Courageous

December 11: 6 PM Children’s Christmas Program

December 14: 6 PM Chili and Caroling

December 18: 9:15 AM Christmas Brunch

December 24: 5 PM and 7 PM Christmas Eve Service(s)

December 25: 10 AM CHRISTMAS WORSHIP

January 1: 10:30 AM New Year’s Day Worship

We are currently working on building a strong collection of fiction for men. (And if you don’t mind, I imagine a few of these titles will be read by some of our women as well).
To start off, a few Peretti and Dekker books have been added. They are new to our library and perhaps to you as well. House was co-written by the two authors previously mentioned, a supernatural thriller that raises the bar in this genre.

Dekker’s Monster, a 2005 title written by the undisputed master of supernatural thrillers, proves that nothing is as it appears in this read where things that go bump in the night are only a heartbeat away. Blink, by Mr. Dekker, is a tale cloaked in the mystery of Saudi Arabia – this title proves he has a rare knack for compelling stories, woven with clever ideas, and a unique wit.

And introducing Steven James, an author from Tennessee, who wrote his first series in recent years: the Bowers Files; beginning with The Pawn (2007), The Rook (2008), and The Knight (2009). This series introduces you to FBI agent, Patrick Bowers: giving you chilling and intense psychological thrillers guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Very soon, Oliver North’s International Intrigue Trilogy will be resident in our “New Books display.” His novels are stories of international intrigue, political espionage, and military adventure drawn from his own experiences as a combat-decorated Marine and the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator for the United States from 1983-1986. Titles include Mission Compromised, The Jericho Sanction, and The Assassins.

So men, now that we’re entering those evenings when the sun sets before we’re ready to call it a day, you can settle in with a warm cup of something, prop up your feet in the recliner, and choose to involve yourselves in a good novel worthy of your time.
Visit the library, located on the east wall of the Church Parlor, and “check out” these books as well as others.

Last week, the US HOR introduced HR 2830, the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. This critical piece of legislation was first adopted by congress in 2000 and has provided federal funds, training, and policy directives that protect victims and help stop the perpetrators who commit these heinous crimes. Those laws expire on September 30, 2011 if we don’t act quickly. Use your voice to make a difference!

Not For Sale is a member of the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) who supports the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2011. Free Methodist World Missions supports Not For Sale missionaries to the United States and around the world.

Today there are more men, women, and children in slavery than at any time in history. Together we can stop slavery once and for all.

10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Oppose Modern-Day Slavery

1. Pray for victims and against systems oppressing others.
2. Become more aware by reading a book like Not For Sale by David Batstone.
3. Tap into the great resources available online through International Justice Mission, Not For Sale, and Free the Slaves.
4. Ask your church leaders about serving fair trade products like coffee and chocolate that don’t have slave labor involved in their production.
5. Talk with friends and neighbors. Many people don’t realize this is happening. Discuss the issues with friends and challenge civic, political and religious leaders to act.
6. Support Free Methodist World Missions. Missionaries are on the front lines!
7. Support International Child Care Ministries. Sponsored children are less vulnerable to human trafficking.
8. Ask yourself if you are supporting slavery directly or indirectly through your lifestyle–make appropriate changes.
9. Engage our bishops, superintendents, and pastors on this issue.
10. Pray some more.

For more information about this issue click here.

** Please bring food as follows: **
A-K bring salad, L-N side dish, and O-Z dessert.

Drinks, plates and cups will be provided. Please bring a blanket or lawn chair for your own use.

The Lakeside Plaza Apartments (sometimes commonly known as the “Kerschner Apartments”) are located at 729 Kerchner Dr. off of First Street (near McPherson High School).

We’ve begun to purchase both adult/family and children’s DVD titles* – the only catch is that they cost nothing for you to borrow, and you may have them up to a week for viewing.

Recent Adult/Family titles:
The Trial
Standing Firm
Hachi
Rust
A Letter to Dad
The Ultimate Gift
Soul Surfer
Chronicles of Narnia titles (3) :  Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Prince Caspian and The lion, the witch and the wardrobe  (Disney/Walden Media)

Recent Children’s titles:
Elementary age:
Sugar Creek Gang (5) : Swamp robber, The great canoe fish, Race against nightfall,
Secret hideout, Teacher trouble
The adventures of Ociee Nash

Preschool titles:
VeggieTales (9)
JayJay the jet plane (3) : God’s promise, Fantastic faith, and Super loop de loop

*many of these titles are a result of your investment in the Adopt-a-Book fundraiser!

Current Library news:

• We are consistently purchasing or receiving (through donation) new titles, both fiction and nonfiction.  We will take your donations, but prefer titles no older than five years…UNLESS your titles are Free Methodist in nature (publisher, author, etc.)  If you have written your memoirs, we would certainly appreciate a copy for our library.
• Some people prefer non-fiction over fiction titles.  We do have some great non-fiction items that our pastoral staff have recommended – you will find them in the NEW section of the library.
• Our books check out for 1 month, DVDs for 1 week.  We would appreciate your diligence in bringing titles back.  No fines are charged and we would like to make titles available to all.
• Adopt-a-Book titles are beginning to make their way to our children’s and young adult shelves.  We are excited to offer these to you and are very thankful for those of you who have made these purchases for our youth.