SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025
This week, we could say we close the book on Acts and open it on Christmas, but what if it is actually the same book? It is, indeed, the “most wonderful time of the year,” and part of that just might be because it is also one of the most missional times of the year. On Sunday, we’ll have a little fun, reflect on where we’ve been, and begin the approach toward where we’re headed—to a manger, a mission; a King, a vibrant community. Welcome!
DECEMBER LUNCHEON THIS SUNDAY
Join us this Sunday for our monthly luncheon right after the service. We will be serving homemade chicken noodle soup, cheesy garlic bread, and possibly a fresh salad. It is the perfect cozy meal for a December afternoon. It is always a great time to serve, connect, and be part of the team.
YOUR CHRISTMAS CALENDAR
We’re kicking off the Christmas season with a free Christmas Movie Night on Friday, December 12 at 6:00 PM in the Woodcrest Auditorium (2201 W. Nifong). Doors open at 5:30.
Settle in for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, free snacks and hot drinks, live holiday music, and all the cozy Christmas vibes. It’s the perfect night to invite a friend and enjoy something fun and festive together.
This movie night also launches our Christmas series, A Christmas for Misfits, on December 14 and December 21. We’ll look at how God meets us in the places where we feel out of place and invites us into something deeper.
And be sure to save the date for our CHRISTMAS EVE candlelight service, Made to Belong, on December 24 at 4 PM and 6 PM. It will be a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate the hope of Christmas with your church family.
MEAL KIT PROGRAM GROWS
In our final week of the Dollar Club meal kit project, your generosity continued with $82 given. Our grand total for the month of November far exceeded our expectations with $1,945 in donations.
We are partnering with a pastor from a Hispanic church here in Columbia who has confirmed there are families in their congregation who would greatly appreciate help with meals. With $671 remaining from your November Dollar Club offerings, we will assemble additional meal kits to share with our neighbors.
Watch for one more update as we put those remaining funds to work.
LOAVES AND FISHES
Our Woodcrest team and friends prepared and served a warm meal of chili, cornbread, baked apples, and snack cakes to 120 neighbors at Loaves and Fishes last Saturday evening. It was cold, damp, and windy outside, which made the hot meal even more appreciated by those we served.
We had quite a bit of leftover chili, which we left for the staff to use another day. On Monday evening, Olivet Church prepared the meal and ran completely out of food when an unexpected group of 20 arrived just five minutes before serving ended. They were so thankful to have our chili on hand to heat up quickly and provide a warm meal for those last few folks.
We are the best version of the Church when we partner together to serve others.
MOBILE MARKET: December 16
Our next mobile pantry will take place on December 16 at the Elks Lodge. Volunteers are needed from 2:45 to 5:30 to direct traffic, register households, sort and bag food, and load groceries into vehicles.
Please invite friends and family to join us. All are welcome to serve. Youth 12 and older can assist with packing groceries, and those 16 and older can help with loading vehicles and directing traffic. REGISTER HERE
WON BY ONE TO JAMAICA: Dec 17 Deadline
We are heading to Harmons, Jamaica with Won by One to Jamaica, April 18–25, 2026, and sign-ups are officially OPEN. If you have been thinking about joining this life changing week of service, community, and kingdom impact, now is the moment.
To reserve your spot, email Kelly Wright ASAP. Kelly will then send you the link and instructions to register through WBOTJ’s managed missions site.
A $100 deposit is due when you register. The total trip cost is $1095 + airfare and is due by March 18, 2026. If you need financial assistance or are interested in fundraising opportunities, please let Kelly know.
This really is a trip of a lifetime. We would love for you to be part of it.
LAST WEEK’S INSIGHT – Acts 28: Unchained Heart
Acts 28 reminds us that God is still at work even when life feels delayed or off-course. Malta wasn’t where Paul planned to be, but God turned an unexpected detour into a place of healing, kindness, and gospel movement.
Here are three things Acts 28 invites us to remember:
Unusual Kindness Has Power
The islanders welcomed Paul with warmth when he was worn out and shaken. Kindness becomes extraordinary when someone is coming out of a storm.
Your Limitations Don’t Limit God
Paul arrived in Rome under guard and stuck in a rented house, yet the gospel moved “with boldness and without hindrance.” God often does His greatest work in the very places that feel restrictive.
God’s Story Continues Through Us
Acts ends with an open window because the mission isn’t finished. The story of the gospel continues every time we love, serve, forgive, and show up like Jesus.
THE TAKEAWAY
Your Malta may feel like a setback, but God can turn it into a beginning. A simple prayer to carry with you this week:
“Here I am, Lord. Write the next chapter of Your story through me.”
OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
• Check out Kidcrest, our children’s ministry HERE
• The Loop: sign up for our student ministry newsletter HERE
• Watch services at WoodcrestWorldwide.org
• Engage on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
• Download the Woodcrest App: CLICK
• Last, but definitely not least: Set up a recurring donation