Snowvember 2018! Don't you just love it?

Is there anything better than walking your dog at 5:30am on a dark Monday morning with 40 MPH winds and snow blowing in your face? In late November? By my count, this makes 4 different November snow falls and yet thankfully we missed most of the white stuff this time! Maybe we are getting all of the snow out of the way early this year? Yeah, I don't think so - get ready my friends - this could be a winter to remember!

All of this to say, Saturday brings the month of December - and so many opportunities are in front of us at FCC this final month of 2018. Here are several reminders:

• Breakfast at Bethlehem – come enjoy breakfast with Joseph, Mary and all of the folks from the Nativity at 9am on December 1 – no cost for the event but tickets are required! Connect w/ Allison or call the church office for more information.
• Congregational meeting on December 2 at the end of both morning worship services. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on the 2019 Ministry Action Plan (budget) and also the proposed By-Law changes. As your Pastor, I would encourage you to affirm both of these leadership recommendations. If you would like to discuss either or both of these recommendations, please let me know! In addition, huge thanks to go out to everyone who worked diligently to make both the 2019 MAP and the proposed By-Law changes a reality!
• MEET and GREET - this Sunday December 2 at 9:30am - let Lindsey Moody know if you want to join us!
• Our wonderful Adult Choir led by Ruth Davidson will be sharing a Christmas Cantata at the 8:15am worship service on Sunday December 16. Even if you don’t typically attend 8:15am worship, can I encourage you to come on the 16th at 8:15am and support Ruth Davidson and our choir?
• A very special Sunday morning is being planned for Sunday December 23 – you won’t want to miss it! I can’t say much about the specifics, but it will include many Christmas hymns, a unique “telling” of the Christmas narratives and a couple of more surprises along the way. Regular schedule on the 23rd – same service at both 8:15am and10:45am.
• Christmas Eve at FCC will once again be a “don’t want to miss” gathering! Christmas Eve services will take place at 4pm and 6pm on the 24th and Samuel and his team will bless you with the worship experience – I promise!
• Family Sunday – one service Sunday on December 30 at 9:30am. Allison Hitchings and Cassandra Benton will be speaking! Don’t miss this final Sunday of the year!

Yesterday about 40 minutes into our 10:45am service, we had a medical emergency and were asked by our safety team and medical professionals to clear the sanctuary. I am happy to report that our friend Norman Emery is doing well and is resting at home, but I also wanted to thank everyone in attendance for their response to this unexpected change. We were able to gather in the Family Life center for communion, and then eventually return to the sanctuary to witness Ana Robinson's baptism. Again, thank you!

Finally - tomorrow - Tuesday November 27 - is Giving Tuesday - I talked briefly about this somewhat "NEW" day during the message yesterday. I challenged all of us to consider "storing up treasures in heaven" on giving Tuesday and - here are a couple of ideas near and dear to my heart for those who are interested:

* Consider a gift to the Vault - our Thanksgiving offering recipient for 2018

* Consider a gift to the 2020 Vision project at Little Galilee camp - a place near and dear to FCC

* Consider a gift to God's Shelter of Love homeless shelter in Decatur - a ministry that is growing and expanding and has increased financial needs

* Consider a gift to the Kuki Christian Church Mission in Northeast India - a ministry that has reached thousands for Christ in a country where the Gospel is sorely needed

* Consider a gift to COPE and the children of POKOT - The ministry in Kenya led by Barb O'Donahue 

These are just five options - there are many, many more excellent possibilities - let's store up treasures in heaven!

have a great week - see you Sunday!

​GT