Sunday, we continue to countdown the days to Christmas with Dr. Luke. This week, we get to a story that I honestly haven’t given that much attention to over the years. Mary rushes off to see Aunt Elizabeth and when the two pregnant women meet, something powerful happens. Elizabeth, through the power of the Holy Spirit, confirms for Mary what the angel Gabriel said. And John, in Elizabeth’s womb, leaps for joy. Unborn John knows that his cousin Jesus is the One. I hope you will read this encounter for yourself in your Journals this week.
In my message, Motherly Bonds, we will dig into this special mother-to-mother moment. If you are a parent, there is a Christmas prayer for your children in this account. We will also sing “The Magnificat” with Mary. It’s the first Christmas carol – low on Christmas sentiment and high on the seriousness of the Gospel. We’ll have to slow down to fully hear what Mary is singing.
Also, on Sunday, we will light the Advent candles and sing some of our favorite carols. Another highlight on Sunday will be receiving the GIVING TREE gifts. Once again, you have generously given Christmas gifts to more than 300 families, pointing them to the greatest gift ever given at Christmas – Jesus! Gifts will be received at the front of BECA in a drive-through drop off from 8:15 – 11:30 am.
I know you are making your plans for our Christmas Services. Click here for the times.
On Sunday, we will be giving out Christmas Eve invitations for you to use to invite your friends to join us at one of our five services.
Finally, some of you have asked for End of Year Giving information. Your giving is essential for the mission and ministry of GRACE Church. Every December, we get around 15% of our annual giving for our annual budget, and we need that to keep our finances in the black and our ministry strong.
Thank you in advance for the difference you are making. For more information – including information about stock giving and end of the year office hours, check out my P.S. at the end of this note.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It is a great gift to be…
Your pastor,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor
P.S. Here is the End of Year Giving information:
GIFTS FOR THE KING
If you wish to make additional contributions over and above your annual commitment, you may do so by writing “Gifts for the King” in the memo section of your check and mailing it to the church or putting your gift in the envelopes designated “Gifts for the King” found in the church office, at BECA, or in your envelopes you receive at home. Consider making at “13th month gift” to help us end the year strong. Or you can make a gift now by CLICKING HERE.
END OF YEAR OFFICE HOURS
For your convenience, the Finance Office of the church will be open regular business hours (8 am – 4 pm) on December 27th, 28th, and 29th and from 8 am to 12 noon on December 30th.
STOCK GIVING
If you wish to make a contribution to GRACE Church in the form of appreciated stock, please initiate the transactions with your broker by no later than December 21st to ensure that GRACE Church receives it by the year’s end. Please let Sue Knarr in our Finance office know about your contribution. You can email Sue at sknarr@gracecb.org.
IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER
Consider a gift through the IRA charitable rollover. If you are 70½ or older and have yet to take your required minimum distribution, an IRA charitable rollover gift could be a great option for you. You will not have to include the distribution in your taxable income and your gift counts against your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year.