Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We turn to the next passage in our Advent series, The Power of Christmas, with Romans 1:16-17: “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. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'” The power of God to save anyone from our biggest enemy – sin – gives us great boldness in Christ to be called Christ’s. If you trace out all the world’s problems, you’ll find that the sin of people at their center, and the gospel is their true solution. For in it both Jews and Gentiles can be saved and made into a holy people by the same power that made the whole world!
As a reminder, 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.
Take some time this week to prepare your hearts for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper this Sunday.
Click here to access the livestream for Sunday’s service (9:30am).
Events During Advent
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! The festival begins at 4:30pm if you wish to see the lighting of the tree. We will drive to Molly’s house at 5:15pm to sing to her, go to Joanne Klingberg’s house to greet her, and then to Frosty Fest itself around 6pm to carol in the streets. Dress warmly because we will be outside the whole time! Let Jonathan that you’re coming (he will have caroling books on hand to sing from).
December 7: Outreach Night: Christmas and the Gospel (5:30pm)
This Sunday, 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. Light refreshments will be provided, and we will meet in the Worship Center.
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. Come in your Christmas garb!
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.
Advent Devotionals on Order
More copies of the Advent devotional, A Wondrous Mystery are here! 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.
Chicago Friends of Haiti Christmas Drive
Despite recent violence in Haiti, the church in Haiti remains faithful as ever. Here is a video showing some of the recent work in the school built recently for kids to receive a Christian-based education while meeting the academic demands of the national exams. Attached to this email is a flyer of needs for the school in Cavaillon, which are mainly food during this holiday season. If you wish to give toward the Chicago Friends of Haiti, please write a check, put cash in an envelope, or give online to our church (Faith Community Church) and note that it’s for the Chicago Friends of Haiti. We will send off one check later on to support the meal effort.
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 great joy,
Jonathan Keller