December 03rd, 2018

It seems like every year we get to the month of December and cannot believe just one month separates us from a new year. This year is really no different - I cannot believe all that has unfolded personally in 2018 for my family: a wedding, two graduations, a state championship, an empty nest and much more! God has really blessed! I would encourage you to take a couple of minutes this month and just reflect on the blessings of the Lord on you and yours in 2018 as well - and give thanks to our God who is both GREAT and GOOD!

December also brings unique faith opportunities and here are several to make the most of this December:

** This Friday December 7 is the final Young at Heart Gathering for 2018 - their Christmas party! Come on out on Friday morning at 10:30am in the Family Life Center if you are 55 or over - you will be blessed!

Also this Friday: RELOAD for men at 6:15am at the Y and Breakfast club for Jr Hi and Sr Hi at 7:15am in the Underground!

** Sunday December 16 at 8:15am will bring the Christmas Cantata presented by our Adult Choir led by Ruth Davidson - they do a wonderful job (and on Sunday received a standing ovation from first service)! Even if you are not typically a first service person, come on out at 8:15am on the 16th and be blessed by the music and message of Christmas!

** Sunday December 23 - both services - a very special, unique and comprehensive look at Christmas! We will sing many of the Christmas hymns, read the Christmas scriptures and hear the Christmas story in most non-traditional manner!

** Christmas Eve - December 24 at 4pm and 6pm - Samuel Green is once again this year planning Christmas Eve and you will NOT want to miss. Here is a note I received from a first service member late on Christmas Eve following the Christmas Eve service:  Just wanted to send you and your staff a note that my husband and I just really loved the service this year, probably the best we have ever experienced since we joined in 2004. . . Merry Christmas. Recently, I learned that Christmas Eve is the most likely worship experience each year for a non-Christian to attend, even more than Easter - so let's make the most of this opportunity and INVITE!

** ONE SERVICE Sunday on December 30 at 9:30am - FAMILY Sunday - Cassandra Benton and Allison Hitchings will be speaking!

On Saturday, we hosted our annual FIRST KIDS Christmas gathering - this year brought Breakfast at Bethlehem! Great job by Allison Hitchings in making this a reality and thanks to all who brought their families and enjoyed breakfast, took advantage of the photo booth and heard the story of Christmas from Mary (Cassandra Benton), Joseph (yours truly), the Shepherds (Ben Pertl and Samuel Green) and the Magi (Cody Monkman, Olivia Earl and Laura Benton).

** Don't forget this Tuesday December 4 is Area Men's Fellowship at 6:30pm - hosted in December by Ernie Harvey and Kenney CC. Clinton FCC will host next month on Thursday January 3rd at 6:30pm.

** On Sunday December 2 at Clinton FCC, our bi-annual congregational meeting was held to vote on two items: the proposed 2019 Ministry Action Plan and the proposed By-Law changes:

Here are the results of the voting as reported to Jim Taylor, secretary of the FCC Elders:

1st service:
MAP: 135 YES; 19 NO
By Laws: 113 YES; 37 NO

Bill Chapman was in charge of ballot counting 1st service

2nd service
MAP: 110 YES; 6 NO
By Laws: 106 YES; 7 NO

Alan Trago and John Wise were in charge of ballot counting 2nd service

Total voting:

MAP: 245 YES; 25 NO - 90.6% approval
By Laws: 219 YES; 44 NO - 83.2% approval

Please contact any elder if you have any questions.

Blessings to each of you - see you Sunday!

GT