Welcome to the Weekly Newsletter!

Below you will find all the most up to date information on Sunday Service, our Weekly Rhythms, and Upcoming Events! We also often answer financial questions, recap celebrations, and share "God is Good" moments as a way of leaning into our core values of Adventure, Discipleship, and Authenticity. If you ever have any questions or a need you can email those listed in an applicable section below or send us an email HERE. May Jesus meet you gently as you live into His call this week.

We can't wait to see you for Worship on Sunday!

Service at 10:00am - Worship Center & Online

If you or someone you know is NEW to Adventure, please stop by the Welcome Center to pick up a Welcome bag!

Services stream live to three places: our website, our app, and YouTube!

Need help with accessing our livestream? Check out this instruction video or email Sam. If you are watching live, please join the chat to connect!

Count It All Joy Sermon Series

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” -Henri Nouwen

As we kick off both Advent and our journey through the Book of James, we begin with the call to Joy. James says that we should “Count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds.” Through his words, the Spirit reminds us that our joy is not rooted in the temporal things of this world, but in the eternal person of our Savior. Join us this month as we take time to count it all joy during this Advent season.

Sunday, December 8th: 

Joy in Lack

“There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.”  

-Augustine

Our joy is not rooted in the circumstances of this world, in our abilities, or what we have. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack.” (Ps. 23:1). Our God gives generously to us. When we feel as if we do not have, we may approach His throne without doubt, confident that, in Him, we have all we need.

Daily Prayers, Digging Deeper Guide and coordinating Life Group Curriculum are available each week on Sunday to further explore this Sermon Series. You can find those resources (for this week and ALL previous weeks) HERE or at the Welcome Center on Sunday.

Advent Specific Resources:

If you want to know all about Advent and what to expect at Adventure this Advent season, check out the "Looking Forward to Advent" Packet! (Paper copies available at the church.). You can also check out what is available to take home below in the Take-Home Calendars + Candle Lighting Section. Or check out our website HERE for all things Advent.

Blue Christmas

“Look up and see!

Who created these?

He brings out the stars by number;

he calls all of them by name.

Because of his great power and strength,

not one of them is missing.”

- Isaiah 40:26

Christmas can be a time of great joy, but it can also be a time when we remember those who are not here this season. Isaiah gives us hope, reminding us that our lost loved ones are not forgotten; “He calls all of them by name, and because of His great power and strength, not one of them is missing.” Perhaps you are grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness or have experienced loss in one form or another. Whatever it may be, those looking for comfort and hope have a place here. This week ahead, December 8th through the 15th, we will be making space in some of our weekly rhythms, like Sunday Service, Prayer Night, BaseCamp, and Scripture Out Loud, to acknowledge and comfort those who may be experiencing grief and sorrow this holiday season.

James teaches us that Joy is an orientation toward the Lord, regardless of circumstances, but it doesn’t always look like we expect it to. Whether you’re fixing your eyes on Jesus through squinty-eyed happiness or sorrow-filled tears this season, you have a place here. We see you, we love you, and we are grateful to walk this road of grief and hope alongside you.

Adventure:Kids News

This Sunday in Adventure:Kids, we're taking a break from our regular curriculum to focus on Christmas! The kids will learn how prophets like Isaiah and Micah foretold the birth of Jesus hundred of years before it happened, sharing God's promise of a Savior who would bring peace and save His people. Through this lesson, we'll see how everything God planned and promised about Jesus came true, pointing us to the hope and joy of Christmas. 

Key Passage: The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17



We can't wait to see you this Sunday!

Sermon notes and challenges for families are available on the Adventure:Kids Facebook page, OR click here for a pdf version.

Adventure:Equip - Advent

Sundays in December in the Friendship Center at 9:00am

The Young Family is hosting Adventure:Equip in the Friendship Center during Advent, check out this video HERE for their invite!

Global Outreach Prayer Meeting

THIS Sunday, December 8th, at 11:15am in Room 102

Join us as we lift prayers out loud for Adventure of Faith's two Global ministries, Mazatlán in Mexico and the Village of Sorkogne and Bethesda Christian school in Kaffrine, Senegal. Prayer sheets are handed out with prayers for these ministries. The Lord has answered many of our prayers for these ministries. Please join us! If you'd like to pray alongside us for our Global Outreach but can't make the meetings, you can check out the prayer requests HERE. Questions? Contact Marcia.

