Thursday’s Thoughts
Fairview Community Church
Worshiping God and Welcoming All Every Sunday at 10am
Merry Christmas!
All of Advent has been leading up to this day and it is finally here! I do hope you’ll be joining us this evening for a special Christmas Eve service! Much work has gone into this special worship! We are intentional about bringing you a joyful Christmas celebration in an hour or less! So – even if you have evening plans tonight –you can still join us at 5:30pm and be at your party by 7pm! We’ll read the ancient scripture and pray that once again a miracle will be born in our hearts this very night! There is nothing more beautiful than watching the candles make their way out of our sanctuary and into the silent night! What a Merry Christmas it will be!
I can’t think of a better Christmas present than the feeling I had watching Sunday’s Christmas pageant: “A Miracle on Bethlehem Street” which told the story of “Fairview Community Travel Agency” and the miracle of Christmas. My heart overflowed with joy as I considered how far we’ve come! Two years ago we did not even have a Christmas Pageant, last year’s was adorable, but this year there were 25 actors in this intergenerational pageant and 18 of them were children! We’ve come a long way! This gift is certainly the best one any pastor could ask for!
The Christmas Pageant was truly incredible! Myrna Pappas wrote and directed the unique and adorable play! And if you didn’t realize it while you were watching, she wrote the parts especially for each of the actors. So Pete, who loves baseball, was looking for a baseball miracle. And Chloe, who wants to go to Paris, was heading to France to find a miracle. While Jeff and Shane, who just returned from a trip in Hawaii (and are probably ready to go back!), were looking for their miracle in the Hawaiian Islands! Not only was this play incredibly creative, it was also incredibly thoughtful! It’s clear that Myrna really knows and cares about the children of our church. How blessed we are that she has given so much of herself to her ministry here with us! All of the actors were wonderful! Kudos to you all! You made my Christmas merry! (in case you missed it –you can listen to the audio on this week’s podcast! Just scroll down and click the link below!)
This Sunday, the first Sunday of Christmas, we’re going to try something a little different. Because we know that often times the Sunday after Christmas has low attendance, we’re going to entice you to church by offering a gimmick: CAROLS ON DEMAND! That’s right! If there’s a Christmas carol you’ve been dying to sing but haven’t had the chance –this is your chance! You pick it, Sean’ll play it, and all of us’ll sing it! I think it’s going to be a lot of fun! Come with your Christmas memories and we’ll make a new one together!
Hope to see you this evening! Merry Christmas friends!
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The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
A Christmas Prayer
Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
by Robert Louis Stevenson
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Please take a moment to read through the prayers of our community,
the prayers that matter to us, and lift them up in your hearts this moment.
If you have an a prayer request you would like to add to our list, please email or call the office714 545-4610.
PRAYER MATTERS
We are grateful for the well-being and many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayers and heart . . .
Veda Atchley who had a full knee replacement on November 27. She is recovering successfully and in search of a stationary bike to borrow for physical therapy.
Our New member Mercy Becerra, who is recovering from an episode of a painful kidney stone and strep throat (just in time for her birthday tomorrow). Also prayers for her daughter Jessica Soto, who is recovering from tonsillitis.
Kyle Cathey, still experiencing excruciating health difficulties. Prayers for his improvement.
Prayers that Jennifer Larsen’s uncle Lou Cusimano will get well enough so they can bring him to California.
Flo Martin’s brother-in-law, Kevin who’s clinging to life and for her sister, Nikki who’s clinging to hope.
Jeanie Molinaro, wife of Wayne Rash’s former employer Paul Molinaro, who has been operated on for ovarian cancer and now faces chemotherapy.
Gina Notrica’s mother Alice Neibarger is doing much better and grateful for prayers.
Continue to hold Gina Notrica in your prayers as she spends her first Christmas away from her daughters while working in Japan.
Continue to hold Gina Notrica in your prayers as she spends her first Christmas away from her daughters while working in Japan.
Our new friend Danieca Spotwell, who had an incident of high blood pressure which hospitalized her last week.
Carol Thicksten’s nephew who is still recovering from his tragic car accident. Continued prayers for all involved.
Those seeking new employment, in this time of severe job losses and economic hardship.
Those suffering and recovering from deadly addictions and crippling obsession and those who help them.
Our Troops, as they perform their duties, wherever they are in the world.
Announcements
Missed a Sunday? Catch up on your sermons by listening at home!
Just click here to listen or download now:
Did you miss out on last week’s sermon? Listen to “Advent Love” and “A Miracle on Bethlehem Street” simply by clicking here!
TONIGHT!
Christmas Eve, Thursday December 24 5:30pm
Join us for a celebration of Christmas!
We’ll light the Christ Candle and celebrate the miracle Christmas birthed into the world again this year!
Invite your friends and family!
Divine on the Vine
Wednesdays at 7pm here at Fairview Community Church
Adult Study Group – Come join in on the fun!
NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE!THE COUNCIL HAS CHANGED THE DATE AGAIN!
Congregational Meeting: January 10thfollowing the Church Service
To Elect Members to the New Church Boards
All Members are requested to be present to vote!
Interested in Becoming a Member? Wonder what it means to Join the Church?
Being a member of the church is easy!
All you have to do is come to a membership class and learn more about the church.
if you’re interested please contact Marge Salmassy, Wayne Rashor hit reply.
Merry Christmas,
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Halverson
Fairview Community Church
2525 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-4610
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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