E-News - December 2018
December offers multiple opportunities for outreach at National Heights. The Angel Tree gifts you generously donated in November will be distributed the first week of December. Our Christmas Basket distribution is Monday, December 17. Pray that the families will be blessed and pointed to the Savior. Our Senior Connection ministry will distribute Christmas goodies on Sunday, December 9. Pray that senior adults and shut-ins throughout the community will be blessed by this outreach effort. Our Christmas Choir and drama team will present “Welcome to Bethlehem” Sunday, December 16 and Monday, December 17. Pray that many will come to hear the message of the Savior’s birth. Our annual Family Christmas is Wednesday, December 19 and our Candlelight service will be Sunday, December 23 in the 11:00 service. These services provide opportunities to invite friends and neighbors to celebrate the Savior and hear the gospel. Pray for each of these outreach events and ministries, that God will use them for his glory. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through you! ~Vaughn Weatherford
Welcome to Bethlehem - a musical play
Christmas is a time of joy and bringing hope to a hurting world - which is what the staff at the Bethlehem Inn of Bethlehem, PA strives to do every day of the holiday season for its guests! From a struggling financially, to a teenage runaway needing help when she finds herself homeless, WELCOME TO BETHLEHEM encourages us to remember a timeless truth... “When it seems you just can’t go on, there’s always hope.”
This year, there will be two performances - Sunday December 16, 6:30 pm & Monday December 17, 6:30 pm. We are expecting a large crowd both nights, so come early to get a seat! (Doors open at 5:30 pm). All attendees need to have a ticket to get in. Please grab your tickets from the hallways and take some to your friends and families! 
Family Christmas
A casual and fun Christmas Celebration for the entire family
Wednesday, December 19
 6:00 Coffeehouse 6:30 Celebration
    On Wednesday, December 19th, our church will have a casual and fun Christmas celebration. At 6:00, we will be decking the halls with our annual Christmas Coffeehouse. Lots of goodies and treats along with hot cocoa and coffee. Then at 6:30, we’ll have a performance from our children - Colors of Christmas. Other programs will not meet that evening so families can celebrate together. 
  Please bring some samplings from your Christmas baking to share with the church family in the coffeehouse. If you plan on bringing cookies to share, there is a sign-up sheet outside of the Worship Center. We will be happy to plate your cookies if you wish to bring them in a disposable container. Thanks for sharing. 
food basket
Items needed for Christmas Baskets
During the month of December our church family will be collecting canned food items and paper products to share with about 20 families in our church and community. This is over 100 people. Please bring the items listed below to the church and place in the tubs at the entryways. Also, we always have to purchase perishable items like meat, milk, bread, eggs, oleo and fresh fruit. So funds are always needed for this purpose. If you prefer to give funds directly, you may mark your envelop, “ Baskets.” All your help will be very much appreciated.
canned meat, macaroni & cheese, toilet paper, canned vegetables, other pasta, paper towels, crackers, peanut butter, jelly.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 18
Both Men and Women are needed to volunteer to assemble the Christmas Baskets in fellowship hall on Monday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m . Usually 2 hours is the time needed, depending on the number of volunteers. Come, help with the work, and enjoy the fun of this valuable outreach activity. If you can’t stay for the whole time, give us an hour or so. The selected families who receive the baskets will pick up their “baskets” later that day. This activity is a real blessing to both the givers and the receivers. One never knows what a difference in a life just one touch can make. Be one of those to “touch” another during the days of Christmas.
December Door Greeters
Rex & Kathryn Snider
Elaine Thiessen
Darleen Lasley
Harvey & Shirley Umstead
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
All men of National Heights are invited to a prayer breakfast on December 3 @ 6:30 am at Ziggy’s on North Glenstone. Join us for a time of prayer before you start your day. 
October Income Report
YTD Budgeted    $392,500.00
YTD Received     $428,679.46
Year-to-date
over budget $36,179.46
Newsletter deadline
December 17 is the deadline to have articles in for the January newsletter.
Email to Judy at: jfoley@nationalheights.org





International Missions
Season of Prayer
NHBC Goal - $19,000
goodies
Senior Connection Goodie Bags
  Goodie Bags of Christmas treats for our members who can not regularly attend services will be prepared on Sunday, December 9. 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 to pick up a bag and deliver it on behalf of the church family.
Candlelight Lord’s Supper Service
We will celebrate God’s great gift through a joint worship service Sunday morning, December 23 at 11:00 AM, including our annual Candlelight Lord’s Supper.
From the Deacons...
Dear Church Family,
   As we begin the celebration of Christmas, we at National Heights are once again reminded that we are extremely blessed to have a dedicated and caring church staff who serve us faithfully throughout the year.    As is our tradition, we will be showing our appreciation to our staff by presenting them with a Christmas love offering. To participate, please place your contribution in a regular offering envelope marked “Staff Gifts” and place it in the offering plate or mail it to the church. We would appreciate receiving your offering by noon on Sunday, December 16. Thank you, and may God bless you and your family this holiday season and through the coming year.  ~Kelly Enloe Chairman of Deacons

December 19 - No Activities or Practices so that our families can attend our Christmas Coffeehouse and Family Christmas Program starting 6:00.
December 23 - The only service will be at 11:00. Bible Study Life Groups will meet at 9:45
December 24 & 25 - The church office will be closed.
December 26 - No activities, practices or services.
December 30 - The only service will be at 11:00. Bible Study Life Groups will meet at 9:45

