC such a beautiful place to worship! THANK YOU Mary, Joyce and Nancy!!

ONE Service Sunday on December 31 at 9:30am!

Area Men's Fellowship at Clinton FCC - Thursday January 4 at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. ALL men are welcome and invited to enjoy a great meal and really good fellowship with other men from area churches. The purpose of this gathering is to support Little Galilee Christian Camp - an offering is taken to bless our camp. I PROMISE you a 90 minute evening - you will be on your way by 8pm.

Great job Allison and Cassandra on hosting Keepsake Christmas on December 13 - what a great night for families!

Great job Marcia Wise and team w/ our final Grab n Go - over 300 attended on Saturday!

I really love our church - and I hope you do as well! It is an honor to serve at Clinton FCC!

Let me leave you this week w/ a poem entitled the true meaning of Christmas by Brian Walters:

In today's' day and time, it's easy to lose sight, of the true meaning of Christmas, and one special night. 
When we go shopping, we say 'How much will it cost? Then the true meaning of Christmas, somehow becomes lost. 
Amidst the tinsel, glitter and ribbons of gold, we forget about the child, born on a night so cold. 
The children look for Santa in his big, red sleigh never thinking of the child whose bed was made of hay? 
In reality, when we look into the night sky, we don't see a sleigh but a star, burning bright and high. 
A faithful reminder, of that night so long ago, and of the child we call Jesus, whose love, the world would know.

Merry Christmas!

GT