Summer Camp image?Highlights: Vacation Bible SchoolDeacon NominationsDel Rio Missions Trip

Pastor Les

PASTORAL REFLECTIONSPASTORAL REFLECTIONS

Dr. Leslie HollonSenior Pastor

1

Christ Born in YouChristmas is God's love story and through God's love we are never le� alone. Beginning this Christmas, peace can be yours year-around as you trust God with your whole life. Christ was born in Bethlehem and he can uniquely be born in you!

Just as the angels announced to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth - peace on all whom God's favor rests. " (Luke 2:14). When we say "yes" to God's love we can experience the peace God gives us to live in our troubled world.

God's favor rests on you and me when we align our will with God's. By yielding our desires to God's, we are then free to �nd:

• Spiritual peace with God. • Personal peace within ourselves.• Family peace with our relatives & friends.• Public peace with others.

�is truth is embodied in the beautiful Annunciation story of Mary when she was told that she would be involved in the Messiah's coming. �e key to unlocking the promise she and we are given is found in the word that appears 12 times in these 12 verses. (Luke 1:26-38) �at word is "Will". Mary willingly heard the message which required her willful participation.

When Christ is born in one's life it makes average but willing persons into faith heroes who do what needs to be done in one's own life and in the lives of others. I encourage you to read the Luke 1: 26-38 passage. I pray that you feel the personal impact and that you willingly connect others to the Christmas story so that this Christmas season Christ may be born in the lives of others.

1

2

“Stepping Into The Greatest ADVENTure” December Sermon Series by Pastor LesSafari is the Swahili word for “adventure”. �is Advent season, step into the adventure of God’s call as we head toward Christmas 2017. �is faith adventure requires Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love - which are the Sunday by Sunday themes of Advent. By completing this adventure you will be ready for all your future adventures.

Pastor Les

December 3"HOPE: Step Into God’s Sacred Possibilities”

Job 19:25; Mathew 1:1,16-17; Luke 1:28-33

December 10“PEACE: Step In With Willful Courage ”

Luke 1:26-38

December 17"JOY: Step Into What God Is Doing"

Matthew 1:18-25

December 24"LOVE: Step Into �e Con�dence Of Love”

Luke 2:8-20(Christopher Mack will preach @ Crossings)

Christmas Eve Service"Step Into Your Christmas Calling”

Luke 2:1-7

December 31"Step Into Abba’s Fullness”

Isaiah 61:10- 62:3; Galatians 4:4-7(Christopher Mack will preach both services.)

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. �e Lord

God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’”

- Luke 1:30-33

2

3 3

Trinity Chorale, Orchestra and Children’s Choirs present “Agnus Dei”

December 10, 2017 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary

�e Latin text “Agnus Dei,” means “Lamb of God” and was spoken by John the Baptist to describe Jesus Christ.

Michael W. Smith wrote one of the most popular settings of this text in recent years and this year’s Christmas

program will present the Christmas music of Michael W. Smith, along with other popular Christmas Carols.

Join us as the Chorale, Orchestra and Children’s Choir’s will lead us in this dramatic and sacred presentation.

Mark BarrChurch AdministratorMark Barr

5

Investing in Eternity This Holiday SeasonTime is so much more valuable than money or assets. �ank you for investing your time serving the body of Christ at Trinity Baptist Church. Please invest time this holiday season by sharing God’s love and grace with your family, friends, and your neighbor. It is your heart’s motives that God sees, and rewards accordingly. Everything we own, everything we have comes from God. When we give, we o�er him a very small portion of all the abundance he has already given to us. Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God! It comes from a heart of worship. For everything we give already belongs to him!

What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ than to give to the Church so that we can continue to share the word of God with our community! �rough your gi�, the word of God is preached, people’s lives are touched, people are fed, disciples can grow, and we are able to ful�ll our goals that were adopted during the annual meeting when we approved our Ministry Plan for 2017 and 2018.�e most convenient way for you to give is through the

GIVE icon on our site, www.TrinityBaptist.org. Since December 31st falls on Sunday this year, you may put your year-end gi� in the o�ering plate. If you are unable to attend the Sunday morning services on December 31st, you can call or text me at 210-310-6198 to make arrangements for delivery on �ursday or Friday, between 1-5 p.m. of December 28th or 29th.

