SFNAZ Newsletter December 2024

SFNAZ Newsletter December 2024

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SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALL-CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY & AUCTION | Wednesday December 11 – 6p

We will be celebrating Christmas together as a SFNAZ family.  A sit-down dinner, music, an auction, pastoral skit, and more!  We would love to have the entire congregation join us!

CHRISTMAS LOVE OFFERING

If you would like to bless our pastoral staff with a Christmas Love Offering, mark your gift “Pastors’ Christmas Gifts” and place it in the offering box.

LOCAL FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

You may or may not know that our church has a small food pantry. We have food available for our church family and the community. We also serve the homeless who might stop by the office with immediate needs. We will be accepting donations of the following items to restock the pantry.

  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Spaghetti Noodles
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Chile Con Carne
  • Soups
  • Tuna
  • Canned Chicken
  • SPAM
  • Green Beans
  • Corn
  • Canned Pears
  • Canned Peaches
  • Box Cereal

 

SFNAZ FUTSAL | Thursdays 7p

Inviting teens and anyone older that want to come play indoor soccer (futsal) in the gym.  For more information, contact Mark Snyder.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Are you curious about Celebrate Recovery?  Come join us January 17 at 5p for a dinner and informational meeting.  If you have any questions, please contact Terry at (509) 859-7691.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WINTER HELP NEEDED

We need YOUR help keeping the pathways clear of snow.  If you are able to do some shoveling before 8am and are willing to be put on the call list, please contact Kodi Aller at (509) 607-8145.  We can’t keep our building safe without the help of our wonderful volunteers.

SENIOR LUNCHEON | Wednesday, December 11th – 12p

Join us at Old European.  Call Roberta to RSVP 509-325-0711

TREE OF BLESSINGS

There is still time to help bless kids at our local elementary school.  For details, visit the tree in the Holy Grounds.  The deadline to return wrapped gifts is December 15th.

HOLIDAY SCHEDUle

A ROCKIN’ ROYAL CHRISTMAS | Sunday, December 15th – 10:45a

SFNAZ Kids will perform during morning worship service.  You won’t want to miss it!

HOLIDAY ON PIPES | Sunday, December 15th – 6p

Annual Christmas Concert & Sing-Along presented by the Spokane Theatre Organ Society.  Scott Foppiano will be performing, and it is something that will be enjoyed by the entire family.  Free admission.

NO MIDWEEK ACTIVITIES | Wednesday, December 18th

CHRISTMAS STORY WITH CHIEF | Sunday, December 22nd – 10:45a

This is a special family worship service that includes the whole family in the sanctuary together. The kids are invited to join Pastor Wes on the platform as he reads a favorite Christmas book to them.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE | Tuesday, December 24th – 5p

Still the “hustle and bustle” of the holidays for an evening of worship. Your favorite carols blended with new songs focusing on Jesus, our infant King. Listen as the story unfolds in a drama grander than imagination as God comes near. Thrill as candlelight and music fill the night with hope and light.

WINTER BREAK – NO ACTIVITIES |  December 25th – 28th | Office Closed

MORNING WORSHIP | Sunday, December 29th  – 10:45a (No Learning & Growth Classes)

BENEVOLENCE SUNDAY | December 29th

On the fifth Sunday of the month, we take up a separate offering designated for the benevolence fund.  This fund helps to support fellow church members, and those within the community in need.

WINTER BREAK – NO ACTIVITIES | December 30th – January 1st | Office Closed

ALL-CHURCH CHILI COOKOFF & BINGO NIGHT | Saturday, January 25th – 5p

SAVE THE DATE

ADULT BIBLE STUDIES | Sunday – 9:30a

  • Revelation – A Gospel of God’s Power
  • Heros of the Bible discussion – January only (led by Don/Lorraine Chambers)

 REFUGE MEN’S GROUP | Tuesday 6:15p – 8:00p

 ADULT STUDIES | New Classes starting in January on Wednesday 6:30p

  • The Genius of Jesus (led by Lacey Turner)
  • Old Testament Heros (led by Wanda Aller)
  • Men’s group, topic to be determined
  • Dynamic Marriage (led by Pastor Wes and Cas)

DYNAMIC MARRIAGE | Begins January 8th – 6p

Dynamic Marriage is a 9-week class that will take your marriage to new heights.  Invest $130 per couple and discover new things about your marriage no matter how long you’ve been married.  Check out Church Center to be on a wait list or contact the office.

