A few items of note this Advent Season for all my friends at the Royal Oak Vineyard Church.
1. This coming Sunday (the 16th): as I mentioned this past Sunday, we will be taking a special offering this Sunday, in response to my sermon. This offering will be used to "contribute to the needs of the saints" through our benevolence and missions funds. I wanted to give a heads up so that you're not taken by surprise. If you'd like to give, but won't be there, you can mail a check (or drop it off on a later Sunday) made out to ROVC, memo: Benevolence or Missions. Our benevolence fund supports those with specific financial needs in and around our community, while our missions fund helps support our Kingdom ministry around the world.
2. This past Sunday: wasn't it great?! In particular, our sermon featured one of our members sharing his testimony of what happened when he committed to really giving his life as a gift to Jesus - the freedom he found and how he's now wanting to help others too. As one leader remarked to me, "This is a real turning point for our church. We're not going to be fake; we're going to take following Jesus seriously." If you'd like a copy of the sermon on CD (it is not yet up on the web), they are now available for $1. We will be doing this with future sermons, too.
3. Christmas Eve Gathering: this year we'll be celebrating the coming of Jesus with our friends from First Baptist. What a way to round out the year! The service will be 5:30-6:30PM (with childcare for 4 and under). A Christmas Cookie and Punch reception will follow - so even if you're unfortunate enough to have to work a full day that day, you can hopefully still make it. This will be a festive and family-friendly service with loads of opportunity for participation from the community.
Oh, and be on the lookout for our own Shannyn Caldwell, who tells me she's scheduled on Fox 2 News to be singing carols with her carolers this Christmas morning.
And, finally, please let me also say what a privilege it is to serve alongside you all. Truly Jesus has blessed me richly to partner in ministry with you all.
Peace, and Merry Christmas,
Jim
The Pool Party
Jim, Megan, Eli, Esther, Eden and Olive
2 comments:
Pulled pork for breakfast. Is it cuz I took this away that we talk no more?
you know how i love pulled pork for breakfast ... ! i'll call you.
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