Bulletin for Sunday, December 14

Opening of the Word
Jeanne Murphy

Prelude
Judy Caudill

Greeting & Welcome
Pastor Connie

Fellowship Song: #393 "The Family of God"

Youth Drama: "A Perfect Country Christmas", Scenes 1 & 2 at The Inn

Advent Candle Lighting
The Barger Family

Advent Candle Lighting Song

Youth Drama Scene 3 at The Cottage

Offertory Prayer
Chris Sloane

Offertory: "In This Very Room"
Susan Matney & Pastor Connie, flute

Youth Drama Scenes 4 & 5 at The Inn

Pastoral Prayer
Pastor Mark

Youth Drama Scenes 6 & 7 at The Cottage

Announcements
Pastor Greg

Hymn: Chorus of #182 "Go Tell it on the Mountain"

Benediction
Pastor Mark

Postlude
Susan Matney

"Yes, you will go out with joy..."
- Isaiah 55:12

Next Tuesday: Living Abundantly After Fifty
Those 50 and older are invited to this month's LAAF (Living Abundantly After Fifty) gathering on Tuesday, December 16 starting at 10 AM. This month's meeting will feature: 

• A performance by pianist Tommy Adams. 
• Lunch is being catered by Patty Huffman and will be $14 per person. 
• The Mission Action Project 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. 

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.

Christmas Food Box Collection for Mission Centers
The Melrose WMU Mission Centers are collecting food for the mission centers (Keystone Community Center and Friendship House Roanoke) Christmas food boxes program. The deadline for donations is Sunday, December 14. Donation boxes can be found in the Fellowship Hall.

Here is a list of the food items needed:

• 26.2 oz box of instant mashed potatoes
• Small bottle cooking oil
• Canned corn or green beans 
• Evaporated milk- canned
• Cereal 
• Pancake mix- just add water 
• Syrup- small bottle 
• Dishwashing liquid- small bottle
• Boxed mac-n-cheese
• Jello gelatin- not instant pudding
• Saltine crackers 
• Peanut butter- small plastic jar 
• Jelly- no glass jars
• 1 lb. bag of granulated sugar 
• 25 ft. aluminum foil 
• Canned soup 
• Instant oatmeal- in packets 
• Turkey or chicken gravy mix- no glass jars 
• Detergent- small bottle 
• 25 ft. plastic wrap 
• Spaghetti pasta 
• 24 oz. spaghetti sauce 
• Fruit

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 Wednesday, December 17 at 6:15 PM for our Blue Christmas service. This service acknowledges these feelings while also making room for the gift of Jesus' eternal light.