DECEMBER 2, 2014 R I C H L A N D H I L L S C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

An  Advent  to  Remember

       This past Sunday we began our journey towards Christmas and celebrated “The Hanging of the Greens” in our worship service. As we decorated the previous Sunday, it was amazing to see our sanctuary transform as the Christmas tree and the many other decorations went up. What a truly beautiful and special place it is. Many beautiful Advent season celebrations have been experienced here over the years. I would imagine most of us by now have decorated our homes as well. Lights and trees, wreaths and poinsettias, nativity sets and a babe in a manger bringing the season alive for us each year. But as I have gotten older, I have noticed that it seems to go by faster each year.

So this year as we go through the busyness of the season, let us not forget what the season is all about. That is, of course, the celebration of the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am nearing the end of reading my Bible through this year, and a text in Acts caught my attention. Now I know I have read the text before but this time it was something I couldn’t let go of. It was in the Acts 20: 24. Luke is the one who is credited with writing Acts, and he writes, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” This time of Advent is a time that we can all testify to the grace of God in the person of Jesus Christ and His coming into the world and how it changed all of our lives. That is the reason for the season, isn’t it? God sent His Son, the Christ our Messiah and our Redeemer that we might find a new life in His great grace and love. So let us testify together as we go through this season of the love we have found in Him and share this love with every person we meet this Advent as we celebrate the coming of our God and Lord.

THE CHURCH VIS ITORFrom Pastor Paul

SERMON TITLE:“Messiah Voices”

SCRIPTURE READING:Isaiah 40:1-11

CHURCH CALENDAR

DECEMBER 2014

12.07 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Seeker’s, Pioneer’s, New Adult and Youth SS Classes (9:15 am) Toddler SS Class (10:10 am) Morning Worship Service (10:30 am) Texas Christmas Pageant participants meet in sanctuary for a quick meeting. Texas Christmas Pageant (5:30 pm)12.09 CWF Christmas Banquet (6:00 pm)12.10 Handbell Choir Rehearsal (6:00 pm) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (7:00 pm)12.13 DMF Breakfast Meeting (8:30 am)12.14 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Seeker’s, Pioneer’s, New Adult and Youth SS Classes (9:15 am) Toddler SS Class (10:10 am) Christmas Cantata (10:30 am) Deacons (current & new) meet in sanctuary for a brief training session

SERVING SCHEDULE12.07.14

Worship CoordinatorRyon McCann

Deacons (Month of December) Sharon Cummings, Norma Hopkins,

Ryon McCann, Toby RunnelsWorship Leader

Judy WaltherThe Table

(Bread) Evan Lawson(Cup) Doug Fulk

Children’s MomentDoug FulkGreeters

Ross & Paige PerezCoffee FellowshipSteve & Shelly Chattin

Communion Clean-UpBobbie Shiro and Dalpha Lloyd

FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE & GIVINGSunday, November 30

Sunday School - NA Worship Service - NA Faithful Giving - $ 2,710

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS &

ANNIVERSARIES

December Birthdays:12/01 - Earl Geddes12/07 - Kathryn Holiday12/09 - Laura Crain12/14 - Darletta Michael12/15 - Ryon McCann12/17 - Polly Slama12/19 - Hunter Greer

December Anniversaries:12/19 - Donna (and Garland) Walker12/22 - Toby & Pam Runnels12/24 - Tommie & Jean Plummer12/24 - Willard & Florine Tyler

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP(December)

12/07 - Steve & Shelly Chattin12/14 - Carol New/Sandy Rutherford12/21 - Bill & Gay Agan12/28 - Hall, McCann and Hall

Please watch newsletter WEEKLY to see if you are scheduled for Coffee Fellowship. Please contact the church office if you are unable to do it the week that you are scheduled.

