FAMILY UPDATESSERMON NOTES

SHARING GOD’S LOVE TO TRANSFORM PEOPLE INTO FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST

T O DAY

The monthly Prayer List is available at Information Central and on the Greeters’ Stations.

12/22/19

Baptisms: We rejoice with Todd Baker, Billy Earl Boykin, Andre Colbert, Michal Kinslow, Karl Wayne Miller, and Curtis Mohney, who were all baptized Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Oklahoma County Jail.

Hospitalized: Kay Elder is in Mercy, #356, following surgery for a hip fracture.Cindy Seale is in St. Anthony, #306, with complications from surgery.Hazel Mukes, mother of Will Mukes, is in St. Anthony, #5009.

Our Sympathy is extended to... Linda Wilson on the death of her husband, Bill, Friday, Dec. 13.Tyler & Reagan Beam on the death of her father, William Mosley, Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Texas.

New Babies:Congratulations to...Gabe & Merideth Herald on the arrival of their twins, Ripland “Rip” Ernest and Jones “Jonesy” Margaret, who were born Thursday, Oct. 28.Trey & Sarah Petty on the birth of their daughter, Violet Katharine, Friday, Nov. 6.Michael & Lisa Webb on the birth of their grandson, David Michael Williams, Thursday, Dec. 19. Parents are John & Michaela Williams.

Bridal Shower:Bridal Shower for Rachel Stanley, fiancée of Levi Dreiling, will be Sunday, Jan. 5, 2-3:30 p.m., in the Parlor. They are registered at Target, Dillard’s, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

This Little Light: His Light, My LifePhil Brookman

Luke 2:25-29

“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).

Light _________________ what is most _______________.

When I ___________________ with Him, I am more ___________________.

D e c e m b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 9

Did you know? According to research, an important early step for most people who come to know Jesus was an invitation from a family member or friend. This icon indicates an event is guest-friendly. Your invitation could be someone’s first step toward Jesus!

Printed invitations to our Christmas Eve service are now available and located at all of the regular pick-up spots. More than 200 community visitors attended last year. Please be praying for the individuals or families you plan to invite.

Facing Doubt: A Conversation with Lee Strobel Our community event Facing Doubt: A Conversation with Lee Strobel is quickly approaching. It is scheduled for Feb 8, at 6:30 p.m. We have copies of two of Lee’s books available at Information Central at the subsidized price of $5 each while supplies last. It is encouraging that demand for these books has surpassed our expectations. It is about to surpass our budget as well so this is the last Sunday we will have them available at Information Central. A few copies may be available in the church office during office hours. They are available at Amazon.com and elsewhere at regular pricing. Invitation cards are available at Information Central, as well. Personal invitations are the most effective means of engaging people in our community. Who are the people (open doors) God has placed in your path to invite?

In a season packed with events, parties, travel, and shopping, it seems the most sacred commodity is time. Time to breathe. Time to pause. Time to reflect. Time to be. I think this is one of the main reasons that our Christmas Eve service has become one of the highlights of the year at Memorial Road. What we do is remarkably simple—we sing songs, read the Bible, and light candles. But the sum is more than the parts. A peace descends over us as we think about what matters most, even if it’s just for a few moments. So before you open the gifts and enjoy the feast, come celebrate the birth of the Savior. Bring your friends and family. Stick around for refreshments and a family picture in one of our photo booths. It might just be the best part of your week. ~Phil

MEETING SCHEDULESUNDAYWorship ................ 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.Bible Class ......................... 9:35 a.m.First Cup ............................. 9:35 a.m.a time for guests to learn about MRCC

Evening Worship ............ 5:00 p.m.Capitol Hill ........................ 4:00 p.m.2801 S. Robinson Ave, OKC, OK, 73109

QGroups ..................... various timesvisit mrcc.org/QGroups to learn more

WEDNESDAYEarly Bird Bible Class ..... 5:15 p.m.Bible Class | all ages ....... 7:00 p.m.

MINISTRY UPDATEST O DAY

2221 EAST MEMORIAL ROADEDMOND, OK 73013

405.478.0166 | MRCC.ORG| @MEMORIALROAD

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December 22 | 2 p.m. Edmond Church of ChristDecember 29 | 2 p.m. Edmond Church of Christ

Worship at Teal Creek

Worship at Tealridge Assisted Living, led in part by Jay Mack and the Campus Ministry, is at 4 p.m. every Sunday. Contact Bill.Luttrell@oc.edu to get involved.

UPCOMING EVENTSDecember22Outreach Day at Johnnie’s

23-25Offices & Buildings Closed

24Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., AuditoriumCocoa & Cookies, 6 p.m., A105/6

26-27, 30Offices Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

31Offices & Buildings Closed

January1Offices & Buildings Closed2-3Offices Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

4Intercession Prayer Meeting, 9 a.m., A1135Blood Drive, 7:30 a.m. – noon, GymInternational Worship, 11 a.m., A105/6

International Potluck, 12 p.m., S1

Heartbeat for Hope Day at Johnnie’s

Bridal Shower for Rachel Stanley, fiancée of Levi Dreiling, 2-3:30 p.m., Parlor

Threads of Compassion, 2 p.m., A123

7Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, 6:30 p.m., A119

9Men’s Iron Coffee & Lunch, 6:30 a.m. and 12 noon, Various Locations

CWBS and Men’s Bible Study Resume, 9:30 a.m.

