News from The Brook

Christmas Candlelight Service

December 24th * 5:00 PM

 

Join us tonight 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. Tonight 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. 

If you're new to The Brook or just still trying to figure out how to connect into our church family, please make plans to join us for our Connection Lunch after the 10:45 service on Sunday, January 4, and our Connection Class during the 10:45 
service on Sunday, January 11. 

Our Connection Lunch will be an opportunity to meet many of our Staff members and Elders, and have a great time of food and fellowship with one of our Missional Communities. No obligations. Just bring yourself, your family, and your appetite. We would love to get to know you and spend some time together!  

Our Connection Class is an opportunity for you to see a much clearer picture of what spiritual growth looks like here at The Brook. During this class, you will hear more about:
  • Our Mission: LIVING INTENTIONALLY TO BRING GOD'S KINGDOM EVERYWHERE WE GO!
  • Our Strategy: Worship. Grow. Serve. Together!
  • Connecting into a Missional Community & finding an opportunity to serve withinthe church. 
  • How the ministries of The Brook all work together to equip Christ-followers to carry out our Mission.

Please help us to plan for both of these events by signing up to attend:

 

Connection Lunch Signup

 

Connection Class Signup

Family Worship This Sunday
This Sunday our families have the privilege of coming together in worship, learning, and fellowship. There will be no Faith Factory (or Break Room) this Sunday. Instead, our school age kids are invited to join their parents in the adult worship
gathering. Before Sunday, take time to talk with your child about the importance of coming together as the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25 is a great place to start). Our preschoolers who are two years old and older are invited to sit with their parents until the welcome of the guests. Just check them in when you arrive and deliver them to their classroom during the welcome of the guests. What an exciting opportunity to demonstrate for our kids what the gathering of the people of God looks like!

Day Three Coffee 
Don't forget we still have Guatemalan Coffee for Sale. This would make a great Christmas gift, as a portion of it goes back to the farmer in Guatemala that helps support his family while another portion goes to The Brook missions. Check in with Sue Ann for more information or to purchase some coffee.   sueann@thebrookchurch.com  

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
Approximate Cost: $1100
Application and Downpayment ($300) due by February 1

Casas por Cristo (Guatemala): June 20 - 26
Approximate 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.
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 the bulletin this Sunday, and in the Weekly Email next week.

One Harvest Ministry

Start the New Year out right - Check into One Harvest and save money on your food bill! Anyone can order from One Harvest. There are no restrictions or limitations! Orders are due in the Church Office by 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 15, or you can order online through January 18 by 10:59 PM. To use an EBT debit card to purchase food, contact Amy at 931-434-0235 or Haydee at 757-503-1148. Distribution is January 24, from 9:00 - 10:00 AM. If you have any questions, please call Wanda at 256-503-0485.

End-of-Year Giving
If you cannot be at The Brook this coming Sunday but want to make any additional contributions that will be counted on your 2014 giving statement, there are a few ways that you can do this:
  • You can make your contribution online. 
  • You can make your contribution via our app. If you haven't downloaded our app yet, just search The Brook Madison in the App Store or Google Play Store.
  • You can mail your check to The Brook (8573 Hwy 72 W, Madison, AL 35758). It needs to be postmarked no later than December 31.
  • You can drop your check by the Church Office on Monday or Tuesday (December 29 or 30) from 9:00 - 3:00.
  • You can drop your check in the dropbox beside the front door of the Church Office until midnight on December 31.
Any contribution that is not received in the office by midnight on December 31 or postmarked on or before December 31 will be counted as a 2015 contribution.
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:   $   10,073.50              

Above/(Below Budget):       ($     1,194.50)
Budget Received YTD:          $  569,968.78           
Budget Required YTD:           $  574,400.54
The Gift YTD:                            $   12,540.00

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 24, 2014
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