Because all gi�s to the church are subject to IRS dead-lines, please remember that all year-end gi�s must be received in the church o�ce before midnight on December 31, 2017, or must be postmarked before the end of December to be deducted in the present tax year. Any gi�s received a�er December 31 and not postmarked in December will be included in the next tax year. �e date written on a check will not deter-mine which tax year a gi� is included. Only the actual date of receipt by the church or the postmark will establish the correct tax year for the IRS.

God Bless You and Your Family, have a Merry Christmas!

6

News From theChurch Administrator

Rock n Roll Marathon returns to our area again this year on December 3rd. Please visit our web site for directions to TBC

Sunday morning by entering “Rock” into the search �eld or www.trinitybaptist.org/rock-n-roll-marathon. �ere are links to

their site showing the race route and road closures.

We will not be meeting for Family Faith Night on December 20, December 27, 2017 or January 3, 2018. Regular Wednesday

night activities, including new Winter/Spring Small Groups. will resume on January 10.

�ere will be no Sunday School on December 24th. We will worship at the normal times during the Sunday services at

Crossings and in the Sanctuary.

�e church o�ces will be closed Monday, December 25th through Monday, January 1st.

4

December 3, 2017 - 7:00 PM San Antonio Mastersingers present “Messiah”�e San Antonio Mastersingers return to Trinity Baptist Church to present one of their annual performances of Handel’s “Messiah”. Premiered in 1742, this choral work has become one of the most enduring and o�en performed work in the sacred choral/orchestral repertoire. With a Libretto taken entirely from Scripture, this work will be a spectacular way for Trinity Baptist Church to enter into the Advent season.

December 17, 2017 – 3:00 PM �e Heart of Texas Concert Band presents “�e Many Moods of Christmas”“�e Many Moods of Christmas” will feature a team e�ort from the band, the Dianne Brumley Chorale, and the River City Ringers for a performance of Christmas favorites that will brighten your holiday season. Included in the program will be “�e Many Moods of Christmas – Suite 1,” Alfred Reed’s hauntingly beautiful “Russian Christmas Music,” and “Tidings,” a Christmas Carol Fantasy for concert band – with chorus and handbells! �e “Farandole” from Bizet’s “L’Arlesienne” Suite and other holiday favorites will make this your most memorable event of the holiday season.

Sunday Morning Worship:Sanctuary Worship at 10:15 am | Crossings Worship at 10:45

Christmas Eve Combined Worship:Join us for communion and candlelight at 5 pm in the Sanctuary.

Children’s Ministry

7

Children’s Ministry

Dr. Debbie PotterMinister of Children

Children’s Ministry

“Command the rich to do what is good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. �ey must give freely. �ey must be willing to share.”

1 Timothy 6:18

December Memory Verse

First Grade Bible PresentationEvery year �rst graders at Trinity are presented with a Bible during their Sunday school class. �is year the �rst graders were presented with their Bibles on Sunday, November 12.

�ank you to our �rst grade Sunday school teachers, Kay Polanco, Linda Furgeson and Joe Gaydos for leading our children every Sunday and teaching them about God's word and principles.

8

Now that �anksgiving has come and gone, it is time to focus on my favorite time of year. CHRISTMAS! I LOVE Christmas; the music, the lights, the food, the children, the Hallmark Christmas movies, (even when you know how each will end). It is all so much fun! However, we cannot forget the true meaning of Christmas! When we received the greatest gi� we could ever receive, Christ.

On Tuesday, December 12, at 10:00 we will have our annual Parents Day Out Christmas program in the church Sanctuary celebrating with our PDO families the greatest story ever told. We would love to have member volunteers come and greet the parents of our children on that day. It would be a great opportunity for the PDO parents to meet some of our church members. I hope some of you have the time to join us that day as greeters. It will only last about an hour. If anyone is interested, please contact me at 210-738-7753 or my email at kpolanco@trinitybaptist.org

Please continue to pray for our program. We are growing and many of our families are attending Trinity now. We give God the glory for our continued success.

Blessings,Ms Kay Polanco, PDO Director

It’s that time of year again- Winter Wonderland will be on December 2nd! �is is a great opportunity for your family to come experience the joy of Christmas together. We will have breakfast, cra�s, photos

with Santa, and a 100% chance of snow! Tickets are just $5. Visit the Children’s Center or call 210-738-7764 to buy yours today!

