Nurture Newsletter / December 30

Nurture Newsletter 

December 30, 2014

It's hard to believe 2014 is coming to an end. In a lot of ways it feels like it has just begun and yet so much has happened this year that it can also feel like it's been two years. 

I think this time of year can be depressing for some as they think of another year coming to an end. Endings can be hard. Yet with an ending, a lot of times it brings a new beginning. Beginnings can be scary but they also can be refreshing, exciting, and filled with new life.  

Isaiah 43:18-19 says:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 

I feel like this is saying Be excited! New things are coming. Good things are coming! 

As daughters of God we need to believe Jeremiah 29:11 that says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Two thousand plus years ago, HOPE came as a baby. This baby was our savior, our redeemer, and our way to heaven. This baby was the biggest gift of love ever! It was God telling us how much He loved us! He sent His son to die a horrible death so that we could have forgiveness of our sins. No longer was it up to us and the constant sacrifices and rituals. God said "I am doing this for you. You only need to ask for forgiveness. That's it. Ask and you shall receive." He couldn't have made it any easier for us. 

His love for us is still that same love. The HOPE He sent so long ago, He still offers.  Accept His gift of HOPE as you venture into the newness of 2015. Remember that God knows the plans for your life and they are good!

 

You are SO loved. You are SO beautiful. You are SO valuable. 

Blessings to you in this new year!

:) Jamie 

Here are a few opportunities to be a blessing to others:

FOOD PANTRY AND SOLES FOR JESUS COLLECTIONS

In case you weren't aware, we have a collection point in the foyer for the Waukesha Food Pantry, and one in Uptown for shoes to be donated to Soles for Jesus.  We collect all year for these ministries.

Nursery News During the cold and flu season, our nursery is being disinfected weekly and paying attention to symptoms of illness to keep it a well baby area.  If you are parents of nursery age kids, would you consider volunteering once a month to help with our growing baby population?  Please see Amy Prebil in the nursery or email amyprebil@gmail.com with questions or interest.

Treehouse Treasures Our church family is growing!  Many babies have come and will be coming in the next few weeks/months.  We would love to bless our new moms with a gift bag filled with newborn items (diapers, wipes, baby bath items, onesies, gowns, or swaddlers).  Amy Prebil organizes this and has set up a Treasure Chest back in our nursery area to accept item donations.

THIS WEEK

CHURCH DEDECORATING DAY Saturday, January 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We would love to have as many that can help to come take down the Christmas decorations around the church.

COMING UP!

SCRAPPERS AND CRAFTERS Saturday, January 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attention Ladies!  Bring your own supplies for your favorite hobby (scrapbooking, card making, knitting, etc.) and come work on them alongside other ladies from WFA.  You can come and go at anytime.  For  more information, please contact Maggie Scherr atmaggiescherr@yahoo.com.

MARRIAGE RETREAT February 13-14, 2015 Our annual Marriage Retreat is returning to Oak Creek Assembly and having Ted Cunningham back for a 2nd year.  Brochures can be found in the Atrium with all the details.  Here is the link if you would like to register online:  http://www.wnmdag.org/index.php/events/marriage-retreat.  Early deadline is January 30th.

If you ever have a specific prayer request, please don't hesitate to contact us at nurturewfa@hotmail.com.  We would be more than happy to cover you in prayer.

Have a great week! 

:) Jamie Halquist 

Sara Wiesner

Nurture coordinator

Nurturewfa@hotmail.com

Nurtureatwfa.blogspot.com

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

Nurture Newsletter / December 9

Nurture Newsletter 

December 9, 2014

Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

^ click link to view video

Here are a few opportunities to be a blessing to others this holiday season:

Community Opportunity December 11-13 (Thurs. Fri. Sat.) The last couple of years we have joined area churches in helping with the Season of Giving outreach.  Season of Giving is not happening this year, but there is another opportunity for you and your family.  It's called the Christmas Clearing Council and they are looking for volunteers in their Toy Shop.  Please go to christmasclearingcouncil.org and click on Volunteer.  It will direct you to see what time slots are available and to sign up online.

THE BLESSING TREE

It is now up in the atrium.  Please stop by and take an "ornament" and write down your name and the number of the ornament you select.  Further instructions can be found on the ornament itself.  Gifts are needed back by Sunday, December 14th.

World Vision Christmas Farm

In Kidtropolis we want to spread the love of Jesus in the form of a farm!  Our goal is to help provide animals to needy countries supplying them with meat, eggs, milk, clothes, and more!  We would love for each child to work extra chores and bring in $5 per week in an effort to give the gift of food this Christmas.  See Pastor Geoff to grab a flyer or ask any questions about this years' Christmas Farm!

