NEWS

Stay completely up-to-date by regularly visiting The Orchard's Calendar of Events at: www.theorchardfranklin.com

Christmas Eve Service on Dec. 24 at 5:00 p.m. at the Orchard Ministry Center.

We ask you as you come to the Christmas Eve service this year to bring items from the following list to place in "care bags" for the homeless of Nashville. We will collect the items on Chrismas Eve and the Sunday following and then prepare bags to take into the streets of Nashville. Would you please provide the following:

toothbrush/toothpaste
soap
wash cloth and towel
blanket
deodorant
New Testament
socks
knit caps
McDonald's gift card for $5

Our children's ministry is collecting "Change for a Change" to buy mosquito nets to help prevent malaria in Africa. Each net costs $10 with a total collection to date of $335.70. Each Sunday from now until the end of the year our children will be at the doors as you leave to collect your "pocket change" to help "change" the life of a child in Africa. Thank you for helping our children make a change.

Pastor Chris began last week a series during Acts 2:42 on Brother Lawrence's book Practicing the Presence of God. Don't miss the next three weeks as we interactively study this thought provoking and challenging book.

Pounds for Papa... a support group for people who want to lose weight.... we will lose it for God's glory. Each week there will be a short time of sharing Bible verses, weigh in and email encouragement. Pastor Chris or Pastor Anita will help us celebrate our weight loss with announcements. It won't take much of your time as we will weigh in immediately following the worship service each week and share a few minutes - scripture, encouragement and maybe even recipes. Our goal is weight loss and getting our temple in order. If you have questions, please contact Carol Whitey.

It is time for us to begin sign-up for 2010 cleaning of the church. If you or your family would be willing to clean the church for one month during the new year, please contact Pastor Anita or sign-up on Sunday.

The Ladies Prayer Group meets Wednesday at 9:15 a.m and the Men's Prayer Group meets Thursday at 6:30 a.m. at The Orchard Ministry Center.

The church office will be closed December 24 - January 3. Pastor Chris and Pastor Anita will be available by phone in case of emergency.

Mark your calendars for the following events:

Dec 24 - Christmas Eve Service

Click Here...

for a full Calendar of Events

December 26, 2009-January 1, 2010

weekly word logo

The Cheerful Giver

As I listened to The Orchard Children share their birthday gifts for Jesus on Sunday I heard them speak of giving love, joy, happiness, themselves, obedience, belief, becoming a light to the world and giving their heart. With their child-like faith, understanding and determination they shared their hearts as a gift to their Savior. I'm sure like me, if you were there, you had to wipe a tear or two. During the time they were sharing a children's poem came to my mind...

What Can I Give Him?
"What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart."

We were touched by the innocence of little children but my prayer is that we were also touched by the Spirit...touched to make Christmas more about Jesus than about us, touched to truly give of ourselves to the Savior, touched to think more of what we can do for God than what He can do for us. In 2 Corinthians 9 there is a familiar passage that we normally think of in terms of financial giving but this Christmas I challenge you to think of these words in a different light - "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (vss. 6 - 7) Will you give God your heart cheerfully? Will you give of your spiritual gifts cheerfully? Will you give of your self cheerfully? Will you give of your resources cheerfully? May your Christmas prayer be "What can I give You, poor as I am? I'll give you my heart."

Cheerfully giving to the Christ-Child,

Pastor Anita

Weekly Financial Report

Weekly Need $4,829
Last Week's Giving $5,160 (Tithe $4,985/Faith Prom. $175)
Over/Under $331

YTD Actual Weekly Giving Average $5,084
YTD Weekly Average Over/Under $257
YTD Total Over/Under $12,839

This Week's Prayer Focus

Sunday - Pray for the heart of a cheerful giver.

Monday - Praise God for His presence in our lives.

Tuesday - Pray for God to help you and the
Orchard Church finish 2009 well.

Wednesday - Praise God for the blessings of this year, the lessons learned
from the challenges and the healing and growth you have received.

Thursday - Pray for safety and Godly decisions
for your New Year's Eve.

Friday - Pray for God to direct your steps each day of 2010.

Saturday - Pray for a heart ready to worship tomorrow.

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