An Unexpected Christmas

Saturday, December 14th or Sunday December 15th @ 6:00 p.m.

Few words send shivers down the spine of planners like the word “unexpected.” But when a group of random travelers cross paths in an airport on Christmas Eve, any plans they think are in their control quickly disappear like visibility in a blizzard.

An Unexpected Christmas is a heartfelt musical that brings people of all different paths of life together in an airport terminal on Christmas Eve when their flight is grounded overnight due to

inclement weather. With the help of a little coffee, a few Christmas carols, and the final realization of what is truly important at Christmas, they discover that the crossing of their paths is anything but random as unexpected events turn their hearts to discover the real meaning of Christmas.

Free tickets are now available in the Welcome Center or the Main Office.

MINISTERING TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH FOOD BASKETS

THANK YOU! Thank you so much for your contributions for the Thanksgiving baskets!! Because

Thanksgiving is so late this year, we have a very short turnaround to collect for Christmas baskets. Please place your items in the marked tubs by the church entrances. If you prefer to give funds, please designate your envelope “BASKETS”. We always need money for the meat, eggs, milk, and produce items that must be purchased. Bless you for your generosity!

ITEMS NEEDED: Canned meats, soups, chili, vegetables, & fruit; macaroni & cheese; pastas; rice;

crackers; cereal; peanut butter & jelly; liquid hand soap; dish washing soap; and paper products.

HELPERS NEEDED TO ASSEMBLE CHRISTMAS BASKETS

On Monday morning, December 16, we will be assembling Christmas baskets for families from our church and community. This includes several families from our partnership school, Roberson Elementary. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN are needed to help with this process. PLEASE COME AT 9:00 to the fellowship hall, when instructions will be given. We should be finished in about two hours, depending on the number of volunteers.

Dear Friends,

Once again, we come to this very special time of year in which we celebrate and appreciate the birth of Jesus Christ. In this season we do our best to reach out and be a blessing to our families, as well as others who mean a lot to us.

On behalf of National Heights Baptist Church, I would like to extend an invitation to the congregation of NHBC to show our love and appreciation to our entire staff (ministers, secretaries, custodians). Please feel free to contribute by marking a church envelope, “Staff Christmas” along with your contribution. If you chose to give, please give by Sunday, December 15. Thank you for gifting to those who create, administrate, clean, repair, comfort, lead in worship, etc. in support of National Heights Baptist Church.

~Tom Weaver, Chairman of Deacons

CHILDREN @ CHRISTMAS TIME

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT!! - We are having a parents night out on Saturday, December 7 from 5:00-8:00. We will provide dinner, decorate cookies, make cards and watch a Christmas movie. Kids can wear their pj’s if they like! We will be meeting in the Children’s Area for this activity.

ADVENT SUNDAY!! - We will have Advent Sunday for our families on Sunday, December 8 from 9:45-10:45 in the fellowship hall. Families will come and put together advent boxes to share during the month of December. Breakfast will be served during this time.

WOM WORKDAY ASSEMBLING GIFT BAGS FOR

ROBBERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On Tuesday, December 10 the Women on Mission will begin at 9:30 a.m. to begin their workday. The day begins with a short business meeting followed by a snack time, hosted by Marti Blattert and Becky Mabus. After the snack time, they will be assembling the Christmas gift bags for the nearly 200 plus students at Robberson Elementary School. Any adult who wants to help is welcome to come and join in as we serve in our community, helping to share the Spirit of Christmas.

Stepping Out Testimonies

Many of our membership are “stepping out” into the community. This focus each month will allow you to hear from them, know how you can pray for that outreach and perhaps be inspired to join in as well.

I work once a week at Grand Oak Mission. I am the greeter and help folks load their items if needed. I also make sure carts get back inside. The

director and other volunteers are all great to work with. I would enjoy

doing more if I had the time.

I really enjoy getting to meet people of all ages and give them a friendly greeting and share with them in the name of Jesus. Before the mission opens for clients, we all share a devotion together. Then there is a

devotion shared with clients, too.

The completion of the new building has really helped. Things are very

organized and even computerized. Clients can get clothes, food and household items, all for free. I have been doing this for about three years, and it is such a blessing to me.

