Brothers and Sisters,

It’s hard to believe next week is Christmas! May it be a great holiday for you as you reflect on God’s kindness to us in Christ. Because Christ obeyed the Father fully on our behalf and sacrificed himself completely in death on our behalf we have been adopted into God’s family. It was thrilling to remember these realities with you last Sunday in Psalm 118.

Holiday Schedules

As you spend time with church members, friends, and family over the next few weeks please remember our holiday schedule changes. These include: No Connection Classes / Preschool – Youth Sunday School on Dec 27 (but join us at 10:45am on Dec 27 for the last sermon in the Songs of Jesus series), and the church office is closed Dec 25, 28, 29, and Jan 1.  The schedule for this coming Sunday (Dec 20) is normal.

And don’t forget about our Christmas Eve Gathering at 6:00pm on December 24. This hour-long worship gathering is ideal for bringing non-believing friends and family to hear the gospel.

East Asia Mission Trip 2016

Next summer, we will again send a team of members to serve alongside former Church on Mill Missionary Residents in East Asia to prayer walk and share the gospel with college students.  Cru, the sending agency for our partners states, “Imagine a summer that could change cities, countries and continents around the globe while also forever transforming your life – a summer that propels you into a deeper walk with God and gives you greater confidence in making Him known, a summer that develops your leadership skills and begins friendships you’ll take with you throughout your life.”  Wanna go?  Applications are currently being accepted. For more information see Scott Wakefield, Erik Naylor, or Jessica Oaks or attend the next informational meeting on January 10 at 12:15pm.

Dollars and Sense 

The proposed church ministry budget for 2016 was discussed at the last Members Meeting (audio here) and unanimously affirmed by the church last Sunday.  Praise God for giving us as a faith family a clear vision of ministry for 2016.  Let’s end 2015 with gospel-driven generosity!  End of the year donations can be made here or dropped off in person at the church office from 9am-12pm on Dec 30 or 31.

January

Sorry to burst your bubble but Christmas and New Year’s will be over with the blink of an eye and January will be upon us.  Why not prepare now?!  Several initiatives are underway:

  • Prayer Card / Bible Reading Plan – Be looking for a handy notecard to guide your prayers and Bible reading in 2016.  We’ll distribute this tool on Christmas Eve.
  • Gospel Communities – Church on Mill is committed to seeing people transformed by the power of the gospel. One key context for transformation is on mission in community.  Not in a GC? Start 2016 with a fresh start by finding a group.  All are open and would love to have you give them a try.
  • Understanding Wisdom – We’ll begin walking through the book of Proverbs in a new series of sermons starting January 10, 2016.  If you start today reading just one chapter per day you can cover nearly the entire book before the series begins.
  • Launch Night – In addition to all the great activities for preschoolers, children, youth, and college outreach to ASU, the college students and adults will begin the spring semester of Wednesday night studies on January 6 at 6:30pm.  Meet on campus to read the Bible with a friend or take one of three classes being offered: Disciplemakers 2, Disciplemakers 4, Discovering Diaconate.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Chuck