Are you looking for a way to connect with SFNaz? Life groups are the perfect way to build community that matters. We would love to have you be part of our life group family.  Check out Church Center or contact the office. We’ll do our best to find a group which will work for you.  Would you like to lead a Life Group? Please let us know by contacting the office. We’ll host a training session as soon as possible.

SUNDAYS

  • 9:30a
    • Nursery for children 3 and under
    • Learning and Growth Pre-K – 5th grade
  • 10:45a
    • Nursery for children 3 and under
    • Children’s Church for Pre-K and K
    • Grades 1st-5th will join parents in church for worship, then be dismissed before the sermon for Children’s Church

WEDNESDAYS

  • 6:30p
    • Nursery | 3 and under
    • Pre-K | Small group lessons and games
    • Ages 4 and up | Rehearsal for Christmas Musical

Upcoming Events

  • December 7 | Breakfast with Santa – Breakfast, games, pictures with Santa. Purchase tickets through church office or planning center
  • December 11| Kids sing 6p | All church Christmas dinner
  • December 15 | Christmas Musical – 10:45 service
  • December 18 | No Midweek services – Christmas break
  • December 22 | Story Time with Chief – 10:45a come to church in your pj’s as Pastor Wes will be reading a story with a special Christmas message.
  • December 25 | No Mid-week services
  • December 29 | One service – 10:45a Family Worship Service
  • January 1 | No Mid-week Services

Needs in Children’s Department:

  • Helpers for special events
  • Helper for Pre-K teacher for 10:45a service (1 hour commitment)
  • Nursery help for Sunday morning – to be on a 6-week rotation (1 hour 20-minute commitment)
  • Kids’ check in desk help needed 9:30 hour, and 10:45 on a rotation (1 ½ hour commitment per time)
  • Small group leader on Wednesday nights for 1st-3rd – 6:45p (20-30 minute commitment)

We look forward to having you join us.  If you have any questions, please email me  jordanr@sfnaz.org

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Sunday – 9:30a

  • Middle School Learning & Growth
  • High School Learning & Growth

Sunday – 10:45a

  • Worship Service

Wednesday – 6:30p

  • Youth Group 6-12th grade | What Does the Bible Say About Worship?

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • December 11 | All Church Christmas Party – The whole family is invited to come enjoy some Christmas fun together. Party starts at 6p
  • December 18 | Youth Group Christmas Party – Let’s celebrate the Christmas season by playing games, eating snacks and having fun!
  • December 22 & 29 | No Youth Learning and Growth
  • December 25 & January 1 | No Youth Group
  • December 31 | Youth NYE All-nighter – Ring in the new year with the youth group by playing games, hanging out, and connecting with God. Sign up on Church Center.

YOUTH CALENDAR FUNDRAISER

 Support our teens by purchasing a Youth Group calendar.  Each month will include themed pictures of SFNAZ teens and a specific prayer focus.  These calendars are great for those who like to pray for our teens, and they also will also make great holiday gifts!  Each calendar is $35.

 NEEDS IN YOUTH DEPARTMENT:

  • NYE All-Nighter volunteers – 4-hour shift
  • Sunday morning snacks
  • High school Sunday teacher – 1x/month
  • Sunday morning check-in volunteer – 1x/month
  • Wednesday volunteers

Questions, comments, concerns?  Email justinew@sfnaz.org

 

YOUNG ADULT HANGOUT | Tuesdays – 6p

Calling all young adults (18-30) to come meet with Pastor Lake in the library for a weekly time to hang out and connect with other young adults.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY | Friday’s 6:30p – led by Terry Turner

Celebrate Recovery is a biblically balanced approach to help bring sustainable recovery and healing to our hurts.  For more information, visit: sfnaz.org/celebrate WALK-INS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

Are you curious about Celebrate Recovery?  Come join us January 17 at 5p for a dinner and informational meeting.  If you have any questions, please contact Terry at (509) 859-7691.

 

TITHES & OFFERING

Thank you so much for your faithful support of our church! Here are a few options available to continue with giving of tithes & offerings.

