Dear Church Family,
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! It’s true. The birth of Jesus is so very special to us. It is what set into motion the plan of God from way back that Jesus would come and die for the sins of the world. We have lots of things happening in the life of our church that is all for the purpose of enhancing the Christmas season. Let’s keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He means to us, and let’s get the message of Jesus to those around us that do not know Christ.
We are studying A Prophetic Christmas this December. This is our Advent series. The word Advent means coming. We are preparing for the coming of the Lord in Bethlehem. This past week we talked about Christmas At the Fall. Next we will study Christmas at the Birth of a Nation. Then we will study Christmas from a Prophet. On December 21, Christmas Fulfilled and on December 28th, Christmas All Over Again. What an exciting series as we open God’s Word together.
Chris Abner and his wife, Rebecca, and their family have served the Lord with the International Mission Board for two decades. They have spent most of their time in Southeast Asia. They have spent 2 decades on the other side of the world, taking the gospel to unreached people. Chris will be speaking this coming Sunday, December 7. We’re so excited to have he and his wife Rebecca here with us.
Our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $25,000. 100 percent of these funds go to support our SBC Missionaries around the world.
The Smoky Mountain Christmas concert is scheduled for December 14 at 6:00 PM. This is one of the highlights of our Christmas every year. Please make your plans and bring your friends for this special occasion. What a blessing the Privette family is to our community and our church. We’re so thankful for them.
Mark your calendars for our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. We will take the Lord’s Supper on this night. We meet at 5:00 PM. I can think of no better way to enter into Christmas Day than celebrating at this special Christmas Eve service on the 24th.
Our Children’s Ministry has some special times of celebration for our kids. The Awana Ministry is celebrating with their Christmas party on the 10th during their regular Awana time. On Sunday morning, December 21, all the children’s classes will have Christmas parties for Jesus in their Life Groups. You don’t want your kids to miss these special times.
North Central Connect is this coming Sunday, December 7 at 9:15 and the Fellowship Hall. What a blessing to have so many new members in the life of our church. If you get this lifeline in time and want to come, please e-mail us at info@gatorchurch.com to reserve your spot.
We’re taking a break for three Wednesday nights during the Christmas season. There will be no activities at the church on Wednesday night the 17th, the 24th and the 31st. We start back on January 7 with Wednesday night activities.
Your Stewardship Team has worked hard on the 2026 Budget. Those are available at the back of the church for you to review. We have a Special Called Business Meeting on Sunday, December 14 to vote on this budget.
Attention, all college students! Life Impact will be the best it’s ever been this coming January 6-9 at beautiful Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. Paul Worcester and his brother David will be the main speakers for this event. You don’t want to miss it.
The 90th anniversary celebration was very special. What a treasure it was to gather with over 700 of our current and former members, to celebrate the impact of our fellowship and the multiple decades of ministry to Gainesville and the world. We pray that God would allow us to continue to stand on the shoulders of those that have gone before us and to make an even greater impact in the decades ahead.
As we approach the end of 2025, we appreciate the faithful giving of all of our folks. End of the year giving needs to be in prior to the 31st of December. Please do so online or have it postmarked or bring it in by the 31st to have it as a part of your 2025 giving. Thank you so much for your faithfulness.
What a joy it is to be your Pastor. I’m so thankful and proud of our church staff. Each and every one works very hard on behalf of our church and the ministry of the Lord Jesus through this fellowship. It is such an honor and blessing to be a part of this team. Kelly and I and our family want to wish you a Jesus centered and wonderful Christmas!
May God bless this precious fellowship of believers.
Sincerely,
Pastor Calvin