No, it’s not a typo.  It’s a challenge.

During this season of snow, there are often extra opportunities to let the life and love of Christ SHOW.  This Christmas is no exception. 

Over the past week, we’ve been handing out invitations to our downtown neighbors to join us for some of the Christmas celebrations we’re having in the coming weeks.  Now’s the time for us to do the same with our friends and neighbors right around each of us.  Their relationship with God for the rest of this life and the next is at stake.  So let’s let our love for Christ SHOW afresh this season by showing them our love. 

Here are some of the ways we can love people into God’s family.

WOMEN’S CONNECTION—Saturday, December 17^th, the women of Mosaic (and their friends) will be gathering at Karen Chipley’s house from 6:30-9:00PM @ 3011 S. Lincoln Drive
Come enjoy a completely relaxing evening with other women.  Wear your favorite sweats, slippers or comfy clothes. There will be a movie for those that would enjoy a movie.  Pat Menke has offered foot massages for anyone that would love to have their feet rubbed.  Sandy Repsold will provide pedicure products if you would like to give yourself a pedicure.  Bring your knitting, craft or project if you would like to work on it.  You’ll be able to relax around two fireplaces while enjoying a cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa or wine with friends. There will be cheese, crackers, cookies, popcorn and whatever else we think of between now the 17th!
What an opportunity to get connected with women at Mosaic without having to do anything other than to come!  Please RSVP to Karen Chipley at 467-8250 or . 

IT’S A WRAP(ing)!  This Sunday, December 18^th, we’re treating each other and our downtown neighborhood to FREE Christmas wrapping, cookies, hot cider and chocolate, Christmas carols, board games and lots of warm friendship.  Join the party anytime from 1-4PM this Sunday afternoon at Second Space.  BRING some Christmas wrap to share with others, your singing voice, and any table games you love to play.  And if you’re in the baking mood, how about a few dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies to share with others?  See you Sunday afternoon at Second Space!

CAROLING @ THE COOPER-GEORGE

If you like to sing God’s praises and encourage people at the same time, this one is for you!  Join the team that weekly holds Bible study every Thursday at the Cooper-George on Thursday, December 22^nd.  They will be leading the residents in a Christmas carol sing at 6:30pm.  Meet at Mosaic (Second Space) at 6:00pm next Thursday and bring along your voice, the love of Christ, and anyone you know who plays guitar.    

CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATIONS:   

Sticking with our Advent theme The Ultimate Gift, we’ll be focusing on GIVING THE GIFT  this Christmas Eve.  Through multiple short dramas and meaningful Christmas music we will be celebrating the greatest birthday of all time.  Come enjoy the surprise and humor that had to be present as God gave to people not unlike us some very unlikely gifts.

God is still passing out gifts.  So don’t miss getting yours this Christmas Eve at 3:00 or 5:00p.m. at Second Space.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:

PRAYER TEAM:  I’m feeling a little sheepish about this one.  Here’s why.  A few of you already indicated interest in joining our EMAIL PRAYER TEAM a couple of weeks ago.  I was dead sure I entered the names of those who responded on the new Prayer Team database.  But when I went to email people this week a few request, it appears the database reverted to the old one.  So…if I could ask you to AGAIN INDICATE YOUR INTEREST if you want to receive prayer requests as they come to us, please simply let me know with a quick return email. 

SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS December 18^th

By now all of us should be well into the experience of wrapping gifts for Christmas.  In line with that experience, this Sunday we’ll be looking at God’s incredible WRAPPING OF THE GIFT of the Christ Child.  This thing we call “the incarnation”—God in human flesh and nature—is bigger than we can imagine.  Come marvel along with the rest of your spiritual family at the amazing wrapping God has done of THE ULTIMATE GIFT He keeps giving every day of our lives.  See you at 9 or 11 this Sunday!