1
WEARETHEBRIDGE.CHURCH
DECEMBER
2
2018
you each enjoy every minute of this month! While it is easy to get lost in
December 2 Christmas Shoe Box Outreach / 6:00PM
the Christmas rush, never forget that we each have an incredible freedom to decide where to invest our time. We sincerely hope that you, along with your
December 9 Bridge Kid’s Christmas Presentation “Back to the Manger” / 6:00PM
friends and family make the most of this
December 16
time of year! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Bridge Family! Once again we find ourselves right in the middle of “the most wonderful time of the year!” This holiday season, Linda and I hope that with all of it’s lights, trees, shopping, hot chocolate sipping, and everyday holiday hustle and bustle,
Family Christmas / 6:00PM I love being your Pastor,
December 23
Jim & Linda
One Sunday Morning Service / 10:00AM Below you will find a list of several services and events this month that you and your family won’t want to miss!
Experiences SUNDAYS
MIDWEEK
at 7:00PM
TRADITIONAL
TRADITIONAL 8:15AM
This experience offers a variety of hymns and messages from Kenneth McGee in the Chapel.
This experience offers a variety of hymns and sacred songs.
MODERN 9:30AM
MODERN
This experience has a more laid-back atmosphere & guitar-driven worship.
This experience has a more laid-back atmosphere & messages from Rob McClure in the Worship Center.
BLENDED 10:50AM This experience includes upbeat worship with a choir and orchestra.
EN ESPANOL
EN ESPANOL 10:30AM
This experience takes place in The Connection building and includes Spanish Worship and a message in Spanish from Pastor Kenny Garcia.
This experience takes place in The Connection building and includes Spanish Worship and a message in Spanish from Pastor Kenny Garcia. Children and Youth can take part in what is happening on our main campus.
AFTER-HOURS CONTACT INFORMATION In case of emergency please contact our church office at 405.376.4538 and our answering service will contact us accordingly.
1. Need information?
2. Stop by Starting Point
3. Join a small group. In
4. Our students’ and
You can find it all in this
after the service. You will
a large church, the key to
kids’ experiences are
magazine, on our website, or
find someone to answer any
making friends and having
outstanding. Make sure
through our mobile app.
questions you may have
community is joining a small
your kids don’t miss out on
about our church.
group.
the amazing things we have going on just for them.
3
WEARETHEBRIDGE.CHURCH
4 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Christmas Story I think most of us can agree that Christmas time is the best
facts about the Christmas story to make your appreciation
time of the year. Peppermint everything, snowflakes galore,
that God came to Earth that much sweeter:
radio stations filled with the cheeriest of tunes, an endless
JESUS WAS PROBABLY BORN IN THE SPRING, NOT THE WINTER.
supply of ugly Christmas sweater. Really, the month of December is the red Starburst of months. But it’s always important to stop and reflect on the
Once the good ol’ winter months starting approaching, the
real reason for the season. As a first year seminary student
pagans in Greco-Roman times feared that the days were
and an avid lover of all things Christmas, I’ve had the
getting shorter because the sun god was mad at them. In
pleasure of learning a number of things about the birth of
order to appease this infamous sun god, they would have
Jesus that I found too beautiful not to share.
these giant R-rated feasts and festivals.
The following fascinating information is based off the
Thus, according to Keener, “Christians may have later adopted
writings of world-renown biblical scholar Craig Keener, whose
December 25 as a time to celebrate Christmas in part to [fight
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament has
against this] pagan Roman festival scheduled shortly before
sold more than half a million copies.
that time.”
So as you are snuggling up by the fire in your Christmas
Always better to worship the Son of God than the sun god,
footie pajamas and stirring your homemade hot chocolate
right? To put it in easy-to-grasp terms, you wouldn’t be
with a sweet smelling peppermint stick, here are some fun
throwing back peppermint mocha lattes and prancing around
DECEMBER
4
2018
like reindeer in the snow during the true season of Christ’s
that will lead them to “the King of the Jews” he orders all the
birth. Thus you have the pagans to thank for all your winter-
boys under the age of 2 in Bethlehem to be murdered. He
filled, Christmas fun.
feared the star would lead the wise men to the future king, who would overtake his throne.
