Elevation North has News for YOU!

HE’S AS CLOSE AS THE MENTION OF HIS NAME! Who is? None other than JESUS! (And by the way, that phrase is also the title of a song – a beautiful song!) If you’re like us this Christmas Season, then you are so-o-o glad that Jesus is THAT close! Perhaps in these 16 days leading up to Christmas Day, you have so much to do yet that you’re not sure just where to turn! Well, He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Maybe you’ve had extra expenses, even unexpected ones – and there are more gifts to buy than money to pay for them with, and you don’t know who you can even share that with! Well, He’s as close as the mention of His Name! It’s possible that you are one of those who is facing surgery yet this month, and anxieties are causing you to wonder and question – is there someone you can bare your soul to? Well, He’s as close as the mention of His Name! It could be that someone in your family is holding you at a distance, and things aren’t like they used to be – and you’d love to tell someone how your heart is breaking! Well, He’s as close as the mention of His Name! For some parents, it’s a daily battle with children and teens who are not interested in listening or building a relationship with you – and you wonder if you’ll ever survive those difficult days, much less years! He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Maybe it’s you, the child or the teenager, and you don’t feel like anyone understands you or all that you face each day – and you keep on searching for answers. We just want you to know that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! It could be that not only your nights, but your days have turned into darkness and despair, and it feels like hope has disappeared. Don’t ever forget that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! With winter beginning to set in, some of our “seniors” may not venture out into the cold as often – and loneliness becomes a daily visitor when no one else shows up to brighten their days. Please remember that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Perhaps your loved ones have moved far away, and your heart aches to know that they are not as close as they used to be! May it be your consolation that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Or you may be the ones who have made the move and everything and everyone is new to you, and it all feels so different as you seek to get adjusted and to feel at home! The best transition ever comes by knowing that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! You may be one of those who has doctored for weeks and months, and still your body feels those daily aches and pains and you wonder how much longer you can stand the suffering. Listen closely and you’ll hear Him whisper, “I’m as close as the mention of My Name!” You could be on the road driving through state after state – excited at the prospect of welcoming home that husband and dad from the war in Afghanistan, but the weather is stormy and you need a Co-Pilot. He’ll be there with you, for He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Maybe someone you know is aching to have a child, and there have only been disappointments – no pregnancy. There will always be promise and hope as long as you hang on to the fact that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Perhaps you or someone you know has recently experienced the loss of a family member or someone very close, and the hurt and emptiness are so deep you can barely breathe without them. The Comforter and Peace-Giver wants to remind you that He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Some of you are facing struggles of another sort when people come against you and you wonder how it’s going to turn out – and the stress comes in like a flood! Run to Jesus and sit at His feet, for He’s as close as the mention of His Name! And probably every one of us can say that our hearts long to have EVERY ONE of our loved ones know Jesus personally, and we pray and pray and pray that they will say “yes” to Him! Always, and especially in this blessed Christmas Season, we can rest assured that for each of those we love, He’s as close as the mention of His Name! Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Thank You, Jesus!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- EACH SUNDAY, God is ever-present with us as we meet together – to love us, teach us, encourage us, comfort us, and to receive our worship and our gifts! Doesn’t that sound like a place you’d like to be? No two Sundays are alike, but each gathering is unique and precious!
- HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY to our grandson, Dylan, on December 15th! We love you lots!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13TH:
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – with the Christmas message being centered on “Christmas Touch: Love for Family Members”. Often we think about loving everyone else – and family gets what’s left over! Come and see what God’s Word has to say – especially as it relates to families during the Christmas Season! Lift your voices in joyful singing of the Christmas music that we get to enjoy only during this blessed time of year – and be a blessing to your church family as you show them your love!
- 11:15 A.M. – (We will not have availability to use the Town Hall for Sunday School this week).
- 12:30 P.M. – AFTERNOON CHRISTMAS CAROLING! We will meet at Traditions I at 12:30, then go to Traditions II, and on to Maple Trails to share some festive joy with those who spend much of their time alone! We will end up at the home of Pastor Doug and Debbie, where hot chocolate will be provided … be sure to bring along a dozen Christmas cookies or bars or goodies to share with everyone! Let’s be a BLESSING!
- JESUS’ BIRTHDAY GIFT! We have been made aware of a very needy family in the area who does not have a water heater, or a washer, and their flooring has been ruined by a water leak. We will be partnering with Kohl’s and Lowe’s to help meet these needs. Whatever money gift you can share to honor Jesus for His Birthday ~ small or large ~ will be life-changing for this family! And Jesus will LOVE His Birthday gift!
- YOUTH … we will keep you informed of a time to get together, working around everyone’s school and sports schedules this month!
- CHRISTMAS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH – with an all-church luncheon to follow the service. Check out the sign-up sheet to see what you’d like to bring!
- DECEMBER 24th, CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE at 7 P.M.

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- “Faithful in prayer” – that’s what Romans 12:12 says that we should be! “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” So let’s uplift all those that we have been praying for with special needs, be it physical or financial or unspoken and urgent. Remember James as he faces upcoming surgery this week; Liz & the girls as they go to see their dad & husband now home from Afghanistan; our students finishing up classes & finals; and Seykoras as they raise desperately needed funds for their Asian mission trip! Is God leading YOU to help? He will only ever ask us to do what He empowers and enables us to do! What a privilege to pray and give!!!

- THIS WEEK . . . Remember, “Some gifts are big, others are small. Gifts from the heart are the best gifts of all.” ~ Unknown


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie