A thrill of hope

The last time you had a big problem you probably tried to do your best to come up with a solution and a plan to address the issue. That’s what I do. I just try to look at the situation and formulate a plan that will best solve the problem. 

That’s what Joseph did too. He decided he would just quietly break-off the engagement to Mary; not make a big issue of it, and try to move on with his life. It was the best he could come up with. 

But God had another plan in place and communicated it to Joseph in a dream. He said:

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:20-21)

God’s angel called Joseph by his name and also by his place in the plan. He was in the lineage of King David, through whom the Messiah would come. He told Joseph that the child would save his people from their sins. Wow! God’s plans can turn our problems upside down and make even the biggest problems into a solution of the most epic kind. 

I wonder what problem in your life and mine that God can use for his purpose if we just allow him to work in our lives like Joseph did. 

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." (Matthew 1:24)

Advent Blessings,

Pastor Rich 

Click the image above for this years Christmas Card list. If you would like to give Christmas Cards to your church family, you can drop them in the card holders hanging on the coat racks in the foyer. Pockets are separated by last name initials. There are also printed copies of this list in the foyer. Thanks!

NDI - To make Christlike Disciples in the Nations

See what the kids are up to!

• Check out the kids' wish list on Amazon by clicking the image above. Thank you for all the ways you help our kids!
• We are in need of kids volunteers for Sunday School and Children's Church. Can you spare a couple hours a month to serve on this team? See Kara Purves or John Harris for more info

See what the teens are up to!

Check it out! Our teens will be gift wrapping at church this year every Sunday from 1-4pm. The gift wrapping is free but they will be accepting donations to raise money to go to camp next summer.

You can sign up for an approximate arrival time using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C0F49AEA722ABFACF8

or let us know on our Facebook event here: https://fb.me/e/35c4JPAYT

If you would like to donate to help our kids go to camp, you can do so by marking your envelope "camp" or by choosing the camp fund here: https://glnaz.com/give

• Click the image above to view the teens Amazon wish list
• The teens are also in need of some helpers for Sunday School and Youth Group on Sunday nights. If you could spare a couple hours to help lead our teens, see John Harris or Stephanie Dewey

Life is better when we do it together - when we are able to come alongside and support and encourage each other.

Life Groups have begun! They meet at various locations/times/dates every other week.

Use the link below to sign up or see John Harris:

https://forms.gle/dv3J7uXrggfY5J6n9

This support group meets from 6:30 - 8:30pm in the side classroom off the sanctuary.

Here are the scheduled meeting dates:

Thursday, December 15

Tuesday, December 20

There is no cost to participate but you may purchase the work book for $15. If cost presents a problem for you, the church can help with that so you can attend this healing process.

See Richelle Martzke for more information on this group.

Would you like to take control of your money? See John or Darlene Harris for a one-on-one FPU class or sign up for a group class with others.

Be sure to 'like' our I Love My City - Grand Ledge Facebook page!

Click the image above to get there

We are excited for our new partnership with Shared Pregnancy Women's Center. There are many ways we can give, donate, volunteer and pray for this ministry.

See the list below of items they can use. You can bring them in and drop them in the toy box in the kids hallway.

If you wish to donate money, you can drop change or bills in the baby bottle outside the kids room or give online at https://faithlife.com/glnaz/give and choosing the "Shared Pregnancy Women's Center" Fund

If you have any questions, see Kara Purves

Thank you to everyone who donated items to Shared Pregnancy! Here is our latest drop-off of items to them!

Use the link below to order your very own GLCN, ILMC and STRIVE logo wear items!

https://forms.gle/tkFVDoZYqiXDpqSq5

Crisis Care Kits are a way we can help others in emergency situations. Receiving simple items like toothpaste, a comb, or band-aids become very helpful in a natural disaster, war or other crisis. Crisis Care Kits (CCKs) are designed to provide people with some of the essentials they may not have due to those scenarios.

Our NMI Council has set a goal for Grand Ledge to collect 12 boxes (72 CCK's) by July 2023. Each month or so, we will feature an item to collect. (Although you can always give any of the items at any time!)

See below for this month's featured item and the details on the specifics. Thank you for helping us work toward reaching our goal!

December - Fingernail Clippers

We will be collecting these at the Missions corner in the foyer. Here is an idea of how many we will need by July 2023:

1 per CCK

6 per box

72 for all 12 boxes