Bulletin for December 14

Ø The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated this morning. Reminder: evening worship services now begin at 5:30 p.m.

Ø Next Sunday: Rylee Grace, infant daughter of Mike & Sara Vanden Berg will be baptized in the morning and the Choir will share the Christmas message in song. Join the Church School as they perform "The Way to Bethlehem" at 5:30 p.m. Parents, please have all children in grades K-5 at church by 5:00 p.m. that evening to get ready. May the Spirit of Christmas light everyone's heart to prepare the way for Christ's second coming.

Ø We will again be showcasing students who play a musical instrument during the Dec. 21 p.m. service. All students, at any level of proficiency, are encouraged to share a Christmas carol during that service. Please sign up to participate at the Information Desk or contact Kim Roon at 895-6536 or at bkroon@altelco.net.

Ø Correction: the GEMS Christmas Party will be on Wed., Dec. 17 (Connections Night) from 6:15 – 8:00 p.m. not on Dec. 19.

Ø Coffee Break & Story Hour are in need of helpers for the nursery. Moms and grandmas, if you can help 1 or 2 times a month or even one time, it would be a BIG help and would be serving God in ministry. Please call Carol Gulker at 895-6321 soon. Thank you.

Ø Bag Ladies will meet again this Tues., the 16^th, from 7 p.m. - ? in the double room. Newcomers are always welcome. If you plan to come, please contact Erin Ensing at erinensing@hotmail.com or 895-6594 so enough tables will be set up. Thanks!

Ø Note: The office will be minimally staffed Dec. 22 – Jan. 5. Please plan ahead and watch for earlier bulletin deadlines. Thank you.

Ø The following is a thank you note from Jill Wilson, Principal at Allendale’s Springview Elementary School - “We are so blessed to have Second Christian Reformed Church embrace our school with so much love! Last night's Kids Hope USA Christmas dinner was wonderful. The food was delicious, there were crafts and games for the children and Santa delivered gifts to all. This mission brings in the "whole family" in such a generous and positive way!
Thank you Aileen, all mentors and prayer partners too!” Please know that every step you take is worth it! This program is more than any of the children can count on every day!”

Ø A note from Aileen VanderSchuur, KHUSA Director – “I feel that we honored and praised God and showed His love in a deep way to our Kids Hope USA neighbor families at our recent KHUSA Christmas Dinner. I saw so much excitement, joy and laughter that evening as mentors and prayer partners shared a meal together with their KHUSA child and family. They enjoyed one another’s company, but it didn’t end there. I continued to hear about it at school the following day as children shared their excitement with secretaries, teachers and classmates. Some of these children come to school normally looking like they are mad at the world. We changed that through our Savior Jesus Christ. For the last month we have been working very hard to make this event possible. Because of the help of so many volunteers in our church we were able to make this event be a very Merry Christmas for many children in our community. Thank you to all of you whom made our act of Love happen.”

Ø    November Financial Report
B                   Beg. Balance     Offerings     Payments    End Balance
General Fund    $ 11,752        $ 17,160     $(22,336)     $ 6,576
Benevolence          5,286             3,104       ( 1,150)          7,240
Faith Promise        8,716                330            -                9,046
Building Fund         7,030            6,703       (7,775)           5,958
Total                 $ 32,784      $ 27,297    $(31,261)      $ 28,820

1.) General Fund payments were more than offering, our balance is below $10,000 now.

A year-end financial newsletter has been placed into the mailboxes and is also available at the Information Desk. The newsletter highlights areas of year-end giving opportunities and needs. Please look it over and see if you can give to help our calendar year end strong. 2009 budget/giving envelopes will be available from your mailbox on Dec. 21.

Schedule for This Week:

December 14 - 20, 2008

Sunday:
9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. – Worship Services
11:00 a.m. – Church School, Christmas program practice

Tuesday:
9:30 a.m. – Coffee Break & Story Hour Christmas Party

Wednesday:
3:45 p.m. – Children’s Choir
4:30 p.m. – Jr. Choir
5:30 p.m. – Connections Dinner
6:15 p.m. – GEMS, Cadets, Children’s Activities, Nursery
7:00 p.m. – Adult Choir

Thursday:
7:00 p.m. – Worship Planning Team

Ø Missions and Missionaries: Zach & Sharon Segaar-King and family in Haiti (currently home on leave); Mississippi Christian Family Services in Rolling Fork, MS; Chaplain Larry Norman and Forgotten Man Ministries; Rob & Betty Wood in Quito, Ecuador

Ø Welcome to Mike & Jenny Walters and daughters Chloe & Caycee. Their previous church was Calvary CRC in Holland, MI. Add them to your directory: 8704 Port Sheldon, Zeeland, 49464. Phone: 875-6075.
Welcome to Catherine Key from Bradenton CRC in Florida. Address: 162 River St., Apt. #109, Coopersville, 49404. Phone: 384-3123. Blessings to you!

