MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
HEAR, RESPOND, TELL!

When the Bethlehem shepherds heard the angel describe the birth of Jesus, they heard with their hearts. They immediately said, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us" (Luke 2:15). They heard and responded, then added a third obvious step: After seeing Jesus, "they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child". They heard, responded, and told others the Good News of Christ's birth.

What better time than this Christmas Season to tell others the Good News of Christ's entrance into the world: hear, respond, and tell. The lights of Christmas remind us of the Light of the World. We're not likely to get rid of the commercialization, but we can turn our attention to worship our merciful God who became human to provide forgiveness for the world. Let us turn aside from the rush and crush of the holidays to ponder and pray.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Joyce & Karyn Boatwright would like to take this time to thank all our church family for their prayers and support during their grief of losing a son and brother. Thank you everyone who attended Bob's memorial and also to those who called, visited, sent cards, or brought food. What a great family we have! We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and happy New Year!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Henry Messer, Lynn Hale, Rebeccah Williams, Donna Scott, Judy & Grayson Corder, Shirley Davis' daughter, Julia, Bob Bobbitt, Cephas Goodman, Jackie Freeman, Duane Boykin, Pastor and Teresa, our school. Also pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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• DID YOU KNOW??
• --Many thanks to all who contributed to the Pastor's Christmas offering.
• --Everyone is invited to stay after church and enjoy the potluck dinner that is prepared for all.
• --Cephus Goodman passed away this past week. Remember his family in prayer.
• --Grayson and Judy Corder have returned from Ohio, after spending the summer there with family. So happy to have them back at church!
• --Jeanette James was taken to England and Ireland by her son for her birthday present.
• --Shirley Davis has been spending hours in the hospital this past week with her daughter who has undergone surgery.
• --Verona Braham is spending the holidays with her family in Jamaica.
• --Henry Messer is recovering well from his fall and operation.
• --Jackie Freeman has finally moved back into her home. She has been staying at her son's in Sorrento while her house was being worked on.
• --Gary and Nancy Mosher had a wonderful time on their holiday cruise.

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• A CHRISTMAS POEM,
• If there had never been a Christmas or the Holy Christ Child's birth,
• Or the angel singing in the sky of promised PEACE on EARTH
• What would the world be like today with no ETERNAL GOAL,
• What would the temporal body be without a living soul -
• Just what would give us courage to push on when hope is dead
• Except the Christmas message and the words OUR FATHER said -
• "In love I send My only Son to live and die for you,And through His resurrection you will gain a new life, too."