It’s the most wonderful time of the year and you are some of the most wonderful people we know! We hope you and your family are loving this holiday season.

Here are a few things coming up in our ministry . . .

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: GENEROSITY CHALLENGE 
This activity will encourage your group to think of the individuals, families, and organizations around them and find a way to share with them while challenging others around them to do the same. This month make a plan to take this challenge with your group and tell us all about how it goes!

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: SHARE YOUR SNACKS 
Food has the ability to connect us to one another all on its own. If you want to help your small group grow closer together – you should share some snacks. If you haven’t been sharing snacks yet, this month would be a great time to set up an event or start adding snacks to your regularly schedule programming. There are no bad ways to share!

RESTORED: A 4-WEEK SERIES FROM THE PROPHETS & THE GOSPELS ON CHRISTMAS

SERIES OVERVIEW:

Christmas means family gatherings, cherished traditions, joyful memories, and new connections. But for some of us, the holidays also bring up painful memories and complicated relationships. We sing carols about Jesus’ arrival on the first Christmas bringing hope, joy, and peace, but it’s pretty clear there are still places where hope, joy, and peace aren’t quite complete. In this 4-part series from the Old Testament prophets and New Testament Gospels, we’ll see how the arrival of the Prince of Peace on the very first Christmas began God’s big story of restoration — for us personally and for the whole world too. That’s why, even in the midst of brokenness, this Christmas can remind us that a broken world can be restored, what’s broken in us can be restored, our hope can be restored, and we have a role to play in God’s plan of restoration.

DOWNLOAD SERIES GUIDE

Sometimes what we need to experience joy and try something new this Christmas season is a little encouragement. Challenge your group and the people you love this week to have some fun and consider THIS your challenge from us. Do a cartwheel. Sing your favorite song out loud. Get a peppermint milkshake. You deserve to laugh today.
At least once this month, choose a volunteer to celebrate. Add their picture and a few sentences about what makes them awesome!

Here’s a question for you. What’s one Christmas tradition you look forward to every year? Reply to this email and let us know!