If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory or honor of a loved one, please sign-up in the gathering area by December 5th. The cost is $19 per plant and checks should be made payable to FCC with "poinsettia" noted in the memo field. They will be delivered for use in worship on Dec. 15, and may be picked up following worship on Christmas Eve at 5:00 PM or 11:00 PM.

Join us for a Christmas Luncheon served up by Mack and his merry elves! We will begin the day with Sunday school at 9 a.m. and morning worship at 10:15 AM, followed by a delicious Christmas lunch in the Christian Life Center. To RVSP, please email Dixon in the office, call 205.991.5000, or sign up in the gathering area with your name and the number of adults and children who will be joining you. Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 4. Pot-roast and vegetables are on the menu. There will also be a vegetarian option available.

 
Adults: $8.00                             
Children: $4.00
Cap of $20 per family

We want to thank you all for the amazing response to the Thanksgiving meal drive.  Because of your generosity, FCC was able to donate a full Thanksgiving meal to 50 families.  Last Saturday morning a group from the church met with 46 of the families as they came to pick up their meals. These families were all so different, some grandmothers with a crowd of grandchildren, some foster families trying to make it all work for the holidays, some young mothers with small children. We heard so many times how this donation will make a big impact on what they are able to do for their families this holiday season.
 
Thank you to the Christian Comrades class for donating eggs for each family. Thank you to the volunteers Saturday who greeted, talked with, hugged, and listened to the families who came in the door. Thank you to each of you who took of your time and resources to donate.
 
Unfortunately for the university system of Alabama, the neutral donations won out this year. So for all of you Auburn and Alabama fans, let’s get them next year!
 
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do. The generosity of this congregation is overwhelming. 

The church building was busy on Sunday evening, November 24, as people gathered to Deck the Halls in preparation for the Advent and Christmas Seasons. At least 60 people were hard at work hanging wreaths and bows, stringing lights, fixing garland, and adding finishing touches with ribbon. Long time members joined with new attendees to share ideas, hold ladders, encourage and supervise, and laugh together. The children practiced for singing in worship on December 8, then made ornaments, and joined the adults for the soup supper. Mack Carpenter, Deb Carpenter, Donnette Mee, and her friend, Marsha Rodgers oversaw the preparation, serving, and clean up of a wonderful meal. In addition to the 15 pots of soup people brought in (every one different and delicious), there was cornbread, and about 10 different types of dessert. A huge thank you to all the hall deckers and the terrific kitchen crew. What a great evening and how beautiful the building looks for the season.

FCC has collected many advent candles over the years. There are  containers in the gathering area with candles the church is no longer using. Feel free to take as many as you like!

The Adventure Nook, FCC's Mother's Day Out and Preschool, Christmas Program and Silent Auction will be held the evening of Tuesday, December 10th at 6:00 pm. The Adventure Nook is looking for donations of items that can be auctioned to raise money for the program. Please make all donations by Sunday, December 1. If you would like to donate an item or a talent, please email Donna Penn. 

Interested in a small group for fellowship and study? Ona Ruth Women’s group typically meets the second Sunday of the month. Our next meeting is on Sunday, December 8, following worship. We will join the rest of the congregation for lunch at the Christmas Luncheon in the gym and follow it with our meeting. At our meeting, we will complete the service project for the Lovelady Center of making afghans. The afghans, toiletry bags and a prayer bracelets will be provided to the Lovelady Center to be given to ladies when they are first admitted to the center. It is our hope and prayer that these items will offer some comfort and warmth to individuals coping with a very difficult situation.

All women are welcome at Ona Ruth! Come and enjoy good food, fellowship, and prayer with this caring group of ladies. Planning to attend? Please email Dixon or call the church at 205-991-5000 to make reservations for lunch by December 4. If you have questions, feel free to call Joye Taylor at 205-447-0209.                                                                                                          

Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 11:00 a.m. at @ Marian Moon's home, 1171 Highland Village Trail (Mt. Laurel) 35242
 
Bring a dish to share and wear a Christmas hat! Several hat prizes will be given! Be creative, stylish, chic, silly, etc. For more information or directions, call Kathey Long at 205-296-3479. Mark your calendar now!

This year we are collecting new, unopened and unwrapped toys/gifts for children up to age 15 so that clients of The Lovelady Center can provide gifts to give to their children for Christmas. These toys and gifts are then put in the Lovelady Santa Shoppe where clients are allowed to shop for free! Some of these children have never had a real Christmas experience, let alone received gifts from their mothers, so it is our goal to help provide these women the opportunity to give their children the best Christmas ever! You can click here to find a "wish list" that reflects toys and gift ideas for different age groups or pick up a list from the gathering area. You do not need to stick to this list, however; this is meant to be used as a guide with suggestions. We will collect toys through Sunday, December 8th in the large gift wrapped box in the gathering area.

What an exciting time it is at FCC! At the Visioning Summit on October 5 and 6, a Mission Statement and Core Values for FCC were developed. (Copies of these are on the table in the gathering area.) These were the result of input from the congregation, Elders, church officers, much discussion, and prayer. Preliminary Goals for our church were established.

A Vision Task Force has been appointed and approved by the Mission Council to spearhead implementation of the Vision and Goals. Members of the Task Force are: Jay Welborn (Chair), Bruce MacKenzie, (ex-officio and moderator elect), Ashley Chester, Libby Carpenter, Suanne Ferguson, Kate Hall, and Matt Sadler. At the initial meeting on November 18, the groups’ enthusiasm and commitment were evident. They covet our prayers and support. If you have questions, ideas or other input for the Task Force, please contact Jay Welborn (call 205-903-8300 or email jarred@welborn.com). 

Giving is an important part of life and the holiday season. This is a beautiful time of the year to give abundantly. The church staff are unsung heroes at First Christian Church that give of themselves to the church and each of us all year long. The Christmas season embraces remembering the joy of giving and being inspired to make this and every holiday season about others. Lest we forget our friends on the church staff, you do have an opportunity to give a personal gift. In the gathering area, there will be a donation box. Please feel free to add your own donation that will go directly to our staff.

Members and friends who are interested in a beginners' Pickleball class are invited to join us on December 5 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Stan Brown will be training our new pickleball players. This introductory class is open to anyone who would like to try their hand at Pickleball. No equipment needed! If you plan to attend, please contact Fletcher Hamilton (205-616-1565) or Bob Lamb (205-401-2849).

Regularly scheduled Pickleball is currently being offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7 pm and Saturdays from 9-11 a.m., unless otherwise noted. No need to bring any equipment, and if you aren't familiar with the game, we will teach you! All members and friends are welcome to join in on the fun or just come by to watch the players in action!