9

8 10

Plan to purchase this one-of-a-kind Trinity Christmas ornament for yourself and buy more as gi�s for your friends and loved ones who were baptized, married, etc. and have spiritual roots at TBC!

Engraved on the back of the ornament is “Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX”. �e cost is $20.00 each ($7.15 additional for mailing).

�ey will be available for purchase during Faith Family Night Wednesdays, in the CLC before and during Sunday School, in the Fanning Foyer a�er Sanctuary worship, and at TriPoint during Crossings worship. Once production costs are covered, all pro-ceeds from the sale of the ornaments will be used for TBC missions.

You can also purchase the ornament online on our website at www.trinitybaptist.org/trinity-ornament.

Trinity Ornament ison Sale now!

Christopher MackMinister of Adults

Adult MinistryAdult MinistryAdult Ministry

1st Sunday of Every Month!

In November, we had a growing group at our Young Adult Community Lunch at Tycoon Flats. Young professionals, and young marrieds gathered around salads, Tex-Mex, and great burgers for a wonderful time of connection across small groups and Sunday Bible Studies.

Young Adult Community Lunch

Be sure to get these upcoming dates on your calendar!December 3: 5 Points Local Flats1017 N. Flores, 78212. Rustic-chic with both comfort food and healthy options. (Gluten Free and Vegetarian options available)

January 6: Pearl Bottling Dept Food Hall312 Pearl Pkwy, Bld. #6, 78215. Diverse Chef-driven food stands. (Gluten Free and Vegetarian options available)

11

12

�e word “advent” means “to come before.” Advent is the traditional season of the church year that comes before Christmas. It is also the time we prepare ourselves in heart, mind, and soul to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ into the world and into our lives.

Preparing for Christmas is more than buying gi�s and decorating trees, it is an internal focusing on what the Church worldwide is about to celebrate. Immanuel, God with us, is the greatest gi� ever given. And in order to fully appreciate and receive it, we ready our hearts with prayer and worship, making room for the King of Kings arrival.

-Drew Moreland, interim

The Season of Advent

Our Trinity Baptist Church family sat around tables as a healthy and diverse 5 generation community composed of people from every stage of life. We shared in constructive and hope-�lled conversations around issues impacting the application of the whole Gospel, for our whole lives, for

whole communities in the San Antonio region. We look forward to prayerfully and strategically utilizing the fruits of this conversation and moving forward in 2018!

What Does the LORD Require of You? Nov. 12, 2017Changing Minds. Changing Hearts. Changing Actions.

13

I Want to Share a Secret With You…Have you had that experience where you were involved in something precious that only a few people experienced with you? It feels a bit like a secret – something quietly experienced that you carry with you through the day. I know I use to feel that way about pregnancy and the experience is similar to prayer and meditation and other quiet moments with God. �e truth is that my experience with online small groups are a bit like that for me.

Beginning October 23, I facilitated a 4-week online Small Group using Pastor Les’ six videos on “Understanding and Living God’s Will”. (Les also helped lead in that experience.) While you can go online right now and view those videos at Faithcollective.org, the secret I am sharing with you is about more than a private viewing of some excellent information. �ough our group was small in number and some individuals shared more than others, we intentionally gathered to focus on a speci�c topic and the learning & sharing from our lives was rich and it was real!

A few of the things we learned or were reminded of in this study were: • Whatever was done to me or done by me in the past does

not have the power to defeat God if we will place ourselves in God’s hands.

• God can’t bless sinful desires – but he can help turn our desires right side up.

• Most success goes down the same road as failure, the di�erence is to keep on moving – in God’s direction.

• Referencing Lesley Weatherhead’s classic book, we were reminded of the di�erent ways to think about God’s Will: God’s Intentional, Circumstantial, and Ultimate Will

• We need to use all our resources to understand God’s Will: scripture, community, our experience, prayer, our spiritual gi�s…

• Using the JOHARI window, we were reminded of how much more there is to learn about ourselves from what others can see in us that we can’t see and that there is even more that no one but God can see in us.

• We were reminded to be careful how much power we give others that do not want God’s best for us.