NAZARETH WAS A PODUNK TOWN
In choosing to use a star to direct the wise men to Jesus, God When God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary she would
was already hinting that even these pagan astrologers would
conceive a child through the Holy Spirit in Luke 1, He sent
be blessed by the birth of His Son. It’s a pretty cool start to
him to the insignificant town of Nazareth. According to
the epic Christmas story.
Keener, Nazareth during this time period was no bigger than
SHEPHERDS WERE DESPISED
a dot on a map, with an estimated population of anywhere from 500 to 2,000 residents.
The Shepherds who were present at the birth of Jesus would have been looked down upon by their “holier” neighbors.
So not only did God choose a young teenage girl from humble
Keener says this part of the Christmas story, “would have
upbringings to carry the Savior of the world, but He chose a
challenged the values of many religious people who despised
girl from Nazareth, nonetheless. This is why in John 1, when
shepherds, [whose] work kept them from participating in the
a guy named Nathanael heard that the long-awaited Messiah
religious activities of their communities.”
was, in fact, “Jesus from Nazareth” he responded: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
If anybody expected to be invited to the birthday party of the long-awaited Messiah, it was the overly religious people,
To put it in today’s terms, this means that God passed over
not the lowly shepherds who were too busy literally counting
the New York City and Chicago of their day, and instead
sheep. Once again, we see God completing flipping the social
chose to kick-start His great plan of salvation in the kind of
order on its head and hinting to the Jews that Jesus would be
town you’d only stop in when you are running out of gas on
a blessing for all of mankind, not just the religiously superior.
the way home from vacation. People in antiquity were more shocked in God’s choosing of Jesus’ hometown than Walter
While in its simplest version, the Christmas story is nothing
Hobbs finding out he had a son who was an adult elf from the North Pole.
short of spectacular, learning the details surrounding
When it comes to our all-knowing and all-powerful God, He
humanity that much more.
the birth of Christ has made me appreciate God’s love for
never stops using the element of surprise.
Not only did God humble Himself by sending His Son to
THE WISE MEN WERE ACTUALLY PAGAN ASTROLOGERS
earth, but He included the lowly, despised and looked down-
Back in the time of Jesus’ birth, there was a strong belief in
clear that everyone would be offered salvation through His
upon to be a part of the special day that would forever change history. From the very beginning, God was making it Son.
the power of astrology. Pagan astrologers, who went around interpreting the signs of the stars, were very well-respected and frequently sought out in the Greco-Roman world.
So as you go about tying fluffy red bows on neatly wrapped
Although they would have seen themselves as religiously
recorded every holiday movie known to man, relish and rest
packages and compulsively checking to make sure you in the fact that the most beautiful story ever told is so much
superior to pagan astrologers, even the Jews, God’s chosen
more beautiful than we ever thought possible.
people, jumped on the “astrology can predict the future” bandwagon. Kenner says, “many rulers feared astrological signs of their demise,” which they believed were directly linked to their political downfall. This is why in the Bible, when Herod the Great hears the wise men talking about a star they will follow
5
WEARETHEBRIDGE.CHURCH
Groups
SUNDAYS AT 10:50AM
RM 205
The goal of joining a group is growing in your walk with Jesus and surrounding yourself with people that can support you in taking your next steps. We believe life is better when you live in community. SUNDAYS AT 9:30AM
RM 201 KENNY MCGEE | 30s-50s How does God’s timeless word apply to us in real life? Let’s figure it out together! In this small group, find the support, friendships, encouragement, and biblical answers that you need to face all that life may bring your way.
RM 203
RM 105 KATHLEEN WILCOXSON | 30s-60s When you study scripture, you discover that the Word of God truly is living and active! So don’t miss this opportunity to join others in an indepth study of the Bible that will not only lead to great biblical discussions but will also educate and challenge you to pursue a deeper knowledge of Christ.
DOUG WYATT | YOUNG ADULTS There is no greater transition in life than the one that leads into adulthood. Join this discussion-based small group as we explore how to establish a biblical foundation to help you navigate that transition.
