Mothers set the stage for a child of God to thrive by: to serve the Lord’s will. 2) to help children reach their potential. 3) in God’s power and promises. Applying God's Word to Life What are some of your favorite Christmas memories associated with your mom? What do you know about your birth story? What memories of your mom come from your first 5-years of your life? What did your mom have to “bear” by bringing you into this world? How about during the teenage years? What does it “cost” a mom to raise up a child? Why is a nurturing environment important? How does nurturing play a role in setting someone up to succeed, to thrive, and to make a difference? How was faith modeled by Mary, the mother of Jesus? What faith challenges might your own mother have faced in raising you up? What was happening in culture during your upbringing that may have put your mother to the test? What has the Lord put on your heart to thank your mother for? 10)How will you surrender to Him, and walk by faith in this season of your life in view of God’s plan for the family of faith? Announcements Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Wednesday, December 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Starbuck (no livestream) NOTE: The location has changed from previously advertised. Refreshments will be served before and after the service. The nursery room will be open for young children and parents, it will not be staffed with volunteers. “The Three Wise Guys”: Carlyn Cole will be leading the sermon time on December 28 from the perspective of the three wise men. Daily Advent Readings: Join us as we experience “An Advent Journey”. You can pick up the devotions on the welcome table or find them in the weekly email. We encourage you to read it with your family or alone or you can listen to a family from Hope read the devotion for the day on Facebook Live at 7:00pm each night. If you are not in our facebook group, you can request to join at Hope Community Church-Minnewaska. Join the Hope Community Caroling Choir this Thursday, December 18: at 6pm at the Living Nativity in Glenwood. No auditions. No rehearsals. Come and make a joyful noise! After caroling, we will meet in the Central Square community room for cocoa and cookies. Cochrans will provide the cocoa. Bring some cookies if you have extra! Holiday sweaters encouraged and will be judged for prizes. Contact Mary Lisa or Brent with questions. No Children’s Church: December 28 and January 4. Activity packets will be available. Youth Group: for 5th-12th grade, Wednesdays from 6:40-8:05 pm at Central Square Glenwood. Meet in the community room. Adventure Club: Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Glenwood. For 4 year olds—5th grade. Sermon Based Small Group Glenwood: Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at Central Square, Suite 200 (Hope Office) led by Bruce Geiser. Attend when you are able. Sermon Based Small Group Starbuck: Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. at the Starbuck site. Attend when you are able.