For room or facility scheduling,

please contact the church office.

The newsletter is printed the first weekend of each month,

and is available at the Welcome Center or online

at the church website. Information for the next

newsletter should be submitted by

Wednesday, December 27.

THANK YOU NOTES -

“Dear Church Family, Once again we thank you for the outpouring of love you have shown us

in the passing of Jerry’s father, Earl Higley. Your prayers, flowers, cards and words of love

and encouragement have blessed us beyond words. It’s a wonderful promise we have of heaven

with Jesus, knowing we will be in eternity together. How we praise God for this! Thank you for

loving us so well! Because of King Jesus, Jerry and Karen Higley”

“Dear LAEFC Family, Thank you for the beautiful decorated mum plant, the cards

with words of encouragement and the many prayers that were prayed. God is so

good and continues to answer those prayers as I journey in the healing process.

Thanks also to Pastor Gary and Joan for stopping by the house to visit

and pray with me.” - Sharon Juretic

"To the LAEFC Family, Words are simply not enough to express our gratitude and apprecia-

tion for all the support, encouragement and prayers provided by the LAEFC family. This

outpouring of love has meant more than you know. As a result of Deb's recent surgery, we are

so THANKFUL for GOD's GRACE, mercy and the miracle of healing. As we prepare for the

Christmas holiday, let's give THANKS to GOD for the reason we celebrate this season.

Blessings, Deb & Dennis Hostetter"

WOMEN’S MINISTRY MEN’S MINISTRY

LAEFC Elder Board

Phil Burns

Bob Dailey

Pastor Ken

Robert High

Ben Keener

Tom Kotay

David Scheirer

Eric Weaver

A publication of the Lebanon Area

Evangelical Free Church

600 Shepherd Street Jonestown, PA 17038

717-865-9900

info@lebefree.org

www.lebefree.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday

8:00am - 4:30pm

December Donations:

Our food and household items are given to the Jonestown Outreach Pantry and to persons in crisis who come directly to the church and

meet with a pastor. This month, we are again collecting peanut butter, jelly, Hamburger Helper, and toilet paper. Our collection site is located behind the Welcome Center in the church lobby. Please consider giving to those less

fortunate this Christmas season.

OUTREACH & MEMO BOARD

Women’s Bible Studies - Join us January, 2018 - “Unlikely” Beginning in January, join us as we venture into uncharted territory! A team of 7 different teachers

from our own Bible study will be bringing lessons on women Bible characters that you likely know

little about, but who God used to further HIS kingdom purposes. God often moves in unlikely ways,

through unlikely people – we’re going to be learning how and what He did through these women’s

lives. Marketplace - Monday nights, beginning January 8th 7pm-8:30pm (no childcare)

Truthseekers - Wednesday mornings, beginning January 10th 9:15am-11:30am

(childcare provided)

New Women’s Connections Class: “Sermon on the Mount” with Jen Wilkin A DVD Bible

Study with group discussion led by Laura Zimmerman. JOIN US on Sunday mornings for this

exciting Women’s Class! Begins Sunday, January 7, 2018.

Upcoming Events in 2018:

Ladies’ Night Out! Friday, January 26, 7:00pm here in the LAEFC Fellowship Hall!

Women’s Retreat - February 23-25 Join us at The Hilton Garden Inn in Hershey. A weekend

packed with great fun, learning and fellowship. Details coming! Mark your calendars!

Ministry2Men Men’s Prayer Breakfast - Meets the first Saturday of each month at 8am at Heisey’s Diner, Rt. 72. Join us for great fellowship, a short devotional, and prayer. Next meeting, January 6.

Men’s Bible Studies - Offered Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings. See the lobby counters or contact Roland Carpenter for more info.

Be a blessing this Christmas!

Volunteers needed to ring the bell for the

Salvation Army at the Walmart in Palmyra!

Sign up in the church lobby or contact Barry Sattazahn.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Page 2 Ministry/Connection

Opportunities/Eagles (55+)

Music & Library Corners

Page 3 Kidz Harvest/

Jr./Sr. High Youth Ministry

Page 4 Women’s Ministry/

Men’s Ministry/Memo Board/

Church Info/Outreach

“Knowing, Living, Sharing … the Heart of Jesus”

DECEMBER 2017

Lebanon Area Evangelical Free Church

Be praying for our LAEFC Choir as they

minister through music at the Lebanon

Rescue Mission on December 6, at 7pm

and also at Hershey’s Christmas

Candylane on December 9 at5pm.

Christmas Eve Sunday 10:00 am and 6:00 pm

(identical services) No adult classes, Youth SMT or Kidz classes

New Year’s Eve Sunday 10:00 am (One service, only)

No adult classes, Youth SMT or Kidz classes

Our winter quarter will begin on January 7 with new class

selections for adults on Sunday mornings. These provide “mini-

church” opportunities to connect with a smaller group of people through fellowship, sharing life

experiences, and growing in God’s Word together. Join us!

GSaturday, Dec. 16 6:00 pm

Sunday, Dec. 17 8:30 am & 10:45 am

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT

SERVICES

Pre-service recital begins 30 minutes prior to start times.

Childcare provided for infants and toddlers. No regular Kidz

Harvest programming, adult or youth classes on December 17.

Make this worship experience part of your Christmas celebration

and invite friends and co-workers to join you!

MINISTRY/CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES

Page 2

LIBRARY CORNER REMINDER TO PRAY

The Book of Hours by Davis Bunn

After his wife's death, Brian Blackstone's days and hours had become a meaningless blur. Two years later, he finally arrives in the English village of Knightsbridge to confront his wife’s inheritance. He feels despair trying to honor her dying wish, when a mysterious letter sends him on a search to find the secrets of the ancient estate. While the town is voting on whether or not to reinstall seven church

bells that once rang on the hour as a reminder to pray, Brian is drawn to his own prayers and hope for a future.

