David Jones Memorial Service, and More ...

Hello everyone,

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post and update.  In that time, Ronoyce and I have appreciated your support, cards, emails, and FB messages, as well as felt your prayers in our behalf in the loss of my mother.  We are living in the hope of heaven, sustained by the abundant grace of our kind Heavenly Father.

David Jones Memorial Service.  It seems many of our families have been touched by grief in recent months.  So much so, that I have decided to change my planned sermon for this Sunday to address this common felt need in our congregation.  Please pray that God will guide the message and provide the needed encouragement for all of us.

The details for the David Jones Memorial Service are as follows.  Both visitation and the memorial service will be this Sunday afternoon, January 29th.

• Visitation will be from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the MMC at Springs First Church.

• The Memorial Service will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the MMC at Springs First Church.  A receiving line will follow the service for guests to speak with the family.

• A graveside ceremony will take place next week at their Nebraska home town.

• The DRIVE Leadership event planned for this Sunday evening has been postponed to a future date to be announced, to allow everyone the opportunity to attend this memorial service.

Please join us in lifting this family in prayer, along with the many others in our congregation, who have recently walked through the deep valley of grief.  I can say with great certainty, "God is with us, and His grace is sufficient for our needs."

January Budget.  The first month of each new year almost always presents a financial challenge.  Our need for this Sunday is approximately $19,000 for all giving.  If you have traveled this month, been absent due to sickness, or whatever, Sunday would be a great time to catch up with tithes and offerings.

The Great Recovery - The Million Dollar Challenge.  This Sunday, January 29th, is the last Sunday to enroll and pay the $100 registration to be able to participate in the initial Financial Peace University classes that will begin on Sunday evening, February 12th, and Wednesday evening, February 15th. REMEMBER, THE $100 REGISTRATION FEE IS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, HUSBAND, WIFE, AND CHILDREN.  In addition, it makes you a LIFETIME MEMBER, enabling you to re-take the classes as often as you want, anywhere they are offered.  Please don't miss out on this great opportunity to change your life!

We are creating links on our Website that will support this life-changing study.  Links will go live very, very soon!

Year-end Contribution Statements.  If you have not received your Year-end contribution statement via email, or could not open it, printed statements are available at Grand Central for those who need them for the 2011 tax filing.  If you have questions, please call the church office and speak with Susan.

Thanks for paying attention to these details.  God willing, I'll see you on Sunday!

Pastor Grate

Memorial Services and More ...

Hello everyone,

2012 is here and will present new opportunities for all us ... opportunities for fellowship, service, discipleship, and more.  As you prayerfully consider God's plan for your life this year, let your heart be an open book upon which He can write.  His plans for us far exceed anything we can ask or imagine!

Here is some information about two memorial services at our church tomorrow (Saturday, January 7).

Memorial Service for Sharon Kerkoski.  Sharon was welcomed into heaven on Monday, January 2nd.  Church members and friends are welcome to attend her memorial service at our church tomorrow (Saturday, January 7th) at 10:00 a.m. in the Cave.  Sharon and her husband, Scott, are members of our congregation, along with Ricky and Sandy Anunson (their daughter, son-in-law and family).  Let's support our church family with our prayers and encouragement.

Memorial Service for Nadine Cogil.  Craig Marquardt's mother, Nadine Cogil received her heavenly reward on Wednesday, December 14th.  Church members and friends are welcome to attend her memorial service at our church tomorrow (Saturday, January 7th) at 1:00 p.m. in the Cave.  Craig and his wife Darlene are members of our church.  Let's also support these members of our church family with our prayers and encouragement.

The Great Recovery - The Million Dollar Challenge.  This Sunday, January 8th, begins our information, inspiration,  and registration time for church members and friends to become involved in Financial Peace University, a 13 week course provided by the Dave Ramsey organization.  The goal is for church members, friends, and community attendees to pay off at least one million dollars of personal debt in 2012!  Look for the handout of frequently asked questions, along with your bulletin this Sunday! 