  1. Online giving is available.

You may mail your check directly to the church
          Spokane First Church of the Nazarene
          9004 N Country Homes Blvd.
          Spokane, WA 99218

 

  1. GIVE BY TEXT – 84321
  • Text the dollar amount you would like to give to 84321 and follow the prompts

Faithfulness in Giving 

                                     Income            Expense                +/-

  • General           $ 493,200         $ 482,900           $ +10,300
  • Missions          $   41,800         $   41,050           $ +    750               

(March through October 2024)

Thank you for giving generously to your church general fund. Your faithfulness in giving helps to meet our budgeted expenses.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER

Prayer Chain by Email

  • Contact the church office to receive prayer requests by email (office@sfnaz.org).

Prayer for District Churches

  • December 1      Pilot Rock & Pomeroy
  • December 8      Nazarene Bible College & President Scott Sherwood
  • December 15    Post Falls & Princeton
  • December 22    Prosser Harvest & Quincy
  • December 29    Republic & Richland First

Missions Prayer Request

  • December 1       Bangladesh & Barbados
  • December 8       Belize & Bermuda
  • December 15     Italy & Jamaica
  • December 22     Japan & Jordan
  • December 29     Kenya & South Korea

PRAYER REQUESTS

  • Dick Boston
  • George Cote
  • Diana Hanna
  • Lyn Miller
  • Sheryl Valoff
  • Susan & Doug Wold
  • Barb Sires
  • Amber Jones
MISSIONS CORNER

ANSWERING THE CALL – SEND ME 

Missions Experience in North Africa

Are you seeking to discern a call to missions?  Do you want to gain valuable missions experience, learn about ministry in North Africa, and become an effective ambassador for Christ?  Join a team for an immersive experience that offers a unique opportunity to live and engage in a culturally sensitive field for 2, 4, or 8 weeks.

For more information, contact sendme@nazarene.org or start your application at www.opportunities.nazarene.org

NAZARENE NEWS 

SINGAPORE CHURCH COLLECTS FIRST EVER ALABASTER OFFERING

The Singapore Church of the Nazarene held a special Sunday service on November 3, 2024 with a Global Missions emphasis, collecting an Alabaster offering for the first time.

FROM THE BOARD OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS

With grateful hearts: Thank you for partnering in missions.

As fiscal year 2024 comes to a close, the generosity of individuals and churches like you who choose to partner in mission with the Church of the Nazarene is more apparent than ever before.  Your support through the World Evangelism Fund (WEF) is not just a donation —- it is an investment in the eternal transformation of lives around the world.

This past year, your 2024 giving of World Evangelism was $38.5 million, surpassing last year’s total of $37.2 by $1.3 million — an increase of 3.5%.  For this, your Global Church cannot thank you enough.  You are making an eternal impact by your generosity, and lives are being changed.

In Africa — pastors are being trained to share the gospel in remote, unreached communities, equipping them to disciple new believers and spread God’s Kingdom.

In South America — your support helps medical clinics deliver essential healthcare while addressing spiritual needs, offering Christ’s love to the most vulnerable.

In Mesoamerica — local churches are transforming communities through acts of Love, providing food, shelter, and spiritual care in times of crisis.

In Asia – Pacific — compassionate ministry teams respond to natural disasters, bringing hope and healing while sharing the love of Christ with those in desperate need.

 In Eurasia — your giving spreads the gospel in war-torn areas, where pastors and missionaries serve amid violence and persecution.

In USA/Canada — young adults are being equipped through discipleship programs to lead the next generation in living out their faith and sharing Christ’s message.

Again, The Board of General Superintendents thank you for being part of this Global family of believers.  Thank you for standing with us, giving generously, and believing in the power of Christ message to change lives.  The work of our Global Church through your gift to World Evangelism is bringing hope, healing, and salvation to a world in need.

Thank you SFNAZ!  As of 10/31/2024 We have raised $41,835 for Missions!  Our church year ends on February 28th.  Let’s finish strong and meet our goal of $60,000.

For these and other stories of Nazarene’s around the world check out Nazarene news. news@nazarene.org

Missions Prayer request 

Tim and Michelle Eby in South Africa

Bruce and Cinda McKellips in Portugal

Monica Boseff and the Open Door Foundation in Romania

Submitted by:

Brian Maloney, Missions Board Member

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