RM 104 KERRY & ROBBIE SHUCK | YOUNG MARRIEDS Starting off a new life together can be an amazing adventure! Join other young couples in this small group as we discover how to set our marriages and future families up for happiness, just as God designed.
RM 201 ERNIE EIDSON | YOUNG FAMILIES Finding balance in our marriages, families, and careers can be tough. Don’t do it alone! Come laugh, fellowship, and learn with us as we explore how God wants us to lead our marriages and families.
ROY PECK | 30s-50s Life can be unpredictable, but life can also be a blast! While the answers may not all be clear, we can definitely make sure you don’t have to go at it alone. Join us as we discuss how to navigate life as God intended, apply his Word every day, and make the most of every minute we have!
RM 100 KENNETH MCGEE | 50s & UP Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will be our counselor and our guide until He comes again. With that in mind, join this small group as we explore the Bible and discover what it means for us today and how we can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us each day.
RM 105
RM 104
CHAPEL
BROOKE CARRUTH | WOMEN’S GROUP We say it all the time, “Connected people do life together.” Ladies, come join this small group designed just for you, and together we will discover how God fits into our busy lives.
ARNOLD & PHILLIPS | 40s-60s Belonging to a community of believers who care is vital to our spiritual lives. Join this discussion-based small group that encourages, challenges, and shows each other how to implement our faith in God in practical ways.
KEN ISOM | 50s & UP We believe that our Senior Adults are a vital part of our church! This small group provides an opportunity for our “Prime-Timers” (Senior Adults) to fellowship, worship with one another, and engage in biblical discussion.
RM 202
Starting September 9 Griefshare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. RM205
ED DAMRON | 40s-60s Faith moves mountains! We need to trust and believe that God is who He says He is and He can do what the Bible says He can do! Join us as we explore scripture and discover how to grow in Christ and learn to handle real-life issues with prayer and deeprooted faith in God.
DECEMBER
GRIEFSHARE
6
ROB MCCLURE | ALL AGES We believe that scripture is incredibly relevant for our daily lives! Join with people of all ages and life stages to explore scripture verse by verse and discuss how to practically apply them to our lives.
RM100
RM204 BRIDGE STUDENTS Get connected in a weekly small group! This time is designed to help your students grow in spiritual disciplines.
2018
TUESDAYS AT 9:30AM MOMS CLASS Starting back up January 8 Come hang out and grow with other moms while we watch the little ones. You know...a vacation! RM100
LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY Starting back up January 8 We are kicking off a brand new video-assisted series called “Beloved Disciple” by Beth Moore. RM104
PRIME TIMERS Starting back up January 8 This is an opportunity for all of our senior adults to get out, have fun, learn, and fellowship with other seniors. RM105
THIRD SUNDAY AT 6:00PM DOUG WYATT | YOUNG ADULTS (405) 204-4569 / doug@thebridgeag.org
WRILEY & DAWN WEBSTER | NEWLYWEDS (405) 414-4119 / wriley@wearethebridge.church
WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00PM NAMI SUPPORT GROUP Every 1st & 3rd Week Are you the family, partner, or caregiver of an individual living with mental illness? Come find support and friendship with others in the same situation. We will discuss critical information and strategies related to caregiving. RM200
LIVING FREE ADDICTION RECOVERY Come and let us help you on the road to overcoming addictions and breaking free from life-controlling issues. The End Zone.
