(Updated December 4)
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THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Thanksgiving Offering (TGO)! We are currently 60% toward our Thanksgiving Offering goal of $175,805, and we need your help to finish strong! You can still give through the offering, online, or at the Church Office—please note “Thanksgiving Offering” on it. Thank you for the incredible generosity already shown. As Hebrews 13:16 reminds us God de- lights in our sharing. Your gifts are bringing hope, healing, and Christ’s love to children, adults, and families locally and globally.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped fill, sort, hand-out, and deliver Thanksgiving boxes. Your kindness and generosity provided Thanksgiving dinner to over 100 families. We are praying you all had a joy filled Thanksgiving.
AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL WRITTEN BY CMC STAFF AND MEMBERS IS AVAILABLE at the Discipleship Kiosk, the Info Center, and at Entrance D. May this Advent Devotional be a blessing to all. As you read it may your heart be filled anew with the hope, peace, and joy that only Christ can truly provide.
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES (CCLI): Join us this Sunday, December 7 for “Living Beyond Yourself: How India Broke My Heart for the Great Commission” presented by Todd VanEk, President and CEO, Mission India. CCLI meets from 10:50-11:50am in the Chapel.
WORD ONE TO ONE -GETTING READY TO GIVE A REA- SON FOR YOUR HOPE: The Bible is the place where we see Jesus most clearly, but if you struggle to know how to help others read the Bible join Pastor Suzanne on Sundays, December 7 and 14 in Room 165 from 10:45-11:45am. You’ll be equipped with tools to help you explore what the Bible says about Jesus together with a friend or loved one.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER THIS COMING WEEK in the Gathering Place from 5:00-6:00pm. Menu: loaded baked potato bar.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: in the youth center. Invite your friends! Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm
CMC YOUTH WIDE ORNAMENT PAINTING PARTY SUNDAY NIGHT: all members of CMC kids, dance, middle and high schoolers, and friends are invited to Paint a Pot tonight (390 E. 8th Street) to make an ornament from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Cost is $10 per person or $12 a family.
SECOND HOUR FOR KIDS IS GROWING and there are kids of diverse ages and needs. We are looking for leaders for the following age groups: Littles (infant-3 years old), Preschool (4 years old through 1st grade), Elementary (2nd-5th grade)
Leaders need to be available to serve at least one Sunday per month from 10:45-11:45am. Contact Rachel (rachelb@christmemorial.org) if interested.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 14, Jake Mulder, author of Growing Young, will be featured at the CCLI class but due to the expected size of the group, it will be held in the Gathering Place. For those who would like to hear more or ask questions from the author, from noon to 1pm there will be sandwiches and further conversation in the chapel. Make plans to attend one or both presentations! To register for lunch, go to Kiosk 2 today, December 7.
FOR ANYONE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE DUE TO DEATH: A GRIEFSHARE GROUP provides a warm and caring environment, offering you support and encouragement as you journey through your grief. Our next GriefShare group will meet on Mon- days, January 5—March 30 from 1-3pm in Room 169 (adult wing). GriefShare brochures are available at the Care and Discipleship Kiosks. Contact Lori to sign up (lorib@christmemorial.org or 796-3361).
NAV 2:7 GROWING STRONG IN GOD’S FAMILY: ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM – Led by Ray and Sally Beerhorst and Navigator’s, Chad Schreur your walk with God will be strengthened through enriching Bible study and group inter- action, Scripture memory, learning ways to meditate on Scripture, and more. Sign up at the Discipleship Kiosk for this course designed to help you become more deeply “Rooted in Christ.” Meeting Sunday mornings beginning January 11.
PARENTING BY FAITH INSTEAD OF FEAR: Led by Pastor Judy, join other parents and practice putting faith in Jesus and the hope of the gospel at the center of your parenting life. Wednesdays through December 17, 6-7:30pm in Room 162-163 in the adult wing. You can just show up!
THE BEST NEWS YOU EVER HEARD meets in Room 165 from 6-7:30pm on Wednesdays through December 17. This Bible study of the Gospel of Mark is for everyone – join in at anytime! You will have time to think about the big questions of life and to explore again, or for the first time, the life and person of Jesus. You can just show up!
FOOD ITEMS FOR PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE: For the month of December, consider bringing dried pinto beans, canned tomatoes, and soup to the Collection Center in the mixing area.
MONTHLY PRAYER GATHERING: The Prayer Ministry Team is hosting this month’s gathering on Thursday, December 18, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Chapel. Barb Kiekintveld will guide participants with the theme “Reaching out to Jesus.” Everyone is welcome—feel free to bring a friend!
WINTER 2026 WEDNESDAY MORNING WOW begins on January 7. There are two study options available: Heaven – When Faith Becomes Sight led by Linda Woldring (meeting in Room 166 through April 1) and The Gospel on the Ground – The Grit and Glory of the Early Church in Acts led by a team of women (meeting in Room 167 and multiple other rooms in the adult wing through April 8). More info and sign-up at the Discipleship Kiosk. To ensure materials are available for you, advance sign up is recommended!
AS WE ANTICIPATE THE COMING OF CHRIST, the church library provides resources to help bring hope, peace, joy, and love, as symbolized by the Advent candles. Whether you read Christmas stories to your children or grandchildren, want to explore the true meaning of Christmas, or just want to read seasonal fiction, please visit the church library off the Rotunda. Assistance is available after the Sunday service or use self-checkout anytime during the week
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES CHRISTMAS PROJECT: We are so close — Just 40 more $60 gift cards are needed to en- sure every child in Bethany’s foster care, refugee, and immi- grant programs receives a Christmas gift. Your Walmart or Meijer gift card directly supports the children reminding each child that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten. Please contact Emily today at the Bethany kiosk, 616-403-1589, or eyoung403@gmail.com Gift cards will be due by Sunday, December 7.
“CHRISTMAS MUSICAL MEMORIES OF THE MOVIES II” DINNER THEATER, AN ANNUAL 55+ EVENT: For those who have already registered, come this Thursday, December 11, 6pm, to the chapel for a delightful event. Registration for this event has closed.
HAPPY TOWN CHRISTIAN TRAVELERS: Come with CMC’s travel group to see the LION KING Broadway musical on Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm, at DeVos Performance Hall. Cost: $100 (includes transportation + ticket). Pick up a flyer at the Info Kiosk with registration details. Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 4.
FREE NON-CERTIFIED HEARTSAVER CLASS: When you, your neighbor, or a family member experience a sudden cardiac arrest, by learning CPR you can improve their chances of survival. CMC is offering a 90-minute class on Wednesday, December 17, 6:00-7:30pm, in Room 168, where you will learn hands-only adults, child, and infant CPR; how to use an AED; and how to relieve choking. Register at the Care Kiosk or contact Doris (dorisvk@christmemorial.org).
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT VERSITI BLOOD DRIVE: Mark your calendars for the next one here at CMC in the youth center on Tuesday, January 13, 2:30-7:00pm. Use Entrance F.
DANCERS NEEDED FOR CREATION (March 22, 2026) WORSHIP SERVICES: Dancers ages 6 and up are needed for both services. Contact Emma (emmadv@christmemorial.org) to sign up or with your questions. Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, December 19.
Join us for Come Behold Him, our Christmas Eve services at 3, 5, and 7 PM. Invite friends and neighbors as we reach out in Jesus’ name. We are also seeking offering team members for these services—please contact Beth Smith (beths@christmemorial.org) if you can help.
CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDCARE will be provided for kids ages 4 years old and younger at the 3pm and 5pm Christmas Eve services only. No childcare will be provided for the 7pm service. The Jungle will be open for all services.