�ere is no way I have space here to give you all the “Cli� Notes” for what we learned over 4 weeks. I can however say that God’s desire is to live out His Will in your life in ways that you can impact the world. I pray that you will continue on this life-long journey of living God’s Will and I invite you to join me sometime in the future in the quiet online space where we can grow together. �e following are our next online small groups:

Adult MinistryAdult MinistryAdult Ministry

Work-Life BalanceBy Sandy MoranderJanuary 15th - 31st

Faith as a Road to TransformationBy Gaye Litton

February 12th- 28th

Stretch & Strengthen Your Prayer LifeBy Nancy Abbott

April 16th -May 11th

14

Vicki Hollon, D.MinMinister of Adults

Fun Loving Adults Will Go West to Tour Big Bend and the McDonald Observatory.On Sunday, April 8, at 1pm, Fun Loving Adults will travel by Regent Coach to Alpine, Texas where we will spend the night at the Hampton Inn. Monday we will tour Big Bend with the help of a professional on-bus tour guide with a picnic lunch at noon that day. Tuesday there will be opportunities for hiking, shopping, and other explora-tion of Ft. Davis and that evening we will take part in the McDonald Observatory’s Twilight Program (7:45pm) and the Star Party beginning at 9:15 pm. On Wednesday, April 11 we will return to San Antonio by mid-a�ernoon. Cost for the trip is $75 which will pay for the bus and your tickets to the Twilight Program and Star Party. In addition, your hotel room will be $119 plus tax per night and you will need money to buy your lunch and dinners.

(Hot breakfasts are included with the hotel.) �e deadline to reserve your hotel room at this group rate is March 8. Contact Kathy Rice, 210-738-7740, or stop by the CLC o�ce on Sunday to reserve your place on the bus and make your $75 deposit.

Winter/Spring 2018 Small GroupsProverbs 31 Women - Led by Cindy LevyMeets the 1st Sat. of every-other month (Jan. 6, Mar. 3…)11am – 1pm | CLC Mulberry Grand RoomConnect with women of all ages who are committed to help other women. We meet to do hands-on projects such as putting together birthday kits for pregnant women

TACO - Led by Mary Osborne and John HaleBegins Tuesday, Jan. 9 | TriPoint Hub & Rms 1 & 36 pm Food & Fellowship | 6:30-7:30 pm Bible StudyKidz Korner is available for pre-K – age 12, Conf Rm 3

A Study from the Book of Hebrews (for men and women)Led by Pastor Les & Rev. Patrick GahanBegins Weds., Jan. 10, 7:15-8 am | TriPoint, Conf rm 2Join us as we study the book of Hebrews and grow in under-standing of Jesus as the pioneer of our faith who enables us to live faithfully during troubled times.

Circle of Sisters - Led by Rhonda Jones/Sue Schank Begins Weds., Jan.10, 6-7:30 pm | Mulberry Ed. Rm 301�is is a group for women of various ages and stages seeking to study God's word and will for our daily lives through video Bible studies, study guides and great fellowship.

Band of Brothers - Led by Karl Schank & Pat NolanBegins Weds., Jan. 10, 6-7:30pm | Mulberry Ed. Rm 311In January we will study 1st Corinthians. In this letter, Paul addresses problems of the young church in Corinth that resonate in our society today.

Young Adult Study - Led by Christopher MackBegins Weds., Jan. 10, 6-7:30pm | McCarty Conf. Rm

Ministry to Moms - Led By Barbara Bach, Susie Marett, Carol Lecholop, Nancy Yale, & DeeDee Brogran Begins Weds., Jan. 10, 6-7:30pm | CLC Grand Rm�is group for moms of children newborn thru High School gather for dinner, fellowship, and study with Biblically based videos with discussion.

Writing Down the Spirit - Led by Je� CowartBegins �urs., Jan. 11, 6:30-8pm | Mulberr Ed. Rm 301In this group, we work to learn how to free the spirit to express itself in writing, regardless of the medium (�ction, non-�ction, journal, letters…) with the supporting grace and encouragement of fellow creators.

