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ADVENT SERMON SERIES
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... For a child has been born for us, a son given to us..."
Journey with us through the season of Advent as we wait with expectation for the birth of Christ. We will explore the Promise of Christmas in a new sermon series by Rev. Troy Tatum.
Audio recordings of recent sermons are available to stream or download here. |
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FROM YOUR FRIENDLY SUBSTITUTE
CHOIR DIRECTOR!
Our choir will be lifting their wonderful voices in the Christmas Cantata - "JOY" on December 18th. On Christmas morning there will be a small bell choir and Andrew and Michelle will be sharing their unique bell talents. We look forward to seeing you in church during the Christmas season.
Thank you to all of the musical groups at First Christian Church for their dedication and hard work. A special thank you to the Praise Kids who did an awesome job last Sunday and to all the parents and helpers that made it possible.
In the coming week:
Dec. 21 Small Bell Choir Practice 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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First Christian Church will offer two Christmas Eve services this year. The 5 PM service will be especially family oriented, with our children and youth presenting "The Gift of Christmas." Any child who would like to participate should arrive at 4:30 and come to the library to pick out a simple costume. NO REHEARSAL will be required, and ALL children are welcome.
The 11 PM service will be a more traditional service of lessons and carols.
Both services will feature the Good News of Christmas in scripture and song, concluding with candlelight communion. We will also receive a special offering at both services to support our Back Pack Buddies ministry, which provides weekend food for 40 children from Vincent Elementary throughout the school year.
Christmas Eve is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family to First Christian Church!
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Christmas Day Worship
Join us at 10:15 on Christmas morning for an informal worship service featuring festive music and communion. Kids, feel free to wear your PJs and bring a new toy for a special blessing. Please note, Sunday School and Worship and Wonder will not meet on Dec. 25.
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Year End Tax Considerations for Charitable Gifts
April 15 – Tax Day – is still a few months away, but now is a good time to analyze where you are and act before the end of the year if you want to save on your tax bill. Many people have a disdain for taxes, but the U.S. government gives taxpayers a way to reduce their tax burden if they make gifts to qualified charities, like First Christian Church. Gifts to First Christian Church can give the taxpayer a charitable income tax deduction, thereby reducing the amount of tax owed.
There are many ways to do this:
Outright gift of cash
Making an outright gift of cash is one of the easiest ways. Writing a check to First Christian Church is simple, efficient and direct. The church will provide to you an annual giving statement in January for use in completing your tax returns.
Online giving
Online Giving is a convenient and secure way to provide consistent financial support to our church. Electronic donations can be made by checking, savings, credit card or debit card. You may also be able to give to the church through your bank’s online bill pay system.
Online giving can be an especially helpful tool if you are traveling for the holidays and will not be present in worship to include your gift in the offering plate. Our online giving tool also provides you the ability to automate your giving, offering consistent support to the ministries of First Christian Church.
You can set up and manage your online giving here. Regardless of whether you have given electronically or not, you can use this link to sign in and securely view your confidential contribution records at any time.
Gift of appreciated stock
Giving appreciated stock not only allows for a charitable income tax deduction, but the donor also bypasses any capital gains tax on the appreciation of the stock. Please be aware: the stock must be held for at least one year and one day – considered “long term” – to have the capital gains taxes bypassed. If less than that period, the gift is valued only at the original cost of the stock, called “cost basis,” to the donor.
Consider a Life-Income Gift
These types of gifts, typically in the form of Charitable Gift Annuities or Charitable Remainder Trusts, provide a way for a donor to make a gift and receive a charitable income tax deduction for part of the gift, while retaining a stream of payments for life or a certain number of years. At the end of the terms of the contract, a gift would go to First Christian Church.
To learn more about these particular types of gifts, contact the Christian Church Foundation, which provides these types of gift instruments to Disciples. To learn more, call the Foundation at (800) 668-8016 or visit the Foundation website at www.christianchurchfoundation.org.
