December 2023
1st Thursday Connect
1st Thursday Connect, our monthly women’s gathering, will be held December 7. Silly Socks & Sliders is the theme for the evening. Wear your silliest socks and come enjoy sliders at 6:00 p.m. We will learn from the book of Psalms, introduce our next study of 1 Chronicles, and work on two ministry projects together. One of the ministry projects we will be doing is collecting spa-type items for Love, INC to share with mothers in need. If you can, please bring a candle, lotion, soap, or other pretty feminine item to contribute.
December 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
New Life Church West Linn, downstairs
RSVP for December’s 1st Thursday Connect at newlifenw.com/westlinn/women
We have been reading Psalms in November and will read 1 Chronicles in December. Resources to read along are available at 1st Thursday, online, and in the church foyer. They include handouts to help you read personally and also Side by Side. Ask someone to read the Bible with you this month or sign up if you would like to be paired with another woman to read and discuss selected passages from 1 Chronicles together.
If you would like to read the Bible Side by Side on Sunday mornings, a group meets in the lower fireside room at New Life Church West Linn during the 10:45 worship gathering. Come whenever you can, no preparation necessary.
Opportunities
One of our ministry projects at 1st Thursday in December is to collect spa-type items for Love INC to share with mothers in need. If possible, please bring any of these items to December’s 1st Thursday, and we will get them to Love INC: lotion, soaps, candles, spa gift cards, bubble bath, pretty feminine things.
As you decorate this season, save any holiday decor you are ready to part with but someone else may enjoy. We will be having a holiday (any holiday, not just Christmas) swap in January!
If you missed or want to review any of the teachings from 1st Thursday Connect, you can find them on YouTube. Livestream of 1st Thursday Connect is also available.
Share the Joy
You and your friends are invited to pause in a busy season and come to a women’s Christmas reflection and celebration. Converse over festive treats, create simple holiday crafts, or quietly reflect upon the birth of Jesus at interactive stations. The reflection stations will take you on a brief tour of the Bible’s story to see God’s promise of the expected Jesus and what we can expect from Him.
Sunday, December 17, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
New Life Church West Linn
RSVP at newlifenw.com/westlinn/women
Share the Joy is designed to be a welcoming and meaningful Christmas experience for all women, including those who may not attend church often or be very familiar with the Bible’s story. This is an opportunity to bring someone you desire to introduce to friends at church and to Jesus. Who will you invite to share the joy of Christmas? Postcard invitations to give to friends and neighbors are available in the church foyer or a digital invitation can be found at this link.
Scripture Memory
It’s not too late to join in on memorizing 1 John this year and soak in what it means to abide in Christ! A memorization booklet can be made by picking up materials at 1st Thursday or printing your own from the church website. Find the resources online. Memorization of God’s Word is an investment with life-changing rewards.
Links
Below are links to articles, books, podcasts, and music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church. Enjoy!
Kings & Chronicles—a Spotify playlist to accompany 1 Chronicles this month.
Why it Matters that the Bible was Written to a Specific People at a Specific Time—by Peter Krohl @ Knowable Word using an example from Chronicles.
100 Songs for New Christians—a Spotify playlist from Gospel Coalition.
How Do You Move Through Past Trauma—an interview with author Jerry Sittser @ adamyoungcounseling.com or The Place We Find Ourselves podcast.
Test, Seek, Fight, Pray: The Pursuit of Holy Affections—@ Desiring God.
Reaching the Dechurched is a Whole-Church Effort—@ TGC, an encouraging word.
Benefits of Memorizing the Book of Romans—@ Place for Truth.
Journeywomen Christmas—a Spotify Christmas playlist.