~John McGaughey

SECURITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We can always use more volunteers for security on Sundays and Wednesdays, but we definitely need at least one or two more for Wednesday evenings. If this is something you would consider, please let Joe McLemore or the church office know.

GOODIES FOR SENIOR CONNECTION

Goodie Bags of Christmas treats for our members who can not regularly attend services will be prepared on Sunday, December 8 at 9:45. Please bring candy and baked goods to the kitchen by 9:30 that morning. All types of treats are welcome. Bags will be prepared, labeled with a name and address and placed on a table in the east hallway. Immediately following the 11:00 worship service volunteers are invited/encouraged to pick up a bag and deliver it on behalf of the church family.

Children’s Church

Birthday Party for Jesus

Kindergarten thru 4th graders come join us Sunday December 22 at 11:00 for our annual Children’s Church Birthday Party for Jesus.

Festivities will be in Fellowship Hall. Parents please let us know of any food allergies.

Thank you for your support once again of our annual Trunk or Treat event. Although the weather permitted us from being outside, we had a great time indoors. What a wonderful opportunity to interact with families in our community!

DECEMBER

DOOR GREETERS

Patti Crocker & Jerry McCall

Barbara Fisher & Pat Welch

Phyllis Sanford & Mildred Burns

Angel Norton & June Bryngelson

* WELCOME TEAM*

DECEMBER SCHEDULE

Dec. 1: Ron & Darlene Gideon

Dec. 8: Molly Faulkner Team

Dec. 15: Gary & Janice Mitchell

Dec. 22: Ralph & Harriet Arnold

Dec. 29 : Lloyd & Becky Eagleburger

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST

Gather, eat and pray with brothers in Christ at Ziggie’s on N. Glenstone beginning at

6:30 a.m. Monday, December 2.

December 14 & 15 - Christmas Musical, An Unexpected Christmas

December 18 - No Activities so that our families can attend our Christmas Coffeehouse and Family Christmas Program @ 6:00.

December 22 - Candlelight Lord’s Supper Service @ 6:00.

December 24 & 25 - The church office will be closed.

December 25 - No Wednesday activities or services.

December 29 - The only service will be at 11:00. Bible Study Life Groups will meet at 9:45.

January 1 - No Wednesday activities - office closed.

SONGS AND STORIES

SPECIAL SERVICE

December 29

ONE COMBINED SERVICE @ 11:00 a.m.

Come join us for this special service as members from our church share some of their favorite hymns and songs and tell the stories and testimonies as to what makes this song special to them. Bible Study at 9:45 but no 8:30 or evening service will be held.

THE BLESSING BOXES

~NEEDS/NOTES/PRAYER REQUESTS~

NEEDS: As winter arrives, we appreciate your donations of hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. Soups will also be welcome gifts. THANK YOU!

PRAY:  *Pray that I feel happiness before I die.

*Thank you for the Bible. I pray for work, part-time or full-time. God bless you all for doing what you do.

National Heights

Baptist Church

3050 N. National Avenue

Springfield, MO 65803

417-833-4111

www.nationalheights.org

Sunday Schedule

Worship - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.,

and 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study Life Groups - 9:45 a.m.

Staff

Dr. Vaughn Weatherford

Pastor

Joshua Roberts

Minister of Music

Brian Miller

Minister of Students

Michelle Miller

Children’s Minister

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, or for address corrections, please contact us at the address above or

[email protected]

DECEMBER - WELCOME DESK

December 1:

9:25-9:55 - Harold & Becky Mabus

10:40-11:00 - Patti Crocker & Barbara Vallely

December 8

9:25-9:55 - John & Carrie Letterman

10:40-11:00 - Lloyd & Diana Cunningham

December 15

9:25-9:55 - Tina Findley & Theresa Domanski

10:40-11:00 - J eanne Carpenter & Angel Norton

December 22

9:25-9:55 - Marsha Weatherford & Suzy Roberts

10:40-11:00 - Alex & Autumn Desmuke

December 29

9:25-9:55 - Alex & Autumn Desmuke

10:40-11:00 - Melissa Baugh & Angel Norton

Newsletter Deadline

November 18 is the deadline to have articles in for the December Newsletter . E-mail articles to: [email protected]

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