FOOD PANTRY AND SOLES FOR JESUS COLLECTIONS

In case you weren't aware, we have a collection point in the foyer for the Waukesha Food Pantry, and one in Uptown for shoes to be donated to Soles for Jesus.  We collect all year for these ministries.

Nursery News During the cold and flu season, our nursery is being disinfected weekly and paying attention to symptoms of illness to keep it a well baby area.  If you are parents of nursery age kids, would you consider volunteering once a month to help with our growing baby population?  Please see Amy Prebil in the nursery or email amyprebil@gmail.com with questions or interest.

Treehouse Treasures Our church family is growing!  Many babies have come and will be coming in the next few weeks/months.  We would love to bless our new moms with a gift bag filled with newborn items (diapers, wipes, baby bath items, onesies, gowns, or swaddlers).  Amy Prebil organizes this and has set up a Treasure Chest back in our nursery area to accept item donations.

THIS WEEK

FUN & GAMES Thursday, December 11th 6:00 p.m. - DOWNTOWN KIDTROPOLIS Are the cold days keeping your kids cooped up in the house?  Bring your family to have some good old fashioned fun with your church family.  We will have board games and puzzles so the kids can play in groups, as well as some other creative activities.  We will have these monthly playdates throughout the winter for kids ages 3 through middle school.  You are encouraged to stay and play with us, but if your child is five or older, they are welcome to join us on their own.  No need to sign up, just come and join us downstairs.  Community Opportunity December 11-13 (Thurs. Fri. Sat.) The last couple of years we have joined area churches in helping with the Season of Giving outreach.  Season of Giving is not happening this year, but there is another opportunity for you and your family.  It's called the Christmas Clearing Council and they are looking for volunteers in their Toy Shop.  Please go to christmasclearingcouncil.organd click on Volunteer.  It will direct you to see what time slots are available and to sign up online. "The Christmas Cupcake"

Please note there will be an additional practice:

Saturday, December 13th

 from 2-4 pm.  

Our Downtown Kids will also have an extra practice on December 13 at 2 pm.

**We need 2 wooden spoons per child for the musical.  If you can help with this, please drop off spoons at the Uptown Check-in Desk.

Sunday, December 14th

6:00 pm 

Downtown Kidtropolis (our preschoolers) will have a part in this fun evening as well.  A cupcake reception will follow.

THE BLESSING TREE

Thank you for the amazing response!  All ornaments have been taken.  Just a reminder that all gifts are needed back by December 14th.

COMING UP!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

4:00 & 5:30 p.m.

Join us for an intimate and special, candlelight Christmas Eve service.  There are invite cards in the foyer for you to use for our December series and Christmas Eve services.

If you ever have a specific prayer request, please don't hesitate to contact us at nurturewfa@hotmail.com.  We would be more than happy to cover you in prayer.

Have a great week! 

:) Jamie Halquist 

Sara Wiesner

Nurture coordinator

Nurturewfa@hotmail.com

Nurtureatwfa.blogspot.com

Luke 2 - The Birth of Jesus 

⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Nurture Newsletter / December 2

Nurture Newsletter 

December 2, 2014

The Story of St. Nicholas

Hundreds of years ago, Nicholas lived in a seaside town named Myra, which is in the country we now call Turkey. Ever since he was a small child, Nicholas loved God more than anything. He studied hard, prayed often, and followed Jesus by helping the poor.

The people of Myra loved Nicholas so much that when their old bishop died, they immediately elected Nicholas to replace him. He served them well for a long time.

Nicholas was loved for one reason. He loved. He loved God and God's people so much that he would do anything for them.

Here is a story about Nicholas that has been passed down through many generations.

There was a man living in Myra who was very poor. This man had no wife, but he had three grown daughters who lived with him.

In those days, when a young woman got married, she had to bring money or property with her into the marriage. This is called a dowry. If a woman didn't have a dowry, she would never marry.

This man was so poor that he had no money for his daughters' dowries. And he didn't have enough money to support them either. He had, he believed, only one choice: to sell his daughters into slavery. Nicholas heard about this terrible situation. Late one night, Nicholas crept to the man's home and threw something through the window. It was a bag of gold—enough to pay the dowry for his oldest daughter.

The man was overjoyed, and his daughter was too. She married, but her father was still left with a problem. Two, to be exact. What about the two younger daughters? Sadly, he prepared to send them away.

