December has arrived, and once again the Christmas season has begun. I love this season and everything that it represents. I always look forward to decorating the Christmas tree with my family, and hanging the lights on the house, and … okay, really I just do whatever Kim tells me to do.
But Christmas is about so much more than trees and lights and decorating. It’s about the birth of Jesus. Sometimes there is just so much stuff on our Christmas “To Do” list that we rush right past the fact that we are celebrating God becoming fully human and dwelling here on earth with us.
This Sunday as we continue our sermon series “Casting Call,” we will talk about the role that the angels played at that first Christmas, as they announced to Mary that she had been chosen to give birth to God’s Son. The angels were God’s “instant messengers,” sharing the greatest message ever given.
And we can also be God’s “instant messengers” this Christmas season. We can share the message of Jesus with our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to focus the spotlight on Jesus and share God’s message this Christmas.
God Bless,
Gary
Next Step-Membership 101 - December 4
If you are ready to join The Heights, we invite you to attend Next Step–Membership 101, Sunday,
December 4, from 9 – 10:45 a.m., in the West Wing. We will discuss becoming a member and help you understand your commitment to the fellowship of believers at The Heights, as well as our commitment to you. Sign up at the information desk in the Atrium on Sunday or for more information, contact Elaine at eesparza@theheights.org.
Children's Choir Program - December 4
You are invited to the Worship Quest Christmas program on December 4, at 6 p.m. in the Worship Center. Children will display a sample of different skills they have learned this semester, such as Boom Whackers, Blacklight Puppets, dance and much more. Contact Kathryn at kprince@theheights.org, for more information.
Surviving the Holidays - December 4
This warm, encouraging and helpful event featuring video instruction and group discussion, will help those experiencing separation and divorce, deal with the intense pain during the holiday season. Join us Sunday, December 4, 6 - 8 p.m., in the West Wing. All attendees will receive a personal Holiday Survival Guide and free dinner. For more information and to register, contact Mary Dettmer at dettmermary@gmail.com.
iBLAST - December 7
iBLAST, for children in 5th and 6th Grades, will meet Wednesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gym and West Wing. A snack will be served. Bring a friend!
Preschool Christmas Celebration - December 11
All preschool volunteers are invited to the Joyland Christmas Celebration on December 11. Cookies and punch will be served from 9:15 a.m. - 12 noon in Room 127. Please come by and allow us to thank you for expanding the circle of God’s love to the precious children at The Heights.
Kid's Ministry Sunday Morning Volunteers - December 14
You are invited to a come and go Christmas Celebration in your honor, Wednesday, December 14, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Robbie’s House. To register, contact Marley at mcosgrove@theheights.org. Deadline is Monday, December 12. Childcare will be provided at the church.
Core Virtue K-4 for December
GENEROSITY:making someone's day by giving something away. The memory verse is "Be rich in good deeds...be generous and willing to share," 1 Timothy 6:18. Parents, be sure to check out the Just for Parents tab at www.kdogclub.org for more tools you can use as you shepherd your child at home.
Birthday Party for Jesus - December 25
Preschool children will have a Birthday Party for Jesus in their classrooms during the service on December 25. They will have fun refreshments as we celebrate Jesus' birth! This Christmas, Joyland will also be taking an offering to purchase a goat for our World Vision village. Donations will be accepted at the Joyland desk during the entire month of December.
Three Trees - December 11
December 11 is our annual Three Trees event at The Heights when we reach out to our community by blessing 300 families and 1,000 children with gifts and food for Christmas. Each child that comes will receive a new toy and a gift card to Payless Shoes. Also, each family will receive a Wal-Mart or Target gift card to help with food for Christmas dinner.
Your Part:
* We need many volunteers to bring purchased toys and gift cards. Select an angel on the stage at the front of the Worship Center or at the ENGAGE Center on Sunday to find out what to buy. All instructions are listed on each individual angel (Pink Angel - toy for girl, Blue Angel - toy for boy, Gold Stocking - gift card for Target or Wal-Mart, Silver Boot - gift card for Payless shoe stores.)
* If you speak Spanish, we have a great need for translators.
* Several opportunities are available to help with hosting a family.
* Opportunities are also available to help with the children's parties. It will be a blast singing Christmas carols, hearing the Christmas story shared through drama teams, and helping these sweet children create a gift for their families while their parents shop for Christmas. If you would like to serve in this area, please contact Joy at jpickering@theheights.org.
You may sign up to volunteer at the ENGAGE Center or in your ABF on Sunday.
Childcare:
Childcare for Three Trees is by reservation only. The deadline to register is Sunday, December 4.
Please reserve your space at www.theheights.org/three-trees.
T-shirts:
All Three Trees volunteers will be given an ENGAGE t-shirt to wear at Three Trees. To get yours, simply fill out a card indicating your size and where you will be serving and turn it in to the ENGAGE Center any Sunday before Three Trees on December 11th.
Toy Ideas:
Do you need a toy idea? You can visit Target’s website, click on the Christmas tab at the top of the page and choose boy or girl. From there you can click on the age of the child and see many different options.
Burlap Bags:
New this year... We are no longer collecting plastic boxes for gift cards. We are using the burlap bags to represent the number of Payless, Wal-Mart and Target cards we have collected to date.
For more information contact pplummer@theheights.org or go to www.theheights.org.
The Heights Baptist Church - 201 West Renner Road - Richardson, Texas 75080 - 972.238.7243
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