December 2008

Christ is King Forever

by Pastor Dan Kennedy

Christmas is a truly beautiful time of the year!  The festive carols, the holly garlands and silver bells, the sparkling red and green colors; everything is so fresh and alive.  There is no other season of the year when there seems to be so much spontaneous joy and graciousness.  Generosity abounds.  Gifts are abundant, whether handcrafted or purchased. 

It seems that we are involved in each other’s lives much more during Christmas.   Social activities are plentiful; there are choir cantatas, Christmas programs, heartwarming movies, and Christmas parties.  If there are times that families get together it seems to be more pronounced during the Christmas season.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, it is understood that the reason for the joyous Christmas season is celebration of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ!

One day, we will no longer celebrate His coming; we will be in His Presence!  We will gather together with loved ones gone before and believers throughout the ages, to have one of the most glorious gatherings in all of the history of creation called “the Marriage Feast of the Lamb”.  It will be the beginning of the Celebration of all celebrations with myriads of people from all nations, tribes and languages, whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their

places at the feast in the kingdom of God”. ^{Luke 13:29 NIV}

No longer will we be simply remembering the Birth of Christ or even His profound sacrifice for our Redemption; we will be remembering it all, and we will be with Him for eternity!  Christ will be our King and He will be King forever!

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given;

and the government shall be upon His shoulder,

and His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore."

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 Community Christmas Gifts
We have learned that there are over 90 families in our area that community organizers are reaching out to through local organizations and churches, hoping for gifts and sponsors.  If you would be interested in adopting a family for Christmas, please contact the church office or Pastor Dan for information on how you can be a blessing to the lives of those in our community this season!  Thank you.

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Winter Youth Camps – Jonah Ministries

~Contact Curtis or Debbie Schlegel to sign up!~

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So Parents, What is it worth to reach to your Teen?

                        April 24-25th      At the Rose Quarter   ...Will you be there with them?

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Mid Columbia Community Choir

                                    presents . . .

Celebrate the Season

Perry Cole, Director ~ Diana Beterbide, Accompanist ~ Anita Decker, Soloist ~

Dennis Griffith, Narrator

Go Tell It!

Congregational Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 14^th, at 10:15am

Voices of 2 children’s choirs, adult choir – and YOU!

Rehearsal schedule

7pm – 8:30pm - December 9th, Tuesday Night

9:00am – 11:30am - December 13^th,

Saturday Morning– Dress Rehearsal

8am - December 14^th, Sunday – “Go Tell It” Sound Check

It’s that time of year!

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Plan to attend this traditional family time of worship together at 6:00pm on December 24^th, as we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

FROM THE CHURCH STAFF:

With love and gratitude for your continuing love and support.

Pastor Dan, Pastor Bob,

Curtis & Debbie Schlegel, Kirk Fisher and Lana Kent

December 2008

December 2008 Calendar

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

 (If your special days are not on this list, please let the church office know!  Thanks!)