Bulletin for December 21

Ø This morning God’s faithfulness will be celebrated in the sacrament of baptism of Rylee Grace, infant daughter of Mike & Sarah Vanden Berg. 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 The Christmas Day Worship Service will begin at 9:30 a.m. An offering will be received for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. CRWRC responds on your behalf to the needs of people who suffer from poverty, hunger, disaster, and injustice. CRWRC is your resource for volunteer opportunities, advocacy ideas, and educational materials.

Ø Kids Hope USA Mentors: Allendale Public Elementary School will have vacation 12/22 – 1/2. School will resume on Monday, Jan. 5.

Ø Coffee Break & Story Hour are in need of helpers for the nursery. Even if you can only help one time, that would be a BIG help and you would be serving God in ministry. Please call Carol Gulker at 895-6321 soon.

Ø Note: The office will be minimally staffed Dec. 22 – Jan. 5. Please have announcements in to the church office by noon on Tuesday for the next two weeks because of the holidays. Thank you.

Ø 2008 Year-end finance reminders: If you haven't had a chance yet, please review the year-end finance report that is in your mailboxes (extra copies at Info. Desk). Please prayerfully consider allocating some of your year-end giving to one or more of the areas suggested. We thank you for your generosity throughout this challenging year! 2009 budget envelopes are also in your mailboxes today. Please remember to discard your unused 2008 envelopes because we will be assigning everyone new numbers next year. If you have any questions on giving or how our church is doing financially, please give me a call. Jim Krikke @ 895-5195. Merry Christmas!

Schedule for This Week:

December 21-27, 2008

Sunday:
9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. – Worship Services

Thursday:
9:30 a.m. – Christmas Day Worship Celebration

Ø Groups & Ministries: Bible Studies, Cadets, Church School, Children’s Worship, Choirs, Coffee Break/Story Hour, Connections, His Talents, Kids Hope USA, SOS, Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, Just Between, GEMS, Prayer Group

Ø One of the best gifts for your children are two parents who love each other. Enhance this gift at the next Reformed Marriage Encounter Weekend in Holland Feb. 13-15. For details go to www.reformedme.org or call Jim & Kathy Molenkamp at 538-2749.

Ø KeyCards are again available to purchase through Allendale Christian School. Call Denise Gulker at 892-4868 for details. The cost is $20 and includes a Savings Guide Coupon Book.

Ø Go for a summer...be changed forever! Visit www.crwm.org/smp for information about the Chr. Ref. World Missions' Summer Mission Program 2009 for young adults. Applications are due Feb. 13. Don't miss this great opportunity!

Ø CRWRC is helping feed 120,000 Zimbabweans in great need. To donate, mark your check, "Zimbabwe Emergency 2008" and mail to: CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560. Or call 1-800-55-CRWRC or give online at www.crwrc.org.

Ø The Staffmen Quartet is hosting their 9^th New Year’s Eve Concert at Grace Community Church in Hudsonville with special guests: Proclaim, New Spirit, and Voices of Victory. The concert will be from 8 p.m. until midnight. There’ll be a love offering for Harmony Home. Come when you can – leave when you must. Share in a night of praise and thanksgiving to our great God.

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.