🗞️HEADLINE NEWS

🙏Join us Thursday for an uplifting Thanksgiving worship service at 9 AM! In keeping with tradition, we’ll be opening the MICROPHONE for anyone who feels led to share a word of gratitude from their heart. Offering this day is for the Food Vault. And then….🦃🍗🥧

SEE THE GLOW.  Drive by the north side of the building and check out the newly finished cross. But swing by at night—that’s when it really comes to life! And as it lights up the dark, it’s a simple reminder: God’s light always shows up for us, right where we are.  Note–we are still working on ‘programming’ the lighting…does nothing work on plain old switches anymore?🤷

JUST AROUND THE CORNER. Advent is almost here—a season that reminds us to pause, breathe, and make room for Jesus. If you’re hoping to engage a bit more deeply this year, we’ve got a couple great options for you! Pick up our hard-copy booklet, “Light Shines in the Darkness: Family Devotions for Advent,” perfect for households of any size (one per household, please). Grab from the Welcome Center.  And if digital is more your style, check out “Advent,” a devotional series by Derwin Gray on RightNow Media. However you choose to prepare, we pray these resources help you lean into hope, light, and expectation this Advent season.

Our Annual CONGREGATIONAL MEETING + 2026 budget discussion is coming on Sun., Dec. 7th following worship! The children’s ministry kids will gather in Room 200 during the meeting so most teachers can participate before going to their classroom. If you enjoy studying in advance, a 2026 budget is at the Welcome Center today.

COMING Dec. 21–The 2026 Giving eXperience! This family event is now over 10 years strong and remains a fan favorite. Bundle up and hop on the buses as we share the light of Jesus with those who may need extra love this season. Departure Time: 4 PM.  Departure Gate: Meet in the Fellowship Hall. Kids—good news! We’ll have glow candles for you this year. As we assemble gift baskets for those we visit, we’re also COLLECTING GIFT CARDS ($10, $20, or $25) for food or gas. Please drop donations in the office or the lockbox behind the Welcome Center.

🚨 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM DOWN 🚨 Our voicemail broadcast system has taken a little “break” and isn’t sending out voice blasts at the moment–we suspect it’s an unpaid vacation… While it’s off recharging its circuits, we’ll reach you through email or short text messages for anything time-sensitive. Thanks for staying tuned in—just in a slightly different way for now! 

📰AND IN OTHER NEWS…

🎉 YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR LAST WED. NITE FAMILY SUPPER OF 2025! We said 2025, ya all. Of course the meals are continuing in the new year! Let’s end this year the way every good holiday gathering should— around a table full of great food and FRC family. We’re serving up boneless pork loin, roasted potatoes, Lorraine TeLindert’s glazed carrots, Sally Mentink’s famous Russian Cream, Vegetarian Corn Chowder, warm rolls, and don’t miss the DEBUT of the Ugly Sweater Dessert! Plus: Lots of gluten-free options with this menu, including a dessert!

And as we share this meal, we get to do what God keeps gently reminding us to do—slow down, show up for each other, and enjoy the gift of community He’s given us. 🆘Let’s give our Chef uninterrupted sleep by signing up today verses waiting for the last possible day to sign-up!  RSVP today at the Welcome Center, on FRC’s website, or by clicking HERE.

WHO SAID NIGHT DRIVING? NOT YOU! Hey crew: Let us do the driving while you enjoy two dazzling light shows — Making Spirits Bright and Ciske’s Country Light Show — with an ice cream break (because of course). Just a few spots left. Grab a friend and come enjoy the lights with us as well as a fun time on the bus! 🎄🍦🚍 RSVP at the Welcome Center or click HERE.🔔

🍞🥣 HELP US STUFF THE FOOD VAULT WITH HOLIDAY GOODNESS!
Great news: we’ve already bagged 72% of the 210 holiday items on our special list for the December food vault recipients! Now we’re down to the last handful — fewer than 60 items left. Got room in your cart on your next grocery trip? Pick up an item (or three!) and help us wrap up this goal with a bow! Click HERE or stop at the Welcome Center to sign-up. Your kindness helps fill homes with food and hearts with joy. 

SERVING OPPORTUNITIES NEEDS–WE NEED YOU!

We need your help. Here’s the goals:

❄️Snow Shoveler Back-Up Crew: 50% of the spots = filled. Can we hit 75% by next week? Read about it HERE. Or use the QR code to review / sign-up.

Happy Birthday Jesus Party: 28% of the spots = filled. We’re looking to hit 100% by Nov. 30th! This is the post-Children’s Christmas Worship Service party. Last year our sanctuary and Fellowship Hall was overflowing. What a great opportunity to get involved in showing visitors the love of Christ! Click HERE.

NEW Sign-Up ~ December Ushers: 35 spots needed and 30% filled! Click HERE please!

🧒👧📖 FROM THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Fifth graders- we look forward to seeing you in the Fellowship Hall after Sunday School today.

La la la la la—it’s rehearsal time! All 3-year-olds through fifth graders who attend Sunday School and/or Bible Class should plan to be present as we prepare for this year’s Children's Christmas Service. Practice dates are Wednesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 10, from 6:00–7:30 PM. Please check the emails sent home for links to the Christmas songs and Scripture memory pieces.

🎄Fifth graders: It’s time for our annual High Five Making Spirits Bright outing—where everything is merry, bright, and extra sparkly!  Friday, December 12 4:45-6:45. 

📢SOUNDBITES   

✅ We extend our Christian sympathies to the family of Linda Vander Weele. Linda passed away last Sunday.

✅ Mary & Dale Roerdink want to thank you for the prayers, support, and thoughtful gestures you’ve shared as they and their family walk through the loss of their son-in-law.

✅ Attendance last week was 383 and the offering $19,826. The Special Offering–for the Words of Hope Persian ministry is at $1,653 month-to-date.