THE
A DVENT 2024 | VO L 7 6 | I SSU E 3
YOU'RE INVITED: SEE THE WORLD FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE B Y D AV I D S E A M O N, AS S OCIATE PAS TOR OF FAMILIES AND OUT REACH
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IPC’S DOMINICAN REPUBL IC MISSION T EAM T RAVEL ED T O HAT O MAYOR WITH ME E TING GOD IN MISSIONS (MGM), A NON-DENOMINAT IONAL CHRIST I A N OR GAN IZAT ION PROVIDING SHORT-T ERM MISSION T RIPS.
51 days providing critical care and surgical procedures, painting church buildings, training a new generation of physicians, and educating children among other tasks. Meals were shared and smiles and laughter were abundant. These groups consisted of folks of all ages and all skills. Many of them
got on the plane as strangers, but returned from that trip as friends. I’m reminded of the words from a sermon titled, “Citizens of Heaven” given by Rev. Kevin Long recently. He said, “We CO NTI N U ED ON PG 3
FEATURING
ADVENT
YOUR GIFTS
CHRISTMAS EVE
IPC's 2024 Holiday House Tour and Tea P G 4
Celebrate the Season with your church family PG 6
Now is the time to pledge PG 8
IPC's Services on Tuesday, Dec. 24 SEE BAC K
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1 | I P C | T H E WI N D O W
his will change your life,” he said. Really? Could that be true? I’ve traveled internationally and participated on mission trips as a teenager, but he was right. I am forever changed emotionally and spiritually, just as Kennon Walthall predicted. It wasn’t just seeing exploitation and poverty up close or learning about broken systems and politics. It was in the connections made and relationships built. It was standing in a place where countless other IPC members have stood and seeing the way God has been at work for decades. Mission journeys at IPC are more than an opportunity to serve others; they are transformational experiences that deepen our faith and broaden our understanding of the world. They push us out of our comfort zones, where we learn to rely on God's guidance. Each trip is designed to build lasting partnerships based on mutuality and reciprocity. This year, we had teams travel to Malawi, Chiapas, Nairobi, Dominican Republic, and Mwandi. They spent a total of