SpiritCHURCH | December 2022 | Newsletter

Upcoming Events Dec. 4th

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Celebrate The Faith Of A Child

Dec. 11th

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Celebrate The Gift Of Giving

Dec. 18th

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Celebrate The Sounds Of The Season

Dec. 24th

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Jesus ’Birthday Party

Jan. 1st

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Online Experience Only

Join us on Saturday, ’ December 24th for Jesus’ Birthday Party! At 9:30AM & 11:00AM, we will gather the whole family together in the worship center for a special service of celebration! Whether you are young or old, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Come expecting a time of worship, family, fun, and maybe even a few surprises! We are so excited to celebrate the birth of Christ together.

On Sunday, January 1st, our worship experiences will be online-only. Our heart is to allow more time to spend with family, give rest to our volunteers, but also provide an opportunity to connect with Jesus. We encourage you to take this time to gather with your children and worship together as a family. Enjoy your Sunday worship experience from the comfort of your home at 9:30 or 11:00AM!

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE “There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. There'll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.”

As we have transitioned from the Thanksgiving to Christmas season, the lyrics from Andy Williams’ 1963 hit, ”It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" have filled my mind.

This popular Christmas song is one of my favorites, and is so appropriate at this time of year for so many reasons. One of

which is that the song was written in triple time. This uptempo musical beat is commonly used for dances such as the waltz and often implies a hurried pace. Would you agree that most things seem rushed in December? Meals, schedules, parties, decorating…everything feels hurried, and that sense of urgency, worry, and anxiety can easily fill our hearts.

Couple that with the added financial stress, the struggle to find and wrap presents, make desserts, and see all of your family, and December can become overwhelming. In response to the holiday madness, we often sarcastically respond, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

Our theme for December is Celebrate Christmas at SpiritCHURCH! We are intentionally structuring everything

we do to be peaceful, encouraging, and celebratory. We are declaring our church campus a stress-free area. We pray that your heart is filled with joy at each worship experience. As believers, we have a reason to Rejoice! Isaiah 9:6 tells us “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Robyn and I invite you to celebrate with us each week. You will sense the love, joy, and peace of Jesus through inspiring music, stirring messages, and fun surprises, as the presence of Jesus fills our hearts.

SpiritCHURCH is a family and as Andy Williams said, “our hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.” Because of Jesus, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

SpiritYOUTH’s annual Christmas Craze is Sunday, December 11th from 5:30-7:30PM. Your students won’t want to miss this night of fun games, free food, and hanging out with friends all to celebrate Christmas! For all students 6th-12th grade, make plans to be here!

SpiritYOUTH’s Christmas Movie Night is Sunday, December 18th from 5:30-7:30PM. All students 6th-12th grade are invited to come hang out, enjoy some movie popcorn and snacks, and watch a Christmas movie with us! We’d love to see you there!

2121 S. Madison Blvd.

Bartlesville, OK 74006 918.336.1131 | mail@spiritchurch.com www.spirit.church

Sharing the love, joy, and peace of Jesus Christ with the least, last, and lost.