Youth Connection Youth Minister:

Caleb and Ashley Gervin Caleb: [email protected] (c) 760-898-9776 Ashley: [email protected] (c) 760-625-6935

Youth Connection:

*Wednesday Night Bible Study *Sunday Morning Bible School *Children’s Church (during Sermon): Ages 9 and under

Upcoming Youth and Family: - December 23rd: Toy Drive Outreach (Toys & Gift Cards) - December 25th: Merry Christmas - December 30th: Family Feud/Cookoff (5pm-8pm) *Times and events are subject to change, so please check with Caleb or Ashley for more information.

College & Young Adult Connection Every Wednesday Evening: Bible Study (6:00-7:00)

- December 23rd: Toy Drive Outreach (Toys & Gift Cards) - December 25th: Merry Christmas - December 30th: Family Feud/Cookoff (5pm-8pm)

Outreach and Family Ministry This team offers home bible studies, hospital and home visits, shut-ins visits, baptisms, and any encouragement needs. This team also offers general maintenance duties - such as minor home/yard work and heavy lifting.

SPANISH MINISTER: Raye Kramar (c)(760) 580-1954 FAMILY MINISTER: John Rice (h)(760) 347-3928 Ministry Team Members: Jim Sultzer Rafael Rodriguez Garry Sage Marco Aparicio

Bob Tripp Nick Macias Henry McNulty

Paul’s Ponders "I'll be home for Christmas..." You remember the song. Written in 1943 by Kim Gannon in the midst of World War II. It is written from the perspective of a soldier on the battlefield. It became one of the best loved songs because it touched the hearts of soldiers and civilians alike. Bing Crosby's rendition is a classic. The reason the song touches us is because it is about being home. It includes requests for snow, mistletoe and presents because it is a part of the familiarity of home. The song refers to home as being "where the lovelight gleams". This is a melancholy song that will bring tears if pondered long enough. Home, especially at Christmas time is very special. To be with family is the best gift. When some of the family are not able to be with us, there is a very big hole. Presents sent and received from those away are helpful, but nothing beats a Christmas hug from family. I doubt that Jesus was born on December 25, however his presence is evident in the love shared by many. The power of love within the family is able to overcome many obstacles. We all crave the love or our family. The church is to be a haven of love like a family. There is nothing like our being together. Come share the love with us each week. 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. I John 4:7

Just Pondering

Aveces Pienso Isaias 40:26 Ayer por la noche me quede mirando al cielo, tantas estrellas me hicieron pensar en esas lucesitas blancas que adornan el pino en una noche de navidad, como si fuera un pino gigantesco adornado y decorado por DIOS para deleite de todos nosotros sus hijos que pocas veces miramos al cielo. Salmo147:4 EL DETERMINA EL NÚMERO DE LAS ESTRELLAS Y A TODAS ELLAS LES PONE NOMBRE. Y cada una con su propio brillo. 26 "ALCEN LOS OJOS Y MIREN AL CIELO: QUIEN A CREADO TODO ESTO? EL QUE ORDENA LA MULTITUD DE ESTRELLAS UNA POR UNA, Y LLAMA A CADA UNA POR SU NOMBRE. ES TAN GRANDE SU PODER, Y TAN PODEROSA SU FUERZA, QUE NO FALTA NINGUNA DE ELLAS." Los cielos cuentan la Gloria de DIOS, el firmamento proclama la obra de sus manos. Un dia comparte al otro la noticia, una noche a la otra se lo hace saber. Sin palabras, sin lenguaje. Sin una voz perceptible, por toda la tierra resuena su eco, sus palabras llegan hasta los confines del mundo! DIOS a plantado en los cielos tambien un pabellon para el sol. Y este, como novio que sale de la camara nupcial, se aparta, cual atleta, a recorrer el camino. Sale de un extremo de los cielos y, en su recorrido, llega al otro extremo, sin que nada se libre de su calor. Llega la noche y comienza un nuevo dia un nuevo afan una nueva esparanza. Que la luz de las estrellas se mire reflejada en tus ojos, que la luz del sol se manifieste en el mas ferviente de los abrazos y que la luna sea el reflejo de lo que mis ojos decean ver, Feliz navidad. Yo soy tu hermano Gilberto......

Other Announcements

On-Going Events SUNDAY MORNING: Bible Classes for all ages at 9:15a.m.. Donuts and coffee are provided in the kitchen before and after class. Worship Service at 10:15. Headsets for Spanish translation are provided during Worship Service. CHILDRENS BIBLE HOUR: Bible Hour for young children is located in the large classroom next to the kitchen. An announcement will be made to dismiss the children to the classroom. SUNDAY EVENING SMALL GROUP STUDY: Please see the insert for our “In the Word” Sunday Evening/Afternoon Bible Study locations. Group leaders are available for more information. SKY VALLEY WORSHIP & BIBLE STUDY: 4pm starts the combined Worship Service/In The Word Bible Study for the DHS/Sky Valley areas. LADIES’ TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY: Please join us for an uplifting study and fellowship with other women of faith every Tuesday morning from 10-11:30am. The current study is the book “Wild and Free”. MEN’S WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER: Wednesdays at 7:30a.m., the men meet at the church building for prayer and then go out for breakfast. WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASSES: Wednesday Bible Class at 6:00p.m. SUNDAY SERMONS: Sunday Sermons can be accessed on YouTube under “Nick Macias” account.

Sermon Notes

Causes and Community Events

December 23, 2018

Palm Desert Church of Christ

Loving God...Loving People...Changing the World ~~~~

Iglesia de Cristo Palm Desert

Amar a Dios ... Amar a la gente ... Cambiar el mundo

Last Week Attendance: 123 Contribution: $3,906

Kids for Kids: $103

December Birthdays Joe Buxton Katrina Taroy Nick Macias Patty Thorp Eva Luna Bob Packer Batsebia Aparicio Evan Brennan Maria Palma Doug Brannon Manases Irizarry Sheila Weinberg Miranda McKay Rosa Carmona

12/5 12/9 12/12 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/18 12/20 12/20 12/23 12/26

Len Stuessel Shelby Moreno Randy Wealand Steve Cardinal Cash Gervin

12/27 12/29 12/30 12/30 12/31

December Anniversaries Sean & Brittany McGuire John & Susan Rice Bob & MaryJo Biggers Jack & Helene Brohamer Jesus & Josefina Escareno Rozelle & Renee Poignard

12/1 12/14 12/15 12/22 12/22 12/29

Gatherings:

Sunday: Bible Study: 9:15am ~ Worship Service: 10:15am Wednesday: Bible Study: 6:00pm *********************

*DIRECTORY CHANGES* Please be sure to let the office know if you have any contact information changes or additions.

78-135 Avenue 42 * Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 14151 * Palm Desert, CA 92255 Phone 760.360.6595, Fax 760.360.6595 (please call first) Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.pdcoc.com Office Hours: M-F 9am-2pm