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JIPC Updates, November 27, 2015
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First Sunday ofAdvent
November 29, 2015
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The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish, (John 1:14, MSG) Greetings! ,
I enjoy good irony so I'd like to ask you a question. How would you express, if you were given a divine pen and capable of crafting the cosmic script, your unconditional love for humanity? Would it be with spoken word alone or would it accompanied by a tangible and unmistakable demonstration of that love? As Christians we not only confess but we proclaim the "Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." In my script, there's already a deviation from the way I would have written it. Perfect love wrapped in the skin of humanity and laid in a borrowed feed trough? Is that fitting for a firstborn? For a king? For a Savior? My bride would have buried me out back of that no vacancy hotel! So ironic you just may miss it, pass it off, or dismiss it as some centuries-old, far-fetched fable. And yet, as Christians this is exactly what we celebrate and proclaim. At the fullness of time, Jesus came to speak and demonstrate he was God's perfect love. At his first coming Jesus entered humanity as a helpless baby just as you and I did. He experienced life to its fullest yet without sinning. Therefore, he is our great high priest before God. Now, we enter the time of the Second Advent. Waiting with reverent awe and expectation for our Lord and Savior to return as conquering King. Prayerfully. Worshipfully. Joyously. Expectantly pondering the Word as we await! There is no passivity to our waiting on the Lord. And dear friends, like children on Christmas Day we will not be disappointed when he comes!
So what will we be about in this between of the "already" and the "not yet?" Perhaps a glance at the Christian year will help determine our doings. As I write, we are riding on the heels of celebrating a glorious Consecration Sunday. With great excitement and energy we enter the Advent season praying and expecting Jesus to become more and more incarnate in our own lives. Before you know it, a New Year will be upon us. We will move into our church-wide Strengths Based Leadership approach which will equip us to take our faith into our homes, work places and leisure activities. And before you know it, WNL will give way to the Palms, the Passion, Holy week and the Resurrection of our conquering King!
As I begin to reflect on the months we have been together, I am overwhelmed with a tremendous sense of joy and gratitude. Joy, that we have been joined together to share the work of God's people in this vineyard and gratitude at having been called to lead. I'm so excited to work with our amazingly gifted staff family and you-each of you-as we discover and celebrate the fingerprints of God all over each of us.
From the Martin family-Sam, Amy, Caleb and Amy Kate-to you and yours, may this Advent season be filled with all the goodness of God's grace, hope and love. "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood!" Glory in the highest!
Much love in a special prayer,
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Sunday, November 29, 2015
Worship, 8:30 & 11:00am
Reverend Cameron Smith, preaching
Henry Meeuwse, liturgist
Scripture References: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36
Click here to see this week's bulletin. You'll find Sunday's order of worship, much information, and many announcements. Here's our announcement insert.
Click here to see our December calendar. As you are planning your Advent activities, think about this message from Cameron Smith: More Christ in Christmas! If you would like to have more Christ and less chaos this Advent and Christmas season, now is the perfect time to try out one of our Adult Sunday School classes or Mid-Week Adult Bible Studies. Contact Cameron Smith for more information about finding the study and class that are right for you.
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New Consecration Sunday Update
As of Wednesday, we've received 170 Estimates of Giving cards pledging $650,969. We still have 211 families who've not yet responded to our Consecration Sunday, and we encourage your participation. Of these, 40 families made pledges for the current year and we pray they will submit a card for this year.
Based on past experience, we project an additional $50,200 in pledges for an anticipated $70,1169 pledged income for 2016. Compare this to the $602,194 pledged for the current year and you can understand how we are encouraged and cheerful.
As we begin to prepare our budget for 2016, we will also project $25,000 in service/usage fees and $29,000 in loose offerings. This adds up to a potential budget of $755,169 for 2016 compared to our total budget for 2015 which was $677,194. If cheerfulness could be quantified it might look like a
$77,975 increase!
God loves cheerful givers for God is a cheerful giver and cannot be out-given. Shhhh! I believe I can hear with the ears of my heart. The harmony of the heavenly host rising from faint chorus to mighty crescendo for all the world to hear-"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all people on whom his favor rests"!
Praise the Lord for our gracious response to God's grace and love.
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD...
JIPC-hosted James Island Distribution Center a success!
We hope you noticed that JIPC served as the James Island Distribution site for Operation Christmas Child this year. Here are the numbers...
Shoeboxes dropped off 1577 Volunteers over the course of the week 31 Volunteer hours logged 198 Cartons delivered to the Collection Center (Hibben) 86 The joy brought to children in need PRICELESS
We thank the many volunteers who worked to make this mission a success!
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Wednesday Night Live
Advent Series
December 2
6:00pm
Advent Wreathmaking Workshop
Our Advent WNL series continues on December 2 with our annual Advent Wreathmaking Workshop. Dinner: Chili & Baked Potato Bar.
Regular wnl dinner prices apply:
With reservations:
Adults - $6/person, $3/child (age 3-18), $18/immediate family max
Without reservations:
Adults - $7/person, $3/child (age 3-18), $20/immediate family max
We strongly encourage you to make your reservation soon. You can sign up here.
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Christmas Pageant
CHILDREN: Rehearsals have begun! We invite all children from 3 years old through 5th grade to participate in the JIPC Christmas pageant. Rehearsals are from 5:30-6. Ages 3-5 will meet in the narthex and 1st-5thgraders meet in the choir room. ADULTS: if you are looking for a fun way to contribute during the Advent season, we can always use volunteers to help with the children and with costumes. We welcome your time and talents! Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 16
6:00pm
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Planning Forward...
As hard as it is for many of us to believe, we are in the midst of our WNL Advent Series.
December 2: Advent Wreath Making
Come create a beautiful Advent Wreath for your home that will help you focus on the light of Christ this Advent season. $5 supply cost per wreath.
December 9: Christmas Gift Making & Christmas Card Fun
Enjoy making gifts for your friends and family and take a moment to sign a Christmas card for our service men and women and homebound members.
December 16: Christmas Pageant & Party
We will cap off our Advent Series as our cherub and children's choirs present the annual Christmas Pageant and share the Christmas story with us. Join us for the pageant in the Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner.
Advent Craft Leaders Needed! On December 9th, we will have another wonderful opportunity for children and adults to make gifts for our mission partners, their families, and friends. We need at least eight adult leaders per night to work in teams to help lead craft stations. All of the supplies will be provided by the church. Leaders are asked to help with preparing supplies, setting up, explaining, and cleaning up the craft they will lead. Please contact Cameron Smith if you are available to help. |
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