Thank you to everyone who made a commitment to be part of our two-year vision, Together! Our first fruits offering will be Sunday. If you have the ability to give from stored resources, you can help us get a great start at reaching our goal of $75,000 for our first Together offering. Gifts received in 2017 will help us finish the year strong as we move into a season of greater generosity. Even if you aren’t able to give above your commitment, we ask that you give your first offering toward Together on this date. To learn more about our Together results, you can check out a video of Pastor Ronn’s update last week at cometothesanctuary.org/together.
Also on Sunday, you won’t want to miss our baptism services, when several people from our congregation will be sharing what God has done in their lives and profess their faith in Jesus publicly as they get baptized. It’s always an inspiring service! We hope to see you there!
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Take a journey through the Bible this Advent season and explore more of the meaning behind our “Whispers of Hope” sermon series. You can pick up an Advent Devotional at the Info Table or download the study from our app or web site. The devotional can be done individually or with your family. Each day, you will study a short passage of scripture that follows our Christmas sermon series. You can find the devotional online here: https://cometothesanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/Whispers-of-Hope-Advent.pdf
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Our Eve of Christmas Eve service will be held Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. and will be identical to our Sunday morning service on Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. We are looking forward to celebrating Christ’s birth with you!
CHRISTMAS CHOIR
Do you love to sing? Do you have a heart to worship through music with others? Then join our Christmas Choir! We will rehearse at the church Dec. 17 and Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Christmas services are 8 p.m. Dec. 23 and 10 a.m. Dec 24. If you are interested and can make ALL of the rehearsal times, please contact Worship Arts Director Ben Kafer: [email protected].
THE FIGHT CLUB
This fall, men will dive into a study, called, “Play the Man.” Somewhere along the way, our culture lost its definition of manhood, leaving generations of men and men-to-be confused about their roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the reason God made them men. The Fight Club meets 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Dec. 16.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
We were never meant to take this journey of faith alone or in secret. God has entrusted us with the great and mighty gift of the gospel, something too precious and life-giving to keep to ourselves. Join other women of The Sanctuary for this six-week Beth Moore study. Participants will be encouraged to guard what God has entrusted to you, further His kingdom by sharing Christ with others, and pour into future generations just as Paul once mentored Timothy. The study is 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 31. Sign up at the Info Table.
WORK AS WORSHIP
How does your work life intersect with your faith? The Bible makes no division between the sacred and secular parts of our lives. Discover how you can worship God through your worklife during this six-week elective, “Work as Worship,” which will meet at 9:30 a.m. Sundays, beginning Jan. 21. The study will incorporate powerful biblical teaching, real-life documentary stories, engaging video illustrations, and group discussions. Sign up at the Info Table if you would like to attend.
ALPHA
Do you have questions about life and faith that you would like to discuss in a safe space? Would you like to have a better understanding of how to help people explore their faith? Would you like to find a place where you can bring friends and neighbors to explore their questions? If that’s you, you are invited to Alpha, starting at The Sanctuary in January. Alpha is a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith, with groups running around the globe. The group will run for 10 weeks on Tuesday evenings, starting Jan. 23.
MORNINGSTAR MISSION
If you are looking for an easy and meaningful way to serve in our community, sign up to partner with Morningstar Mission. We have the opportunity to help serve dinner to those without homes 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and 29. There is room for seven volunteers on each date.
BABY SHOWER
Women of The Sanctuary are invited to a baby shower honoring Pastor John and Tiffany Jou! Please join us at 3 p.m. Jan. 7 in the Community Room. Get more details and RSVP here: https://cometothesanctuary.org/shower
SAFETY TEAM
The church staff and elders are in the process of updating our safety procedures. We are putting together a list of attenders who are trained as a nurse, doctor, EMT, fire fighter, or police and are willing to be known as someone we could ask for help in the case of a medical emergency during our Sunday services. If you are not trained medically, but are interested in being a part of a Safety Team, we want to include you too! Contact [email protected] if you fit either description.
JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL
Our junior high and high school ministries meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays for student-led worship, large group teaching, small group discussion and tons of FUN! Feel free to arrive at 6:30 for hangout time.
YOUNG ADULTS
Our college and young adult group meets in the Green Room Sunday afternoons at 12:30 p.m. (with the exception of the last Sunday of the month). Lunch is provided! New people are always welcome. Contact Rebecca at 815.980.0127 with questions.