Bulletin for Sunday, December 7

Opening of the Word
Patty Huffman

Prelude: "The Holly and the Ivy"
Susan Matney

Hanging of the Greens Drama: "Unpacking Christmas"

Fellowship Song: #393 "Family of God"

Offertory Prayer
Benjamin Kasinga

Offertory: "Silent Night" & "Alleluia"
Shalom Handbell Ensemble

Advent Candle Lighting
Kathy & Alan Malloy

Advent Candle Lighting Song: "Light the Candle"

Pastoral Prayer
Pastor Mark

Hymns and Carols with All God's Children
#205 "Away in a Manger" v. 1
#192 "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" v. 1
#180 "The First Noel" v. 1, 2, 3
#181 "Joy to the World" v. 1, 4

Announcements
Pastor Mark

Sending Song: Chorus of #199 "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

Benediction
Pastor Mark

Postlude
Susan Matney 

Pastor Greg
Pastor Connie
Teresa Kennedy
Shalom Handbell Ensemble
Heath Crawford
Benjamin Kasinga
Gedeon Kasinga
Josephine Kigazi
Noah Hepburn
Mairéad Markham
Timmy Markham
Willow Spencer
Donye Stokes

"You will go out with joy and be led forth with peace."
- Isaiah 55:12

Making Room Advent Devotional and Podcast 
Follow along with us as we read through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Advent devotional, "Making Room". As part of our read along, the pastors have launched an Advent podcast with new episodes premiering every Wednesday morning. You can watch or listen by downloading the church app or by going to the church website HERE.

You can access a PDF version of the devotional on the church website HERE. We also have a few paper copies available on the welcome table.

December LAAF Mission Action Project
This month's LAAF (Living Abundantly After Fifty) is on Tuesday, December 16 at 10 AM and will include a performance by pianist, Tommy Adams. This month's program also includes a very special Mission Action Project. Together the group will work to pack Compassion Packs for the Roanoke County Department of Social Services. These packs will be given to children who are being placed into the care of Social Services and will help bring them comfort during a very difficult time in their life. The packs are going to be done for two age groups- children 10 and younger and children 11 and older.

Each pack will include one of the following:

• Small bottle of water or juice
• Individual packs of Gold Fish, Cheez-Its, gummies, Teddy Grahams, cookies, etc, 
• Small toy
• Small stuffed animal
• Small book or journal- no religious themes
• Socks 

Please bring donations of the above list to the LAAF meeting to help fill the Compassion Packs. Example of these packs can be found around the church building.

Save the Date: Blue Christmas Service
Those who find themselves facing loneliness or grief during this special time of the year are welcome to join us on the longest night of the season on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:15 PM for our Blue Christmas service. This service acknowledges these feelings while also making room for coming gift of Jesus' eternal light.