‘Tis the Season

Hard to believe but 2018 will soon be complete.

With Christmas and New Year’s and school breaks and vacations and family gatherings and parties and internet gift hunting all demanding our attention, I find my spirit thirsting for a break from the fragmenting forces pulling in so many different directions. So, I return to why Jesus came to this world:
 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus came to this world to bring Good News.

Not just for me and my loved ones. But Good news for the poor! Good news for those who are held captive! Good news for those who are blind! Good news for those under the thumb of oppressors! Good news for anyone who is waiting and wanting the LORD to bless our world!

As a believer, I need reminders to focus on Jesus and his mission to bring Good News to the poor.

Fortunately, as a church, blessing the poor is our missional focus. Join me this month to center your life by fulfilling Jesus’ mission to bring Good News to the poor:
 

• Adult Care Kits: This Sunday, December 2 we will be preparing care kits for 2,000 men and women in desperate circumstances. These bags will help adults at FESCO family housing, East Oakland Community Project, Abode Services, Ruby’s Place, Downtown Streets Team, SAVE, CityTeam, Building Futures, Sharon’s Wings of Love, and more! We are partnering with The Goodie Bag Lady (Diane Jesus) to provide adults with basic hygiene items. We will worship the LORD, serve communion, and hear the Good Bag Lady herself. We will also be serving lunch. So come and invite your friends, family, and co-workers to join us.

• Christmas Gifts for Kids / Tree of Hope: In partnership with Compassion Network, we are providing 100 needy children with Christmas gifts. Pick up a tag and $25 in cash to purchase the gift. All gifts must be returned on Sunday, December 16. If you do not want the $25 or have any change leftover, you can drop it in the offering box.

• Serving Dinner at the Emergency Shelter: We will prepare and serve dinner for 40-60 people on the last Sunday of the year, December 30(4:00p-6:30p). We need a team of 10 people (11+ years old) to cook and serve at Sunrise Village in Fremont. 

Please let me know if you’ve got any questions. I’m excited about these opportunities that the LORD has provided for us to BASeL our community!

FYI: Our last worship service for 2018 will be Sunday, December 16. We will resume worship services on Sunday, January 13.