This Thanksgiving I am counting my blessings and realize I have so much for which to be thankful.  In particular, I thank God for you.  I thank God for bringing each of you into my life.  I thank God for the way you have given yourself to Advent Arlington.  And I thank God for the work he has done to prepare the way for our future.  

 

We have come far in a short time, but our journey together is just at its beginning.  I thank God that we may travel that road together and be able to serve Him in Arlington.  For our service is more than obedience, it is an act of gratitude.  And that's what it's all about this holiday.

 

Below I have listed a few ways that we may serve God as well as some announcements.

Arlington Christmas Parade

The Arlington Christmas parade is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 6th at 4:30 p.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Hayes Road and Chester Street and will end at Depot Square with the lighting of the Town Christmas tree.

 

Advent Arlington will be involved in the parade in a number of ways and we need your help.

 

1) Float: We will have a float in the parade.  The float will feature the Advent Praise Band.  We need persons to help decorate the float.  Dale and Caroline Tinner (385-2472 or 828-2472) are in charge of the decorating and have two times this weekend when you can help.  So come out this Saturday morning at 9:00 am and Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm. The float will be prepared in Bryan and Lyle Conley's barn at 12405 Forrest Street (just about a mile from the church).

 

2) Singers: We will provide entertainment in the town square following the parade.  We are recruiting persons to sing Christmas carols for this.  The caroling will be done on the porch of S.Y. Wilson's store and will be for about 30 minutes.  Let Lisa Murdoch (lisa@cookandhuddleston.com) know if you are willing to sing.
 

3) Church: Our church facilities will be open to the public during the parade.  This is true in two ways.  First, our parking lot and the fields behind the church will be open to you and the public.  So feel free to park here (the parade goes right by the church and finishes one block away).  Second, people will be able to use our restrooms or sit in our church to warm up if the weather is bad.  We need persons from the church to help out with both of these.  Let Jack Chambers (383-7327 or 485-3193) know if you are willing to serve a shift.

 

4) Apparel: We are ordering sweatshirts and knit caps with our Advent Arlington logo on them to wear during the parade.  Orders were taken on Sunday, but it's not too late if you didn't make one.  The sweatshirts will be white with our logo across the chest in dark green and they cost $10 each.  The caps will be dark green with our logo stitched on in white.  They cost $5 each.  E-mail me with your orders by Sunday or find the list Sunday morning and sign up then.  Shirts and hats won't be ready until the middle of next week.

You should have received an email earlier this week announcing the Parents Night Out we are holding on Friday, December 12th from 5:30 - 9:00 pm.  This is a church and community service event.  We are not publicizing this first Parents Night Out, but it is open to the public.  We ask that you personally invite families that you know to take advantage of this.  We especially want to reach out to unchurched families.  So feel free to pass out the printed fliers available at the church and forward the email to those who you feel would especially benefit from this event.

 

And of course, those who would like to volunteer for that evening are welcome.  Speak with Kelly Henson (867-8131) for further details.

 

Sincerely,