THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH BROOKFIELD ~ DECEMBER 2017

“And so it happened just as the Scriptures say:

‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ He was even called the friend of God.”

-James 2:23

Abraham was an important part of Jesus’ family tree. In this verse, we read that he was called the “friend of God.”

Friends are important in our lives, are they? Let’s think for a minute about friends. Who is your best friend? Why is she or he a friend? What can you do together that you can’t do with other people?

That’s the way it was with Abraham and God. They were best friends. They could say what they thought. They could keep each other’s secrets. They believed each other and trusted each other.

One time God came to visit Abraham, only God was in disguise as two strangers so that Abraham wouldn’t know who it was. Abraham welcomed the strangers and fixed them lunch, just as he would have done for his friends.

During Advent we can welcome God, like Abraham, by helping those who are in need!

Dear God, thank you for being our friend.

Help us to be friends to others. Amen.

Many Blessings,

Mandy

Dec 3 - First Sunday of Advent;

Roots Youth 4-6pm

Dec 5 - CWF 1pm

Dec 7 - Pageant Practice 3pm

Dec 9 - Pageant Practice 9:30am;

Baby Jesus Party following

Dec 10 - Second Sunday of Advent;

Christmas Special Offering;

Christmas Pageant;

Linger Longer;

Youth Christmas Party 4-6pm

Dec 17 - Third Sunday of Advent;

Christmas Special Offering;

Christmas Caroling 4-6pm

Dec 18 - Elders Meeting 6pm;

Board Meeting 6:30pm

Dec 21 - Longest Night 6pm

Dec 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent;

Christmas Eve Service 5pm

Dec 25 - Christmas Day

Dec 26 - Newsletter Deadline

Dec 31 - New Year’s Eve;

Homebound Communion

In His Service

If you cannot be present to serve, please find your own replacement and notify the church office.

Dec 3, 2017 (Team 3)

· Greeters: Paula McCollum, Autumn Lindsay

· Communion Preparation: Kathy Nielsen, Tanner Wallace

· Elders: Praying/Sherry Baker, Serving/Jim Elliott

· Diaconate: Paula McCollum, Ryan Wiedeman, Kathy Nielsen,

Megan Melton, Autumn Lindsay, Janet Teter,

Jonathan Greenwood, Tanner Wallace

· Lay Leader: 1 Sunday of Advent

· Sunday School Nursery: Kristy Sparks

Dec 10, 2017 (Team 1)

· Greeters: Madi Mayhew, Clara Wiedeman

· Communion Preparation: Jarrett Morris, Roxie Parker

· Elders: Praying/Jim Elliott, Serving/Carey Smith

· Diaconate: Tina Turner, Clara Wiedeman, Bill Morris, Jeff Sparks,

Kristy Sparks, Roxie Parker, Danny Falcon,

Madi Mayhew, Jarrett Morris

· Lay Leader: 2nd Sunday of Advent

· Sunday School Nursery: Sherry Baker

Dec 17, 2017 (Team 2)

· Greeters: Dwayne Mattox, Jewel Mattox

· Communion Preparation: Blake Cavanaugh, Emily Truesdell

· Elders: Praying/Carey Smith, Serving/Renae Waddill

· Diaconate: Beth Curley, Connie Clawson, Holly Lindsay,

Dwayne Mattox, Jewel Mattox, Kyle Smith,

Emily Truesdell, Kaley Smith, Blake Cavanaugh

· Lay Leader: 3rd Sunday of Advent

· Sunday School Nursery: Holly Lindsay

Dec 24, 2017 (Team 3)

· Greeters: Ryan Wiedeman, Jonathan Greenwood

· Communion Preparation: Megan Melton, Janet Teter

· Elders: Praying/Renae Waddill, Serving/Edith Gordon

· Diaconate: Paula McCollum, Ryan Wiedeman, Kathy Nielsen,

Megan Melton, Autumn Lindsay, Janet Teter,

Jonathan Greenwood, Tanner Wallace

· Lay Leader: 4th Sunday of Advent

· Sunday School Nursery: Paula McCollum

Dec 31, 2017 (Team 1)

· Greeters: Jeff Sparks, Kristy Sparks

· Communion Preparation: Bill Morris, Danny Falcon

· Elders: Praying/Edith Gordon, Serving/Amy Elliott

· Diaconate: Tina Turner, Clara Wiedeman, Bill Morris,

Jeff Sparks, Kristy Sparks, Roxie Parker,

Danny Falcon, Madi Mayhew, Jarrett Morris

· Lay Leader: Kristy Sparks

· Sunday School Nursery: Brandie Mattox

Homebound Communion: Carey Smith, Paula McCollum

We wish to thank the congregation for the gifts

and kind words of appreciation.

