December 1, 2024

Greeter(s)                    Linda Allmond

Welcome Center           Kathleen Viall

Worship Leader            Brady Rennix

Communion Leader      Patrick Rodgers

Sound/PowerPoint       Scott Rhea

Nursery                        Kathy Gallagher

Toddlers                       Scott Brookes, Sam Parrent

Graceland                     MaryKate Boggs, Frankie Lyszkowski

HANGING OF THE GREENS AND POTLUCK LUNCHEON: The deacons invite our church community to help decorate for the Advent and Christmas season after our worship service next Sunday, December 1.  Help us make the church colorful and festive by hanging greens and decorating our tree.  Kids will help decorate Graceland.  We’ll have a soup (crock)potluck after worship with church decorating following the meal.  Please use the link to indicate adults and children attending.  https://tinyurl.com/GBCBBHaningofthegreensandlunch

If you can contribute to the pot-luck luncheon, please sign up to bring a crock pot of soup, salad, or bread to share.  Thank you!

ADULT ADVENT STUDY: Our Advent Study, “An Unlikely Advent”, begins today and continues on Sundays at 9:30am through December 22.  If you can’t attend on Sunday mornings, you can still participate by reading the book on your own.  The book is available for purchase for $12.  You can place your money or check in the wooden box on Trish’s desk in the office.  Author Rachel Billups guides readers through the themes of hope, love, joy and peace by sharing the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah, King Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds.  Each set of unexpected characters has something to teach us about living faithfully on the journey to Christmas.  It’s my hope that through the study we would not only develop a deeper appreciation of the Christmas story but also a richer and more robust life as Jesus’ followers, that our lights would burn brighter and stronger for Jesus.  

A CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING will be held next Sunday, December 8, following the worship service to vote on the proposed 2025 ministry budget.  Please plan to attend in person or on zoom.

FAMILY PROMISE MONTCO – LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS

The Board of Missions is supporting the “Light Up the Holidays” program again this year.  We can help a Hope Gardens family have a brighter Christmas through our donations of gift cards.  A tree decorated with gift tags is set up in the narthex.  If you can support this project, please take a tab from the tree and purchase the requested gift card.  Please return the gift card along with the tree tag to Karen Rice or Kathy Lloyd by Sunday December 1.  (This gives the families time to use the cards for presents.)

FAMILY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM & DINNER: You are invited to celebrate Christmas at our annual family Christmas Program and Dinner on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4pm.  The program includes carol singing, a visit from the Magical Man in Red, and a talent show!  Please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4AACAC2BA4FE3-53485222-christmas to help us plan for the right number of people.  The main dish for the potluck dinner is provided.  Cost is $5 (FREE for under 3 yrs).  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share with everyone! 

       To participate in the talent show, please speak with a member of the Board of Christian Education (Kelly, Casey, Monét, Kim, Margaret, Betty L, or Amanda) or leave a note on your bulletin tear slip.  If you have any questions, please email Kelly at gallyat717@yahoo.com.

At a congregational meeting on Sunday November 17, the congregation voted to approve the Board of Christian Education’s recommendation to change our Sunday morning ministry schedule with the goal of increasing participation in our Sunday School program.  The decision to begin worship at 10am followed by 15 minutes of fellowship, followed by 45 minutes Sunday school classes will allow choir members to participate in Sunday School and also encourage families who are present for worship to stay for Sunday School.  The change in service/Sunday School time will take place on January 5 2025.  We’ve committed to try this format for 18 months with evaluations / reflection after 6, 12, and 18 months.  If you have questions, see any member of the Board of Christian Education or Pastor David.  

IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS for upcoming adult Sunday School activities/lessons/topics, please indicate on the bulletin tear slip or you can email Kelly Gallagher (gallyat717@yahoo.com).  All new topics will begin in January, 2025

WE EXTEND CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Dr. Tony Campolo, pastor, professor, author, speaker and social activist, who passed away on November 19, 2024.  Click on the link to read more about his life and legacy of Christian service: https://www.eastern.edu/news/campolo-memoriam

THE WINTER “SECRET PLACE” (December, January, February) is available at the Welcome Center.  Place your $.50 donation in the attached box.

COMMUNITY CUPBOARD DONATIONS:  Drop off at 150 N. Main St., Ambler (Tues, Thurs, and Fri, 9am-2pm) or at church during office hours.  Please shop our Amazon Wish List.  Please do not donate any Thanksgiving items!  Donations requested as of November 20: breakfast bars, coffee (instant & K-cups), cookies, crackers, granola bars, hot cocoa (packets), mayonnaise, oil (olive or canola), peaches (canned), pineapple (canned), white potatoes (canned), body lotion, body wash, Clorox wipes, shampoo.  No bulk or extra-large size items, please.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE BAPTIST – All activities are in person unless noted.

Sunday, December 1 – First Sunday of Advent

9:30am – Sunday School, Choir

10:45am – Worship/Communion

12pm – Potluck Luncheon and Church Decorating

1:30pm – Myungsung worship (Room B)

Monday, December 2

6:30-8:30pm – Girl Scout Service Unit Meeting (narthex)

Tuesday, December 3

6pm – Vision Team (zoom)

7pm – Youth Group

7:30pm – Presence (zoom)

Wednesday, December 4

11am – Midweek Bible Study

Thursday, December 5

7:30pm – Diaconate (zoom)

Saturday, December 7

4-8pm – Parents’ Night Out (dinner included)

Sunday, December 8 – Second Sunday of Advent

9:30am – Sunday School, Choir

10:45am – Worship (Graceland 2.0)

12:00pm – Congregational Budget Meeting

1:30pm – Myungsung worship (Room B)