What Are Some of Your Family Traditions?

Kent Hoover -I grew up as the youngest in a family with 5 children. We are all in our forties and fifties now, but a few years ago my sister made us all line up at the top of the stairs (from youngest to oldest) just like we used to on Christmas morning. I was always first in line to run down the stairs, take a quick stop by my stocking (hung on the stair rail) and then dive under the Christmas tree to see what Santa might have dropped off for me. If you can imagine five 'mid-life" grown ups lining up in age order to run down the stairs, thats funny!

The Galema's -Adam's grandmother lights brand new candle sticks at the table for Christmas/Thanksgiving lunch and someone will make a mark on each of them about half way down.... everyone eats and sits around the table talking and laughing and then when the candle burns to the mark-its time to eat again!

Dianne White -A family tradition our family has always enjoyed was that before December 1, I would purchase a long taper candle and score the candle with 25 lines. Every evening at dinner we would burn the candle, anticipating how many days were left before Christmas, the birth of our Savior. As our boys got older, it was always a great privilege to be the one who got to light the candle. Christmas morning was always celebrated with a special breakfast that always included orange Julius, a tradition we continue to keep and enjoy!

Jenni Sprague -We have an advent Christmas tree made by Dept. 56 in the Snowbabies line. It is white and gold. This little tree sits atop a square base which has 6 tiny drawers on each side, giving us 24 days to count down. Each drawer holds a tiny ornament. We gather together as a family each night before tuck-ins to remove an ornament and hang it on the tree. Then we wind up the tree--it's a music box too--and we sing together the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." We have done this since the kids were born. I bought this tree before I even had kids!!!

Jenessa Denniston -One of my very favorites is a Danish tradition that my Mom's family has always done and now we do also. We pull the Christmas tree out into the middle of the room and turn out all of the lights except for the tree. Then everyone holds hands around it and sings carols. We start with the youngest family member and move to the oldest. We walk around as we sing, changing directions with each song. Grandma is last and always chooses a peppy Danish song. Grandma also made a wax birthday cake for Jesus and we always sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Keep the traditions coming! It's wonderful hearing from everybody! You can email them to nlccblog@yahoo.com.

Music Rehearsals - Time change

While Family nights are on hiatus, choir rehearsal will begin at 7:30p.m. Wednesday evenings, and the handbells will rehearse starting at 6:45p.m.

Another Chance to Serve!!

Dear Men of New Life,

‘Tis the season. No doubt in the next couple of months you will consider giving some clothes away – maybe the sweater you get from Aunt Mildred, or the shirt from Cousin Bill. Or maybe your New Years Resolution will be to shed a few pounds. Whatever the reason, if you are going to give clothes away consider giving them to PREF – the Plainfield Re-entry and Educational Facility.

PREF is a Department of Corrections facility in Plainfield for men who are nearing the end of their prison sentence. At PREF the men can wear street clothes instead of prison uniforms so they can get used to being a person again instead of a number. Donating to the PREF clothes closet will provide clothes to wear in the facility as well as when the men go on work release. At final release they are given a suitcase with several outfits to start them off in their new life.

The clothes closet needs clothes and shoes of any kind in any size. The only restriction is no large logos on the hats or clothing. Donating new underwear and socks is greatly appreciated as well as coats and jackets, especially at this time of year. If you have a duffle bag or suitcase that you can donate, that would be appreciated as well. A list of needs is posted at church on the bulletin board by the Restrooms.

Please call Bob and Donna Watson (873-4709) if you have something to donate of if you have any questions. If you bring something to the church, please let someone know it is there for us to pick up. We will make sure that your donations get to Plainfield . Many of you have donated already and we thank you so very much.

Bob and Donna Watson

Neff Family

I want to thank the church and the congregation for all the prayers and thoughts during my families loss. All the cards, e-mails, flowers and food are greatly appeciated and meant a lot to my family. God Bless All of you. Trish Neff

Project Angel Tree

In the entryway, you'll see a tree with paper angel ornaments on it. On each ornament is the name of a child whose parent or parents are incarcerated. While we can't bring Mommy and/or Daddy home for them for Christmas, we can still help infuse some joy into their Christmas by providing Christmas gifts for them. There are requests written on each ornament, along with sizes as needed. Some are in need of winter jackets! As we have in the past, let's love these precious children as Christ does. Simply take an ornament with you and bring the gift back to the church. Stay tuned for more information on getting together for the gift wrapping and delivery. See Nancy Murray for more information.
Also, remember to bring canned goods to help CrossWalk feed the hungry. Thank you to everyone helping with these ministries!