12World Bible School Day at Johnnie’s

Brother’s Keeper Group Meetings

Bridal Shower for Katelynn Dickson, fiancée of Jeffary Collins, 2-3:30 p.m., Parlor

SWAG (single women) Meeting, 3:30 p.m., A113

13NEST for Widows, 7 p.m., A105/6

If you’d like to learn more about all of MRCC’s ministries and the various ways you can serve in them, please pick up a copy of “Ministry Opportunities” at Ministry Central in the main lobby.

D e c e m b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 9

Women's MinistryWomen's Brunch: Join us Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Central for "REAL Friends" featuring speaker Tina McCormack and food by Ingrid's Kitchen. Cost is $10; signups begin Jan. 5.SWAG (Single Women's Activities Group) will have a brainstorming session on Sunday, Jan. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in A113, to determine plans for 2020. All single women are invited!Winter Small Group Bible Studies: New small group studies for women will begin in January, and registration is now open (through Dec. 29) at mrcc.org/women. Wednesday morning options include Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World (with Max Lucado videos), Legacy: How One Ordinary Life Can Make an Eternal Difference (by Jackie Green & Lauren Green McAfee of the Mardel / Hobby Lobby family), and Trustworthy: Overcoming Our Greatest Struggles to Trust God (a study of 1 & 2 Kings by Lysa TerKeurst). Tuesday lunch-hour studies include Legacy at OC and Think Good: How to Get Rid of Anxiety, Guilt, Despair & the Like to Finally Find Peace of Mind (by JL Gerhardt) in NW Edmond. Study guides may be viewed at Ministry Central. Women Walking With God, an annual women's conference in Wichita, Kansas, invites us to join them for "Fix Your Eyes Upon Jesus," April 17-18 in the Hartman Arena. Pre-register at womenwalkingwithGod.org for $63 through Jan. 31, or $30 for 25 and younger. Coordinated by the Northside Church of Christ.

FIRST CUP, A TIME FOR OUR GUESTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHURCH FAMILY, IS TAKING A BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS.MEETINGS RESUME SUNDAY, JAN. 5, AT 9:35 IN THE PARLOR (ROOM A114)

Baptisms in 2019 .................... 129

Sunday, December 15

Bible Class ............................. 1724A.M. Worship ......................... 1967P.M. Worship .................................245QGroups ........................................450P.M. Total ................................. 695

Wednesday, December 18

Bible Class .............................. 662

Weekly Budget ................ $106,764Avg Weekly Offering ......$102,719YTD Budget Deficit ......$202,253

December 22 | 2 p.m. Connected - Jeff LovettDecember 29 | 2 p.m. Connected - Jeff Lovett

Worship at Tealridge Independent Living

Youth & Family MinistryLock-In: Dec. 29, starting at 9:45 p.m. Cost $40 for 7th-12th grade students. Register online by Dec. 27.Winterfest: Jan. 17-19 for 9th-12th grade students. Cost $150.

Leadership Training for ChristRegister now! LTC, for students in 3rd through 12th grades, is $45/student if you register before Jan. 5. Visit the table in the foyer for more info and registration forms. Our first practice will be Jan. 5.

December Happenings in Vienna December is an extremely busy time in any ministry setting, and Vienna is no exception. Events, parties, and get-togethers all provide for a time of fellowship and (relative) relaxation. We recently hosted the youth of our church and the church from Graz (Austria’s second largest city) at our house for an evening of Christmas movies, gingerbread-house-making, eating competitions, and so on. The next week was a Christmas party for the church and friends at our office space, an annual tradition where we introduced the game White Elephant a few years ago and continues to be a hit. Finally, one of our new members is beginning a new initiative—a Christmas party with a discussion component designed to reach out to young adults and introduce them to our church. Again, it’s a busy month, but we are seeing much joy in the growing fellowship within our church and outward. We would ask you to pray for a young woman from Iran who recently had to be sent back after being denied asylum four times. She is safely there now but will be trying to leave again as soon as possible. Pray for safe passage for her and a secure living situation. We also rejoice with another Iranian woman who has decided to give her life to Christ this Sunday after being with us for almost 2 years. Finally, please pray for our church as a whole as we prayerfully explore what God has in store for us next. ~Will Kooi

2020 Purpose CardsPlease fill out your Purpose Card for 2020 and place it in the drop box at Information Central, or give it to Tammy McKeever, Brent Williams, or any elder or minister. You may also email the information to Tammy at tammy.mckeever@mrcc.org. If you don’t have a Purpose Card, they are available at Information Central.

Praising God for More Baptisms in Cuba We are rejoicing along with our Cuban missionaries, the Yosbel Sori and Henry Sori families. Through their work in their house church ministry, four more people have accepted Christ in the last few weeks. Join us in praying for Gardenia, Jorge, Yusniel, and Marlen as they begin their new walk. And remember the Sori families and the Christians in Artemisa, Cuba, as God continues to open doors there. ~Norm Easter

Get The MRCC APP Today!Download the MRCC app to see what’s new this week, listen to sermons, and more. Search for “Memorial Road Church of Christ” or “MRCC” in your App store or go to mrcc.org/apps. (Be sure to enable push notifications to receive important alerts and updates.)

Does personal finance sound scary or complicated? Don’t worry—all you need is a plan. FPU will meet every Wednesday evening for 8 weeks starting Jan. 8 (7 p.m. in rooms A115-116). We'll discuss many facets of personal finance, educating you in no time. Sign up by THIS WEEK (Dec. 25) at mrcc.org/fpu. Limited scholarships are available, and childcare is included with registration. Questions? Email Eric Noland at eric.noland@me.com.

is taking a holiday break and will resume Jan. 12.