🗞️ HEADLINE NEWS

ELDERS ELECTED…At the December 8th Congregational meeting, the following people were chosen as Elders: Jim Blok, Dean Hengst and Kathy Spencer. If you know of any biblical reasons why any of these people chosen cannot serve, please contact Pastor Bob or Pastor Brian.

CLIFF NOTES! No, this isn’t a nod to Cheers and the famous “Cliff’s notes”… but we digress! Let’s get to the point of this week’s update. At last week’s Congregational Meeting, Pastor Bob shared some exciting changes to our caregiver model. For those who missed it, here’s the gist: Our Care Team (yes, that’s the new name!) will focus on supporting members of our faith family who express a desire for care. This is a shift from the previous approach of automatically including everyone—because, let’s face it, trying to serve hundreds of people at once is a huge undertaking! Who’s automatically included, you ask? The answer is those in senior living facilities, our senior saints over 80 years of age and widows or widowers. Now here’s the thing - anyone can “Opt In” to be supported by our Care Team - the team would love to support you. And, anyone who was automatically placed under the Care Team may “Opt Out” if they so choose. To Opt In or Opt Out simply click the link or type www.signupgenius.com/go/CareTeam into your internet browser and select the appropriate button. Or call the office!

The KIDS CHRISTMAS SERVICE is just one week away. The morning service on Dec. 22 will be dedicated to worship kids-style. No spoiler here - you have to come and check it out! Birthday cake for Jesus follows worship! ⚠️Parents (3yr - 5th grade) don’t forget about the last remaining practice on Wed., Nov. 18 from 6:00 - 7:15 PM in the Sanctuary!

PASTOR / GRANDPA BOB is making an appearance at our 6 PM Christmas Eve Service! Kids will want to come check it out! A time reflecting on Jesus’ birth with carols & candles is a great way to start off the family celebrations.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP 2025 UPDATE! Lead222's hybrid week-long leadership conference and service based mission trip will be in Indianapolis, IN the week of July 6th-12th! There are already nearly 100 people planning to attend from across the country. If you are interested (as a student in 8th-12th grade, or as a leader) in receiving more information as it comes available FILL OUT THIS 3 QUESTION FORM, by Dec. 31st! There is information in the form about the hotel we’ll stay at, the church where we’ll have our evening sessions and the cost of the trip.

📰 IN LOCAL NEWS

LIGHT UP the hearts of five families who have had a tough 2024 by coming along tonight on the Giving Experience! We’re departing on two buses at 4 PM. Stop by the Fellowship Room for instructions! Bonus: Supper provided afterwards! 

AHH, TO BE YOUNG AGAIN … Uth Christmas parties happening this week Wed. include High School Small Group parties (your Leaders will communicate location and time) and Middle School Large Group bowling which is 1:30 PM to 4 PM (no, Toby & Justin will not risk federal kidnapping charges - it’s early release!). Bowling is covered by BYO money for apps and games!

GOAL SMASHED! Last week we set a goal to top the 100 mark for our Wed. Nite meal. You smashed it with over 117 people braving the cold and enjoying hot soup & cinnamon rolls! Many thanks to our 10+ soup makers! 🙏

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. And time to take a break from all the busyness and read a book!  Check out some dedicated Christmas reading on the desk in FRC’s Library! 

FAMILIES - We can give you an idea or addresses for where to send the homemade card that is the focus of this week’s Advent activity! Just shoot us an email plemkuil@frcoostburg.org. 

🩳 NEWS BRIEFS

✔️Our Christian sympathy to Lynette Lammers on the passing of her brother Steven Ottman and to Jack & Lisa Ebbers family on the passing of Lisa’s mom, Judy Achsel.

✔️Last week the Food Vault served 34 families and distributed over $6,570.50 worth of food.

✔️Check out the Pine Haven Annual Appeal insert in your bulletin today. You can either give directly to the campaign of Advancing Care through Technology via your insert or you can give to our Christmas Day offering which will also support Pine Haven. Or, you can give to both!

✔️2025 Contribution Envelopes are available for those that use the number envelopes. You can find them on a table by the church office.

✔️ Attendance last week was 374 with a total offering of $29,572. Just 3 weeks left to hit the goal of 400+ attendance in worship for two weeks in a row. We’re living on the edge, church! The Editor and Attendance Statistician are starting to sweat despite the temperature at the time of this writing is 5 degrees…

✔️December’s Special Offering is designated for the “Families In Need Fund” at Oostburg Elementary. Month-to-date the offering is at: $2,649.

✔️There’s no Stitching with a Cause on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.

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