Talk to your Tax Consultant or Financial Planner
We recommend discussing your year-end planning that relates to charitable giving with a trusted financial professional in order to receive the maximum benefit available by law. What you save on your taxes gives you that much more you can share.
Thank you for supporting the ministries of First Christian Church with your financial gifts. Please visit our website to make a gift today, or contact church treasurer Twila Tyree at (205) 408-4778 with any questions you might have.
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FCC Car Decals Available
We now have First Christian Church car decals available to anyone who would like to help spread the word about FCC in our community. You can pick up a sticker in the church office during the week, or in the narthex on Sundays. Thanks to a generous gift, there is no charge to you. Enjoy!
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We had a festive last week of school before the Christmas break. Christmas music filled the air this week as our children played in the gymnasium.
On Tuesday we had our Children's Christmas Chapel. Our sweet children sang Christmas songs led by Mr. Troy and had a Christmas story read to them by Mrs. Robin. The Children were joined by their parents.
We had a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus (Russ and Pat Favorite.) The parents had an opportunity to take photographs of their children with Santa and Mrs. Claus
And tomorrow we will have a "Magical" time with Mr. Larry Darnell who will delight our children with magic tricks, Christmas songs, and stories. This will be the last of the fun things that we did before they go home with their parents to enjoy the Christmas holidays!
What a wonderfully busy week we had...enjoyed by all!
Blessings to you all for a joyous Christmas!
Love,
Debbie, Patsy, Fran, Laurie, Vickie, and Laura
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Dear Sponsors & Church Teams:
Thank you for your very generous support to the children of the BackPack Buddies Program!
We are SO thankful for each one of you and know it takes hard work, money, and time. We would not have a program without you and we are immensely grateful for everything that you are doing in the community to make children’s lives better.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie, Ward, Charity, and Josh
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"STITCHES AND STUFF"
Friday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m.
at Somerby Senior Living
"Stitches and Stuff" will meet Friday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m.at Somerby at St. Vincent's One Nineteen.
We will have a gift exchange so please bring something to do with knitting, sewing or a handmade item.
Come and join us for some fun and fellowship!
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Christmas Gift for Church Staff
During the season of Advent, we will have a decorated box in the narthex for you to place a gift for the staff of First Christian Church. Please note “staff gift” on your check. You may also mail your gift to the church, care of bookkeeper Debbie McMurtrie, or you may give online: click here and choose “Staff Christmas Gift” from the dropdown menu.
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Staff Christmas Party
Please note that the church office will close at 1 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 21, so that the church staff can enjoy their annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange at the Tatum's.
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Holiday Office Hours
While some church staff will be working at various times throughout the holidays, the church office will be closed December 26 through January 2, and will reopen January 3. Should you need to reach a pastor while the office is closed, please dial 205-295-6708 to leave a message for the minister on call.
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Coming Soon:
We will start back on our Fall Schedule on
January 8 at 5:00 PM
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This week:
12/18 Basketball 3:00-5:00 PM
Christmas Party 5:00-7:00 PM
Coming Soon:
We will start back on our Fall Schedule on
January 8 at 5:00 PM
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Now Hiring
First Christian Church is actively seeking to fill two staff positions. We are searching for an additional paid nursery worker for Sunday mornings. Interested applicants should contact Robin Blakemore. We are also searching for a music director. More information about the music director position, including how to apply, is available here. |
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December Church Calendar & Serving Schedule
Please click here to download the December calendar and schedule. Printed copies will also be available in the narthex on Sunday.
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Electronic Giving:
Fast, Easy, & Secure
We respond to the Good News of God's love by joyfully bringing our tithes and offerings to God, and giving online is a fast, secure, and easy way to do just that. You can even schedule your offering for carefree, automatic withdrawal.
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To create a secure login and schedule a recurring gift, please click here.
To login to your existing profile, please click here.
For help and more information, please click here.
Thank you for considering this option for giving, and thank you for your generosity and support of what God is doing at First Christian Church!
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