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY:

Please continue to pray for the following:

Iris WoodallHarold & Jody McClureLinda Baker & FamilyScott AlexanderTommie PlummerThe Martin FamilyJerry Stoughton

Joe McCannKarla RichardsonDavid AganNettie CampbellDell Fielder John & Maxine GandyVictor BarnetDavid ZuefeldtStan & Preble LehewLee Carter Gary MorganLisa Klaus’ mother

LOOSE CHANGE SUNDAY Sunday, December 7 The number of homeless families with children has spiked over the past decade. Today, families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population, both in Tarrant County and nationwide.

Homeless children enter school and society with the deck stacked against them. Low self-image and lack of social skills contribute to ongoing difficulties in the classroom with peers. Chaotic or non-existing homes, lack of discipline and a spotty attendance also create barriers to children’s learning. The Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County offers an after school program which provides tutoring in reading and math and provides a Christian based program to teach these children not only what they need in the classroom but far beyond it. Year round, the program provides a safe, consistent and fun place to learn and grow in the knowledge of God’s love and devotion.

This Sunday we will be collecting any loose change you may have on you for UGM-TC to be used in their Children’s Enrichment Program.

DEACONS MEETINGSunday, Dec. 14

There will be a short meeting for current and new deacons on Sunday, December 14, after worship. We will meet in the sanctuary for a brief training session for the new deacons (we want them to feel comfortable serving).

--Sidney Baker

Thank You from the Worship Dept.

The Worship Department wishes to thank everyone who played a part in the decorating of the church and the Hanging of the Green service. A great BIG thanks goes to Terri Williams for handling the decorating after the dinner and to those who participated in the service at the last minute -- You just don’t know what that means when you can call on a person at the last minute and they joyfully say “yes.” A special thank you goes to Shay Lawson for taking some old and tired looking wreaths and making them new and fresh again. From the youngest to the oldest, you helped prepare our sanctuary for this special season of promise and hope. What a great church family we have!

CWF Christmas BanquetTuesday, December 9

6:00 pm(in Fellowship Hall)

Speaker: Lisa Klaus

We will have a gift exchange so bring a $5 gift and join the fun!

Christmas Party forSeeker’s Class &

Stricklin SS ClassesSunday, Dec. 215:00 - 8:00 pmat the home ofMonty & Terri

Williams86 Regents Park Court

Meats will be provided. There will be a signup opportunity for side dishes in each Sunday School class. Mark your calendar, and plan to

Texas ChristmasPageant

Sunday, Dec. 75:30 pm

Ya’ll come on down Sunday to enjoy an old-fashioned Texas Christmas Pageant. There will be Ranchers, Rangers, and merry ol’ folk to tell the tale of a little babe born long ago.

There will be singin’, good eats, and a visit from some feller and his gal from way up North too.

So, mosey on down to the church and join us this Sunday evenin’ at 5:30 pm.

Shining Angels Please shop this week for the Shining Angels selected from the Christmas Tree in the Gathering Place (we have 3 left). Purchase the items from the list you want to purchase. Check off the items purchased. Return the list to the

Shining Angel envelope. Securely attach the envelope to the unwrapped gift. Return the gift(s) with the attached envelope to the RHCC Foyer this Sunday, December 7, when you arrive for morning worship or the All Church Christmas Party (Texas Christmas Pageant). Place the gifts on the tables in the Foyer.

Thank you for sharing Christmas with these special angels.

Welcome New MembersPaul & Lisa Klaus joined the RHCC Family on Sunday, November 30.

I would like to thank everyone who made the Thanksgiving Dinner here at RHCC such a success! Thank you to all who gave turkeys, hams and other food. I want to especially thank the Fellowship Committee for coming together and making this time of Fellowship such a great and fun time for all. I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings,Connie Phillips

Salvation Army Christmas Stockings101 Salvation Army Christmas stockings for “ForgottenAngels” have been delivered. Special thanks to everyone who participated in any way to make this project a huge success. Blessings to each and everyone. Know that many lives have been touched.

--Jean Plummer

Just a reminder that online giving is available through our website. An icon is located in the upper right hand corner of our home page. You can pay with credit, debit, or even set up recurring payments through your checking account by electronic check for your convenience. This is a simple and easy way to give.