The Staff of FCC Brookfield - Pastor Mandy, Bill

Hedrick, Jamie Phinney, Mary Cunningham, Brandie

Mattox, Lauraine Freeman and Creta Truesdell.

The November Linger Longer was a special treat. Al and Donna Schweikert made tacos for everyone! Who doesn’t love tacos?! Al and Donna, thank you so much for your gift to the crowd of lingerers. The next Linger Longer will be on December 10th and will be hosted by Holly Lindsay and Kristy Sparks. It will be a wonderful treat following the Christmas pageant! The Worship Committee

It’s time to begin preparing for our

2017 Christmas Pageant!!!

“The Flower of the Holy Night”

will be a sweet part of our Advent

Season on Sunday, December 10th,

as we remember the reason for the

season.

Please let Pastor Mandy know if your

children plan to participate.

Practices will be held after school on

Thursday, December 7th and

Saturday, December 9th at 9:30am.

CWF/Disciples Women will be holding

their next meeting on December 5th at

1pm in the church parlor.

The hostess will be Pastor Mandy and

she will also provide the program.

All women of the church are welcome and encouraged to

attend.

All Children Birth through 5th Grade are invited to come celebrate

the Birthday of our Baby Jesus!

They will enjoy crafts, games and of course cake!

Let Pastor Mandy know if you would like to help with this special

event.

All Middle and High School Youth are invited to our

Christmas Party!

Bring a $5 Gag Gift for the exchange. Don’t miss

the fun, laughs and of course – Food!

Tithes & Gifts

Budget as of 10/31/17

Needed to date: $114,033.20

Given to date: $90,563.92

Behind: $23,469.28

Sponsored by

Carol Knifong - In Memory of Donald Knifong &

Charles & Connie Forrester

Attendance

Church School Worship Visitors Treehouse

2017/2016 2017/2016

Oct 29 40/15 123/106 16 12

Nov 5 31/7 126/96 24 0

Nov 12 29/7 109/75 16 13

Nov 19 34/11 124/93 6 10

Nov 26 24/9 90/75 13 8

Special Ministries

Oct 29 Trunk or Treat 34 adults - 38 youth - 200 + visitors

Nov 5 Roots Youth 4 adults - 23 youth

Nov 7 JAM 7 adults - 35 youth

Nov 12 Roots Youth 4 adults - 9 youth

Nov 14 JAM 7 adults - 38 youth

Nov 17 Lock-In 7 adults - 32 youth

Nov 19 Dinner 26 workers - 104 guests

Nov 26 Hanging of the Greens 10 attending

Donation Request for December

Creamed Soups

December Birthdays

Dec 4 Nora Wombwell, Brennan Shouse

Dec 5 Gloria Francis

Dec 6 Mary Louise Johnson

Dec 8 Autumn Lindsay

Dec 9 Brock McLaury

Dec 10 Connie Clawson

Dec 12 Courtney Sparks

Dec 13 Hilary Stuver

Dec 15 Paige Finney

Dec 18 Jaye Cunningham

Dec 19 Kathy Nielsen

Dec 21 Maecyn Farrenkopf

Dec 23 Taylor Sappington

Dec 25 Gail Turner

Dec 27 Jerrod Jacobs, Jamie Phinney

Dec 28 Brayden Grimshaw

Dec 29 Tom Jesaitis, Taylor Truesdell

Dec 30 Jane Mead, Angie Wallace

Dec 31 Jenn Elliott, Bill Gordon

December Anniversaries

Dec 14 Jerry & Jan Tombleson

Dec 15 Ryan & Mandy Wiedeman

Dec 27 Charles & Connie Forrester

Rev. Mandy Wiedeman-Pastor Lauraine Freeman-Administrative Assistant

Bill Hedrick-Maintenance Jamie Phinney-Music Director

Mary Cunningham-Organist Brandie Mattox-Nursery Attendant

Lauraine Freeman-Custodian

Copies of the October 2017 Board minutes

are available in the church office.

1416 N Main

Brookfield, MO 64628

660-258-2253/Pastor Mandy’s Cell 660-234-4398

www.fccbrookfield.org

Email - admin@fccbrookfield.org or pastor@fccbrookfield.org

Sunday School for all ages- 9:30am

Worship— Sundays at 10:30am