Welcome to Guthrie Grove Church of God on this last Sunday before Christmas. We're glad that you are here to celebrate God's greatest Gift of love—His Son to be our Savior!

Musical Prelude ~
Organist: Joyce Williams
Pianist: Susan Durham

Welcome/Concerns and Celebrations of the Congregation ~

Call to Worship ~
Hymn #102
O Come, All Ye Faithful

Invocation ~

Receiving of Tithes and Offerings ~
"You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly." (2 Cor. 8:7)

Offertory ~
Rachel Franco

An Offering in Song ~
Craig Farr

We Worship in Song ~
Hymn #91
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Special Music ~
Brenda Holt, Gesus Bambino

Morning Message ~

Closing Hymn ~
Hymn #57
The Love of God

Benediction ~

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Looking Ahead...
Dec 20: Evening Service: 6 pm
Dec 23: Bible study classes as usual (BYF Christmas Party)
Dec 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (10 pm)
Jan 03: Communion (Morning service)
Jan 09: Men's Breakfast/Fellowship
Jan 17: Fellowship Hall reserved for baby shower (2-4 pm)
Jan 23: Fellowship Hall reserved for baby shower (3-5 pm)
Feb 05-07: Winter Ski Retreat (Blowing Rock, NC)
Feb 27: Carolina Conference Board Mtg.: Ryan's of Asheville
Mar 28: Bethel hosts the Spring Carolina Conference Business Mtg.
Apr 23-25: Women's Retreat, Blowing Rock, NC (Guthrie Grove: Host)

Prayer Concerns...
Janice Garrett, Ruby Kay, Nellie Palmer, Tracie Scott, Donna Roper, Nancy Weeks, Andy Cason, Joan Adams. Margaret Weisner, Teresa/Jackie Smith, Scott Hughes, Chris Picklesimer, Tootsie Lanford, Charles Dantzler, Bernice Gambrell, Louise Durham, Jerry Trotter, Bill/Loree Pierce, Peaches Melton, Beth Shirley, Joan McKee, Paul & Kathy Martin, the Bill Jameson family, Joan Durham, Eunice Browning, Betty Davis, Joe Pack, Susan Bradley, Leon Paxton, Edward/Helen Smith, Petromichelis Family, Alva Huffer, Doris Cole, Peggy Durham, ABC INS Inspections, Allen Skelton, Custody decisions concerning Cassie (York family), Bobby Thomason, Milton Pack, Becky Cooper, Wilola Stargel, Marlane Cooper, Wayne Picklesimer, George Martin, David Martin, those out of work, Margaret Elwell, Mabel Campbell, Johnny Moss, our silent requests, travelers, Troops, Country, and the Peace of Jerusalem (Please let the pastors know if there are additions, deletions, etc. to be made to this list)

12/20:
counters: Eugene Grant & Carol James
nursery worker: Fae Smith
van driver: Chris James
12/27:
counters: Bobby Partain & Bobby Lee Partain
nursery worker: Jon & Lindsey Martin
van driver: Wayne Picklesimer

Happy birthday this week to Jamie Partain, Krista Timmerman, Mary Ann Durham, Cali Ann Morella, Ruby Kay, Amanda Scalf, and Sarah Franco.
Rudolph & Mildred Stone celebrate their wedding anniversary on Dec. 23.

There was wonderful participation & attendance at last Sun. evening's Christmas Cantata. Many positive comments were shared; thanks again to all helped with this presentation, to the glory of God and of Jesus.

We will be having a Christmas Eve Service again this year. Pastor Jim would love for you to sing, play an instrument, provide readings, etc. Please speak to Jim today if you'd like to be a participant in this 10 pm service.

Louise Durham will celebrate a very special birthday on Sat., Jan. 2: 90 years young! Next Sunday, Dec. 27th, and again on Jan. 3rd, a box/basket will be placed on the entryway table. In lieu of gifts, the family has asked that we shower Louise with birthday cards for her to read & enjoy. We hope (and pray) that Louise will feel well enough to join us for worship on Jan. 3.

Weight Watchers will begin holding Thursday evening meetings at Guthrie Grove on January 7th. Led by Suzanne Winner, the meetings will last until 8:15 or so. Please see Cory Shaull if you have questions.

Our "College Student of the Month" is Sarah Franco, a Junior at Erskine College in Due West. Sarah is majoring in Biology and looking forward to an externship at St. Francis Eastside during the month of January. Cards of congratulations/encouragement can be sent to 3 Gossett St., Williamston.

David and Victoria Holt have moved into their new home. We wish them God's blessing at this special time in their lives.

"We want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Thanks so much for the nice cards that we have received, and for the many acts of kindness throughout the year; you are a blessing to us all." Love, the Montgomery's (Mike, Myra, Paige, and Jennie)

Please remember to bring any coats that you no longer use to the church by Sunday, Dec. 27th. We need sizes 2 Toddler-3XXX. We can also use socks, gloves, and caps. These will be taken to Threads of Hope Ministry in Anderson to be given out on New Year's Day. The Threads of Hope Ministry is planning to feed 1000 people on New Year's Day. Please call 261-8455 if you'd like to volunteer to help them that day. We are also taking donations. There's a large box in the foyer for coats and a jar for money. Thank you for your generosity.

Congratulations to Fae Smith upon her December 17 graduation from Clemson. Fae received her Bachelor Degree in Nursing with a 4.0 grade point average. Way to go! Continue to pray for Fae as she looks forward to continuing her education.

Don't forget to take home your Poinsettias today ~