SunHills December Update

  • Dan Haakenson
  • Dec 3, 2009

CHRISTMAS

Why? – Dec 6 we begin a series of Christmas messages.  We will be considering the “Why” of Christmas and specifically what Jesus Himself said about why He came.  We associate many things with Christmas, and it will be good for us to take a fresh listen to what Jesus actually said about why He came.  This season is a great time to bring friends or family to hear the Christmas message, so think about whom you might want to invite to hear the good news of Christmas!

Between Christmas and returning to 1 Peter in January, we will have the opportunity to hear from two other leaders in our church family. Kevin Woolums, our Pastor of Student Ministries, will speak to us on Sunday, Dec 27, and Dave Lyle, one of our Elders, will be giving the message on Sunday, Jan 3.  We’ll pick up again in 1 Peter on Jan 10. 

Christmas Eve – We’ve planned a special service with candles and carols to celebrate the night before Christmas.  Our service will begin at 5:00 pm, concluding with an outdoor devotion (weather permitting), so  dress warmly!   (This is a family service so children will remain with their parents. )

BE THE CHURCH

We are continuing to build relationships in our community through on-going Be the Church projects.  Some serving opportunities available in December are:

  • Monday, Dec 7, 10-11:30 am – Crafts with Seniorsat the El Dorado Senior Care Facility
  • Saturday, Dec 12, 11:30 am  – Feed the Homeless
  • Dec 3-21 – Canned food sorting at Twin Lakes Food Bank and assistance on the food distribution date – Monday, Dec 21

Details for these projects and for opportunities into 2010 are available at www.sunhills.org/ministries/be-the-church.

BUDGET

2009– As you know we are winding down not only the calendar year but also our SunHills budget year. If SunHills is your church home, we’d just ask that you pray and give as the Lord leads.  Many of you are faithfully and generously doing this already – thank you.

2010 – Sunday, Nov 29, we published the Proposed Budget for 2010 with notes of explanation. Rather than repeat all the explanation here, let me encourage you to pick up a copy on Sunday if you haven’t already.

Sunday, Dec 6, the BOD will be available for questions or interaction after each service in Room 102; the following Sunday, Dec 13, we will have a brief time in the service for congregational approval of the budget.

FINISHING ’09, BEGINNING 2010

As I look back on 2009 there are many things for which I am thankful; I’ll just mention a few that connect to our vision as a church:

  • Love God – seeing people grow in personal relationship with God - some of this shows on Sundays, but it also inevitably shows and grows outside of Sundays as well; individuals who are new to exploring Jesus and Christianity and considering the possibilities of a God who loves them and is worthy of their love; having long-time followers of Christ deepen in their devotion and dedication to our precious Savior; and…
  • Love people – deepening connections and relationships with people here; the start of some new small groups linking people together; on-going groups of study, friendship, accountability, and bonding; real-life demonstrations of support and care that so often happen ‘behind the scenes’ but are vital to our ministry to one another; and…
  • Live the mission –on-going development of our “Be the Church” emphasis of practical acts of service and love to our surrounding community; the birth of ministry connections between SunHills and KEA in India; personal ways that people have been showing and sharing the good news of Jesus with others; and…
  • ALSO – the addition of Kevin and Vanessa in leadership of our student ministries; the beginning of ‘Edge 45’ – an exciting and growing ministry to 4th & 5th graders; faithful giving and stewardship – both in generous giving (money) and unselfish service (using gifts and volunteering); the incredible ministry of staff, elders, and directors throughout the year; and there is so much more…

Wow, those items came to mind in just a couple of minutes, and this is a short and incomplete list. We have so much to be thankful for.  God has been working among us, and seeing this list makes me excited for the things to come in 2010. We have some things planned for the year ahead, and I trust that God has even more planned than we do.  As we walk into this new year, I’m eager for and expectant of the great things that will be happening in and among us…

Celebrating the “good news of great joy” that Jesus has come (Lk 2:10),

dan