Christmas in Rhyme

Our Christmas program titled “Christmas in Rhyme†will be presented in both services this Sunday. When we hear "Christmas program" we tend to think of the children of the church. As much as we value these young ones, this drama presentation includes youth and adults as well.

After the Sunday service there will be a potluck dinner for everyone. The church is providing ham, rolls, beverages, and table service. You are asked to bring a side dish and dessert. Since we invite our guests in the service and the Mt. Edgecumbe students to stay, it is helpful when those of our "regulars" bring enough to not only feed themselves, but also enough to cover these additional participants.

When we have finished eating, we will stay in the same place and hold our annual business meeting for Grace Harbor. This will be the opportunity for us to reflect on God's faithfulness and the progress of His working in the lives of the Grace Harbor family this past year. Everyone is welcome to attend, and those who are church members will be given a written ballot to indicate their vote on the nominees for the offices of Elder and Deacon and whether to approve the proposed budget for 2015. God is providing for us in wonderful ways, and we will have the opportunity to strengthen our own ministry in Sitka and to partner with new missionaries serving in other parts of the world.

Finally, I am asking that you continue in prayer for a clear communication of the gospel in our services the following week and at our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. We have a great opportunity to speak God's words of hope and life into a world that seems to be moving into deeper darkness and despair. Pray for opportunities to invite your unsaved or unchurched friends to come with you, and then prepare to participate in God’s redemptive purpose central to the Christmas message.

May you bask in, and then share the extravagant love of the Father with others this Christmas season.

Pastor Paul A. McArthur

See information below:

1. December church schedule

2. Annual Business meeting - Nominations

3. Annual Business Meeting - Proposed 2015 Budget Total

4. Construction Finance Update

1. December Church Schedule

• Saturday - Dec. 13 – Christmas  Program Practice – Noon to 2 PM

• Dec. 13-14 - Advent #3 – “Christmas in Rhyme†– Christmas Program

• Sunday, Dec.   14 - “Christmas Holiday Potluck Dinnerâ€

• Annual Business Meeting after Dinner

• Dec. 20-21- Advent #4 – Christmas Message

• Dec. 24 - Advent #5 - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – 5 PM

• Jan. 1 - 24 Hours of Prayer

2. Grace Harbor Annual Business Meeting – December 14, 2014 - Nominations

The Annual Business Meeting of the church will be held Sunday, Dec. 14. There will be a written ballot for you to vote on the nominating committee’s recommendations of Elders and Deacons and the church’s operating budget for 2015.

Nominees for Elder & Deacon (3 year Terms)

Elder -There are no new nominees for the office of Elder

Deacon

Jere Christner ______________ Term that ends 12/31/17

Richard Parmelee ____________ Term that ends 12/31/17

Robert Chadwick ____________ Term that ends 12/31/17

Max Russell ________________ Term that ends 12/31/17

Nominating Committee - Jack Davis, Eric Holmgren (Elders), Mark Bartlett, Jackie DiGennaro, Yvonne Christner

3. Annual Business Meeting - Adjusted Proposed 2015 Budget Total

Proposed General Fund Annual Budget

· 2015 - $373,680

· 2014 - $339,320 - Current year's budget

The detailed proposed budget is posted on the bulletin board at the church. Feel free to ask questions, which we hope that we can answer.

Finance Committee - Jere Christner, Tim Anderson, Celeste Tydingco, Bill McNally, Duke Dunsing

4. Construction Finance Update

God has provided the funds and the workers to bring us to the present place. We will be providing a more detailed report at the business meeting Sunday detailing expenditures to date with estimated costs to bring the project to completion. We are looking to God to provide for this need through you. May God bless each of you who has given generously to this point. We have met the needed contribution s for the $20,000 matching donation.

Praying for Church Planters

· Dakota & Melanie Bartlum - Anchorage

· Mike & Debbie Rydman - Juneau

· Brian & Elisa Hope - Walla Walla

Grace Harbor

1904 Halibut Point Road

Sitka, Alaska  99835-9605

Office Phone   907-747-5706

Office Fax       907-747-8572

http://graceharborsitka.com