"My favorite version of John 1:14 comes from The Message. The verse begins by saying, 'The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.' This is how the Father chose to make it possible for everyone who believes in his Son to become children of God (John 1:12). This is what we celebrate during the Christmas season.

 

"Towards the end of His life and ministry on earth Jesus said to His disciples, 'Just as the Father sent me, I send you' (John 20:21). I think it’s pretty clear what Jesus has in mind for flesh-and-blood types like you and me. He sends us into the world by having us move into specific neighborhoods. One of the best ways we can celebrate Christmas is by paying attention to our neighbors!

 

"Most often our neighbors are those who live close by. Sometimes, however, our neighbors are on the other side of the world. Perhaps we cannot be with them physically very much, but we can share some of our God-given resources with them. A Christmas catalog like this one provides a way for us to do that.

 

"My challenge to you this Christmas season is to do something special with one of your neighbors who lives close by, and that you also do something special for a neighbor on the other side of the world by using this catalog. May the Lord use these gifts to draw your neighbors closer to himself."

 

- Dan Cammack, Executive Director of Evangelical Friends Mission

Visit the events calendar on our website at www.efcer.org/events.

*  November 9-11  - Youth Explosion 2018. Find out more at  www.yecle.com .

* November 22-23  - Evangelical Friends Headquarters CLOSED.

* December 7 & 8 - Christmas at Malone. Tickets and info at www.malone.edu/christmas.

*  December 24-26  - Evangelical Friends Headquarters CLOSED.

*  December 28 - January 1  - Friends Summit 2018 in Denver, CO. More information available at  www.friendssummit.com .

* January 1 - Evangelical Friends Headquarters CLOSED.

* January 21-22 -  Church Health Team and Leadership Development Team meetings at the Evangelical Friends Headquarters (EF HQ).

* January 23-24 -  Multiplication Team meetings at the EF HQ.

* January 24 -  Finance & Administration Team meeting at the EF HQ.

* January 25-27 -  Youth Awakening Retreat at New Life Community Church in Ridgeway, VA. Find out more at www.facebook.com/NLCCYouthAwakening .

* January 28 - February 1  - NAE Christian Student Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. Find out more and register at  www.NAE.net/cslc .

* February 12-13 -  Oversight Board meeting at the EF HQ.

We pray for our youth and leaders who will attend Youth Explosion at Friends Church: Willoughby Hills this weekend. We are praying that "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better" (Ephesians 1:17, NIV).