Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Jenny Cerrullo, Margie Reitsma’s sister (diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia; pray for regained strength and recovery), Asher Menning (pray that the blood clot in Asher’s right atrium will dissolve), Mykenah Horstman (pray that Mykenah’s spinal cord will not re-tether), Jeff Van Veldhuizen (recovering from hip replacement surgery), Pam Foster (coping with Huntington’s Disease), Tanner Lincecum (pray that Tanner’s shunt will continue to be effective), Caden Wright (pray for healing and for Caden to regain his strength following his hospital stay), Mitchell Van Beek (scheduled for reconstructive shoulder surgery on December 18), Zucker Freerks, Justin & Sara Groen’s nephew (recovering from aspiration pneumonia), Gayle Wagenaar, Conrad & Audrey De Noble’s brother-in-law (recently diagnosed with acute leukemia), Tony Schoneveld, Jessica Harman’s grandfather (has stage 4 COPD), and Nelva Rohlfs, Lavonne Grooters’ sister (recovering from hip surgery; pray for regained strength and recovery).

Your prayers are also requested for the following individuals who are coping with cancer: Gail Hartter (Eric Hartter’s mother), Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher’s aunt), Dave Kwikkel (Arnie & Donna Kwikkel’s son), and Arlene Sterler (Robbie Korthals’ mother).

Prayer Updates: Thomas Bouwman, Tom & Sheryl Bouwman’s son (diagnosed with myocarditis) is slowly improving at home; however, he is very restricted, i.e., no physical activity. Danny Bolerjack, Danielle Bouwman’s father, has made moderate progress in recovering from his stroke. Danny continues to receive outpatient physical therapy.

We want to thank everyone for all the support and prayer over the past several months for Asher and his blood clot. Wednesday we learned the clot in his heart has not changed much and the medicine was not able to dissolve the clot. While this is not the news we have been praying for, the clot is not causing blood flow issues and may possibly be within the lining of the heart, which is good. Asher will not receive any more treatment for now and they believe the clot should not cause issues moving forward. They will continue to monitor it over the next year to make sure nothing changes. Thank you all again for the continued support and prayers! ~ Jordan & Kellie Menning

Greyson Austin had surgery on December 6^th and the surgeon was only able to complete half of the reconstruction surgery. The team decided healing was necessary to complete the last half. He remains at Mayo yet this week. Greyson was very weak from the long surgery. Day by day he is slowly gaining strength. Prayerfully in 6 to 8 weeks, the surgeon will be able to complete the last half of the connection. We thank God for this measure of surgery, and we ask for continued prayers for Greyson. We are feeling your prayers. –Marlene Mellema and families

Congratulations! to Owen and Myriah Fastert on the birth of their daughter, Harvey Jeanette Dannon Fastert, on December 7. We rejoice with you on this special blessing in the life of your family!

Christmas Eve Services: We will be having Christmas Eve Services at 6:30 pm. This will be a candlelight service with communion. Please plan to join us for this time of celebrating Jesus’ birth.

Attention: We are being asked to not shake hands to prevent the spread of infections and the flu. We can still greet one another but in ways other than hand contact. ~ Thank you

Pastor Dan & Sue will be on a vacation break from Tuesday, December 25 through Friday, January 4. Please contact your Care Elder, Elder, or Cheryl Van Beek with any concerns.

A SHOUT OUT “THANK YOU” to everyone who participated in decorating the church, involvement in programs and worship and making food during the Advent season. You all helped to create a meaningful Christmas celebration.

Calendars!!! The New Year will soon be here, so now is the time to order your birthday/anniversary calendars. Price is $5.00. Please contact Sharon Tilstra or Mary Hoogers today, December 16^th. Thanks in advance from the Bell Choir.

Offering Envelopes: Are you interested in giving your offering in an offering envelope? Please talk with one of the Deacons and they will get you a box of envelopes for 2019. If you already have a number your box of envelopes will be in your mailbox soon. Your numbers did not change. Thank you, The Deacons.

You are Invited! Join us this Wednesday, December 19th at 6:30 PM in the fellowship for an event, Keepsake Christmas: Making Memories at the Manger. We will hear from Joseph, Mary and the Angel Gabriel about the night Jesus was born. We will also be making our own keepsake nativity sets to enjoy for years to come. All are invited and encouraged to come.

Cornerstone Prison Church Faith Fellowship Weekend: Friday, January 25 – 6:00 to 8:00 pm & January 26 & 27 – 7:15 am to 4:00 pm each day. The theme for the weekend is “Year of Reconciliation” based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Join us for worship, large group talks and small group discussions. The deadline for signing up is Monday, January 7, 2019. We would be happy to have you join us for part of the weekend or all of it. Sign up at office@cornerstonepcsd.org or call 507-215-3670. Thank you for considering this wonderful ministry opportunity!

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS! Crossroads Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications for the upcoming weekend at the Reformed Church of Steen in Steen, Minnesota. TEC is an interdenominational three day Christian retreat/lock-in designed to help high schoolers learn more about their faith and their community. The next TEC is Friday February 15 through Sunday February 17, 2019. If you would like to learn more about TEC or register, please visit www.CrossroadsTEC.com/apply or email CrossroadsTEC@gmail.com. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt, meals & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request. Crossroads TEC is also looking for adults with a passion for ministering to teens to help make the weekend a success.

FINANCIALS

Offerings Sunday 12-9-18 Offerings to 12-9-18 Budget to 12-9-18

General Fund: $26,385.00 $305,042.91 $351,786.54

Benevolent Fund: $1,685.00 $161,052.23 $164,503.00

Building Fund: $205.00 $54,583.08 $119,444.50

Sunday School Offering: December 9, 2018

Last Year’s Attendance: 119 Last week's Attendance: 136

Last Year’s Offering: $134.00 Last week's Offering: $112.00

This Week’s Lesson: Dec 16 – Session 3 – Jacob’s New Name (Unit 3)

Next Week’s Lesson: NO Sunday School

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY: 9:30 am – Christmas Cantata

MONDAY: 8:30 am – Bethesda Meeting in 345

7 pm Circle of Kindness – Christmas Gathering

Moms in Prayer-College and Careers 5:00pm

7:00 pm Women’s Ministry Executive Committee Meeting - 345

TUESDAY:

9:15 am – Staff Meeting with Ashley

Moms in Prayer-traditional group 12:00pm

6:30 pm – Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 9 – 11 am MOPS

6:30 pm – Keepsake Christmas (All Church Christmas Event)

6:30 pm – Hand Bells

7:30 pm – Praise Team

Moms in Prayer – traditional group – 6:30 pm & 8 pm

THURSDAY:

Grandmothers in Prayer – 12:15 pm

FRIDAY:

Moms in Prayer-College and Careers 7:00am

8:00 am- Men’s Bible Study in the Conference Room

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: NO Sunday School