The library will be open on Sundays, December 24th and 31st between services. Stop by to check out the many books or

DVD’s from the Christmas section to watch or read over the Christmas holiday!

A volunteer is needed to continue supplying this Library Corner. If you enjoy reading and would like to bless others by highlighting new additions added to our church library, prayerfully

consider contacting Sandy Klinger or Shirley Kresge for more information.

EAGLES (55+) MINISTRY

Be a part of the Eagles’ Christmas season activities on December 10 and 12. Consider sharing the heart of Jesus by bringing in several dozen cookies on Sunday, the 10th, to be distributed to our special care list. This will be a church-wide effort to bless those who have been struggling with illness, bereavement, and other issues at this season. We would also welcome your participation in preparing and distributing the cookie trays. Sign up at the lobby counters and see Pastor Gary for details. On Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00pm, the Eagles will be celebrating the season with a Christmas Party at the home of Pastor Gary and Joan Walter. Bring a snack or dessert to share and a gag or serious gift valued at $5 or less to share in a “white elephant” exchange. Enjoy hot cocoa, Christmas caroling, and an old-fashioned time of warm fellowship. Be sure to sign up in the lobby so we can be preparing for you. All are welcome!

LEBANON FREE CHURCH YOUNG ADULTS December 6 and 13 – Bible Study, 6:30-8:30pm

December 20 - Christmas Dinner & Party, 6:00-10pm at the church. (Sign ups and pre-payment required.) $10/pp

December 27 – No Bible Study

MUSIC CORNER

FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL FOR CANDLELIGHT:

Saturday, December 16, 9:00am for children (1st-5th

grades), readers, choir, worship band and tech crews.

WORSHIP TEAM MEMBERS: If you are willing and available to serve on the worship team on either Sunday, December 24 or December 31, please contact Dan Hess. Thank you.

Task Force Being Formed

A Task Force is being formed to identify ways to encourage and support

individuals and families at LAEFC who are involved in foster care and adoption.

The Task Force will begin its deliberations in early 2018 and complete its work

in 5 to 6 months. Possibly 3 meetings will be held. The Task Force will explore

a variety of initiatives and will develop the most promising ones for Elder Board

consideration. Please pray for the men and women who volunteer for this

effort. Elder Tom Kotay will be chairing the Task Force. If you wish to become

a member of the Task Force or to offer your thoughts on this very important

topic, please see Tom at church; drop a note in the Kotay’s mailbox (#851);

call him at 717-868-2932; or e-mail him at dtkotay@comcast.net .

Sunday, December 10: Join us for a DVD study entitled,

“Coexist? The Question of (In)tolerance,” as Ravi Zacharias addresses this timely and

challenging topic. For all adults—Offered at both 9:00 and 10:45am in the fellowship hall. Direct any

questions to Randy Kreider.

Lost & Found items available in the Fellowship

Hall through December 10. Please claim

anything belonging to you. Thanks!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY KIDZ HARVEST

Page 3 The Community Connection

JR. HIGH EVENTS SR. HIGH EVENTS

Small Groups Tuesday, December 5 6:30-8:30pm

Christmas Party! Tuesday, December 12 6:30-8:30pm Bring 2 dzn cookies & a white elephant gift of $5 or less. Dress ‘Christmasy.’

No YG Tuesdays, December 19 or 26

Scavenger Hunt Monday, December 4 7:00-9:00pm at the church

Christmas Dinner & Party! Monday, December 11 5:30-9:00pm ($10 - Semi-formal) Sign-ups & pre-payment required. Bring a wrapped white elephant gift of $5 or less.

No YG Mondays, December 18 or 25

Pre-New Year’s Eve Overnighter December 29-30

Jr & Sr High “SMT” (Sunday Morning Truth)

Grades 6-8 / 9-12 10:30am

No SMT on Sundays, December 17, 24, & 31

*******************************

Check out our website at www.lebefree.org

for event details and updates.

We’re getting ready for the annual Christmas Candlelight Services and are excited about the part

your children will have in each service! The Pre-School Peanuts and Kindergarten Tater-Tots who

have practiced with us will delight us with two bell choir songs. Children in 1st-5th grades who have

practiced throughout November and December will be singing two songs in each service. While it’s

not mandatory that all eligible children perform in all 3 services, we hope they will be able to!

You won’t want to miss it!

Here’s the schedule: We’ll have a technical rehearsal from 8:45-10:00am on Saturday, December 16th. The preschool

and kindergarten bell choir will be dismissed as soon as they finish practicing their two songs. The elementary choir

will stay until they are done at 10am.

The performances will be: Saturday evening, December 16th at 6:00pm and Sunday morning, December 17th at

8:30am and 10:45am. Pre-service recital begins 30 minutes prior. Kids are encouraged to wear “Christmas” apparel

for the festive occasion!

December Events:

6 Double Shares

Puggles-Funny Hat

Cubbies-Funny Hat

13 Regular Night

20 Regular Night

Sparks/TNT– Outreach Night

27 No Awana - Merry Christmas!

Kids’ Worship Team

Practice:

Sunday, December 10

from 12 - 2:00pm

Children Pre-K through 5th grade will NOT have

classes for the following dates: Saturday, Dec. 16,

Sundays, Dec. 17, December 24 and December 31.

Children will join their parents in the worship

service. There will be nursery care provided for

newborns—3 year olds for those Sundays.