DECEMBER 2016
640 Grosvenor St. London Ont N5Y 3T4 (519)858-4123 churchalcc1@gmail.com #abundantlife_london Twitter: @LifeALCC
www.alccnet.com
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
The Meaning of Christmas…. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14 With the most popular holiday of the year, just around the corner, it seems like everyone is trying to get into the Christmas spirit. Stores are starting to line their aisles with Christmas goodies and decor, TV shows have switched to the theme of giving and love, and people are starting to float about. And why shouldn't they, after all it is that time, the meaning of the season, right? Yet, the very first Christmas seemed to do without all of these. The very first Christmas somehow started a frenzy without the power of TV, without Candy Canes, without eggnog, and without Christmas sales. Even more amazingly, the very first Christmas involved a poor couple, nobodies, who would lay the most precious child of all in a manger. This month, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas... Peace on Earth, Good will toward Men, for the Savior has come to show us how to love, and to give us the greatest gift of love. Instead of buying fancy toys, think of how you can give to those who would normally go without. Ask yourself how you can help out others who are not as fortunate as you. Show them the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God's love, and love others as God first loved you. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas! PB and Kathy
Expecting a child has been nerve-racking. Lots of unknowns, lots of responsibilities, lots of preparation, lots of filtering through advice, lots of this or that. And on top of all of that, you are naming this child. Their given name is the name that they will be introduced into the world with. A name that they will most likely be known as. I was named after my dad who was named after his; who was named after his. My birthday landed on my dad’s birthday so my parents decided that it was meant to be. I’ve been told that I am an Alberto Antonio Mejia aka Tony. Alberto means brilliant, bright or noble. I didn’t make that up and I’m thinking the same thing as you: that definitely suits me. (It’s a joke; laugh a little). Antonio means beyond praise or worthy of praise. So my parents didn’t do so bad. Names identifies and differentiates the person. A name with meaning. A name with favour and chosen with a sense of, “yes, the child will be called . . . I love it.” Jesus came as a babe and He was given His name in Matthew 1:21. Before that moment, the people of God were expecting Him and this is what was said, Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) “6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This Christmas season, we will be discovering Jesus’ given names and their meanings. We hope you'll gain a new and relevant perspective on the Saviour who was born in a manger over two thousand years ago. Nervously excited, Tony Mejia
We are glad you are here, and we trust that feel at HOME. It is our hope and prayer that you
will join in as we share our lives, struggles and celebrations of faith together.
We believe life is about discovering our faith and purpose, and using this discovery to live out His plan for us with passion. We call ALCC our HOME. We are intentional about relationships with God and each other to bring this message of HOPE to our community. Good Morning Café When we wake up in the morning, we all have our rituals, traditions and “must do’s” before we head out the door. That’s why we offer our to you at 10 am.
Good Morning Café
You will be greeted by a warm and friendly smile from one of our weekly hostesses and you can choose a beverage of coffee (hazelnut or regular), tea (regular or seasonal favourite), juice and not to mention a homemade snack from our dedicated Café Team. So come a little early to enjoy this time of relaxing and the opportunity to get to know your fellow Lifers!
People matter to God
Sundays 10:30-noon
On this voyage through outer space, we’ll learn our true identities as we discover exactly who God says we are.
"We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do." Eph. 2:10 discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Paradise Kids Team Welcome Care Givers! Feel free to sign your child in at any time during the service. Some care givers would like their child to stay with them for the music or until they (the child that is) gets restless. Once you have signed them in, you can pick them up at the end of the service by signing them out again.
Please Join us for our
Sunday December 18 10:30 am Kids program/Christmas treats/Christmas Carrols People matter to God
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Celebrate blessings of
2016 And the possibilities and adventure of
2017 Music/testimonies/fellowship Bring a hot dish/dessert/fun food People matter to God
Sunday Funday The PLAYROOM had a fun time dressing up and having a party! Games, a story, fun and candy...candy...candy!
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Pastor Appreciation Day Thank you everyone who participated in our P.A.D:) Both Bill and Tony were surprised and felt appreciated.
Welcome Members Becoming a member at ALCC doesn’t warrant special privledges, a place in “heaven” or social status. It is a commitment to and the affirmation of the vision and purpose of ALCC. Welcome Gayle Palmer, and welcome back William & Jenny Peacock. It’s always a pleasure to celebrate the NEXT STEP with our ALCC family!
