STUFF   DAVE SHANER

Everyone is invited to share some holiday spirit at the Shaner house next Sunday. Drop in anytime between 1 pm and 7 pm. Kathy and I would enjoy having you come over. Our LIFE Group will also be meeting there this week. I received this in the office this week and thought I would share it with you.

This past weekend, Patricia VanLester was nearly stomped to death by a mob of frenzied people. Miss VanLester hadn't done anything wrong. She hadn't committed a crime. The mob of people weren't even particularly angry with her. She simply had the misfortune of stumbling and falling as holiday shoppers rushed into a Wal-Mart store to grab up DVD players that had been placed on sale for $29.00.

VanLester was knocked unconscious as people stepped on her to get to the sale. No one stopped to help her up. After stepping on her, they continued on their way, seemingly oblivious to her as she laid unconscious on the floor. VanLester was still unconscious when paramedics arrived and had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital.

Interesting story. Almost sounds like it came out of the Bible, doesn't it? People are faced with a choice. Do I stop and help this injured woman, or do I pass by her so that I can get a DVD player before they're all gone? Hmm... help the woman and miss out on the sale, or pass by the woman and take home a new DVD player... choices, choices, choices.

Actually friends, there is no choice here for the disciple of Christ. To ignore one who is in need to fulfill one's own desire is unconscionable! Yet, if you were in that crowd, what would you have done? Give it some thought.

This afternoon from 2:00-4:00 pm there will be a Kids' Christmas Party for children 6th grade and younger in the small auditorium. We would also like for each family who has a child attending the party to bring a gift or some stocking stuffers for the Tree of Giving. Each child will be decorating a mini gingerbread house. We welcome donations of candy to decorate the houses and also of cookies and candy canes for the party. Photos of your child with Santa will also be available to purchase at an affordable cost. Two 5 X 7 for $5.50 and reprints can be ordered.

In the foyer of the church you will find the tree of giving now decorated with paper ornaments which hold Christmas wishes of children close to our church family. Merry Christmas and may we share the joy of giving! More specific directions are inside the ornaments. No time for shopping? We're happy to do it for you! Please see Loretta Robinson (762-2794) or Kim Howard (772-0541).

We'd also hoped to give our families a nice Christmas Dinner and so donation bags in the foyer are labeled with needed food items. Thanks! Questions? Call Kristine Robinson (691-3718) or Kim Howard (772-0541).

This year we are doing something different!!' We are going to have small group parties of 10 to 20 people. 'So if you are interested in hosting or going to a party with brothers and sisters in Christ, please talk to George Wuest.

Strong Christian families are the strength of the Lords Church. To assist families, this congregation is offering a teen & parent class on communications skills to include topics on dating, marriage & sex. This class will be led by Mike Reeves and Ryan McCrea and is open for ALL TEENAGERS and THEIR PARENTS.

The Elders want to express support for this informative material and highly recommend that all teens and their parents avail themselves of this important class.

- For the Elders

This year we will not be having a Christmas party but a New Year's party instead. This will be at the Frahm's house. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. Please bring your favorite dish. It's a potluck. Children are invited! We will have kids' games from 7-9 p.m. and then an early kids' New Year's at 9 p.m. We will then put on a movie and have the kids lay down in our basement. From 9-12 p.m. we will have grown-up games and fellowship. We will have the usual Christmas gift exchange. Please bring a gift for everyone in the family. $2 max. for kids gifts and $5 max. for adult gifts. Be creative, make cookies or candy - no minimal cost limit. We will ask for donations for a couple of baby sitters to watch the kids from 9-12 p.m. Please help if you are able. For any questions, call Alyssa Frahm at 665-5851.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I wish to thank each one of you for the cards and visits and phone calls during my recent surgery. I especially thank you for your prayers. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I heal from my surgery.

Love in Jesus, Wilma Flanagan

Dear Family,

On behalf of Lifeline of Hope and the orphan children we want to express our sincere thank you for your compassion and kindness.

Your gift on November 16th, Orphan Sunday, will help feed and clothe thousands of desperate children ALL NEXT YEAR! They will have warm clothes and a full stomach for the very first time.

We are touched by all your prayers in behalf of the orphans and the mission effort!

We hope your congregation will stay interested and involved in this great orphan benevolent mission. We are thankful to God for all of you and we pray His continued blessings in your lives.

For Lifeline of Hope,

In His service for the children,

Jim & Elma Miller

Dave & Alaina Board

Dec. 14 - Elders/Deacons Budget Meeting

Dec. 14 - Kids' Christmas Party 2 - 4 p.m. Sm. Aud.

Dec. 16 - 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at JB's

Dec. 18 - CCS Christmas Program 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 - Teen Christmas Party at the Welter's

Dec. 21 - Shaner's Holiday Open House

Dec. 22 - Youth Ski Trip

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Party

Russ Allen is recovering at home following a fall on the ice last Wednesday.

