with our worship
December 17, 2023
with Pastor Terrell
A Life Giving Church … Giving Life
Morning Worship at a glance
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928-772-7218 fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org www.firstsouthernpv.org
“One Day” “Angels from the Realms of Glory” “The First Nowell” “Emmanuel”
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
PEACE Welcome & Offertory Prayer “In Christ Alone” - Howard Traver “There is a Redeemer” “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265 PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713 PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God one heart at a time.
SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS O Little Town of Bethlehem: Learning to Be Used By God
Micah 5:2; 4-5 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” “The First Nowell”
Offerings and Connection Cards will be collected in the Offering Boxes located just inside the two main entrances into our Worship Center, as well as in the Office Hallway.
TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THROUGH YOUR EMAIL SIMPLY MARK THE FRONT OF YOUR CONNECTION CARD. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO RECEIVE CURRENT INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace.” ~ Isaiah 54:13 (NIV) ~ THE THANKSGIVING TEXT I know that Thanksgiving has come and gone for this year, but if you will indulge me, this is a story that is relevant to the lessons we will learn this Sunday morning as we look at the song: “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” An upcoming Netflix movie: The Thanksgiving Text — will recount the true tale that began in 2016, when Wanda Dench, living in Mesa, Arizona at the time, thought she was texting her grandson to check if he would be coming over for Turkey Day. Apparently, she didn’t know at the time that her grandson had changed his cell phone number. She actually texted Jamal Hinton, a high school senior, who accepted her invitation anyway — and has attended her feast every year since. In their initial exchange, Hinton received a text from an unknown number inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner. When he asked who it was, Dench responded, “Your grandma.” After she sent a selfie, Hinton replied, “Your not my grandma,” and jokingly added, “Can I still get a plate tho?” Dench texted back, “Of course you can. That’s what grandma’s do — Feed everyone.” And thus, a cherished Thanksgiving ritual was born. continued
In the years following their viral text messages, Hinton and Dench have regularly taken to social media to give updates about their friendship. It has become routine to share a selfie around Thanksgiving time to document their annual reunions, generating plenty of media coverage in the process. Given the online popularity of their heartening story, Netflix has decided to produce a movie of their story. Dench has since extended the invitation to Hinton’s girlfriend and his family to partake in the yearly festivities. After the pandemic hit, their reunion became poignant because Dench’s husband of 42 years, Lonnie Dench, who also participated in the Thanksgiving tradition, died in April 2020 from COVID-19 complications.
This year, their Thanksgiving meal was moved here to Prescott Valley, where Wanda Dench bought a new larger house — with plans to open a AirBnB to share hospitality to even more in the future. It’s a funny thing about hope, joy, peace, and love. When they reside in your heart through a relationship with Jesus — they keep wanting to get out to bless people around you. This week I pray that these grace gifts are spilling out of each us in vast amounts. I’m looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday for In-Person or Online Worship. This week I will continue my new Christmas sermon series: SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS.
with our activities.
Schedule for Sunday, December 17, 2023: Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202 The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201 Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206 Preschool Worship opens in KID CITY @ 10:15 AM Kidz4Christ “Happy Birthday, Jesus” Party in KID CITY begins @ 10:30 AM
Morning Worship In-Person & Online @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Schedule for the week, December 18 – December 23, 2023: Note: Last time for these to meet in December.
Tuesday @ 10:00 AM Men’s Bible Study Room #202 Wednesday @ 6:20 PM Choir Practice Room # 203 @ 6:30 PM Youth Group Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17TH @ 6 PM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL Bring your favorite Christmas Cookies to share!
P.S. Remember my Advent Challenge for you. To help all of us to move through the Christmas season this year — through all the busyness and noise — join me in an Advent Devotional Reading Challenge in YouVersion. I have chosen the 23-day devotion: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.
We began reading Sunday, December 3rd and will continue reading through Christmas Day. However, it’s not too late for you to begin. If you are already using YouVersion on your smartphone, tablet or computer — give me a friend request and I will send you the link. Not on YouVersion ? CRU, the writer of this devotion, will send you a daily pdf file to your email or a text message at no cost to you. However, I would encourage you to download the YouVersion app — it’s also free — but so worthwhile! Here’s the CRU link: https://cru.org/advent P.P.S. Be sure to sign up for one of our new Immerse Study Groups which will begin on January 7 th. Find more information in this edition of CONNECTIONS.
Kidz4Christ
Christmas Party starting at 10:30 AM in KID CITY
In this series of sermons, we are taking a closer look at some favorite Christmas songs — and the message they offer the world. In these familiar carols we are being reminded of the miracle of God’s presence in our lives — as proclaimed in the message of Advent Season. This Sunday will look at O Little Town of Bethlehem: Learning to Be Used by God. Pastor Terrell
12/17/23
During Christmas Eve Morning Worship Celebration Singers Present . . .