MISSION STUDY AND CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS
   On Tuesday morning, December 11, Women on Mission will gather in fellowship hall
at 9:30 in the morning. The program for the morning will be our International Mission Study. This study is regarding Refugees and will be led by Ruth Scott. (Remember we had to cancel her presentation two weeks ago due to the weather.) This study deals with the problem of refugees all around the world and the crisis situations often involved in their relocation. The will begin the study at 9:30. Then at our coffee/snack/share time at about 10:30 we will be hosted by Marti Blattert and Becky Mabus. After our snack time, we will be assembling the Christmas gift bags for the nearly 240 students at Robberson Elementary School. Any adult who wants to help is welcome to come for any and all of these activities. 
  Each of the attractive, inviting clear gift bags will include a stuffed animal, a card game like Hearts, Fish, or Old Maid, a new pair of socks, and an activity book with pencil included. The puzzle book has a variety of puzzles along with some pages for coloring. 
  Come and enjoy our time together as we serve in our community, helping to share the Spirit of Christmas.
Deacons Corner
  December is here, are you ready? Soon you will be hearing and singing along to Christmas songs that get us in the spirit of the season. Yes, some of us get excited with the lights, decorations, gifts,
Christmas trees and family gatherings. Our families are a blessing for sure but during this time of year we want to be focused on the true meaning of Christmas and the best gift of all, the birth of Jesus.
As we read Luke 2:1-20 this gives us a detailed story of what happened prior to the that wonderful day. Wow, what a true blessing it was that day not only for Mary and Joseph but for all of us that believe.
The deacon body would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  ~Kelly Enloe, Deacon Chairman
Children’s Church - Birthday Party for Jesus
Kindergarten thru 4th graders come join us Sunday Dec 23 at 11:00 for our annual Children’s Church Birthday party for Jesus. We will hear the Biblical Christmas story, eat snacks, and of course have our favorite indoor snowball fight. Festivities will be in Children’s Church room and Fellowship Hall. Parents please let us know of any food allergies.
Welcome...
...to Olivia Letterman 
Olivia is the daughter of John & Carrie Letterman, she is a member of the 3rd & 4th grade Bible Study class. She joined our church family by baptism.

...to John Letterman 
John is a member of the Young Adults Bible Study class, leads our Wednesday Night Basketball Men’s group and is a security volunteer. He joined our church family by baptism at the same time as his daughter, Olivia.

...to Jessica Grissom
Jessica is a member of the Truthseekers Bible study Class. She join our church family be baptism.

Can’t wait to see what God is going to do with these new members!
Prime Timers
Prime Timers
    Just a reminder that Prime Timers will not meet this month.
Care & Share
Care and Share Ministry - Holiday Gathering
   Care and Share Ministry to widows of the church community will gather at Golden Corral North on Thursday, December 6, at 11:15. This will be our combined November and December meeting. This is an informal time of sharing and praying together. Be sure to inform the cashier that you are with a this group for a small courtesy discount. For more information, contact Mildred Burns or Phyllis Sanford. Guests are welcome. 
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.
It’s the third Thursday of the month, and that means Victory Mission’s Senior Luncheon. Each month is a little different, depending on the menu. I really like the variety of tasks I do as we help to prepare and serve the meal. I especially enjoy visiting with those who come to eat. Seniors begin to line up outside the door as much as 20 minutes early. Some of them have not eaten breakfast. They are looking forward to seeing friends and having a delicious, free meal served to them. Several walk from home, some ride the bus, others are homeless and even in rain or bad weather, they will be there. There are devoted Christians and many who are lost. All are greeted by name and welcomed.
Pastor Dave asks the blessing for the meal, and gives a devotion aimed at God’s love and our need for salvation. Please continue praying for this group.
                                                                             Victory Mission volunteer, Doris Whitcher

Being “Active” at NHBC
NHBC has two very active Life Groups. Everyone is invited to come join in the fun and get some exercise at the same time.
Stretching with Scripture meets on Mondays @ 5:30 pm. We will be stretching to Christian music which will include scripture & prayer during class.
Pickleball meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. All ages are encouraged to play!
Check this month’s calendar for the holiday schedule.

Dear National Heights family,
On Nov. 11th I had a medical emergency while in Sunday school class and lost consciousness.  Several of you came to my assistance while waiting for the ambulance. We are so grateful to each of you who were there with us, taking care of me and giving Wayne moral support. It was a very scary event and one that I don’t want to ever repeat. What a great family we have here at National Heights. Again, thank you and may God bless each of you.  Merry Christmas.  ~Wayne & Linda Duncan

Dear Friends in Christ, On behalf of the Missouri Campers on Mission Sewing Group, we want to express how simply grateful we are for your willingness, as the body of Christ, to share your beautiful facilities with us.  ~Darrel & Donna Crawford

National Heights Family -
Thank you for the blessings and your continued support of our mother, Loma Jean Lawler.
~The Lawler Children

Notes from the Blessing Boxes:
- I do want to thank you all for the food!
- This box helps my friend. Thank you sooo very much.
- Hello and God bless. I do appreciate and admire everything that God has sent you here for.
- God bless you for everything that you do.
- The enemy has done nothing but attack us. Please pray for us four to come together as a strong Christian family we always were. Please pray that those of our family who are addicted be released from Satan’s evilness and be delivered from drugs and alcohol. I am homeless and need a miracle from God. I need deliverance, wisdom, direction and strength. I pray for faith and all God’s armor to be intact. I need Jesus to take complete control. In Jesus name I pray, amen.






Wishing you a Christmas filled with
rejoicing in God our Savior
from your National Heights Staff