Nicholas returned one night and again threw a bag of gold through the window. The father rejoiced. But he wondered who was helping him and why.

Of course, Nicholas didn't want the man to know. He knew that it's best to help others without letting them know we're helping them. If we help others in this way, we help because we truly want to and not because people will praise us for it.

But the father was determined. He had one daughter left and no money for a dowry. He certainly hoped he would be helped again, especially because he wanted to find out who was doing it. So he locked the windows and watched out the door.

Nicholas still wanted to help, but he didn't want to be seen. So, in the back of the house, far from the father's sight, he dropped the bag of gold for the third daughter right down the chimney!

The bags of gold are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. 

- http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/st-nicholas-welborn/

Here are a few opportunities to be a blessing to others this holiday season:

Community Opportunity December 11-13 (Thurs. Fri. Sat.) The last couple of years we have joined area churches in helping with the Season of Giving outreach.  Season of Giving is not happening this year, but there is another opportunity for you and your family.  It's called the Christmas Clearing Council and they are looking for volunteers in their Toy Shop.  Please go to christmasclearingcouncil.org and click on Volunteer.  It will direct you to see what time slots are available and to sign up online.

THE BLESSING TREE

It is now up in the atrium.  Please stop by and take an "ornament" and write down your name and the number of the ornament you select.  Further instructions can be found on the ornament itself.  Gifts are needed back by Sunday, December 14th.

World Vision Christmas Farm

In Kidtropolis we want to spread the love of Jesus in the form of a farm!  Our goal is to help provide animals to needy countries supplying them with meat, eggs, milk, clothes, and more!  We would love for each child to work extra chores and bring in $5 per week in an effort to give the gift of food this Christmas.  See Pastor Geoff to grab a flyer or ask any questions about this years' Christmas Farm!

FOOD PANTRY AND SOLES FOR JESUS COLLECTIONS

In case you weren't aware, we have a collection point in the foyer for the Waukesha Food Pantry, and one in Uptown for shoes to be donated to Soles for Jesus.  We collect all year for these ministries.

Nursery News During the cold and flu season, our nursery is being disinfected weekly and paying attention to symptoms of illness to keep it a well baby area.  If you are parents of nursery age kids, would you consider volunteering once a month to help with our growing baby population?  Please see Amy Prebil in the nursery or email amyprebil@gmail.com with questions or interest.

Treehouse Treasures Our church family is growing!  Many babies have come and will be coming in the next few weeks/months.  We would love to bless our new moms with a gift bag filled with newborn items (diapers, wipes, baby bath items, onesies, gowns, or swaddlers).  Amy Prebil organizes this and has set up a Treasure Chest back in our nursery area to accept item donations.

THIS WEEK

Christmas Decorating Friday, December 5th 4:00-9:00 p.m. Let's have a decorating party!! Anyone that would like to help decorate the church, please join us.  Childcare will be offered from 6-8 pm in Uptown as well as free pizza and refreshments. Saturday, December 6th 2:00-4:00 p.m. "The Christmas Cupcake" practice  NEXT WEEK FUN & GAMES Thursday, December 11th 6:00 p.m. - DOWNTOWN KIDTROPOLIS Are the cold days keeping your kids cooped up in the house?  Bring your family to have some good old fashioned fun with your church family.  We will have board games and puzzles so the kids can play in groups, as well as some other creative activities.  We will have these monthly playdates throughout the winter for kids ages 3 through middle school.  You are encouraged to stay and play with us, but if your child is five or older, they are welcome to join us on their own.  No need to sign up, just come and join us downstairs.  "The Christmas Cupcake"

Sunday, December 14th

Downtown Kidtropolis (our preschoolers) will have a part in this fun evening as well.  A cupcake reception will follow.

Our kids have been practicing during both services each Sunday.  

Please note there will be 2 additional practices: 

December 6 and December 13 from 2-4 pm.  

Our Downtown Kids will also have an extra practice on December 13 at 2 pm.

 

**We need 2 wooden spoons per child for the musical.  If you can help with this, please drop off spoons at the Uptown Check-in Desk.

COMING UP!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AT WFA:

 - 4:00 & 5:30 p.m.

If you ever have a specific prayer request, please don't hesitate to contact us at nurturewfa@hotmail.com.  We would be more than happy to cover you in prayer.

Have a great week! 

:) Jamie Halquist 

Sara Wiesner

Nurture coordinator

Nurturewfa@hotmail.com

Nurtureatwfa.blogspot.com

Luke 2 - The Birth of Jesus 

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.