Take-Home Advent Calendars

Available Now!

In the spirit of creating space to lean into Jesus and trying to count it all joy in the everyday, we will be offering Advent Calendars to take home and do on your own or with those in your household. Every day there is a square to open and a small prompt, activity, item, or treat to spur reflection or joy. 

There are still a few calendars left and it's not too late to catch up, or start on the day you get one. Please consider grabbing one to take to a family member, neighbor, or friend!

Last BaseCamp of Session 1

Wednesdays at 5:45pm

Join us around the table as we equip, encourage, support & challenge each other into the mission God calls us to in every aspect of our lives. We will participate in a family style meal paired with questions and activities to help us connect and engage in Jesus-centered discussion and fellowship. If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, start by checking out the updated details about BaseCamp and find the registration link HERE. Questions? Email Callie.

Dinner:

Dinner next Wednesday will be Breakfast Enchiladas, Fruit, and Cinnamon Roll Cake for dessert! We will have allergen free versions for those of you who have communicated specific food allergies.

Let's Do Lunch at Applebees in Silverdale

Thursday, December 12th, 11:30am-1:30pm

Come join this lively group of seniors for our Christmas Gathering at Applebees in Silverdale. We are meeting the second Thursday of this month rather than our regular third Thursday to allow the extra week to focus on our family gatherings. Come to fellowship and share what God has done in your life this past year. Carpooling may be arranged if needed.

Please RSVP by December 9th at 3pm. We'd love for you to join us!

To RSVP or ask questions: Text/call 360-443-2206, or email Marilyn.

Christmas Baskets

The Adventure of Faith Deacons will be collecting, packing, and handing out food baskets as we did in the past for those in need in our church and community. You can help be a part of this ministry in several ways...

Donate: $135 (estimated cost for a food basket) or whatever amount you can afford, write "food basket" in the memo line for checks or in the comment area for online donations.

Give: Non-perishable food items that you signed up for last week.

Volunteer: For participation in basket filling on December 14th from 8:30am 11:30am to Assemble and Distribute Baskets, and clean up. We will be in the Friendship Center. 

End of Year Adventure Finances

You may have noticed that we are about to finish up 2024.

At Adventure of Faith we are always grateful to receive financial gifts and contributions

of any size, at any time.

However, if you'd like your charitable contribution to be included in the 2024 tax year, 

please note the following deadlines:

* Year-end gifts of appreciated stock should be made by asap, so that your broker has time

to transfer the stocks and the receiving broker has time to value the stocks. 

(Do not sell the stock first, or you will be taxed on the gain!)

* Debit/Credit card gifts made online must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.

* Personal checks must be dated in 2024 AND physically in the building by Dec. 31, 2024.

* Checks sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be dated in 2024 AND postmarked by Dec. 31, 2024.

Adventure of Faith is a very generous community of believers. 

I know this because whenever we communicate a need, we meet it.

Thank you for being a community of joyful givers. I am grateful for each of you.

If you have any questions, you can reach me... HERE.

This section is a weekly reminder that God is Good!

He is good to us every single day & we will praise His name!

This Week's God is Good is shared from Carla, one of our Deacons:

Operation Christmas Child Update

We are thrilled to announce that our Operation Christmas Child drop-off location collected an incredible 2,100 shoeboxes this year! 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who packed a shoebox, shared God’s love, and contributed to this meaningful mission. We are also deeply grateful to the amazing volunteers who made the drop-off location a warm and welcoming experience for everyone.

Together, we are spreading hope, joy, and the love of Jesus to children around the world. Thank you for being part of this blessing!

Let’s continue to pray for each shoebox as it embarks on its journey to change lives. 

God is Good!

This space in the newsletter is a small way we continue to celebrate the goodness of God all year long, and practice being aware of His presence in our lives. So, if you have stories of God's goodness big or small, hit reply to this email and send them our way. We would love to hear them, pray in praise over them and talk to you about sharing them.

To spur your thoughts to God's goodness start by asking yourself these questions:

What Good have you witnessed recently?

What Good has God brought into your life?

What Good has God prompted you to do for one another?



God is Good!!