INTERACTIVE FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE

Join us at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary for this fun, interactive, family service. Each kid is given an accessory for a costume and a single line to repeat as their part in the story. Children will do a brief "rehearsal" of their part and songs while grown-ups settle in with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. The children will then lead us in the interactive singing and story. Photo booth, petting zoo, and mission project stations to follow.

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE

Join us in the sanctuary at 5:30 p.m. for this traditional service, complete with candlelight worship. Rev. Dr. George Mason, formerly of Wilshire Baptist Church (where he served as senior pastor for more than 30 years before retiring in May) will lead us in worship.

Please note: the church office will be closed December 25 — January 2. Please reach out with pastoral emergencies only. Thank you!

Northridge staff and congregants have made an in-house devotional that will be used to foster conversation surrounding the sermon text. Want to receive the daily email? Click the button below!

Advent At-A-Glance

Sundays of Advent: Opportunity to make Two Pencils mission offerings after worship

December 24: Outdoor Family Christmas Eve Service with Petting Zoo at 10:00 a.m. and

Candlelight Sanctuary Service at 5:30 p.m. (childcare available)

Reverse Advent Calendar

Christmas Eve is the final day to make donations towards White Rock Center of Hope for the Reverse Advent Calendar. We will collect donations at both Christmas Eve services in the narthex.

Two Pencils

Northridge has a strong commitment to our mission partners, and we especially look forward to the Advent season, when we can share that commitment with our friends and family through giving donations in their honor as Christmas gifts!

Northridge works diligently to show our love for each other with amazing faith partnerships: the White Rock Center of Hope; Arrow Outreach Star Scholarships; St. Croix Hospital, Haiti; The Stewpot/Bridge; Literacy Achieves; and the Roger Quillin Scholarship Fund.

Worship on Sunday will be presented virtually, available on demand on our YouTube channel (click button below) or on the "Worship Online" tab of our website.

Rev. Betsy Swetenburg preaches a sermon entitled:

On the Way: Jesus

In preparation, you are invited to read:

John 1:1-14

Worship on January 1 will also be presented virtually.

In-person worship resumes on January 8 with Rev. Dr. Steve Shive.

Missed a sermon? Listen to our podcast here!

YEAR-END GIFTS & TAX REPORTING

Many of you will make gifts close to the end of the year. Depending on how and when you make your gift, you can control whether the gift will be deductible for federal income tax purposes in 2022 or 2023.

Here are the rules: (1) If you date your check 2022 and put it in the plate or deliver it to the church office by December 31, 2022, your gift will be deductible in 2022. (2) If you mail your gift to the church and your mailing envelope is postmarked by December 31, 2022, your gift will be deductible in 2022. (3) If you date your check 2022 and bring it to the church office, put it in the plate or mail it after December 31, 2022, your gift will be deductible in 2023. (4) If you date your check 2023, your year-end gift will be deductible in 2023, whenever you send it to the church. Northridge will follow these rules in reporting year-end gifts on giving statements. If you have any questions, please contact our treasurer at [email protected].

Thank you,

Allan Tepera, Treasurer

TUESDAY

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

7:30 a.m. via ZOOM

Join us!

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

In January, Doug Fenn will lead us in a community engagement series.

• January 8: Explanation and intro to the series with Doug Fenn
• January 15: Lawyer Jenna Carl will speak about immigration law and issues facing immigrants
• January 22: Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner will speak on "Women with 2020 Vision: American Theologians on the Voice, Vote and Vision of Women"
• February 5: Refugee Services of Texas demonstration

ADULT EDUCATION IN JANUARY

You have questions? We do, too! You are invited to try out a different kind of Sunday school class at Northridge called Living the Questions—it’s a continuation of a program that we explored previously. 

Each week, we will watch a short video of several knowledgeable people discussing a major question that many Christians ask about our faith. Then, the class will discuss our own thoughts on the topic. Because this is Northridge, we will encourage all members of the class to express their own personal versions of the questions and even possible answers. You will not need to do any reading or other preparation. You can try the class anytime, without a commitment to continue. 

This class will run from January 8—February 12 during the 10:00 Connection Hour. To accommodate choir members and others who need to leave early, a class leader will be available in the classroom starting at 9:45.  

For more information, contact Don Zentmeyer.

VOLUNTEER WITH LITERACY ACHIEVES

Want to volunteer to teach with Literacy Achieves? No prior experience needed! Applications are now being accepted for spring tutors. Semester begins January 23.

Morning, afternoon, and evening classes available, both online and in person. Training provided.