I hope you survived Thanksgiving and Black Friday and have turned the corner toward Christmas with your waistlines and bank accounts intact Yesterday we decorated the church and its beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Twin Oaks. This Sunday night is the children’s Christmas program, Sunday morning we give our Christmas gifts to Jesus, and the next Sunday we bring our “Wish Upon a Star” gifts to present to Him to use to spread His light in our community. The before you know it is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and on to a new year.

In other words, this month is flying by and I want to challenge you to pause in the midst of the rush and take time to do one very important thing: SHINE BRIGHT! In Philippians 2 Paul urges us to “…shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” We’re talking this month about the light of truth, hope, peace, and love that Christ came to shine in a dark world. But now He tells us that we are the light of the world and we are commanded to reflect His light. So in these next few weeks get out there and love. Get out there and share. Get out there and give. Look for ways to shine His love in the darkness. (You’ll find a few in this update) Begin by inviting a friend or relative to try Twin Oaks. This is the best time of year to invite someone to come to church. You have what they need. In a dark world you have the light. So Shine Bright.

THIS SUNDAY we’ll continue our SHINE BRIGHT series with a look at “Shining Hope.” In these tough times hope is in short supply for a lot of people. Many find themselves lost in the darkness of debt, disease, depression, divorce, or doubt. But in the darkness a light shines. Isaiah prophesied: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2) That light is Jesus and through Him we have hope, even in the darkest night. If things are looking dark for you right now, don’t miss this message. And if you have a friend who needs hope right now, invite them this Sunday. They’ll be glad you did.

Detroit outreach – THIS Saturday – 10AM-4PM. Twin Oaks’ Detroit Outreach is looking for volunteers for this Saturday, December 5th, to help make sandwiches and pass them out at Cass Park. If you can help shine the light of Christ this Saturday please contact Harvey at (734)740-1452 or e-mail at harveylinda@hotmail.com.

Birthday Present for Jesus offering – THIS SUNDAY – This special offering (in addition to your regular tithes) we’ll have an opportunity to express our thanks to Jesus for all He’s given us and to give Him the first gift of the season as an expression of our love. Please use the special envelope provided in your bulletin. Please write your tithe #, if you have one, on the envelope and also designate whether you’d like for this gift to go to the general fund or the building fund (Imagine Kids). All envelopes not designated will go to the general fund.

Children’s Christmas Program – THIS SUNDAY – 6:30pm – Come and support our children as they present the message of Christmas.

Decisions for Christ – The last 2 weekends we’ve rejoiced as several people accepted Christ and were baptized or became official members of the Twin Oaks family. Linda Smith and Maggie Smith were baptized and Jim Austin, Anna Blasdel, Richard and Susan Milatz, and Jennifer Sandusky became Twin Oaks members. Put faces with the names at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24147812@N05/sets/72157603995712040 and welcome these folks next time you see them. And keep them in your prayers.

Christmas Eve – December 24th – 5 and 6:30pm. Christmas Eve is the most traditional thing we do all year. It is a very beautiful time of reflection through songs, carols, communion, and candle lighting that is guaranteed to move you and to bring your focus to Jesus – the greatest gift ever given. Invite your friends and family to join you for this special night. Make Christmas Eve at Twin Oaks a new part of your family tradition. Childcare for infants-toddlers will be provided (and we encourage parents to take advantage of it please)

Christmas Eve volunteers needed – We need several nursery volunteers for Christmas Eve. Contact Rhonda Dolunt 313-383-4332 or rhdolunt@yahoo.com so she can make sure you’ve had your background check completed. We also greeters and communion servers at each service. Sign up at the Ministry Center to volunteer.

Seamstresses Needed - Calling all sewers!! When the missions team goes to Cambodia in February, we will be taking 144 dolls with us. That’s where you come in. We need experienced sewers to sew clothes for these 144 dolls. If you would be interested in helping, please contact Chris Wheeler at buckmom@hotmail.com or 734-671-8300 to get fabric and instructions and dolls.

Sermons on video – Thanks to Steve Kalmar’s dedicated work you can now watch the past Sunday’s message online at http://vimeo.com/tocc. Add the link to your favorites for those rare weeks when a contagious illness keep you from being here in person. (Just remember that the camera adds 20 lbs

Joke of the week - As a lobbyist in Washington, DC, I’d just finished up a meeting with a Congressman when I stopped to use the restroom.

After washing my hands, I stepped over to the hand dryer and noticed that someone had taped a note to the machine.

The note said, “Push button for message from Congress.”

Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,

Randy