It is hard to believe that this Sunday will be the last for us to meet as a class in 2011. Some of you may remember when Mary Grace Birkhead spoke at Christmas Countdown a few years back (this is Cary by the way, Daniel didn't crash a women's only event that year). One of her excerpts from her book "Ornaments of Christmas Joy" is titled "PONDER HIS PRESENCE." Commenting on Luke 2:19, Mary Grace urges us to be aware of HIM this very moment. Be aware of HIS presence. These moments are filled with God. Do you sense Him? Don't miss Him in your mad dashing about. He is there in the chaos and in the silence. Ponder His place in your day. Take His hand. He is with you!
CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SOCIAL:
We have some great plans for 2012! Mark your calendars for January 19 for a girls night "mix it up" dinner out! Details to come soon. Also, the women of the class will start meeting for coffee once a month, details also to follow. GUYS: There are some good sports watching gatherings and monthly lunches in the works...anticipate!
LOGISTICS -no tough love this Sunday! We'll be back in full swing w/ yummy snacks this week, courtesy of Tait and Rob.
Remember to try your best to wear your nametag -we have new visitors a good bit and if you are like me, you need a visual to remember names. If you need one, let Mary T and Bud know. millermaryt@gmail.com
PRAYER REQUESTS:
-Our church in the midst of transition
-Mary Graham Sheppard
-Mary Catherine Pritchett, sister of Caroline Woods - sick toddler and newborn
-Collins Clegg, MRI was on Wednesday. Collins specific prayer is that her MS has gone into remission. She had an allergic reaction to the drug that her family had prayed about taking-I had 4 doses and had a reaction during the 4th dose. She has since had 2 rounds of IV steroids. There is a new drug coming out in nine months that sounds promising, but nothing for her in the meantime except the steroids. So, remission would be nice while we are waiting on the new medicine.
For all of us - anxiety at Christmas
If you ever have specific prayer request that is not announced in Sunday School, please contact Barry and/or Karon at ksstaples@gmail.com or bstaples@maynardcooper.com
HOSPITALITY:
Our class has the opportunity to help out the Ammons family. The plan is to have people prepare meals that can be frozen. They can be dropped off in the nursery Kitchen Freezer and each Friday someone will make a delivery to the Ammons. Please make sure that the thawing and reheating instructions are included. If anyone would like to make a donation for the Ammons we ask that you donate to the Deacon Fund and mark the money for the Ammons family.
Please keep in mind that if you have or know of a hospitality need to contact Katherine and Zach Turnage at kwturnage@yahoo.com
CHURCH WIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Nursery Bonus Fund
Thank you so much to those of you who have given to the Nursery Bonus Fund. You have been very generous, and I wish all of you could see the faces of our precious Nursery employees when they receive their Christmas gift! If you want to give and have not, it is not too late! We are still collecting donations. You can put a check in the offertory plate or you can drop it off at the SonShine Valley welcome desk. Please make a note on the check “for the nursery bonus fund.”
Love in Action Christmas Meal
A gift of $25 to Love in Action will provide a complete meal for individuals and families in need this Christmas season. Please make checks payable to Covenant Presbyterian Church and note your gift is designated for “Love in Action”. Donations may be placed in the offering plate today.
Holiday Services at Covenant
The traditional Christmas Eve services will be held at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. There will be one service on Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2012) at 10:00 a.m. with no Sunday School.
Carter Stewart will join us again this Sunday, he started off with an excellent lesson last week and we anticipate another great one on "Fruits of the Spirit."
Gratefully,
The Murrays
