Jump into week 2 of our 40-day all-church focus, entitled "Use It Well—Stewarding God's Many Gifts." From our Children's and Student Ministries to our adult groups, everyone is exploring this relevant topic together. God has given all of us many gifts, and we will explore how we can use them in meaningful ways. If you haven't checked out one of our Life Groups, now is a great opportunity, even for just this 6-week series.

THIS WEEK'S MESSAGE

For some, a job is just a way to pay the bills. Others seem to have a career that perfectly fits their talents, skills, and personality. Whether you work to live or live to work, the truth is, work is an unavoidable and significant part of the human experience. This week, we’ll take a look at how work is part of God’s design and how we can better steward our work, and God-given talents, from the time we enter the workforce through retirement.

NEWS AND EVENTS

If you haven't yet checked out one of our Women's Bible Studies, the new year is a great time to jump in!

• Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) meets on Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm. They are studying Revelation – The Hope, held in person on the Bridges campus. Register via join.bsfinternational.org.
• Circle of Friends Bible Study meets on Wednesdays, 10:15am - 12:00pm upstairs in Family Center. They will be studying Encountering God by Kelly Minter. Study book with video access is $28. For info, contact Kay Tokar: ekaytokar@sbcglobal.net or 408-857-9409.
• Into the Deep meets on Thursdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm in the Family Center Room 525. They are studying The Tabernacle - A Foreshadowing of Jesus Christ (no cost, just bring your Bible). For info, contact Hanna Migneault: 408-929-6013 or bccsisters@bridges.church.

Our next event will be online via Zoom on Fri., Jan. 10, at 7:00pm. Mark Bowlby will give us a presentation entitled “Is there evidence for God in our physical universe?” In the limited time we have, we will consider information as the basis for all life and the fine tuning of the universe. Here is the Zoom link. Questions? Call Kirby Hansen: (650) 917-9107.

RSVP today for our next Membership Intro Meeting, "It’s Not For You (It’s for the Community)", this Sun., Jan. 12, at 12:15pm, and hear about the meaning of membership at Bridges! Lunch will be provided and childcare is available, but you must RSVP by tomorrow, Jan. 8. Questions? Email liliya@bridges.church.

On Sun., Jan. 19, at 6:00pm, Bridges will again welcome Liberty Quartet to our Worship Center. These four talented singers and their accompanist will delight us with a high-energy performance and moments of contemplation. An evening with Liberty always leads us in a wonderful time of worship. Their love for the Lord is apparent as is their desire to make Christ known. Please mark your calendars and use this as an opportunity to invite others. No tickets are required.

Your tax statement and giving history are available online, regardless of your method of giving. You can find instructions on how to access your end of year statement via the button below. We will send paper statements to those who request one, so please make sure your mailing address is correct in our system. If you requested a paper statement last year, you do not need to request it again. Paper statements will be mailed no later than January 31. If you have any problems with retrieving your statement online or if you would like to receive a paper statement for the first time, please contact Financial Secretary Jackie Ogdon: jackie@bridges.church.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Join MUCH Hope as they serve local homeless at a shelter in San Jose by providing monthly dinners. Lots of help is needed whether it's for 30 minutes or 2 hours! Volunteer to drop off supplies at Bridges, or help cook in the Bridges kitchen on a designated Sunday. For questions, email sujana.panthulu@gmail.com.

A group from Bridges will be traveling to Baja, Mexico, Jan. 16-20, to work with Baja Christian Ministries on building one or more houses and conducting outreach events in the Rosarito-Tecate area. To donate to the Baja Mission Trip, click HERE and select “Short-Term Missions Trips” from the drop-down menu, and then choose “Baja.” To help cover the expenses for a particular person who is going on the trip, please email steve@bridges.church and let him know who the donation is for.

In partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation and several other local churches, Bridges is excited to host Night to Shine on Fri., Feb. 7! This prom-style event is an unforgettable worldwide celebration, centered on God's love, honoring and valuing people with special needs. To make this beautiful night happen, we need over 500 volunteers to fill many roles, including buddies for our honored guests, help supporting parents in the parent room, parking and safety teams, decorations, hair stylists, makeup artists, shoe shiners, set up, clean up, and more. Click the buttons below to volunteer!

Have you been looking for ways to serve with other dedicated people? Bridges’ Deaconess and Deacon Boards are expanding their impact in supporting the Bridges family in ways both seen and behind the scenes. Whether you’d like to send an encouraging note, visit someone in the hospital, give a ride, or something else that excites you, only sign up when you are available and in areas where you want to contribute. For details, contact Board Chairs Sujana Panthulu (sujana.panthulu@gmail.com) or Tom Hansen (twhansen@yahoo.com).

Serve in the Children's Ministry and join the team of people pouring into the children of Bridges in our nursery, preschool, and elementary classes! For more info, contact one of our ministry leaders below:

   Nursery - Liliya Gor (liliya@bridges.church)

   Preschool - Kathy Spillar (kathy@brides.church)

Kathy is looking for help in preschool two Sundays a month during the first hour (9:30-10:30am). No experience necessary!

   Elementary - Alba Kellejian (alba@bridges.church)

We’d love for each person to find a place to use their God-given gifts within our Bridges family. Prayerfully consider how God would like you to serve, and then fill out our online form. Thank you for helping build our church!

STAY CONNECTED

Do you have a question about this week's sermon? We want to hear it! To see our pastors answer past sermon questions, click HERE.

Our Bridges family prays together every week at three different times. We’d love to have you join us! We gather virtually on Wednesdays and in person on Sunday mornings. For details, click the button below. Questions? Email liliya@bridges.church or contact the church office.

Need help picking up groceries, setting up tech tools or equipment, running errands, etc.? We have a team of people who are ready and willing to help. If you're able and willing to help others, join our team!

These are our current year-to-date giving figures: Actual is $735,624; budgeted is $678,000; surplus is $57,624. These figures reflect contributions for the church year, which runs Sept. 1 - Aug. 31.

625 Magdalena Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024

650 948 5698

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