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  We are so grateful for all of you! I hope your Thanksgiving season has allowed you time to reflect on the goodness and grace of God. Our time with our family was good. Worship this past weekend was especially meaningful for me.
Our community has endured real loss this year. So many of our loved ones have gone to be with the Lord. They have left the land of the dying to go to the land of the living. This grief can color our Christmas gray.
As we reflect on God's gift of His one and only Son in our study of John 3:16, let me encourage us today with the truth. Because God gave his only Son not only to live but to experience our death and to rise again, we have hope for our loved ones in the Lord. We grieve deeply and profoundly because we love so greatly. We do not grieve hopelessly, however. The baby born in Bethlehem grew up, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose again on the third day and ever lives to make intercession for us on the cross. Some day He will return bringing our "beloved ones," with him. So we hold on to this hope and we live with anticipation of the fulfillment of God's great victory over death.
One of our great hymns helps us here, recently revived by Casting Crowns,
Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, Oh glorious day.
Holding on to His Hope,
Duane
 A Festival of Carols and Lights
Presented by Children's Choirs and helpers
 Sunday, December 7
at 6 p.m.
Worship Center
Everyone is invited to attend this celebration of Jesus' birth. You'll love hearing Christmas scriptures and familiar songs of the season. Please join us!
Celebrate Jesus
Wednesday, December 17
 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Stop by the enclosed breezeway and dress up in a Bible costume, then visit with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, the Shepherd and his sheep in the East Courtyard. Join in song with bells, gobble up a gingerbread man and head to the parking lot to ride Larry the camel and more! Hamburger dinner will be served in the Gym beginning at 5:00 p.m. Cost for dinner: $5 per person, $20 max per family.
Advent Sermon Series
The Gift of Love - John 3:16
Join us this Advent season for our celebration of God's Gift of Love. Each week we will look at another dimension of God's good news for the world found in John 3:16. Our study of this great verse will rise to a crescendo on Christmas Eve when we will light candles and sing Silent Night remembering God's great gift of Love.
December 6-7
Love to Include: The Parameters of God's Great Gift
December 13-14
Love to Sacrifice: The Price of God's Great Gift
December 20-21
Love to Believe: The Purpose of God's Great Gift
December 24
Love to Life: The Promise of God's Great Gift
Pastor's Winter Bible Study
Dr. Brooks will begin his Winter Bible Study "Where Wisdom is Found: Studies in Proverbs" on Thursday, January 15 at 11:00 a.m. in the Activities Center. Lunch is available following the study. Classes will be held on January 15 & 29, February 5 & 19, March 5 & 12.
Giving Opportunities
Giving is now as easy as buying a song on iTunes. Less of us carry cash or a checkbook, but we always have our phones. Grab your phone and text 'Tallowood' to 77977 and you'll receive a text back with instructions to donate and download the app to start giving. Or if you'd prefer, simply download the "Pushpay" app from the Android Play or Apple App store.
There is a one-time activation in which you input your credit card or bank information and select a 4-digit pin. From there forward, making a contribution is as easy as 1,2,3. Open the app, choose who to give to, enter the details and you're done, in only seconds. Be sure to make Tallowood a favorite by selecting the star in the upper right corner of the app to easily find us next time you give.
With Pushpay you can:
* Give easily, quickly and securely
* Store multiple cards
* Give recurring donations
* See your giving history (log in to www.pushpay.com)
As always, you can give donations through our website (tallowood.org/giving) and you'll have the same giving experience there as on the app. Please note: If you are currently set up for recurring donations through Paypal, please cancel these and use PushPay. If you have any questions, please direct them to Courtney in the Business Office. We're excited about this easy way to give and think you'll love it too.
Spirit of Christmas
The Women's Ministry would like to thank the speakers, musicians, greeters, cookie helpers, and every volunteer who made our Treasured Traditions event possible. Over 250 women enjoyed fellowship, beautiful music, delicious food and of course a fantastic cookie decorating lesson! Over $3000 was raised for the "Spirit of Christmas" event for Gracewood Ministry. Thank you for your generosity and heart to share with the women and children of Gracewood.
Shop and Support Missions
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support global missions every time you shop at no additional cost to you. Go to smile.amazon.com and select either the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (Lottie Moon) or the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Texas. The AmazonSmile Foundation will then donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to that organization. Unless you change your preferred donation recipient, your future purchases will continue to benefit the recipient. For more information, contact Cheryl Richardson: crichardson@tallowood.org.
