Dear Brothers and Sisters,
These next several days are filled with opportunities to turn our attention to the Lord. First, to give him thanks for the many gifts he’s given us, especially the gift of his Son. Second, to prayerfully prepare our hearts for the beginning of the Advent season.
Our Advent sermon series which we begin this Sunday is called The Power of Christmas. Throughout the Advent season we’ll be focusing on key gospel passages in the Book of Romans. As Paul says in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Beginning this Sunday, our fellowship time during the Advent season will take place in the narthex at 9:00am before the worship service. We will not be holding pre-service prayer these weeks.
Click here to access the livestream for Sunday’s service (9:30am).
This Saturday: Prayer at the Austins (5:30pm)
During the month of November, the Austins are hosting prayer nights at their house (880 Main Street, West Chicago, IL 60185) on Saturday evenings. This is a time for us as a congregation to come together to pray for each other, for our community, and for spiritual renewal in our world. Light refreshments will be provided.
Events During Advent
This Sunday: Prayer Drive (During Sunday School Hour)
This Sunday, in lieu of adult Sunday School, we will have a prayer drive around West Chicago to pray for our community as the holiday season approaches. The route for the prayer drive will be provided this Sunday. If you would like to attend, please meet in the Mission Center lobby at 11:15am.
December 6: Caroling at Frosty Fest (6:00pm)
Join us again this year for a time of caroling at Frosty Fest in downtown West Chicago. Additional details forthcoming.
December 7: Outreach Night: Christmas and the Gospel (5:30pm)
On December 7, Jonathan Keller will share about the significance of Christmas and how the first Christmas was the fulfillment of God’s long-awaited promises of salvation for humanity. This is an event for neighbors, friends, and family members who are unfamiliar with the gospel message. More information to follow.
December 13: Men’s Ministry Breakfast (9:00am)
The Men’s Ministry Christmas breakfast is a wonderful time of food, fellowship, and a white elephant gift exchange. The breakfast will be held in the Mission Center.
December 14: Community Christmas Lunch (11:00am)
The Community Christmas Lunch is back this Advent season. The lunch will be held in the Mission Center at 11:00am. This is an opportunity for us to invite members from the community to see what Faith Community Church is all about, in addition to being a time for us as a congregation to share a meal together in celebration of the Advent season. The main dish will be provided. If possible, please bring a side or dessert. A sign-up sheet is available in the narthex or you may sign-up here.
December 18: Blue Christmas Service (7:00pm)
For many people the Christmas season is mixed with feelings of sadness, due to the loss of a loved one or some other difficulty in their life. The Blue Christmas service is intended for those in our congregation and in our community. During this service there is a place for lamenting those losses, while simultaneously looking to Jesus as the unfailing hope for the world.
December 21: Carol Sing (11:15am)
The Carol Sing is a time for our congregation to meet in the Worship Center for an informal time of singing Christmas hymns together. This year there will also be a telling of the story of Christ’s birth involving the children of FCC.
December 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service (6:00pm)
The Christmas Eve service is a joyful time of prayer, singing, and Scripture lessons. Be sure to invite friends and family to attend with you.
Funeral Service for Ken Dawson
On Tuesday evening, our brother and longtime church member, Ken Dawson, went to be with the Lord. A visitation and funeral service will be held this Saturday, November 29 at Hultgren Funeral Home (304 N. Main St. Wheaton, IL 60187). The visitation will begin at 10:00am and the funeral service at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Faith Community Church.
Additional Advent Devotionals on Order
More copies of the Advent devotional, A Wondrous Mystery have been ordered and should arrive soon. A donation of $4 for the book is suggested.
Advent Giving Project
This year as our Advent giving project, we will be donating items to the West Chicago Neighborhood Food Pantry. Simply bring the items to donate and place them under the Christmas tree in the Mission Center lobby. Items in bold are especially needed.
- Condiments: mayo/salad dressing, mustard /ketchup (plastic containers only)
- Laundry Care: detergent/dryer sheets
- Diapers/wipes: size 3 through adult sizes
- Paper Goods: towels toilet paper/Kleenex/ napkins
- Canned tuna/chicken in water
- Canned Beans/Fruits
- Boxed Cereal
- Crackers/Graham Crackers
- Jam/Jelly
- Pasta/ pasta sauce
- Rice
- Canned corn/peas
- Juice (no high fructose corn syrup)
- Gluten-free/corn-free items
- Coffee/Tea (1 lb. container or less)
- Cake Mix/Frosting
- Personal Care Items: shampoo/conditioner/bar soap/ tooth care/tampons/sanitary napkins
Financial Giving to Rossweldy (Kids Alive)
Our church sponsors Rossweldy, a 5th grader who attends Anija School with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic. If you would like to donate funds toward her sponsorship, money jars are available in the narthex and rooms 3/4, 5, and 6.
Prayer Requests and Praises
Family of Ken Dawson: Please pray that the Lord would comfort the family of Ken Dawson, a longtime member of Faith Community Church, who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening.
Serena Family: Pray for the healing of Peter and Peggy Serena’s 4-year-old grandson, Joseph, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.
Liz and Wes Davenport: Welcomed a new granddaughter on Thursday, November 13, Ruth Brown Davenport. Pray for Andrew and Kayla as they parent their new daughter.
With thanksgiving,
Pastor Rhett