NEWS & NOTES

Sympathy’s
Our sympathy is with the family of Jim Scroggins who passed away on Nov. 26. Services were held last Friday.
 
Our sympathy is also with the family of Bob Gower who passed away on December 4. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 at 2 pm at Fisher Funeral Home.
 
Wrap It Up!
The ladies ministry is providing a free Christmas gift wrapping service. You can drop off your gift (all gifts must be in a box) this Wednesday, December 10 between 9:00AM-1:-00PM. Wrapping paper will be provided but you can also bring your own.
 
The Light Has Come
On Wednesday, Dec. 17, our Children's Ministry will host an activity for all ages from 6:30-7:30. This is an interactive celebration of the birth of Jesus told in story and songs. Please register online at pacoc.net/thelighthascome so we can assign seating around tables to connect kids and their families with individuals, to create an intergenerational setting. The first 10 registrations will receive a board game!
 
Candlelight Service
Make plans to join us on Christmas Eve for our traditional candlelight service at 6:00 PM. 
 
Blue Christmas
Waples United Methodist Church is again offering a service of hope for the holidays this Christmas on Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00 PM. This is a quiet reflective service for those who have lost a loved one. 
 
Budget Time
If you coordinate a ministry that requires funding please submit any requests to Blake Smith or the church office by no later than today, Sunday, December 7.
 
Family Ministry

  • Fortify Family Retreat, Dec. 13-14 at Texoma Christian Camp. Register at pacoc.net/family
  • New Year Celebration, Dec. 31 from 6:00-9:00 PM in the Ark!  Bring a snack food to share and games to play!
  • Marriage Retreat, Jan. 23-25th. Register at pacoc.net/family

Youth Ministry

  • Sunday, Dec. 7: Connect tonight from 5-7:30 PM in the gym.  
  • Sunday, Dec. 14: Christmas Party at Sam & Maddie’s house from 5-8 PM.

Park Avenue Wednesday Supper
Join us this Wednesday at 5:15 PM for our PAWS meal. We are Frito Pie, Vegan/Vegetarian Chili, Nacho Cheese & Chips, Salad Bar, PB&J Sandwiches & Dessert   The meal will be prepared by Kathy Hitchcock and her Team. Serving starts at 5:15 PM and stops promptly at 6:15 PM.
 
This Week’s Daily Bible Readings:
December 7: 1 Thessalonians 1-3
December 8: 1 Thessalonians 4-5
December 9: 2 Thessalonians 1-3
December 10: 1 Timothy 1-3
December 11: 1 Timothy 4-6
December 12: 2 Timothy 1-4
December 13:Titus-Philemon
December 14: Hebrews 1-2
 
Prayer List
Matt Hogan, Max Williams, Dorothy Bankston, Howard Veasley, Linda Chapman, Linda Henry, Bob Corley, Kyle McAlister, Tom Coble, Patrick Mullins, Kathy Reinsch, Chris Reinsch, Peggy Porter, Elizabeth Phillips, Waymon Hinson, Floyd Clark, Lisa Cobble, Brian Karguth, Margaret Atnip
 
Homebound—Joyce Martin, Daisy Miller, Bobby & Peggy Slaughter, Arlene Joines, Tommy Todd, Larry Watson
 
Missions—Hammer & Dela Afakule (Togo), Mario “Pepe” Torre (Monterrey, Mexico), Jimenez family (Cartagena, Colombia), Cristian & Ana Corrales (Bucaramanga, Colombia), Adrian & Gabriela Galvan (Paraiso, Monterrey), Rio Branco (Brazil)
 
Friends of Park Avenue—Rebekah Taylor, (great niece of the Russell’s), Becky Sanchez (wife of Gil Sanchez, former Director of orphanage in Mexico), Grady Cobble (father of Mickey Cobble), John Tillias (father in law of David Thomas), Steve Walters (brother of Donna Harrelson), Oliver Bush (father of Amyee McAlister & Ashley Tharp)
 
Please notify the church office at office@parkavenuechurch.com for updates.
 
TODD’S TAKE
Welcome to Worship.
 
Good morning and welcome! We're so glad to be together as a church family today. If you're visiting with us, thank you for being here—we'd love to get to know you.
 
As we continue in this Christmas season one thing that puts us in the spirit are the songs of the season. We all love those songs, don’t we? Oddly enough, even famous atheist Richard Dawkins admits he loves Christmas carols—but he also asserts he doesn't believe a word of the Christian faith. That should make us stop and ask: Do we really understand the lyrics we're singing? Can we sing without truly believing?
 
This Sunday, we're diving deep into "O Holy Night," ranked as the most popular Christmas song of all time. Written in 1847, this carol is loaded with profound truths we often miss. We'll explore three life-changing realities hidden in its verses: Christ as the fulfillment of centuries of desperate longing, Jesus as the friend who truly knows our struggles, and the Savior who teaches us how to really live.
 
Don't just sing the songs this Christmas—believe them. Live them.
So glad you are here!
 
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
 
Sunday, January 4: Covenant Sunday—Be the Light
As is our annual tradition, we will kick off the year with our special Covenant Sunday service, challenging all of us to recommit ourselves to personal holiness and service through the Lord's church. This year's theme will be Be the Light, taken from Jesus' challenge in Matthew 5:14. Make plans to join us on this special day.
 
January 18–February 1: Elder Nomination Window
Every three years as a church, we go through the process of reaffirming those elders who will continue to serve and installing any new elders who will join our leadership team. We've been blessed through the decades with great leadership and pray that God will continue to raise up men to shepherd this church. Be in prayer about who you think could serve in that capacity as we will be taking nominations from the church.
 
Mondays, January 6–May 3: Re|engage
Another session of re|engage will kick off. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. This ministry provides a safe place to move toward oneness through small groups, teaching, and stories of hope.
 
January 23-25: Marriage Retreat
Invest in your marriage together by committing to the Marriage Getaway this January 23-25! This will be a great chance to relax, reflect, and reconnect with one another. The retreat will be held at the beautiful Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center in Sulphur, OK.
Register now at pacoc.net/marriagegetaway
 
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 17
The Light Has Come, 6:30 in the Ark
(NO DMC’S & NO paws meal)
Wednesday, December 24
Candlelight Service at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 31
New Years Celebration 6:00-9:00 PM
Church Office Closed/No Church Activities
Thursday & Friday, December 25 & 26
Thursday, January 1
  

Sunday Schedule
Adult Bible Classes
9AM Room D & Youth Suite
9AM Sonshine Hour for kids 4 years old to 6th grade in ARK. Under 4 yrs old in the nursery of main building for parents attending Bible Class
Worship
10:00 AM
Children Dismissed to Bible Classes at
10:45-11:30AM
0 - 3 Year Olds—Nursery Area
Pre K-6th Grade—Family Life Center
Youth Group Activities
5:30-7:30PM
Discipleship Making Communities (DMC’s)
Meet at various times and locations

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