Pastor Chris' Letter December 2017

Dear Trinity Family,
The Advent season is upon us. Advent is a time for us to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. This preparation is both a celebration of Christ’s entry into this world in Bethlehem, but also a hope that Christ will come again in final victory. To help us on this Advent journey, we are centering our thoughts on Jesus, the real reason for the season, with the sermon series, “The Story.” To go along with this series we will be doing some things that help us to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
One of the key ways we can celebrate Jesus’ birthday is to think about what we are going to spend on Christmas. I am not suggesting that we tend toward the side of Ebenezer Scrooge, but that we really think about whether what we are spending brings honor and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. This question may lead us to find that we need to cut back on what we spend on ourselves and to think about what is on Jesus’ wish list.
As a way to help us focus on what Jesus would like for His birthday, we are continuing a fund at the church called “Operation Christmas Transformation.” This fund will be divided evenly between local and international ministries. The international ministry we will support this year is Destiny Rescue. Destiny Rescue is a Christian-based, non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Rescued children are cared for in a Destiny Rescue safe home, eventually reintegrating into society, equipped with the strength and education to live a safe, hope-filled life.  To learn more about the ministry of Destiny Rescue check out their website at www.destinyrescue.org. The other way to learn more is to join us December 10 as a representative form Destiny Rescue will share more about their ministry during both services and have some of the goods made by the girls that have been rescued for sale (a great option for Christmas gifts.) 
In past Christmas seasons, I have talked about one area we as a church can cut back in our Christmas spending is poinsettias. I want to again clarify that this does not mean we will not have poinsettias. We are taking orders for poinsettias, and they cost fifteen dollars each. Instead, I encourage you to donate to “Operation Christmas Transformation,” and for every ten dollars you donate we will put up a paper poinsettia in the church. Another way we are giving to Christ  is throughout the advent season, we will be collecting hats and mittens for the local elementary schools. With all of this, I hope we all can remember that Christmas is not our birthday it is Jesus’.


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