CHRISTS CHURCH OF THE VALLEY

2714 East Avenue R 661-947-9570 December 2012

Dear Church Family and Friends,

Palmdale

CA

93552

www.ccvpalmdale.org
For December we will be studying:

I dont know about you but this is my favorite time of the year. Except for putting up lights, decorating the tree and shopping. Speaking of shopping, are you preparing yourself for all the, Happy Holidays, from all the smiling store employees? How do you respond back to them? Do you fire back, Its Merry Christmas! Every year the American Family Association puts together a list of retailers who are Naughty and Nice. Those stores on the Naughty side are, The Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. The stores on the Nice side are, Hobby Lobby, Lowes, and Wal-Mart. This list is based on companies who refuse to say Merry Christmas. I want to share some Scripture with you that I believe speaks to this tension of being a Christian in a season of holiday hype. And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 At one time, Paul was a blind man, unable to see the light of the Gospel. He thought that persecuting Christians was right. He believed that following Jesus was foolishness. Paul is speaking from experience when he says, The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Paul is telling his readers that satan is the cause of spiritual blindness. You and I were just like Paul until Gods grace invaded our lives. You and I were wondering around in our lost-ness clueless to our own emptiness until the day we heard our heavenly Father say, For this My son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. Luke 15:24. Christmas is special for Christians because of Jesus but, how should we respond to those all around us who cant see? Remember, The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Satan doesnt want people to see. He wants everyone to enter through the wide gate. He wants everyone to take the easy way that leads to an eternity separated from God. We are surrounded by people who cannot see! Those of us who can see must respond as the Lord does. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:36-38 We see lost people all around us dont we? So, how should we respond? We should, Pray earnestly to the Lord that He gives us His compassion for those who are blinded and

661-947-9571

ADVENT

Please join us Sunday mornings at 9:00 to discover how The Word of God can change your life!

Every Sunday morning from 8:00am 8:45am, there will be intercessory prayer held in the Pastors office. Then, at 10:45 we have a prayer service, devoted to lifting up our hearts and prayers to the Lord. Come pray with us, as we lift up the ministries, the needs of our church and our community. Pray for those who are sick, in the hospital, or need prayers for their personal struggles. E-mail Prayer Chain: Barbara Moulton bemoulton@msn.com OR ccvpalmdale@aol.com Telephone Prayer Chain: Bonita Hernandez 661-272-0743

The Numbers- November Actual Budget: Actual Income: $12,732.44 $10,039.00 76

November Average Attendance:

If you have the desire, volunteers are always welcome for our Sunday School Program. Being a volunteer is both worthy and rewarding of your time! If you would be interested in volunteering as an assistant for: Noahs Ark Nursery: [Infants & Toddlers] Please contact the office (661) 947-9570 His Kids: [Pre-K thru 1st grade] Kids World: [Grades 2 6] Please contact Charlie Colvin (661) 944-5917

for Him to, Send out laborers into His harvest.

Including you and me! Merry Christmas! Pastor Bill

Get involved: community groups

Our community groups provide an opportunity to move beyond Sunday worship. Small groups offer deeper relationships within the Body of Christ. We encourage you to join! Wednesday Night: Adult Bible Study Hosted by Don Gravois at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Child care is provided (via Childrens Group). Childrens Group Bible Study Wednesday Nights Hosted by Toni Morehouse in the Education Building at 7:00pm. December 03: Thursday Night: Adult Bible Study Hosted by The Talbots at 7:00pm. Contact Charlie Colvin for more info. 661-944-5917 Friday Night: Adult Bible Study Hosted by The Listers. Contact Dale Lister for more info. 661-273-6683 December 05: December 06: December 10: December 13: December 16: December 29: Arik Morales Aron Morales Marilyn Reddick John Siperly Ryan Carichner Ginger Crousore Chris Van Gelder Jeff Slankard Betty Allee Jay ONeal December 01: December 02: December 04: December 09: December 23: (SAT) (SUN) (TUE) (SUN) (SUN) Mens Breakfast Care Net Donations Senior Luncheon Christmas Dinner & Program Family Sunday & Christmas Eve Eve Candlelight Service

December 08:

Chuck & Billie Bowman Jim & Johanna McAvoy

December 9

~ Hope Is Near

December 29:

December 16 ~ Jesus Knows All About You December 23 ~ Separating Christmas from

Advent

Important Dates To Remember

Christmas Dinner & Program

December 9th Sunday 6pm Here at the church We have a wonderful Christmas Program following our Christmas feast.
Christmas Eve Eve Candlelight Service

Baptisms Maria Teresa Costa Tennace Kay Graves Melissa Murillo Roland West July 29, 2012 July 29, 2012 July 29, 2012 November 4, 2012 Memberships Marilyn Blench Trevor Bloom

Sunday December 23rd @6pm. Join us as we gather to worship and celebrate the birth of the Most High. Honoring Him with a Candlelight Service.

Love your neighbor.invite them to church. Hand out our Invitation Post Cards to everyone who says Happy Holidays. Invite people to church during the whole month of December. Spread the Good News. (Post cards are located on the table in the foyer)