Precepts (Kay Arthur study) - �is is an in-depth study of the book of Daniel, with discussions, homework and a video presentation. �ere is a workbook fee and all are welcome.Choose from two available groups: • Begins Sun., Jan. 7, 2:30-4:30pm Led by Sharyel Bradford • Begins Fri., Jan. 12, 9:30am | Mulberry Rm 110 Led by Fredda Gill

Dialogue—Christian Authors Discussion Group Rotating Leaders Begins Mon., Jan. 15, 7pm Meets in homes every other week - New participants are welcome! Contact Veronica Grant: 210-307-6900

David, A Beth Moore Study - Led by Laurie Bracher Begins Mon., Jan. 22, 9:30-11:30am, Mulberry Rm 301Join us for this 11-session study for women, “David: Seeking a Heart Like His” by Beth Moore.

Register by calling 210-738-7740 or go to:trinitybaptist.org/small-groups

15

16

Trinity Missions

SABA Walk for Hunger A big “�ank You” to our 12 walkers and their sponsors who participated in the SABA Walk for Hunger! We enjoyed fellowship and a cool, rather humid walk in a beautiful setting. �e funds raised help not only our own Food Pantry and Bountiful Blessings Ministry, but also help 36 other Baptist Church food pantries and the San Antonio Food Bank.

Honduras: Living Water Ranch

Annual Missions Banquet Wednesday, December 6 | 5 pm Dinner | 6 pm Program

Come and hear our Guest Speaker, CBF Associate Coordinator of Global Missions, Sam Harrell, speak on “With Wings of Eagles?”. Sam is a dynamic speaker who grew up in Kenya. Our theme will focus on our local and global Missions, so we invite you to come and learn more about the missions Trinity is involved in and �nd out how you can become part of one. Come and support our Youth, who will report on their mission experiences during “Building on the Border”. We will be collecting Children’s books in Spanish or English for our CBF missionary, Diann Berry’s systemic poverty and literacy ministries in the Rio Grande Valley. Agape Aldape Jewelers will be present with their jewelry to support the Aldape’s mission ministry in Spain.

Aldape UpdateA Vimeo of the Aldape’s water ministry is available online as part of Pastor Les “My Prayer for You” message from November 10, “Helping in Troubled Times” under the Agape Aldape Jewelry information. You can also �nd this video on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/tbcsanantonio

On November 1, we celebrated four years of parenting Dayana (17), Gleny (13) and Jason (10), the �rst sibling group we began parenting in 2013. We praise and thank God for the transformative, restorative work He's done in the children's lives and in our own during these four years. We stand in awe at how He has made grow deep roots of love and commitment among us for His glory.

From those initial three kids, God has sprung out the ensuing discipleship-based homeschool community in our rural homestead where we currently educate roughly 40 children and teenagers according to the Way of Christ, not to mention the group of incredibly dedicated teachers and local Honduran missionaries whom the Lord has

brought one by one to serve alongside of us in this beautiful life of service and continual growing. We celebrate these �rst four years with great joy and are expectant for what He will do in the coming years!

17

Alpha Home is pleased to announce Elizabeth Vargas, anchor of ABC’s television newsmagazine 20/20, will be the keynote speaker for its 12th Annual Doorways of Hope Luncheon in 2018. Tickets and sponsorships are on sale at www.alphahome.org. For more information, contact Megan Butler: 210-785-3007, or email donate@alphahome.org.

Donate to Alpha Home every time you shop with Amazon Smile. Sign up at https://smile.amazon.com and pick Alpha Home as your preferred charity.

Cold weather will soon be upon us again! Alpha Home is hosting a coat drive for its clients from now until the end of December. Donations of gently used jackets, coats, sweaters, hoodies, scarves, etc will be accepted at the Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia, 8:30 am – 5 :30 pm, Monday through Friday.

From your 2017-2018 Staff Appreciation Team

It’s that wonderful time of year! Tried and True recipes bringing smiles! Homemade pies for our sta� at �anksgiving, whether near or far away miles.

From LOTS of loving holiday bakers here at TBC, each pie is a tangible reminder of our appreciation -one that our sta� can see!

(And also one that they can taste and enjoy with their dear family!)

A BIG thank you to ALL of you bakers! We so appreciate your e�ort and time. Please know that the sta� appreciates YOU as they enjoy your pie, so sublime!!