Edward Brown, Warren's father, is ill. Warren has been in California with his parents during this time.

Wilma Flanagan is recovering at home from intestinal surgery.

Following tests, Ron Dupey will be undergoing surgeries in the near future.

Red Caylor, Opal Wilson's son-in law, had an aneurysm in his stomach and is slightly improving.

Carole Fredrikson is recovering from foot surgery.

Fred Bonney is at KMC recovering from throat surgery, and later hip surgery following a fall at the hospital.

Chris Williams, Pat Irmer's nephew, is recovering from having two of his toes removed due to a staph infection.

Teen Pearson is recovering from pneumonia.

Myrtle Cornett, Opal Wilson's sister, had a pacemaker implanted.

Bea Phippen is now home and recovering.

Pray for safe travels for David & Becky Reeves as they return back to Togo. They leave early Monday.

Continue to remember: Harold Long, Ake Laititi, Donann Scott, Anita Haman, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Dave Shaner, Sr., Nicholas Litterell, George Parrish, Tammy Heath, Susan Vetch, Ivan Archer.

'Sew in Love' ladies luncheon Tuesday, December 16th in the small auditorium. Ladies, come join us for class at 10:30 a.m. and lunch following.

THE SOUP KITCHEN WILL BE CLOSED DEC 24TH & DEC 31ST
THIS WILL ALLOW THE SOUP KITCHEN STAFF TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS.'

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A very special NEW CLASS designed for Parents & Teens...That's right, TOGETHER!

Dr. Adrian Hickmon, a family therapist, counselor, and professor at Harding Christian University has produced a class series, HOUSE ON THE ROCK, in an effort to open communication lines between parents and their teenagers on the important subjects of dating, marriage, and sex. Ryan McCrea and I will teach this combined class of teens and parents as a Sunday morning Bible class beginning December 21st in the small auditorium. Some of the topics to be shared in the series include:

I have been spending a lot of time praying about this class, and for all the teens and their parents. I know we all need help in these areas, and I believe this class will be very good for us. I've also been praying that we will all set this as a top priority, and plan to be a part of every session.

Teens, this probably looks a little scary, and it will also be for the adults at first, but I promise it's going to be tons of fun, and it has the potential for transforming our families and our home lives into what God designed them to be. The interactive learning will carry over into the activities of our every day lives. We will learn how to communicate with one another on the most difficult of topics.

Please don't miss this if it is at all possible for you to participate. Parents, don't let your kids down, even if they say they don't want you to come. Teens, if your parents can't, or won't come, you come anyway. Everyone who participates will grow from it. Please pray for Ryan and I as we prepare, and for all who could / should be in the class.

"Happy Holidays!" the man cried out. "And, the same to you!" came the reply.

The season had arrived! The fall harvest season was long gone. In fact, Thanksgiving, a time to share a great feast together, had now passed. The "real" holidays, the exciting times for all, the winter sports, the piles of snow, the cheerful shoppers with compassionate hearts had arrived.

She looked peaceful as she watched the pure, white snowflakes fall to the ground. This, of course, was her favorite time of the year! In fact, she loved the old traditional songs, and that alone would often put her in a good mood. The traditional favorites of the season had been playing in the house for several days.

We gazed out the window and noticed some of the neighborhood boys sledding. Others were putting all of their efforts into rolling balls of snow. In a few minutes a snowman had appeared near the sledding hill. He had the typical crunchy-carrot nose and solid rock eyes. The sound of laughter could be heard through the window. We watched as two men helped a woman push her car out of a snow drift. They smiled and waved as she drove away.

The girl turned and looked at me, "Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year!" "God has given us such a beautiful season and a time to care for each other and serve." "It IS a beautiful time of the year, but God is NOT limited, remember." I commented.

I reminded her of all the things that God had done for us! It is NOT just this special season that He has blessed us with. But, it seems that many of us are often pulled into the whole season of giving, helping, and serving, but forgetting about what God has done the rest of the year. We count Him out too often. God should always be number one in our lives. He should be at the top of our lists all year long. God does CHANGE lives. He is waiting that we might bring more into His Church. What a wonderful God that we serve.

What has God done for you? How has He changed your life? What has made you a better person because of God? Remember God today! Be excited every day because of what He has done for ALL of us! He has given us a beautiful time to celebrate His creation during the holidays, but He does SO much for us the rest of the year too!

ANNOUNCEMENT: CCS is collecting cans of food for the pantry! If you would like to help out with this please contact the CCS office.

TO SERVE December 21^st, 2003

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

Assembly Times:

Other Bible Study Groups are offered at various times. Please call the office for times and places.

Statistics:
WEEK OF 12/7/2003

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