Ø The outdoor performance of the Allendale Community Christmas Musical has been rescheduled for today, the 14^th, at 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the Allendale Family Farm and Home. Come and join us as we share in the Good News of the coming of our Savior!

Ø Allendale Christian School’s Instant TRIP has been well received, so additional dates have been added before Christmas! Everyone is welcome to come shop this week for gift cards at the following Instant TRIP dates.

Tues., Dec. 16: 11-11:30 a.m. at Second Allendale CRC
Wed., Dec. 17: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Second Allendale CRC
Fri., Dec. 19: 3-3:45 p.m. in the school lobby
Gift cards at Instant TRIP will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
Checks and cash accepted. Questions? Contact Mary Sall (895-5535) or Jenny Walters (875-6075).

Ø Back by popular demand, KeyCards are once again available to purchase through Allendale Christian School. Contact Denise Gulker (892-4868) for more information or to place your order in time for Christmas. Cost is $20 and includes a Savings Guide Coupon Book.

Ø City on a Hill invites you to shop downtown Zeeland on Dec. 18. Businesses will be giving a donation to City on a Hill based on the number of shoppers from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. that day. So, come out for a fun evening of shopping and entertainment for yourself and benefit COAH. (For more information on participating merchants and events of the evening, go to www.feelthezeel.com and click on Holiday events.)

Ø You are invited to the Dec. 14 Jubal Brass Christmas Concert in Calvin CRC in G.R. at 7:30 p.m. Questions? Call 891-9432.

Ø Camp Geneva is looking for college-age students desiring to be part of something significant! Applications for all summer staff positions will be accepted until Dec 31. For position descriptions and to print an application, check out www.campgeneva.org.

Ø It may be cold and snowy outside, but registration for summer cottages at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds starts on Jan. 10 and summer camping on Jan. 17. It’ll be warm and sunny before you know it! Build family memories at the Conference Grounds. It is located just south of Grand Haven on the shores of Lake Michigan. Visit www.crcg.org for more information and printable registration forms or call 842-4478.

Ø Are you all Christmas'd out? Decorations and Christmas music seem to come out earlier every year. We may really enjoy the sentiment and excitement for awhile, but are you ready to pack it up right after Christmas day? Have you seen God's glory in this season? Or was it too full of gifts and parties and decorations? Spend some time at the manger on the Dec. 21 Back to God Hour. Go to www.BacktoGod.net for local stations and times.

Ø Have you ever wondered what Mary thought about the very first Christmas? Was she scared? Excited? Happy? Listen to Mary’s Miracle on this week’s Kids Corner. Then email Kids Corner at kids@kidscorner.net for your very own Bible study. Each year Kids Corner broadcasts a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story. Pray that many children and their families will listen and hear the true meaning of Christmas.

Ø A short term Construction Assistant is being recruited by World Missions in the Dominican Republic this winter. Do you have experience in general construction, electricity, plumbing, masonry and/or carpentry and are available for 2 – 4 weeks? If so, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Kathryn Shane at 800-346-0075 or kshane@crcna.org.

Ø Nursery for infants and toddlers is available during both services. Partway into each morning service young children are invited to “Just Between” (for 2 ½ - 3 year olds) in room 122 or “Children’s Worship” (for 3-5 year olds) which meets in rooms 127 & 129.

Ø Sermons: Outlines, if used, are available on the carts in the back of the auditorium. Bibles are there also. Previous week’s sermons can be obtained at the Information Desk in CD format or can be accessed at the church website: www.2ndcrc-allendale.org. Click Here to go to the Sermon page.

Ø For those with special needs: The entire facility is barrier free. Large print bulletins are available at the Information Desk. The auditorium is equipped with a hearing loop. If you have a hearing aid, please set it to “T” for better hearing during the service. The best reception is at the center of the auditorium.