News from The Brook

Christmas Candlelight Service

December 24th * 5:00 PM

Come join us as we gather to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings! This will be an intimate time of praise and prayer, and carols and candle-lighting for the whole family, preparing our hearts for Christmas morning, as we remember that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, "took on flesh" and entered into this world so that He could redeem us, save us, and send us.

Invite your neighbors and coworkers, bring your friends and family, and make this evening a special part of this life-changing season.

The Gift of Christmas

This Christmas, we once again have the opportunity to change the lives of others through our special offering, The Gift. This Sunday and during our Christmas Eve Service, we will continue to collect this offering that will benefit a number of people, both locally and globally. (You can also give to The Gift online or via our app.) The money we bring in will be used to help families who are served through our One Harvest Ministry, to provide support to Inside-Out Ministries, to pay for building materials that will be needed as we minister to families through the Appalachia Service Project in Kentucky next spring, and also for the homes we will build with Casas por Cristo in Guatemala. We'll also continue our support of Kairos School in Guatemala, and are making plans to return there in 2015 to do further ministry with pastors and teachers in the area. Overwhelmed by God's faithfulness this past year, our goal is to raise $25,000 though this offering.
Please join us in prayerfully considering how the Lord might be guiding, leading, and blessing us that we might bless others through The Gift.

Men's Prayer Gathering
Tomorrow from 6:30-7:30 AM our pastors and elders will gather in the Connection Center (in the Office building at The Brook) for a time of prayer - for each other, our church, our community, and for the power of God to be working in and through our lives. We would love for you to join us for this valuable time with the Lord.

Mission Trip Opportunities in 2015

We have five different Mission Trip opportunities coming up in 2015. The first is to the Appalachia region of east Kentucky.
Considered to have one of the highest poverty levels in America, this region of Kentucky is in dire need of hope. The Brook is asking for your help to support mission efforts in performing home repairs on the dilapidated structures that many of the locals in Chavies, Kentucky call home. The dates of the trip are March 22-28. Trip pricing is approximately $400.00 per person, which includes all meals, transportation to and from the worksite each day, and living quarters. All tools will be provided by the Appalachia Service Project, but you're welcome to bring your own tool belt.

Repair missions range from building wheel chair ramps and replacing faulty wiring and dilapidated roofs, to sometimes building entire homes. All skill levels are welcome. This trip is about more than just providing a service: we want to meet and connect with the people living in the structures we visit, with the end goal of providing some much needed hope for something better - the love of God and the hope of the Gospel.

Please begin praying about where God might want to send you in 2015. Below are the dates, approximate costs, application due dates, and downpayment amount for of all of the mission trips we are planning for the coming year:

Appalachia: March 22 - 28 - Approximate Cost: $400 Application and Downpayment ($99) due by January 18

Kairos School (Guatemala): June 15 - 19 - Approx. Cost: $1100

Application and Downpayment ($300) due by February 1

Casas por Cristo (Guatemala): June 20 - 26

Approx. Cost: $999

Application and Downpayment ($300) due by February 1

Combined Kairos and Casas por Cristo: June 15 - 26

Approximate Cost: $1,300

Application and Downpayment ($300) due by February 1

India: November 20 - December 1 - Approx. Cost: $3,750

See Sue Ann McCoy for more information on all trips or email her at sueann@thebrookchurch.com.

Coffee Team Looking for a Few Volunteers

Our coffee team is so faithful to arrive early to prepare coffee and make sure the cups, sweeteners, and creamers are all ready for everyone to enjoy on Sunday mornings. This team, headed up by Angela Thornberry, is in need of a few more volunteers to fill up their schedule. If you would like to serve your church family and help to make our guests feel welcome, please consider contacting
Angela to join the Coffee Team!

STUDENTS

Ascent Summer Camp

The deadline for early bird registration for Ascent Camp is coming up soon, so don't forget to sign up by December 31 to lock into the best rate! Ascent Camp will be at Camp To Know Him from May 26-30. Your students don't want to miss this awesome time of fellowship, worship, and crazy games. You can pre-register your student (currently in grades 7 - 12) now for Ascent by putting down a deposit of $50. This deposit will lock you in to our cheapest rate of $209. At the start of January the cost goes back to the regular price of $239, so SIGN UP today!

Core DNOW: Middle School and High School students, don't miss our annual Disciple Now on Feb. 27-March 1. After all, who wants to miss out on a weekend that includes a huge slumber party with girls or guys your age at one of our church's host homes, intense worship times, and meaningful small groups led by some pretty cool college students? The answer is simple, no one!!! The cost is $65, which includes all your meals and conference fees. Sign-up begins on Sunday, Dec. 28, so be looking for a sign-up link in a couple of weeks in both the bulletin and in the weekly email.

One Harvest Ministry

We are short several of our regular volunteers this Saturday for our monthly distribution. Can you spare a couple of hours to help out? Volunteers are needed at the Manna House (2110 Memorial Parkway, SW) at 7:00 AM to help unload the One Harvest truck to our transport trailer. Once our trailer arrives at The Brook, it will need to be unloaded into The Refinery. Setup and Distribution volunteers are needed at The Brook between 7:30 - 7:45 AM. Distribution will be from 9:00 - 10:00 AM. We are normally finished cleaning up and putting away by 11:00. If you have any questions, please call Wanda at 256-503-0485.

Our Generosity

Part of our response to God in worship is giving back to Him. Here at The Brook, you can do this in different ways. You can give by placing your tithes and offerings in one of the Offering Boxes in the back of the Worship Center. You can also give online through our website. However the Lord leads you to give, do it cheerfully, generously, and with a grateful heart!

Investing Our Treasure

Weekly Offering Received: $ 18,090.00

Above/(Below Budget): $ 6,822.00

Budget Received YTD: $ 559,895.28

Budget Required YTD: $ 563,132.54

The Gift YTD: $ 6,490.00

Online Giving

If you would like to give to The Brook online through a one-time gift or a recurring donation click HERE for instructions and additional information. We appreciate your support of The Brook!

December 17, 2014

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