Passion, Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2015
Passion is a gathering of high school seniors and college students from all over the world, for a weekend of worship. Passion will meet in the Toyota Center that weekend. We will provide transportation to and from Tallowood. Go online and register at 268generation.com/passion2015/houston. If you have any questions, or would like to place your name on the transportation list, please contact the student ministry office at 713.468.8241, ext. 8165.
Culinary Ministry
Wednesday Night Dinner:
Starting at 4:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall East (FHE)
$7.00 adults / $3.00 child
Dec. 10: Lasagna or Grilled pepper chicken
Dec. 17: Hamburger dinner
Tuesday Lunch
Starting at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall East
$7.00
Dec. 9: Chicken cacciatore or Salisbury steak
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Read through the Bible with the Pastor in 2015
Reading Plans are available in the Narthex or Church Office. Sign up at tallowood.org to receive Daily Devotionals from Dr. Brooks based on these scriptures. If you currently receive the devotionals, you will automatically receive this new series.
 The Perfect Gift
A Journey through Time
Presented by the Adult Choir and Orchestra
Saturday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 14 at 3 & 6 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Wednesday, December 24th
4:30, 6:00 & 11:00 p.m.
10-10-10
Do something to fight human trafficking by joining other believers to pray against trafficking that takes place along I-10. The prayer group will meet on Wednesday, December 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the covered gazebo at Taste of Texas.
Lottie Moon and CBF Global Christmas Offerings Focus Weekend is December 6 & 7
The goal of the 2014 Christmas Offerings is to reach as many people as possible with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help them grow in the joy of a life committed to Him. For more information on your contribution to this eternal work, go to imb.org/lottiemoon or thefellowship.info/OGM.
Mission Greenspoint Christmas Store
Will you help others receive an eternal gift this Christmas? Mission Greenspoint will be hosting its annual Christmas Store on December 20 and they need volunteers to share the gospel, wrap presents, and assist parents with shopping for their children. Service shifts for the Christmas Store are 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Cindy Butler.
End of Year Contributions
The business office will be open on Wednesday, December 31 until 5:00 p.m. for the convenience of our members who want to make contributions. Gifts sent through the mail must be postmarked by December 31, 2014 in order to receive contribution credit for 2014. Thank you for your faithful support of ministries at Tallowood.
Christmas Poinsettias
Poinsettias will decorate the Worship Center this Christmas. Contribute one or more in honor or memory of a loved one. Deadline to order is December 12. Cost: $20. Order at tallowood.org or call Denny, 713.468.8241, ext. 8137.
December 55+ Afternoon at the Movies
Friday, December 19, 1:30 p.m. in ET104. This month's movie is Desk Set. No registration required.
No December Business Meeting
There will be no Committee of Committees or Church Business Meeting in the month of December. The next meetings will be on Sunday, January 25, 2015.
 BAPTIZED-
November 30: Victoria Bunch, Avery Breed
SYMPATHY TO-
Jenna Ortiz on the death of her mother
CONGRATULATIONS TO-
Robert and Camille Merck on the birth of Colton Price on November 20. Colton weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. He is the grandson of Martin and Joan Atwood and the baby brother of Hailey.
 ENROLLMENT
for November 30 - 4,456
ATTENDANCE
Saturday:
Nov. 22 - 78; Nov. 29 - 87
Sunday:
Nov. 23 - 1,533; Nov. 30 - 1,290
International:
Nov. 23 - 290; Nov. 30 - 319
Totals:
Nov. 22/23 - 1,901
Nov. 29/30 - 1,696
FINANCIAL REPORT
Budget, Oct. 2014 - Sept. 2015: $9,217,000
Dec. Requirements (15% budget): $1,382,550
Budget Requirements YTD: $1,468,962
Receipts Fiscal YTD: $1,404,730
Fiscal YTD Budget Excess/(Deficit): ($64,232)
Budget Receipts:
11/23/14 - $150,814
11/30/14 - $160,767
Requirements (weekly): $163,218
Excess/(Deficit)
11/23/14 - ($12,404)
11/30/14 - ($2,451)
DEBT RETIREMENT REPORT
Debt Balance 11/3/2014: $454,449
Debt Retired thru 12/1/2014: $3,782
Debt Balance 12/1/2014: $450,667  November 22 & 23, 2014
Joanne Lee - PF
Sandy Shen - PF
November 29 & 30, 2014
Avery Breed - PF
Elijah Cheney - PF
Terry Newkirk - Letter
PF = Profession of Faith
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