We're Almost There!

Published on December 23, 2011 by Doug Swagerty

Dear Church Family,

Well, we’re on the final countdown, in the homestretch, it’s the eleventh hour…however you want to say it.  Christmas is just two days away and the anticipation is mounting.  If you have young kids or grandkids, you’re excited for their excitement.  If your family is older, you’re looking forward to your gift-exchange, but you’re probably more focused on just the joy that comes from hanging out together.  My hope is that whatever you have planned, you’ll all have a wonderful weekend of celebrating Christmas.

But obviously, for us, the greatest thing about Christmas is the story of Jesus’ birth.  It’s the story of the ultimate gift from the Ultimate Giver.  All of our giving begins with the gift of Jesus…we love because He first loved us! 

It’s been such an encouragement to see all the ways we have been giving this Christmas season through NCPC and North Coast Christian Ministries.  We sent shoeboxes with gifts for children overseas, we provided gifts for needy kids in San Diego’s Logan Heights district through the ministry of Victory Outreach Church, we had over 100 kids on campus this week to hear the story of Jesus at our annual Jingle Jam, we’ve given away (literally) tons of food, and next week approximately 50 of us will be headed down to Ensenada to celebrate Christmas with the orphans of Kid’s Kingdom.  And I know I’m leaving out a lot of other ways we have been reaching out and serving others.  As I said, it’s been great to see!  Thanks to all of you who have sacrificed and given to those who are in need!

We’re also still looking forward to our Christmas Eve Candlelight services tomorrow at 4:30 and 6:30.  Our children’s choir will be performing at the 4:30 service, and our adult choir will be singing at both services.  I’m going to be speaking about the journey that so many took during the first Christmas, and then focusing on our journey toward Christ today.  Be sure to invite your neighbors and friends to join us!

And just a reminder that on Sunday morning we’re going to have a brief family service at 9:30.  We’re encouraging everyone to bring a nativity scene to the service and we’ll have some special readings and videos.  At the end of the service, we’ll sing happy birthday to Jesus, have a cake and be on our way home by 10:30.  Should be a great time, especially for the kids!

Looking forward to a great weekend!  Hope you’re a part of it!

Doug