Summit News!
A WORD FROM BRO. JOE,
Hey, Summit Family,
One of my favorite Christmas Carols is “Joy To The World!” Joy banishes fear. Luke 2:10 says, “Then the Angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
The announcement of the birth of Jesus to the Bethlehem shepherds is a small picture of how life often works. The shepherds were involved in life as usual: tending their sheep in the fields. Suddenly, something unexpected happened and their first response was fear: The first thing the angel of The Lord said to them was, “Do not be afraid.” They must have been cowering, covering their faces, at the sight of the glorious angel from heaven (Luke 2:10). Then their fear was replaced by joy based on God’s words. Instead of fear, the angel offered the shepherds “Good tidings of great joy” about the birth of “a Savior, who is Christ The Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Isn’t that the way life happens to us? Things are normal until something unexpected happens and our response is fear. But the joy that replaced the shepherd’s fear can do the same for us. Christmas is the time to remember that fear is banished by joyful faith in “a Savior, Who is Christ The Lord.”
Don’t let an unexpected event create fear in your heart. Stay focused on Jesus whose birth you are celebrating. Let “tidings of great joy” fill your heart with faith.
Whatever the circumstances and situations you encounter in life, don’t let the evil one steal your joy! Remember, “Joy Banishes Fear“. God is in control and is faithfully keeping His promise to “work all things together for our God!”
This past Sunday I began a new series of sermons entitled “A Surprise Christmas”. Join us each week, and bring someone with you on Sunday mornings at 10:00 for anointed praise, worship, fellowship, The Lord’s Supper, prayer, and the study of God’s Word! I’ll be looking for you! Love always, Bro. Joe
P. S. During December we will be receiving our annual “King’s Birthday Offering”. Instead of passing the offering tubs each Sunday morning we will encourage everyone to bring their tithes and gifts to the front of the worship center, and place them in the “gorgeous manger” which is part of our beautiful Christmas decorations. Most everyone prepares a “Christmas Gift List” in December. Have you? And, if so, is Jesus, whose birthday we are celebrating, at the top of that list? The “King’s Birthday Offering” is also a great opportunity to “catch up”, by doing some year-end giving to your church! I’m praying each one of you have a blessed “Christ-Centered Christmas”!!
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Here’s what’s going on at the Summit.
Gift Shop will be closing! 50% off thru Dec 8th. Cash or check only please.
Men2Men: December 14, 8:30 AM. Join us for steak and eggs and a Christmas Memories message.
Family Game Night and Ladies Bible Study: Will resume after the first of the New Year.
KIDS CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE. For the month of December, Summit Kids are collecting canned and dried food. Please bring your donation back to the Kids Dept.
KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY! PJ’S and Pancakes THIS Friday, Dec 6th, 5:30-8:30 pm, KDG-5th grade only. Invite your grand-kids to come to this free festive night! Sign-up sheets available at Kids Check in Desk. For more info talk to Deb Henry or Jessica Dixon.
Christmas Eve Kids Program Rehearsals: Will be every Sunday (during Kids Church) and Wednesday (6:15-7:30 pm) until Dec 22nd. For additional information and “kids sign up” please go to the Kids Check In Counter.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE, KIDS AND COOKIES: December 24th, 5:00 PM. Pastor John Henry preaching “Joy to the World”, with refreshments afterwards. Please bring your favorite cookies, in a disposable container, for our fellowship time after service. We’ll provide coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccinos, and other beverages. NOTE: Both of our Pastor’s like chocolate chip cookies but Pastor Joe likes them with pecans.
Christmas Card MAILBOX. Save postage and drop off your Christmas Cards for your church family. Mailbox located at the back of the sanctuary.
Through the month of December, End of Year (EOY) giving will be during the King’s Birthday Offering. This is an opportunity to tithe your EOY giving by dropping it off in the manger at the front of the Worship Center. Offering baskets will not be passed.
If you would like your contribution statements “emailed“, please see Phyllis Crouse at the Credit Card table, back of the Worship Center.
EOY giving must be received by Midnight, December 31, 2019. Checks must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31, 2019, to receive credit for 2019 giving. Online/Credit Card giving must be submitted “prior to” midnight, December 31, 2019.
End of Year Giving and Tax Planning:
Direct IRA Gift: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). Individuals 70 1/2 years of age or older can make QCDs, which are transfers from their IRAs directly to a qualified charity. QCDs (limited to $100K per individual per year) are NOT included in the individual’s income or allowed as a charitable deduction. QCDs count toward the individual’s required minimum distribution. Stock Gift: Capital Gain Property (stocks held more than 1 year and market quotation is readily available). Donate the property and deduct the Fair Market Value (FMV). The property appreciation is not reported as income. A charitable donation is allowed for the FMV if you itemize your tax return. Report the transaction on IRS Form 8283 as an attachment to Schedule A and Form 1040. If you have any questions please call Gary Hamilton, CPA, 316-644-1585.
Divorce Care Group. Coming on Wednesday nights, help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce; you don’t have to go through it alone. For more information visit www.divorcecare.org. If you would like to be a partner on this leadership ministry team please contact the church, 316-676-3004.
Don’t miss this great opportunity for Bible Study at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning:
Classes for Nursery, Kids, and Students
Classes for Adults:
– Rm 103, David McMullin: “1, 2 and 3 John”
– Rm 105, Gary Crouse: “When God Speaks”
– Rm 106, Joan Hearne: “Promises of Proverbs”
– Rm 107, Keith Martin: “Book of John”
UPCOMING SERMON SERIES:
December: Pastor Joe Wright, “A Christmas Surprise!”
January: Pastor Joe Wright, “The Whys and Wonders of Worship”
February: Pastor Joe Wright, “The God Questions”
APPLYING THE BIBLE 2019: Dec 4, 3:1-21; 5, Col. 2:1-15; 6, 3:1-17; 7, 1 Thess. 1:1-10; 8, 4:1-18; 9, 2 Thess. 1:1-12; 10, 3:1-18; 11, 1 Tim. 4:1-16; 12, 6:3-21; 13, 2 Tim. 1:1-18; 14, 3:1-17; 15, Titus 3:1-11; 16, Heb. 10:19-39; 17, 11:1-40; 18, 12:1-13; 19, James 1:2-27; 20, 2:1-13; 21, 3:1-12; 22, 1 Peter 2:1-25; 23, 3:1-22; 24, 2 Peter 1:2-21; 25, 1 John 1:1-10; 26, 3:1-24; 27, 5:1-21; 28, Jude 1:17-25; 29, Rev. 1:1-20; 30, 21:1-27; 31, 22:1-21
R E W A R D S: Want to donate your Dillon’s rewards to Summit Church? For more info go to: www.dillons.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow, search Summit Church (QV127). For help call 620-669-3252 or email dcr@dillonstores.com
See You Sunday for another great Lord’s Day @ Summit
