EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2017

Light overcomes Darkness Church Events Dec 3 Cookie Baking & Church Decorating after worship

Dec 16 Live Nativity 7:00 pm

Dec 17 Children in Worship with song and story 9:30 am

Dec 24 Christmas Eve 7:00 & 11:00 pm

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Pastor Dirk

On Christmas Eve we have a beautiful

display of poinsettia plants on the altar.

If you would like to remember a loved

one or honor a special person in your

life, you can order a 6” potted poin-

settia plant by calling the church office

at 518-732-7766. Each plant is $10.75.

Please make your check out to Emman-

uel Reformed Church.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL

FLOWERS

LIVE

NATIVITY Come experience a special display of the Christmas story as told through pantomime and song on Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. This delightfully simple display warms the heart as we remember Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years ago. Plan to stay for cocoa and Christmas cookies.

THANK YOU To all who helped cleanup the grounds for winter! For all of the helping hands at the Pork Dinner. The

proceeds of $2,000 will go toward our mission work. Rose Ann Ferris for spearheading Operation

Christmas Child and all who packed shoeboxes. Wendy and Roland who make sure we have

wonderful refreshments after worship. Our Sunday School Teachers who give so much of

themselves to our children. Our wonderful musicians who plan, practice and

praise the Lord with their musical talents. Nancy Carpenter, for mission muffins and live nativity. To all who have given to the Capital Campaign, both

financially and physically, by working tirelessly or providing food each Saturday.

Everyone who helps make ERC a friendly and welcoming place.

Church Record 2017

The following saints went to be with the Lord

John Wasson

Walter Snyder

Robert Dudley

We give praise to God for their lives.

Births

Fiona Kim Shanley

Baptisms

Sophia Rose Warner

Levi Ernest Koch

Tricia Shanley (adult)

Weddings

Daniel Colin & Courtney Younes

Timothy Gladwin & Dara Lasher

New Members

David Layton Kelly Layton

Stephanie Randall Alex Malsan

Scott Van Nederynen Toni Strattman

Zachary Warner Michele Warner

Thomas Shanley Tricia Shanley

Emily Burns Morgan Phibbs

Emily Smith Kylie Salerno

Adam Salerno

Year to Date As of Nov. 26

Budgeted Income : $237,409

Actual Income YTD: $217,298

Budgeted Expense: $235,324

Actual Expense YTD: $219,243

Year-end gifts may be designated for the ERC Budget Deficit, The

Anchor Food Pantry, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, Pastor

Steward in India or the February 2018 India Mission trip.

MANY WAYS OF GIVING FINANCIALLY

In addition to the service you give, there are multiple ways to give to God through ERC. Place a check or cash in the offering plate (envelopes available in the church office), set up recurring checks with your bank or credit union (often no charge), and give online - maybe the easiest way to support your church financially.

www. easytithe.com/erc

CCMS THE ANCHOR FOOD PANTRY 61 families were given Thanksgiving baskets. We have been asked to provide cake mixes and frosting for the Christmas Baskets. Please have your donations to ERC by Dec. 10 or The Anchor by Dec. 14. Call The Anchor to volunteer 518-732-4120.

INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP FOR THE HOMELESS On Monday, December 4 David Spink

will be taking a group from Emmanuel and serving dinner to the residents at the shelter. They will also decorate the shelter for Christmas. If you would like to be a part of this please contact the church.

MISSION UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES

MISSION TRIP TO INDIA

NEWS FROM NIGER Sometimes God acts quickly. Tom Johnson, our missionary in Niger, has been praying for a breakthrough for his wife’s mental illness, and that his family would be reunited (the

three girls were in the USA, Tom, Aichatou, and baby in Niger).

Everything changed in November. Aichatou applied for and received an immigration visa to the US, and the Johnson’s have closed their chapter in Niger. The whole family is together in Iowa, and thanking the Lord for his provision.

In 2018 the Mission Team will seek new opportunities to support God’s work in the world.

Where does God want you to serve?

How can you bring the love of God to others?

Whom shall I send ? . . . Here I am, send me!

Welcome

In November ERC we welcomed Jon LeRoy to our music team. With his amazing musical talent, experience as a jazz musician, and easy going nature, Jon is a blessing to our ministry.

Make sure you introduce yourself to Jon and his wonderful wife, Rose.

Plans are underway for a trip this February to support

Pastor Steward in his life changing work in Assam, India.

This will be a trip to teach and to learn, to encourage and

to work. Interested? Contact Pastor Dirk

Sunday, Christmas Eve Morning

9:30 am Worship

Sunday, Christmas Eve

7:00 pm Candlelight Family Service

11:00 pm Candlelight Communion Service

Sunday, New Year’s Eve Day

Worship 9:30 am

Emmanuel Reformed Church www.EncounterERC.com

1150 Maple Hill Rd. info@ercrca.org

Castleton, NY 12033 518-732-7766

The Light of Christ can enter our minds, our hearts and our souls, but we need to remove the barriers.

They come in the form of lies we believe.

Dec 3 — Lies we believe about God’s love Dec 10 — Lies about our identity Dec 17 — Lies about how things work

When we know the truth; Hope, Peace and Joy grow in our lives.

Celebrate the

Sometimes we wonder why God doesn’t answer prayers, allows suffering, or doesn’t feel nearby. What are barriers to belief, and what is God up to? Find out more in a new sermon series in January.

We need to encounter Jesus, interact with his teachings, and spend time

with others who are seeking him. Encounter Groups are an important part

of Emmanuel Reformed Church. Small group settings where you can dis-

cuss the sermon, go deeper into the Scriptures, experience support, and

discover ways to live out your faith. These groups are seasonal, and will

begin again in January. Joining a group is a resolution which you can keep,

and will impact your life in many wonderful ways. Be ready for 2018!

Groups Start the Second Week of January