Welcome Team Carol and Bella are part of our Welcome Team. Along with the other participants, they are settling into their new routine and new format. Thank you to all of you who come early and stay to the end. You are helpful to our guests and your warm welcome to everyone is greatly appreciated.
People matter to God
Blessing Bin Thank you everyone who participated in the BLESSING BIN for Brandon and Dustin. The food stuff, personal stuff, kitchen stuff and gift cards are greatly appreciated!
Ladies Bible Café Lunch It’s been really wonderful 10 weeks going through the BREAKING FREE dvd Bible study with Beth Moore. We have learned that being free is WORK! Freedom doesn't just fall on us and we don’t just fall into it. Every choice is our opportunity to either choose freedom or bondage. With the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can have and enjoy a blessed life with God, enjoy healthy relationships, and pass a good example to our spouse, kids, friends, family and neighbours. Resumes in January 2017
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Bowling
We had a really fun time bowling with our ALCC Family! Strikes, spares, gutter balls, TURKEY’s. Thank you all. Next time ...10 pin!
People matter to God
We are all part of our Missions Trip Prayer/encouragement Knitting for the children participating in fund raisers Financial support discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Phil and Donna Williams
The Neely Family
Servant Heart Ministries
YWAM International
Dominican Republic
Bringing hope
Providing the comfort of a caring heart and warm feet
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE December 11 ALCC Leadership Christmas Party 6 pm December 18 AROUND THE MANGER ALCC Christmas Party/Kids Program 10:30 am December 24 Christmas Eve Service (6:30 Cookies/ 7 pm service) December 25 NO SERVICE—MERRY CHRISTMAS December 29 Celebrate Recovery Christmas Dinner 6 pm People matter to God
Doors open 5:30 pm Come early & join in the PRE-YOUTH activities
Student ministry 11– 18 years
finding connecting belonging
IGNITE equips teens with personal faith to take on our changing world. It is a space where they can be themselves without fear of judgment. Group activities, music and messages geared for teenagers to get them excited for a God filled life.
discovery| simplicity | empowerment
Since 2006 CR STEP 3 – FAITH “we made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. “ We demonstrate faith just by the fact that we are involved in recovery taking an honest look at ourselves. If we didn’t have faith in the promise of a better future for our self or our family, we wouldn’t put our self through the hard work and pain involved in recovery. But as time passes, we may grow discouraged at the length of the process. We may have our spirits dampened by the ups and downs along the road, feeling our faith ebb more often than flow. For most of us it will take faith and patience to inherit the promise of a new life. Sometimes the insanity of living with our own habits, hang-ups or hurts or with people who are acting in bizarre ways can cause us to become desperate for help. We may feel despair and wonder is there really a way out of the insanity of our current circumstances. Maybe our plight is impossible, at least without God’s help, but faith can make even the impossible happen. Faith is a mysterious commodity. According to Jesus it takes a small amount of faith, real faith, to make a big difference. Faith is so important! Some phases of our recovery are very painful and we will need faith in God’s love for us through other people to help us get through this pain. Recovery is a time of correction, a time of facing problems and character flaws and a time for changing incorrect beliefs. There may be seasons when we do have to pay for our past. God will use these times to redirect our life toward something better. This is where we need to have faith that God knows what he is doing when it comes to the “Big Picture” in our life.
To wrap this up, we are running a race. The Race of Recovery. Faith in God can give us the motivation to run the race, with a real chance at winning life’s rewards. Hebrews12: 1b-2 says “And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.”( NLT ) It is God’s will for us to win the Race of Life. There will be pain from the exertion, but we are told to pace our self and bear the pain with patience. Hebrews 12;1a tells us that there is a huge crowd who have run the same race and finished well waiting to cheer us on. Hallelujah! We are not alone. If you are looking a safe place to make a change in your life, then join us
Thursday’s @ 7 pm. We believe healing comes in the sharing. Men/Women’s THE JOURNY BEGINS study Tuesday’s
People matter to God
Join us for a traditional Christmas Dinner Thursday Dec. 29 6pm
alccnet.com Abundant Life Community Church London, Ontario Abundant Life Church @LifeALCC abundantlife_london
Jan. 1: New Years Potluck Jan. 7: Identity Workshop Jan.8– Feb.12: Small Groups Resumes Jan 14: CR Leaders Meeting Jan 17: Ladies Bible Café Resumes Jan 26: CR PotLuck