IMMERSE: Messiah in Jan/Feb 2024 Please use your connection card to sign up and also to choose a class. Your choices are: Sunday Mornings @ 9:00 AM or Tuesday mornings @ 10:00 AM
12/24/23 10:30 AM
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE Deacon of the Week: Bruce Puffer 928-499-5882
12/24/23 @ 5 PM NOTE: Time change
Keep on sharing the Good News of Jesus! Gospel Conversations Total : 46,961
In the years following their viral text messages, Hinton and Dench have regularly taken to social media to give updates about their friendship. It has become routine to share a selfie around Thanksgiving time to document their annual reunions, generating plenty of media coverage in the process. Given the online popularity of their heartening story, Netflix has decided to produce a movie of their story. Dench has since extended the invitation to Hinton’s girlfriend and his family to partake in the yearly festivities. After the pandemic hit, their reunion became poignant because Dench’s husband of 42 years, Lonnie Dench, who also participated in the Thanksgiving tradition, died in April 2020 from COVID-19 complications.
This year, their Thanksgiving meal was moved here to Prescott Valley, where Wanda Dench bought a new larger house — with plans to open a AirBnB to share hospitality to even more in the future. It’s a funny thing about hope, joy, peace, and love. When they reside in your heart through a relationship with Jesus — they keep wanting to get out to bless people around you. This week I pray that these grace gifts are spilling out of each us in vast amounts. I’m looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday for In-Person or Online Worship. This week I will continue my new Christmas sermon series: SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS.
with our activities.
Schedule for Sunday, December 17, 2023: Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202 The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201 Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206 Preschool Worship opens in KID CITY @ 10:15 AM Kidz4Christ “Happy Birthday, Jesus” Party in KID CITY begins @ 10:30 AM
Morning Worship In-Person & Online @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Schedule for the week, December 18 – December 23, 2023: Note: Last time for these to meet in December.
Tuesday @ 10:00 AM Men’s Bible Study Room #202 Wednesday @ 6:20 PM Choir Practice Room # 203 @ 6:30 PM Youth Group Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17TH @ 6 PM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL Bring your favorite Christmas Cookies to share!
P.S. Remember my Advent Challenge for you. To help all of us to move through the Christmas season this year — through all the busyness and noise — join me in an Advent Devotional Reading Challenge in YouVersion. I have chosen the 23-day devotion: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.
Kidz4Christ
Christmas Party starting at 10:30 AM in KID CITY
In this series of sermons, we are taking a closer look at some favorite Christmas songs — and the message they offer the world. In these familiar carols we are being reminded of the miracle of God’s presence in our lives — as proclaimed in the message of Advent Season. This Sunday will look at O Little Town of Bethlehem: Learning to Be Used by God. Pastor Terrell
12/17/23
During Christmas Eve Morning Worship Celebration Singers Present . . .
IMMERSE: Messiah in Jan/Feb 2024 Please use your connection card to sign up and also to choose a class. Your choices are: Sunday Mornings @ 9:00 AM or Tuesday mornings @ 10:00 AM
We began reading last Sunday and will continue reading through Christmas Day. However, it’s not too late for you to begin. If you are already using YouVersion on your smartphone, tablet or computer — give me a friend request and I will send you the link. Not on YouVersion ? CRU, the writer of this devotion, will send you a daily pdf file to your email or a text message at no cost to you. However, I would encourage you to download the YouVersion app — it’s also free — but so worthwhile!
12/24/23 10:30 AM
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE Deacon of the Week: Bruce Puffer 928-499-5882
Here’s the CRU link: https://cru.org/advent
12/24/23 @ 5 PM th
P.P.S. Be sure to sign up for one of our new Immerse Study Groups which will begin on January 7 . Find more information in this edition of CONNECTIONS.
NOTE: Time change
Keep on sharing the Good News of Jesus! Gospel Conversations Total : 46,961
with our worship
December 17, 2023
with Pastor Terrell
A Life Giving Church … Giving Life
Morning Worship at a glance
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928-772-7218 fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org www.firstsouthernpv.org
“One Day” “Angels from the Realms of Glory” “The First Nowell” “Emmanuel”
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
PEACE Welcome & Offertory Prayer “In Christ Alone” - Howard Traver “There is a Redeemer” “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265 PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713 PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God one heart at a time.
SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS O Little Town of Bethlehem: Learning to Be Used By God
Micah 5:2; 4-5 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” “The First Nowell”
Offerings and Connection Cards will be collected in the Offering Boxes located just inside the two main entrances into our Worship Center, as well as in the Office Hallway.
TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THROUGH YOUR EMAIL SIMPLY MARK THE FRONT OF YOUR CONNECTION CARD. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO RECEIVE CURRENT INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace.” ~ Isaiah 54:13 (NIV) ~ THE THANKSGIVING TEXT I know that Thanksgiving has come and gone for this year, but if you will indulge me, this is a story that is relevant to the lessons we will learn this Sunday morning as we look at the song: “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” An upcoming Netflix movie: The Thanksgiving Text — will recount the true tale that began in 2016, when Wanda Dench, living in Mesa, Arizona at the time, thought she was texting her grandson to check if he would be coming over for Turkey Day. Apparently, she didn’t know at the time that her grandson had changed his cell phone number. She actually texted Jamal Hinton, a high school senior, who accepted her invitation anyway — and has attended her feast every year since. In their initial exchange, Hinton received a text from an unknown number inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner. When he asked who it was, Dench responded, “Your grandma.” After she sent a selfie, Hinton replied, “Your not my grandma,” and jokingly added, “Can I still get a plate tho?” Dench texted back, “Of course you can. That’s what grandma’s do — Feed everyone.” And thus, a cherished Thanksgiving ritual was born. continued