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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Any checks for the 2025 giving year should be in the office by Monday, December 29. Church offices will be closed from 12-24 thru 1-2-2026.

Please remember those listed below in prayer:

Lexi Wahlert
Dean Comstock (Harold Comstock's brother)
Kim Stephen (cousin to Grubbs, Comstocks, & Rouws)
Allan Rouw (brother-in-law to Grubbs, Comstocks, & Rouws)
Jane Zemo (Keri Shepard's mother)
Jake Beck (Roger/Cyndy Gay's son-in-law)
Jill Shaull (friend of Kathy Butler)
Mia Schippers & family (friend of Angie Landers)
Donell Clarke (family friend of Connie Louderback)
Roger Gay
Karen Rouw
Kristelle Vanderbeek
Chuck Shrader (friend of Heather Stevens)
Mike Mott (Marilyn Mott's son)
Rozann Burggraaf (friend of Kathy Butler)
Grant Hicks (son of Rod Hicks)
Sharon Lockard
Jeff Baumgardner (Shari Fynaardt's brother-in-law)
Henry Anderson (Darlene Veldhuizen's son-in-law)

Military

Kyrsten DeWees, daughter of Rick & Michelle DeWees

Kelly Lane, granddaughter of Phyllis Lane

Sympathies are extended to Lorelle Cheney and family upon the death of her father, Rodger Rothfus, November 5, 2025.

Sympathies are extended to Kim Gile & Kirk Shepard & families upon the loss of their aunt, Virginia Buban, on November 15, 2025.

From the Pastor

Advent Word

it is ancient

as old as the first word

for it is the first word ever

spoken by a God

who was feeling the divine voice

for the first time

its sound has taken many forms through

the ages, but it speaks

still, the single

truth it always has

some hear it beating swords into ploughshares

others hear it hammering spears into pruning hooks

and still others hear the

original word

that shaped these others

the first word:

the word,

love

~ written by Roddy Hamilton

Pastor Molly

2025 Elders & Officers of the Board

Elders

1-yr term:

Kathy Butler

Sherry DeJong (Elders Secretary)

Tim DeJong

Gene Fynaardt (Board Vice Chair)

Eric Palmer (Elders Chair)

2-yr term:

Linda Cohrt

Laura Ginaven

Lorri Grubb (Elders Vice Chair)

Brook VanRheenen

Diaconate

1-yr term:

Carrie Bowie (Board Secretary)

Jon Butler (Board Chair)

Terry DeJong

Eric Held

Karen Rouw

Keri Shepard

Heather Stevens

Diane Stewart (Board Treasurer)

2-yr term:

Jim Brandriff

Dennis Green

Kayla Martin

Brian Myers

Musical “Notes”

First Christian Church

From the Worship Team

Ah yes, another year has passed by I thought pretty quickly, as we close out the last month of the year. The point of this is to keep you up-to-date with music happenings at the church and of our church family that are involved in music events and festivities in the community and December is full of music. What a wonderful time of year with Christmas music being the best. Speaking of - we're hoping to bring some fun, exciting music the 2^nd and 3^rd Sunday of December that you won't want to miss. Keep warm and hope to see you in church.

Thanks & Happy Holidays!

Upcoming Events:

Youth:

December 11 at 7 PM: 6th grade band & OHS band concert

December 13 at 7 PM: OHS Chamber choir presents: Madrigal Dinner

December 4 - Community Christmas Choir at the Penn Central Mall

6:30 PM Praise team

7:00 PM Choir at the Mall

December Worship Team Leaders

12-07-25 Sherry DeJong

12-14-25 Pam Blomgren

12-21-25 Sherry DeJong

12-28-25 Brett Doud

* Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 7 - 8 PM

We always welcome any musician who would like to join us!

ATTENTION: Anyone who plays a horn, flute, clarinet, etc. and would like to play in a church jazz combo, please contact Sherry or Tim DeJong.

Some final thoughts…

Christ the savior is born unto us, as long as we remember this, the busyness and chaos of all that December brings can be a relief to all of us. Holding a baby in your arms can make everything, thoughts and worries, go away. Peace and some calmness is what we all desire for a little while. The baby Jesus can bring us that peace this December as we celebrate His birthday. God is good!

Have a Merry Christmas!

A huge, heartfelt thank you to our church family for all the love, prayers, support and generosity in the loss of our sweet Sydney. This difficult journey is a little easier with our faith, family and friends. We thank you and love you all.

Robert & Joette Stout

Joel & Allison Stout & family

Nicole & Joel DeBoef & family

Stacy & Tim Veiseth & family

Ryan & Amy Andersen & family

Sisters In Spirit

Sisters in Spirit will meet Saturday, December 6 at 8:30 AM in the lounge.

Our Service Personnel

Kyrsten DeWees

She is home now

Kelly Del Rio Lane

Do not have current address

Men's Ministry

Join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall for Men's Dominoes.

On behalf of Church Women United in Iowa (and Mahaska County), tabs from aluminum cans of all sizes are being collected to provide personal items for human trafficking survivors who are recovering in 3 safe houses in Iowa. Please bring donations in zipper storage bags and drop off in the basket.