JOSH & HOLLY JACKSON | 20s-40s (W/ KIDS) (405) 830-5878 / jjack540@cox.net
LUKE & ANDREA PURKEY | 20s-40s (W/ KIDS) (405) 317-4560 / andrea.purkey@gmail.com
ANNETTE HABEN | 30s-40s (W/ KIDS) (405) 323-9428 / smhaben@cox.net
JASON & MARGIE TIMM | 30s-50s (W/ KIDS & TEENS) (405) 613-4547 / mazawill@yahoo.com
ROB & SHERRI MCCLURE | 30s-50s (405) 517-8635 / rob@thebridgeag.org
DONNELLY & GROVES | 30s-50s (405) 740-3631 / alidonnelly4@yahoo.com
ED & BRENDA DAMRON | 40s-60s (405) 823-7442 / brenda@brendadamron.com
KATHLEEN & LYNDEN WILCOXSON | All Ages (405) 820-2990 / kathleenwilcoxson@sbcglobal.net
KEN ISOM & KEN MCGEE | SENIOR ADULTS (405) 250-0619 / kenmcgee@thebridgeag.org Interest Based
BIKES & TRIKES | ROGER & RHONDA STEVENS (405) 830.0530 / stevensroger34@yahoo.com
7
WEARETHEBRIDGE.CHURCH
DECEMBER
8
2018
9
WEARETHEBRIDGE.CHURCH
SUNDAY NIGHTS
Happenings All Church
Bridge Students
CORPORATE PRAYER
BRIDGE STUDENTS EXPERIENCE
Tuesday at 9:00AM Join us every week as we come together for a time of corporate prayer in the Chapel.
OPERATION SHOEBOX
DECEMBER 2 Operation Shoebox
Sunday, December 2 Come join us in The Venue at 6:00PM as we stuff 800 shoeboxes with gifts for kids who would otherwise get nothing this Christmas season.
KIDS CHRISTMAS MUSICAL Sunday, December 9 We want to invite everyone to come have a blast and bring in some Christmas cheer at our “Back to the Manger” Bridge Kids Christmas musical.
BRIDGE FAMILY CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 9 Kids Musical
Sunday, December 16 We want to invite you, your whole family, your neighbors, and friends to come and join us for an evening of stories, songs, and a savior. It is the perfect way to bring in the Christmas season.
LONG STORY SHORT CELEBRATION Thursday, January 3 This is a night for those who completed the year long Bible reading program with us. Join us in the Venue at 6:30PM for dinner and time to share stories and lesson we learned from the year of reading through the Bible together.
DECEMBER 16 Family Christmas
Bridge Kids
DECEMBER 30 No PM Activities
DECEMBER
THANKSMAS DINNER Wednesday, December 5 Invite your friends and join us for Bridge Students’ 2nd annual Thanksmas Dinner - where we gather around the table together and eat a Thanksgiving/Christmas feast as a family! We can’t wait to see you there.
STL LAUNCH TOUR Wednesday, January 2 Every year Bridge Students gives to Speed The Light, an organization that provides transportation and needs to AG missionaries all over the world. On January 2nd, we will be having a special service with our District Youth Director. He will share his heart with us and challenge our students to give and grow.
Bridge Seniors CHRISTMAS DINNER Friday, December 7 We invite all Senior Adults to come join us on Friday, December 7 at 6:30 PM in the Venue. We are going to have an amazing time of fellowship and entertainment. Please bring a dessert or side dish. The main course will be provided.
MAGNOLIA LUNCHEON
BRIDGE KIDS EXPERIENCE Sundays at 8:15/9:30/10:50AM Join us every week for exciting worship, fun games, and biblical lessons!
DECEMBER 23 No PM Activities
Wednesdays at 7:00PM Join us for our weekly service that your students do not want to miss. There is powerful worship, a life-impacting message, and a whole lot of fun!
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS Wednesdays at 7:00PM We offer fun-filled programs every week for boys (Royal Rangers) and girls (mPact) that help them grow with God.
Bridge Men MEN’S BREAKFAST
Sunday, December 9 If you are a single lady over 50 we want to take time to honor you this Christmas season. Come join us for our Christmas Magnolia Luncheon following our morning experiences. It will be a fun time of food and fellowship. Contact Cyndi at the church office to get signed up.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR Friday, December 14 We love Christmas Lights! On Friday, December 14 at 3:00PM Church vans will leave the church. We’ll stop for dinner on our way to see Christmas Lights in Guthrie!
Saturday, December 8 Come join us for a man-sized breakfast, great fellowship, and a short devotional in The Venue at 7:30AM.
10
2018
11
WEARETHEBRIDGE.CHURCH
DECEMBER
12
2018