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Wednesday Update from GCN

Hi Church Family,
 
This season that leads up to Christmas – Advent – is a season that teaches us how to wait on the Lord. In today’s Advent reading (follow along, if you’re not already! More info below) in Genesis 15, Abraham is really struggling with waiting. God had promised he and Sarah a son, even in their old age (a frequent Advent theme). Here we are some years later, and Abraham is still waiting. Abraham even says this line: “What good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?” The temptation, for me at least, is to read that line and cast a little judgment towards Abraham. I mean, he sounds super impatient and pretty ungrateful. The truth is, most of us likely have a little bit of Abraham in us. I know I do.
 
God has the bigger picture in mind. Abraham only has the “right now” picture before him. God knows that Abraham will have a son, Isaac. And it’s not just a son who is coming, but an entire family who will be God’s People. Many generations later, the Savior of the world will come from this line. Abraham had no way of knowing all of that. He thought he was waiting for a son. God had something even bigger in mind.
 
Here is the encouragement: in your waiting – whatever that is – cling to the One who has the bigger picture in mind. As we’ve said before, even when we are not faithful in our waiting, God is always faithful in His coming. Take heart, friends. Christmas is coming.
 
This Sunday. I am thankful for our times of worship together each Sunday. This Sunday is Advent Sunday #3. The Sunday of…JOY! A question to ponder as we anticipate that time together: How is Mary’s story (Luke 1:26-45) tell us about Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55)?
 
Christmas Toy Drive. You are invited to pick up a toy (or 10!) for our Christmas Toy Drive, partnering with UpCounty Distribution Hub. $10-$20. Gender-Neutral. Unwrapped. Bring it with you this Sunday and put it in large Toy Drive box next to the Christmas Tree in the foyer.
 
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service & Family Experience. 5pm, Dec. 24th. Join us for this special night, and bring friends and family with you! After our Candle Light Service, we hope you’ll stick around for the Family Experience in the foyer and patio. We’ll have live music, cookies, hot cocoa, fun for kids, and even live animals!
 
Much love,
 
Pastor Brian
Be a part of blessing many families in our neighborhood this Christmas! Bring your toy(s) to the church this Sunday morning to drop off between 10am-12pm.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ZOOM PRAYER
Please join us in prayer every Wednesday at 7:30pm on Zoom. The object of these Wednesday night Zoom gatherings will be to encourage one another, worship God, and take time to pray together. We should be all wrapped up by 8:00 pm. Zoom Meeting: 956-2321-2102. Join zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95623212102 Password: welcome.
WORSHIP SERVICE
We're looking forward to our worship service at 10:30am. We hope you will join us in-person, but if you can't make it, you can still watch us online on Facebook & YouTube.

Servicio en Español 11 de Diciembre: https://youtu.be/env96fftvPA
ADVENT SCRIPTURE READING
If you would like to join the Advent Scripture Readings, you can find those postcards in your bulletin on Sunday morning or visit bit.ly/adventscriptures2022 to access online.
CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
We are partnering with The UpCounty Hub for their annual toy drive. Thanks to all those who have donated toys already! We’re asking for gender-neutral toys valued between $10- $20. You can leave them unwrapped. This Sunday is our final day to drop those off. You can place them in the designated Toy Drive area in the foyer.
COOKIE EXCHANGE
Our kids and family cookie swap is this Sunday! Please stop by the Life Center before the service to drop-off your cookies/treats. After the service, you can join us in the Life Center for the cookie swap. Thanks for participating!
NEW BIBLE STUDY
The Adults Discipleship Class at 9am and 6pm Zoom Bible Study will begin the study of Joshua today, Sunday, Dec 11th through Feb 5th. Joshua was God’s servant to bring Moses’ work to completion and establish Israel in the promised land; a foreshadowing of Christ. Judges is an account of frequent disobedience, chastening and urgent appeals to God which moved the Lord to appoint leaders (judges) to restore peace. The workbook includes Joshua and Judges; we hope you will continue to March 12 to study Judges as well. Workbook is on Amazon: “Engaging God’s Word: Joshua & Judges” for $10. Sherrie Bayman is the facilitator and if you have any questions, contact her at sherriebayman5@gmail.com.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE & FAMILY EXPERIENCE
We’re already looking forward to our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. We’ll have a candlelight service at 5pm followed by a Christmas experience for all ages where we’ll enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, live music and animals, a photo booth and more. We hope you’ll plan to join us and invite others to join, as well!
GCN PASTORS & STAFF BLESSING
We would like to bless the GCN Pastors and Staff for their love and stewardship during this year. Your contribution will go fully towards an end of year bonus for the Pastors and Staff.  Checks should be marked “GCN Pastors and Staff Blessing,”  CCB-“GCN Pastors and Staff Blessing,”  or Txt2Give-“GCN Pastors and Staff Blessing.” Cutoff date for giving is 12/23/2022.
CHRISTMAS MORNING ONLINE GATHERING
This year, Christmas lands on a Sunday. We’re looking forward to gathering online! All together at 10:30am. It’ll be a great way to worship together on Christmas morning as a church family, but each from our own homes. Plan to join us for that!
FAITH PROMISE
We’ve received $61,222 in pledges so far! Let’s prayerfully consider our financial support of the Nazarene Mission and Compassionate Ministry around the world! You can pledge online at bit.ly/gcn-fp2023.
HIRE A TEEN TO HELP WITH NYC COSTS
Teens are raising money to attend next summer's Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC). Please consider "hiring" a teen for jobs including raking leaves, hauling furniture, household chores, etc.  Proceeds will go toward their NYC expenses. If you are interested, please contact Jenny Schafer at jenny.schafer@gburgnaz.org.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
We could use more volunteers in the following areas: Kids Ministry, Parishioner Care Team, Media Tech Team, Food Distributions at GCN and South Lake Elementary School, and Nursing Home Team. Please consider helping in one or more of these ministries at bit.ly/gcn-serves. Contact the office for questions.
PARISHIONER CARE REQUEST
GCN's Parishioner Care Team serves those who could use a hand, especially during a big life event. We deliver meals (home cooked or takeout), cards, give rides to appointments, or help with moving/gardening/cleaning. Do you or someone you know have a need? Please share it here: bit.ly/gcn-parishionercare.
PRAYER REQUEST
How can our Pastors and Prayer Team be praying for you? Please click here to submit a prayer request or praise report. You can submit anonymously and/or mark for Pastors only, if needed.
YOUTH GROUP THIS SUNDAY
Don't miss our Youth Group Christmas party this Sunday for all 6th-12th graders from 5:30-7:30pm in the Life Center. Our theme is "Christmas Pajamas." Come out for food, fun, friends, and an encouraging message.
KIDS MINISTRY
Here's the schedule for Sunday Kids Ministry:
  • KIDS QUIZZING: All 2nd-5th grade children will  be in Room B2 at 9am.
  • KIDS ON THE MOVE: All K-5th grade children are invited to the Life Center during the 10:30 Worship Service.
  • PRESCHOOL: All preschool children are invited to room 110/111 during the 10:30 Worship Service. 
  • NURSERY: Nursery children are invited to stay in room 109 during the 10:30 Worship Service.
CHURCH HOURS
The office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

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Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene · 8921 Warfield Rd · Gaithersburg, MD 20882-4430 · USA

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