December 9, 2022 ANNOUNCEMENTSChristmas Eve at Sherwood Park Alliance ChurchThe Christmas moments we cherish the most are the ones we share together! Sherwood Park Alliance is excited to welcome you, your family, and friends to experience the story of Christmas with one another. The awe and wonder of the shepherds as the angels shared the good news of hope and peace in Jesus' birth! Invite your friends and family to celebrate through beautiful worship, art and words. Our Christmas Eve services are for the whole family and are always a special time for kids to experience the Christmas story. Nursery will be open for children age 2 and under at all Christmas Eve services. All older children are invited to join their families in the auditorium. There will be a child-friendly environment, with limited space available, for families with preschool aged children in the north balcony. We look forward to celebrating with you this Christmas!Join us on December 23 at 6 PM, or December 24 at 2, 4, or 6 PM to celebrate Christmas together. There will be family photos, live music and more!This year the offering received at the Christmas Eve Services will be going to For Freedom International. This organization was started “with a dream to see the marginalized, vulnerable, and exploited set free from the injustice of oppression.” Working in Phuket, Thailand, FFI is focused on “growing a public awareness and education campaign in Thai public schools to help provide sexual education, anti-trafficking awareness, [and] after school support programs for children, and families at risk.” Funds collected will go towards a building project to provide boys who have been rescued from human trafficking a safe home. You can make your donations here on December 23 and December 24.Christmas Eve Serving Opportunity!Our team here at church is busy preparing for this special Christmas season and we would like to invite you join us! There are various ways you can help and be a part of the Christmas Eve services! Please see spac.ca/christmasserve for more information or contact our Hospitality team at [email protected]. Thank you so much! Justice and Compassion Christmas Projects As the Christmas season approaches, there will be many ways to engage in giving by participating in one or more projects that our Justice and Compassion team is leading.International Workers Christmas Cards - Each Christmas we as a church come together to express and encourage our International Workers.Ways to participate are:1. You can sign one the digital cards2. Write your own separate note of encouragement on a card of your choosing, for the International workers, and drop it off at the church.3. Email your encouragements and Christmas greetings to Annemarie and we'll add them to the e-cards for you (please include who each of the messages is for).Cards can be picked up or or dropped of at the church during office hours or around a weekend service December 10/11, 17/18. Cards are due back January 2, 2022.Holiday HoursThe regular schedule around here will look a little different during the Christmas holidays.On Christmas Day, Sunday December 25, there will be no in person service but there will be an online service only at 10am.On December 26 and 27, the church office will be closed for Boxing Day and a day in lieu of Christmas Day.We will be open and hold regular office hours on December 28, 29 & 30.On New Year's Eve, Saturday December 31, there will be no service - online or in person.On Sunday January 1, we will have our normal Sunday service at 10 AM online and in person. Kids Ministries Family Advent Devotional GuideThe holiday season goes by so quickly with the hustle and bustle of all the celebrations and preparations. We're inviting you to take pause each day as a family and reflect on the presence and peace of Jesus in this season. Sign up here to access our family advent devotional which includes a short reading (separate Elementary and Preschool readings both included) and a beautiful build your own nativity scene document. Guides are available online to print at home, or in-person at the Kids Kiosk in the atrium on weekends or at the front church office.Career Opportunity at SPAC We are currently looking to hire a Human Resources Manager, please see here for more information.Serving at SPACWe believe that actively serving not only brings us closer to God, but reminds us to love others like he does. Through serving, you'll use the unique ways that God has gifted you to help create welcoming environments where he can change lives. There are many opportunities to get involved. Go to spac.ca/serve to learn more.Family News - Serve OpportunityThere are a couple of families in our church family who would like help with meals to get them through a time of illness. We are looking for volunteers who could pick up gift cards from the church to purchase ingredients or store made meals and then deliver them. Both families have dietary concerns that need to be considered. If you are able to help, please contact Alison Blackley at [email protected]Do you have Family News you'd like to share with our church family? Email [email protected] and let us knowNewsletterIf you are newer to the church or just haven't yet signed up to receive the weekly eNews, perhaps you would like to. This is a great way to stay connected with all that is happening around this community! Go to spac.ca/enews to subscribe.