Our Favorites

Our Favorites

Thanksgiving is now over and everyone now anticipates Christmas. The retailers have been thinking about Christmas for quite a while. Have you ever wondered why it is that stores open so early on the day after Thanksgiving? You are right if you think it has anything to do with money. Retailers believe that if they can get you to their store first, they will get a substantial amount of your Christmas dollars. If they can get your money, possibly they can get your friends money as well.
In order to get their share of your dollars, one cellular carrier allows you to designate your five favorite people with whom you want to share unlimited free calling. Another carrier offers a “Friends and Family” service. Every carrier has their own marketing ploy, and most of them include getting your friends involved as well. Quite frankly, we all have our own “in crowd.” There is nothing wrong with that.
Jesus had his favorites: there were the 12, and there were the three (Peter, James and John), there was Mary, Martha and Lazarus who were also close friends. When you count up Jesus’ favorites, you are forced to realize that Jesus did not have any un-favorites.
Those who were culturally shunned, like the prostitutes and tax collectors, got an audience with Jesus. Jesus did not forget those who were sick, crippled or ignored. He even desired to gather his antagonists to himself. Matt 23:37, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”
It is in our nature to develop our favorites and not so favorites. But the example of Jesus’ ethics and example undermine this mentality. To have a church that works together in harmony toward the same goal means that we be accepting of one another. Author Gordon McDonald notes the essence of what separates the church from her culture: “The world can do almost anything as well or better than the church. You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace.” That means offering grace to our favorites, and to those who are not so favorite.

Dennis


WEDNESDAY FAMILY MEAL MENU
(Serving time 5:45-6:15 PM)
COOK’S CHOICE

WEDNESDAY - We are back on our regular schedule this week. We will start serving the family dinner at 5:45. Serving stops at 6 :15 PM. This time schedule allows time for the kitchen crew to clean up and still be on time for the Wednesday evening classes which are from 6:30 – 7:30.
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December 8th – 6 PM to 9 PM is our annual Christmas party. The party is for everyone – adults, kids, friends and family. There will be a “snowman building contest for all, games, singing and crafts for the kids. Items needed for decorating the snowmen such as ribbon, buttons, felt pieces, rick-rack, etc. should be given to Sheree Gardner.
There will be a dinner. The main dish will be provided and will include ham scalloped potatoes and a vegetable. Please bring rolls, salads, or deserts (cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, etc. There is a sign-up sheet posted in the foyer. For additional information please contact Sheree at 937-4790 or at sgardner@denmat.com.
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THANK YOU ……
The church received enough food & donations to supply Thanksgiving meals plus groceries for eight families – Thank you to Jessica Hoff and those who assisted her in putting the boxes together last Sunday evening and to the church family for their generosity.
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SHELTER DINNER Since we now need to supply disposable bowls for our chili and jello that we serve each month, we could use donations of disposable bowls from anyone who would like to help us out. If you can donate please label them for the shelter and leave them in the kitchen. Thank you.

December Pantry Item
Restock our pantry – Your Choice

In Our Prayers…
Mike Zdrojewski was scheduled to be airlifted to Stanford on Thursday. Sharon would like to thank everyone for their prayers, visits and flowers. Continue to remember them in your prayers.

Our sympathy to Verla Hendrix and family. Verla’s sister, who lives in Oklahoma passed away last week.

ANSWERED PRAYER - Andy Savoy – It was reported that Andy is now back in the USA.

CONTINUE TO REMEMBER – John Bartelotte - Waneen Wolf - Paul/Jean Maynard- Howard Dunn - Carol Strutz - Linda Ross – Dana Barbarick - Austin (Neighbor of the Dunns) –Cameron Reilly (autism) – Pearl Keith

TRAVELING: Many of our members and/or their families will be traveling for the coming holiday. Pray for a safe return home for all those who are traveling.
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FOR THE RECORD – LAST WEEK
ATTTENDANCE:
Sunday AM: 148–Class: 71 –PM: 42– Weds: 35
FINANCE
Budget:...........................................$2,815.62
Contribution:..................................$3,829.00
YTD Budget:..............................$129,518.52
YTD Contribution:.....................$131,959.75
Over/Under (+/-):........................+$2,441.23
Building Loan Balance:.............$231,507.43
Please make checks payable to Church Of Christ

BIRTHDAYS - NOVEMBER - 25/Linda Ross – 25/Megan Bohard – 27/Bertha Colorado – 29/Tammy Martin – DECEMBER – 02/Verla Hendrix – 05/Wayne Barbarick – 08/Gloria Lopez – 08/Artie Orozco-15/Dan Shepard-17/Joshua Morgan-Bobby Thomas Jr-24/Vivian Herrmann-25/Gordon Herrmann-28/Rene Morris – 28/Ethan Shepard-29/Luis Guerra-29/Ray Hooks-30/Linda Roberts-31/Chris Carroll-31/Dan Giles
ANIVERSARIES – NOVEMBER - 30/Al & Terry Oseguera DECEMBER - 16/Rick & Gloria Lopez – Jim & Darlean Savoy – 16/Craig & Erika Lopez - 18/Frank & Linda Ross
In order for your notice to be in the bulletin please have your information in the secretary’s slot (in the copy room) no later than Wednesday evening(8 PM) or e-mailed to gardcart @aol.com no later than Thursday Evening.