Celebrate Recovery begins tonight (Friday night).  For information or to register, stop by the CR display at the ministry counter nearest the Heritage and Hospitality Center this Sunday.  This is a great opportunity to put the past in the past and move on to healing.  Don't miss it.

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Grate

Christmas Service Info and MLOC Report ...

Hello everyone,

Many Lights of Christmas 2011 Report.  I promised to post a report from The Many Lights of Christmas after Monday.  Here it is!  We finished strong.  I was truly amazed at the number of volunteers who responded to the need and made things happen on our final night!  I was soooo proud of everyone!  A special "shout out" to everyone who jumped in on a "cold winter's night."

• A total 18,805 people drove through our 2011 edition of The Many Lights of Christmas!  That is a record total for a seven night event! Way to go, Church!  It was historic!

• A total of 5,517 cars came through our 2011 edition of The Many Lights of Christmas!  Another record for seven nights!

Working together, we all made a difference!  We can continue to make a difference by looking for drive-through families who will visit our future worship services.  PLEASE be watching for new families and take the initiative to meet and greet them, and make them feel at home!  

Christmas Service Schedule.  We are praying all of you will have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.  Here is our weekend schedule once more.

• Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Christmas Eve Service, including Communion.

• Sunday, 10:45 a.m., Christmas Morning Service, including Baptism.

The services are identical.  (Childcare will be provided for birth - 3 years olds in both services.)  Please choose the one that is best for you and yours to attend.  I will look for you there!

Thanks for listening.  Love you all!

Emmanuel,

Pastor Grate

Memorial Service for Bill Moon

Hello everyone,

As you may now know, Bill Moon received the gift of eternal life early Tuesday morning of this week.  He has transitioned from earth to heaven and is safely on the other side.  We will remember his life and celebrate his faith in a memorial service at our church next week.  Here are the details.

Public viewing on Tuesday evening, December 27th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens, SE corner of Airport and Academy.

Public viewing on Wednesday morning, December 28th, 9:00-9:45 a.m. at Springs First Church of the Nazarene.

Memorial Service on Wednesday morning, December 28th, 10:00 a.m., in the original sanctuary at Springs First Church.

You may greet the family at either public viewing and after the memorial service on Wednesday morning.

A private/family interrment will follow the service.

The family has set up a memorial fund, The Williams/Moon Scholarship Fund, through the church of the Nazarene to help students in Mozambique, Africa, where the Moons served as missionaries for more than thirty years.  Anyone wanting to contribute to this fund should make out checks to Springs First Church of the Nazarene, and send to Springs First Church, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80916.  The church will then send all gifts to our Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, KS., designated to this worthy fund.

Let's lift this family to the Lord in our prayers.

Emmanuel,

Pastor Grate

Last Night!

Hello Church!

MLOC Sunday Night Report.  Last night was another great night at The Many Lights of Christmas!  Here are the number of people we touched with the message and hope of Christmas!

• A total 3965 people drove through, bringing our six night total to date to 17,377 !!!  That is a record total for a seven night event, and we still have one more night to present our display to our community!  Way to go, Church!  It is historic!

• A total of 1196 cars drove through, bringing our six night total to date to 5,105 !!!  Another record for just six nights, with one more night to go!

The response for volunteers was amazing!  We doubled our number of volunteers, at least, and had mulitple characters in most positions!  That was simply overwhelming!  A special "thank you" to everyone who volunteered on Sunday night - you made a difference!

MLOC Monday Night Needs.  The weather is a-changin'!!  Being low on volunteers for tonight, perhaps more than any other night, we need more than enough so that each volunteer can be rotated out of the cold every 20 or 30 minutes!!  

I hope many who are available will jump in and help us on this final night!  We serve an evening meal from 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.  Just come on in, share a meal, and help us greet our community for these three hours.

Many hands make light work for everyone!  Hope to see you there!

I will send a final report later this week, along with our weekend service schedule!

Love you all,

Pastor Grate