The church office will be open next week
on Wednesday and Thursday, December 27 & 28,
from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Merry Christmas!
Dining for Jackson Working to Help Habitat for Humanity
Please join us on January 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the Mission and Fellowship Center of Sylva First Baptist Church as we work to help Habitat for Humanity. Bring a covered dish and enjoy the fellowship of folks with a heart for helping those in need in Jackson County.
Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
They partner with people in our community to help folks build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With your support, Habitat homeowners are able to achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families.
This organization relies on gifts from folks like you to help families in need of decent and affordable homes and all donations of any amount are deeply appreciated.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing organization. All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. They have a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion and they welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.
Their mission is to put God’s love into action and to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.
The principals of Habitat are 1) to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, 2) to focus on shelter, 3) to advocate for affordable housing, 4) to promote dignity and hope, and 5) to support sustainable and transformative development.
So please come dine with us on January 2 and help this wonderful organization as they work to provide folks in need with a decent place to live. You will not only enjoy a wonderful meal but you will hear about the work Habitat is doing in Jackson County and you can become a part of making great things happen for those in need.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of pasta sauce, ramen, pancake syrup, applesauce (6-pack individual cups), and laundry detergent. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Women’s Missionary Union Notes
Christmas Eve Service
Begin your family’s Christmas celebration with the story of Christ’s birth! Join us on December 24th for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Come early at 5:00 PM to light a candle in the windows in memory of a loved one and to hear Christmas music before the service. Then, beginning at 5:30 PM, our family-friendly service will capture the wonder of Christmas with familiar carols, the retelling of the Christmas story, and the glow of candlelight. Afterward, gather your family in front of our beautifully decorated Christmas tree for a classic holiday photo. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lifelong memories with your entire family!
Recipes Appreciated!
Each week we include a recipe in the Church Chimes and we hope that you are enjoying reading and trying them. You can add your favorite recipes to the Chimes by sending them to Cheryl Beck at cabeck@ncsu.edu. This is an ongoing WMU project.
Thanks for participating!
Let Heaven and Nature Sing!
You are invited to a wonderful celebration of the true meaning of Christmas on Wednesday, December 20, at 6;00 p.m., in the MFC. 1st Explorers and children of the church are working hard to prepare for an outstanding hour of skits, Scripture reading, and music. “Let Heaven and Nature Sing” will make you want to sing along with the enthusiastic voices of our children. Please come! Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
Flowers for Sanctuary
If you would like to provide flowers in the sanctuary for Sunday morning services, please contact Gwen Messer at 828-506-8370, or Janice in the church office to be placed on the calendar.
UCM Food Drive
United Christian Ministries has asked churches to provide food for children who may not have food at home during their time off from school during Christmas Holidays. Our church needs to supply 200 individual cups of applesauce and 100 cups of mac and cheese individual servings. Those can be dropped off at the church’s Loving Kindness Center by December 15.