facWEEKLY December 15
We hope you've had a good week, FAC Family! Here are just some of the great things happening in the coming weeks.
CHURCH OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DEC 25–JAN 1
Worship This Sunday
Emmanuel: God of JOY | Luke 15:1–7
Have you ever been lost on a trip? Have you ever been so turned around that you weren’t confident of the correct next step? Do you remember the feeling of finally getting home?
Join us this Sunday, in week three of our series, Emmanuel: God with Us, when we focus on "God of Joy.” We will again be taking a purposeful pause to reflect on the meaning of this season through our Advent reflection.
Your family may enjoy this 28-day PDF devotional that will take you through the four traditional weekly themes of Advent—hope, peace, joy and love—to help you recenter your heart on Jesus, the reason for this season.
Mark Your Calendars for Christmas Eve!
it’s already mid-December (can you believe it?) and we know many of you like to have a plan in place for the holidays. We can help you out by giving you information for our Christmas Eve services right now.
We're planning a morning service at 9:30am, and our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service at 4:00pm. There will be no childcare during either service, but we're putting together busy bags for the evening service, so your children will enjoy it as much as you do.
Magi Offering
At our Christmas Eve service, we will carry on our Magi offering tradition. As in years past, we encourage the FAC family to generously give above their regular tithes and offerings to contribute to those in our congregation who are in need.
All Magi gifts go to our Benevolence fund. When giving, please designate on your check, giving envelope, or Pushpay donation as "Magi offering" to ensure the funds go to the right place.
Year-end Giving Essential Information
The church offices will be closed the entire period from December 25, 2023 through January 1, 2024.
Any year-end giving for FAC or the C&MA must be received or clearly postmarked by December 31, 2023 to be credited to the 2023 charitable contributions. Contributions will be received on Sunday, December 24 and December 31, 2023.
Christmas Cards for Sunday Suppers
Date: December 3–17
Place: FAC lobby
FAC volunteers are serving the Sunday Supper to Erie’s homeless and needy on Christmas Eve this year. We have an opportunity to share your love of God, faith in our Savior, Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit through written words of encouragement.
Find or purchase a Christmas card, share a favorite Scripture, add some words of encouragement and of the true reason for the season. Sign your FIRST NAME only. Place UNsealed in the designated basket near The Hub. We will be adding a Christmas Bible tract.
Write as many as you want! We need at least 100 cards.
facSENIORS Hallelujah! Christmas Event
Date: December 17
Time: 6:30–8:00pm
Place: Youth Room
Hallelujah is an expression of gratitude toward God. What better time of the year to express our gratitude toward God than when we are remembering the time God the Father sent his only begotten Son to be the source of our reconciliation with him!
If you’re 55 and better, join us this Sunday as we express our gratitude toward God this Christmas season. This evening will be full of music, singing, and other expressions of gratitude toward Almighty God! Please bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share.
Women’s Bible Study
Date: January 9–March 5
Time: 9:30–11:30am
Place: B106
Cost: $10 for materials
Women are invited to join us for Nancy Guthrie's Even Better Than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible's Story Changes Everything about Your Story. Guthrie traces nine themes throughout the Bible, revealing how God’s plan for the new creation will be far more glorious than the original. But this new creation glory isn’t just reserved for the future. The hope of God’s plan for his people transforms everything about our lives today.
Contact Elaine Ransil at ekransil@gmail.com for more information or stop by the table in the lobby to register. Cost is $10 for the book and study guide, and registration ends January 7.
facMEN Bible Study
Date: January 13
Time: 9:00–10:30am
Place: E215
Cost: $7 for materials
The Resolution for Men challenges men of all ages to become bold and intentional about embracing their responsibilities as leaders of their homes, marriages, and children. This study strategically inspires men to reconcile with their past, re-engage in the present by taking full responsibility for their wives and children, and then move forward with a clear resolution for the future.
This is a call to all men! It's time to be men of action. Join us as we begin this journey and resolve to be the men God called us to be. Book is required for this study ($7). Sign up at the table in the lobby or click the link below to register.
Contact Wes Palmer at wbpalmer8@gmail.com with any questions.
Bible Reading Plans for the New Year
Reading the Bible on a regular and consistent basis has several benefits. First, the Bible shows us God’s character and provides us God’s revelation of himself to his people. In each section of the Bible, we see God’s holy, unchanging, faithful, gracious and loving character.
Second, in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 it says that the Bible is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” The next verse goes on to say that this leads to the completeness and equipping “for every good work.”
Third, regularly reading God’s word reorients our thinking so we can grow in maturity. To help you, we have provided two different plans: a three-year plan to read through the whole Bible and a one-year plan for the New Testament, both for weekdays only. Take the challenge!
Prayer Request for International Workers
David and Brenda Aderholdt are international workers supported by FAC. They serve the Macedonian community. They report, "We had a special Thanksgiving as our whole family gathered together! There are so many things that I’m thankful for! One is for God’s care and protection. I think that we are not aware of all the times God has protected us!"
You can learn more about them by picking up a copy of our “Prayer Guide for World Missions” near The Hub and you can partner with David and Brenda in ministry by giving to the FAC Missions Fund.
Sunday Footnotes:
A gentle reminder to our Sunday family: if the service has already started, please refrain from using the center aisle to enter or leave the worship center, especially during the sermon time. Our camera operator needs a clear view of the pulpit.
Do You Have a Prayer Request or Praise?
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere" (Ephesians 6:18, NLT).
The staff and elders at FAC would love to pray for you. Send your request or praise to Pastor Scott through the form below.
Finance Information
Father, as we lay before you our financial offering, we give you all that we are and everything that you have entrusted to us. Bless these gifts for the sake of your kingdom and glory.
General Fund
Actual
Budgeted
Prior Year Comparison
Last Week
$23,581
$25,945
$26,370
Year To Date*
$298,397
$356,939
$363,922
*Fiscal year begins September 1st