Midweek Meetup: Week of December 17

Midweek Meetup: Week of December 17

Inspiration & Information every week

Verse of the Day~

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17)

Prayer~

Jesus, You are Immanuel, God-with-us. You knew our sickness. You shared our burdens. You understand our hardships. We welcome Your coming again. In Your name, Amen.

A Special Invitation to “An EverGreen Christmas Eve”

We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Wednesday, December 24, at 5 p.m. with our annual Candlelight Service with Communion. Our music includes both praise singing and traditional hymns. Our special musicians are Kristin Bickel, Karl Ludwig, Kate Pruyn, and Kaydence Salazar, along with a very special performance by Elizzabeth Mackey. Our graduating senior Charly Jones brings the Christ candle, with youth and young adults sharing the readings. Join us for this very special celebration, and bring your family and friends.

Meeting Jesus ~ 

On this final Sunday in Advent at 10 a.m., we celebrate the gift of love with readings from Luke 1 and Romans 16. “EverGreen: Everlasting Love ” will include music from our Bell Choir. 

Meeting Friends ~ 

Invite a friend to join you at our Women’s Retreat, January 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a one-day retreat for women, based on Ruth Haley Barton’s Sacred Rhythms, as we’ll explore the practices that spiritual seekers and growing disciples have used throughout history to grow closer to God. $30 covers the cost of lunch and materials. Register from the church website at www.firstchurchlajunta.org. 

Sharing Hope ~ 

Our barnyard is filling slowly, as we continue to collect our Christmas Joy offering for World Renew. We’ve received $425 toward our goal of $2515 for a barnyard of 10 goats, 8 pigs, 4 piglets, 25 ducks, 15 rabbits, 50 chickens, and 5 roosters and farmer training in how to raise them. Drop your gift in the bucket at the front of the sanctuary, and add an animal to the “barnyard” until it’s full.

This week @ First Church:

Christmas Eve rehearsal (Rena & Elizzabeth), 12/18 at 5:30 p.m.

Girl Scouts on Friday, 12/19 at 11 a.m.

Toy Drive on Saturday, 12/20 from 8-5 p.m.

ARK Sunday School & Faith Explorer Class (5th & 6th) on Sunday, 12/21 at 9 a.m.

“Good, Bad & Ugly” Advent Study on Sunday, 12/21 at 9 a.m.

Fourth Sunday in Advent, 12/21 at 10 a.m.

Pastor MJ’s Open House, 12/21 from  2-4 p.m. @ 912 Santa Fe Avenue in LJ

Christmas Eve Worship on Wednesday, 12/24 at 5 p.m.