Hope Tree began this week!
Every year, our church provides Christmas presents to local children who won’t otherwise have them. Did you select your children yet?
Hope tree participation is just an easy three steps:
1. At the Hope Tree, select the kids you wish to provide for
2. Get the items on their list
3. Return gifts by December 6
Hope Tree deliveries will be made on December 12.
Breakfast with Santa and our community Christmas Eve services will give us the chance to influence people normally outside our sphere. Many will enter our church that normally never would.
We want to represent well.
So, we’re asking lifegroups to each take a tree and decorate together on theme. Each tree represents an element in the theme.
Lifegroup leaders received your tree and theme assignment at the VIP meeting on Saturday. They also learned when our open decoration times are. Take a few minutes and make plans together and help us represent well!
Discussion Questions
What ordinary thing brought you a little joy or rest this week?
Who has shown you care through a small kindness lately?
n the middle of a regular week, where might you notice God’s quiet care—in people, daily provision, strength, beauty, or a timely conversation?
1 Samuel 1:11 (NLT)
And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.”
What can Hannah’s story teach us about bringing pain and long waits to God?
When someone has been through trauma or suffering, how can we help them look for God’s care without saying their pain was good, deserved, or easy?
Romans 5:3–5 (NLT)
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
What might be a small sign that someone is being sustained by God through trials in their life, even if their situation hasn’t changed?
1 Samuel 2:1–2 (NLT)
My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.
No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
Take a careful look through this amazing prayer. Take it apart line-by-line. What surprises, instructs, amazes, assists you when you read what she prays?
- her heart rejoices in the giver, not the gift
- her strength did not come from her battle, but from her source
- what is her answer to her enemies? Is it a sarcastic, or vengeful response?
- what does it mean that “no one is holy like the Lord?”
- why does she call God her rock?
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NLT)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
What simple habit might help us notice God’s presence in daily life and in painful seasons?
We are getting ready for our next Israel experience in May. Join us to walk where Jesus walked.
Right now, we have around 30 people going on this trip. It’s our largest group ever!
This trip will literally change the way you read your Bible. You’ll never see the Scripture the same again.
Registration deadline is now DECEMBER 5.