18

Family & Friends of Annella Egbert, wife of Tom EgbertFamily & Friends of Wilburn Lee Gibson, father of Donna LlewellynFamily & Friends of Randy �omas, husband of Melissa �omasFamily & Friends of Norma Osborn, mother of Tamera Baker

Deacon O�cers: Dick Foster, Chair | Ken Smith, Vice-Chair | Ross Johns, SecretaryTrustees: Terry Green, Chair | Cheryl Myers, Vice Chair | Joe Gill, Secretary | Dick Foster | Maureen Gaydos | Ann Smith | Ginger

Nicholas | Jill Parker | Dave Ballard | Jerry Carnahan | Fully Clingman | Joe Gill | Terry Green | Gary Higgs | Cheryl Myers

__________________________________

Wi� D�pest Sympa�y

December 2 | Jeanie Riddell1027 Cerro Alto DrSan Antonio, TX 78213

�ough these TBC Members can not always worship with us on Sundays, they are an important part of our Faith Family. We invite you to send a card to let them know you care.

December 8 | Anne Mosley14448 Brook Hollow BlvdSan Antonio, TX 78232

December 8 | Patricia Pope�e Forum @ Lincoln Heights311 W. Nottingham Dr. Apt 228San Antonio, TX 78209

Gabby Polhemus, by Baptism

Welcome Our New Members!

December 30 | Dorothy EarlsInn @ Los Patios8700 Post Oak Ln Apt 147San Antonio, TX 78217

Patti & Jim Furgerson, by Letter Marcia & Mark Barr, by Statement

Not Pictured:Yasmin Sadat-Maussari, by Baptism Juliet Flores, by Statement Jonathan & Blanca Eschbach, by Letter

Our Pastoral Sta�: D. Leslie Hollon, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Debbie Potter, Ph.D., Minister of Children

Christopher Mack, Minister of Young AdultsVicki Hollon, D.Min., Minister of Adults

Jacob Sensenig, Minister of Music & Worship Arts

Trinity Baptist Church | 319 E Mulberry, San Antonio, TX 78212 | www.trinitybaptist.org | (210) 733-6201Trinity Baptist Church | 319 E Mulberry, San Antonio, TX 78212 | www.trinitybaptist.org | (210) 733-6201

By Alison Carnahan, Prayer Ministry Co-Coordinator with Sandra MartinPRAYER

COLOSSIANS 4:2

TRINITY

Please pray for the Winter Wonderland on Saturday, December 2. Pray that many from our community would attend and that it would be a time of great fun for children and adults alike.

Please pray for the San Antonio Mastersinger’s presentation of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 3. Pray for great attendance and that this might be a wonderful time of worship.

Please pray for �e Amazing Ladies Ministry Elegant Christmas co�ee on Saturday, December 9. Pray that this might be a time when each woman’s heart is refreshed and tuned attentively toward Christ for the duration of the busy holiday season.

Please pray for the Chorale’s Christmas concert “Agnus Dei” on Sunday, December 10. Pray that many Trinity members would be bold in inviting their friends and that God would be glori�ed through this program.

If you would like more information about how you can serve in the Prayer Ministry, please contact Alison Carnahan at alnicoles@aol.com or Sandra Martin at sandramartin2742@sbcglobal.net. You will receive a blessing.

From the Prayer Ministry

Need Prayer? Call our 24 hr prayer line: 210-738-PRAY (210-738-7729)

Please pray for the Parent’s Day Out Christmas program on Tuesday, December 12. Pray that God’s word would be planted deep in the hearts of the PDO children and that their parents would be encouraged.

Please pray for the Heart of Texas Band concert on Sunday, December 17. Pray that the concert will be well attended and that God would be exalted through the music.

Please pray for the regular Sunday morning services and the 5 pm Christmas Eve service on Sunday, December 24. Pray that Trinity members will bring their families, friends and neighbors to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Please remember to pray for the sta� and their families as they enjoy the holidays together while church o�ces are closed Monday, December 25 – Monday, January 1. Pray that this would be a great time of rest and rejuvenation.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, becauseHe will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“�e Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God. –C.S. Lewis

Christmas Prayer, by Debbie McDanielDear God,

Help us to keep our focus �rst on Christ this season. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention on other things. Help us to re�ect again, on what Christmas is really all about. �ank you that you

came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. �ank you that your power is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to remember that the gi� of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas, but for the whole year through. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds

towards you. �ank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. For you never leave us. �ank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. �ank

you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you today…and keep you �rst in our hearts and lives.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.