by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear LBC family and friends,

I hope you are doing well and walking in the Lord. Hopefully with the holiday season upon us, things aren’t just frantic at your home. I know that we can oftentimes get caught up with planning, get-togethers, presents, and traveling, but I hope you will take some time each day to remember the blessings you have received.

This weekend, our church will celebrate Thanksgiving together with our annual potluck. Of course, many are excited about the food (and they should be!), but I am thankful that most are glad for another opportunity to spend an evening together with brothers and sisters in Christ. The church really has gotten to the size that many of us have really nothing much in common other than the fact that we share in the same gospel hope by God’s grace. And yet, for us that’s enough.

This holiday season, I am particularly thankful for the fellowship of the church. It is so refreshing to see each week how the love of Christ binds us together and how the Spirit of God has woven us in our relationships. I would encourage you to tell someone at the church this week why you are thankful for them. Try to be specific. Be a blessing to someone because you never know. Perhaps you will have encouraged someone who really needed an uplifting word.

In His grace,

Pastor Patrick

Here are this week’s ministry opportunities:

1. FLOCKS. Please don’t forget that it’s flocks week! Our regularly scheduled midweek Bible studies will be taking a break, and the church family will be meeting in regional flocks throughout the community. Most flocks meet on Friday evening, but there are a few that meet on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Please visit the church website for more details.
2. THANKSGIVING POTLUCK. This Sunday evening, we will have our annual Thanksgiving potluck! This is more than a meal shared. It is a great opportunity to fellowship with the church family and be a blessing to one another. Please come prepared to share your thanks as we will be having a time of sharing. It all begins at 5:00 PM on Sunday. Please contact Lynn Yu if you have any questions about helping with food.
3. THANKSGIVING BREAK. Since next week is Thanksgiving, we will be taking a break from all our regular midweek activities. This includes Kids’ Club, Lumos Youth, College Life, Single Life, Grace Life, and Mommy and Me.
4. MEN’S MINISTRY SPORTS FELLOWSHIP. On Saturday, December 7, the men of the church will come together for a morning of athletic fun! We will meet at Torrey Hills Neighborhood Park from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Afterwards, we’ll hang out at Chick-Fil-A on Mira Mesa for lunch!
5. CHRISTMAS CONCERT. On Saturday, December 14, we will be having our annual Christmas Concert. Come out for this musical celebration as we take time to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It all begins at 6:00 PM at the church. Be sure to invite your friends and family!
6. CHRISTMAS SERVICE. On Sunday, December 22, we will be having a special Christmas service. This is a great opportunity to invite unbelieving friends and family to come out and hear the gospel message. That weekend, the children’s ministries will also be taking a break and the kids will join us in service. Nursery care will still be provided.
7. NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE. On Tuesday, December 31, we will be having a New Year’s Eve service at the church beginning at 5:30 PM. Dinner will be served. Please bring $5/adult for food (children 0-12 eat free!). This will be a special time to reflect on the past year, but also to look forward to 2014!
8. BEACON. Don’t forget to check out the Beacon newsletter online for continuously added content and helpful articles!