Indiana State Youth Convention

This update may be a little late in coming, but it's never too late to celebrate an area in which God is working in our family! Several of our youth, adults, and Crosswalk group took part in all or parts of the Indiana State Youth Convention a couple of weeks ago. The theme was , "Expect the Unexpected." Mix God and the energy of our youth, and that theme seems to sum it up perfectly! Kaitlin Klotz said, "I had a ton of fun on the trip! The band and speaker were awesome and it was fun going to down town indy because it was my first time. I also got to become better friends with people which was fun. :]" Mimi, who worked so hard behind the scenes to pull everything together, despite her fatigue afterwards, noted in her blog that she'd do it again next weekend, "What a weekend....it was so much fun! I haven't got the final count but I know it was over 1400 peeps gathered at the convention center this weekend to praise God and learn more about Him. I had such a great time and have already started thinking about next year." God spoke specifically to our own Collin Smith, ask him about it! We love you Collin! The group even handed out pamphlets with Colts players testimonies in it, and they wisely hit the Colts gift shop.
God is moving in our young adults, and we're so thankful for them and for those who help with the youth ministry/crosswalk ministry!

Music Ministry

Anyone who would like to take part in our music ministry, please see Janelle Daniels, Mimi Klotz, or Donna Watson. They can answer your questions and help you know which area will best fit your gifts/interests. Donna will be leading the New Life Singers, who will rehearse briefly this coming Wednesday evening, 8-9p.m. All are welcome, whether you've sung with the Singers in the past or not! Those interested in joining the handbell choir, let Donna or Bob Watson know. They will be rehearsing Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Other areas and corners of the music ministry for you to consider include instrumentation, worship team, solos, ensembles, and a worship choir. The worship choir, depending on what the commitment and interest level is, will work with or replace the worship team, singing on Sunday mornings. Rehearsals will be Thursday evenings. The New Life Singers will continue as they have, singing possibly monthly, and/or for special events. This week they will be starting the Christmas music.
Much is to be determined as we move forward, but all are welcome to take part!

Wednesday Nights, How You can Help!

Wednesday nights are family nights at New Life. Where there's family, there's kids! And where there's kids, there's parents who desperately need a break. Leslie Galema is now in charge of organizing our Wednesday night children's ministry, thank you Leslie! You may know her better as, "Cassity and Jared's Mom." Leslie needs six volunteers, minimum, to commit through the winter and spring, to help with the nursery-4th graders. It's only a one hour time slot, and it requires simply finding that child within you and playing! Please contact Leslie if you are willing to help or if you'd like to be on her substitute list. You can call the church at 867-4717 or email Leslie at galemas@yahoo.com. You can also mark on your welcome card at church and Leslie will be in contact with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who help. It has been said before, but there's no ministry more important; the parents are blessed just as much as the children.

Our Children and Youth

Exciting, exciting things are happening in our children's ministry and youth ministry! The more happy baby feet and chattering youth we have, the better. These are a few reminders, updates, and areas you can pray for. For information on any of the areas, or to be routed to the people mentioned, please call the church office, 867-4717.

Please contact Jenni Sprague if you can provide any of the following for our kids.

• 1 or 2 sheets of Star shaped stickers.
• 4 snow cone cups. Does anyone have a snow cone machine?
• 4 large paper boxes - that hold reams of paper.
• 3 dozen plain star shaped cookies for November 25th.

There's no better way to celebrate the birth of Christ than through the voices, hearts, and lives of children. Mark December 15th down on your calendar and plan to come to the New Life's Chilren's Christmas recital at 6:30p.m. Kids 18 and under are invited to participate and volunteers are needed to pull everything together. Please contact Joy Bauer for more information.

One of our ministries busting at the seams with happy, growing kids is Crosswalk! Our 5th-7th graders will continue to meet every Wednesday evening, now starting at 6:30 with games. So eat and be ready! For more information, you can contact Brett Brooks or Mark Henry.

The youth are off to State Youth Convention November 9-11th! "Expect the Unexpected" is the theme this year. Let's all pray that every single person present will be blessed, God would be glorified, and that downtown Indianapolis would become holy grounds. Contact Pastor John Crump (867-4717) for more information on our youth ministry, "Elevate."

Calling All Scrapbookers!

Everyone who loves to scrapbook, and everyone who is better at watching, are invited to come to the church for a scrapbooking night. Friday November 9th, Friday December 14th, and Friday January 18th, the church will be open from 6-10p.m. for anyone who wants to come. Just think how nice it will be to spread everything out, people to chat with, and no kids to interrupt. For more information, contact Joy Bauer, or call the church at 867-4717.