"For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6   

We hope that everyone had a Christmas full of God's blessings and moments shared with family and friends that communicated Christ's love and message for all to hear and be heard!  Christ is born!  What a feeling of joy and celebration!  I am so thankful to have the opportunity to serve our Lord and to celebrate his birth.  What a Miracle...to be given the gift of God's love through his son!   

"Be filled with the Spirit.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."  Ephesians 5: 18-19 

Members of the High School Youth group sang "I Am" by Mark Schultz for the prelude at the Children's Christmas Service.

I am so proud of the High School Youth for their courage and commitment to sing for God and our congregation on Dec. 18th during the Children's Christmas Service.  This was the first time that our group has organized and practiced a song to sing.  At first, they were not sure if they could, but after hearing their voices together, the communication of the spirit gave them a desire to sing and lift their praise!  The song, "I Am", is a special song written by Mark Schultz that communicates God's voice.  It was very emotional for me as I listened and watched the Spirit move through our group that morning.  It was the most beautiful version I have heard.  

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."   

Ecclesiastes 9:10  

I would also like to thank the Youth, Parents and Congregation for all of their hard work last month involving our efforts for Grace United Ministries.  From gathering the winter clothing, preparing the pre-service Advent meals, and donating the toys for the children at Grace!  The Spirit of God was in motion, and His love was felt all around us!

We are very close to reaching our goal with the "Freedom School" tuition.  Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, January 7th, at 2:00p.m..  After our meeting, we will be going to the Plaza to see the lights and to enjoy a dinner, movie and scavenger hunt.  The cost will be around $30.00.  If you are in High School, and have not had the opportunity to join our Youth Group, please let me know if you would like to attend any of our meetings or activities!    

Merry Christmas COS and Happy New Year!

Donica

cell (816) 258-1503; home (913)837-1472; donica@mokancomm.net

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WOW!!  The people of this church REALLY came through in a HUGE way--and in a HURRY!  HUGE THANK YOU's are not sufficient. My profound gratitude goes to all who passed the word and helped out in an emergency.  GOD provided, through His people!

When Grace faced a sudden shortage of Christmas toys, the folks at COS went on a shopping spree--and all within one week!  Other people bought toys, too, and we ended up with an awesome supply for all ages as well as extras left for those in the community who could not preregister, but came on Christmas Eve to do some last minute shopping. Some of the excess games and toys will be used as awards for students in the After-School Tutoring program this week, and in next summer's Freedom School.

Special thanks to Jodie Berve who, without hesitating--when I first got the bad news and was panicked Sunday night, Dec. 11--said she would draft an "eAlert" and get it out to the 65 or so email addresses the church now has.  WOW, did that work!  The power of our church's first-ever eAlert that went out the next day was proven IMMEDIATELY.   

Two families called me that same night and said they were going shopping!!  The High School Youth Group helped Grace once again.  Toys and checks began arriving by the Wednesday Advent Service, and many more toys came in on Sunday.  Our people also let others know!!  Teresa Schlegel received checks from two neighbors!  Torry Turney's mom, Pat Schaaf, involved her church, Bethlehem Lutheran in Raymore; in just two days, that church filled the back end of Torry's car with toys and also gave $110!  Besides a total of $640 given to Grace, the huge pile of toys in the narthex last Sunday did not even include those from Raymore and many others already in my garage.  When I drove down to Grace for the Giveaway on Monday, Dec. 19, my pickup truck was FULL.  I totally filled the cab and piled toys even higher under the tarp to make room at the very rear for a 1,000-lb. pallet of 80 turkeys from Harvesters.

Thanks to Teresa Schlegel who crocheted 100 beautiful kids' scarves to add to caps, mittens, and underwear also available at the Christmas Giveaway. Some shoppers had a long wait, but enjoyed homemade goodies to help pass the time, thanks to Christine Fauss. The Christmas Giveaway is always an awesome experience at Grace.

Separately -- special thanks to Jim Bell for repairing the vandalized sound system in the sanctuary at Grace. He also fixed the totally messed-up computers and internet that have plagued the office workers at Grace for many months. Jim is a blessing to MANY churches, not only COS and Grace!

Please continue to keep Executive Director, Rev. Sharon Garfield in your prayers --for strength during chemo, and for remission again from her cancer.   Please also pray for GUCM's finances, so we can hire someone Sharon can train, capable of eventually taking over as Executive Director.

The support for inner-city ministry at Grace within our church out here in Louisburg is AWESOME!!   

Bob Kirkpatrick (837-5804) 

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