THIS MONTH'S LAUGH
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JACKI
See you tonight - Friday, December 7th, 6:00-8:00PM
 The Chili Bar Is In The Making” Don’t Miss It...I
SUNDAY PREVIEW FOR 12/09/18
SUNDAY PREVIEW FOR 12/09/18

This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and we will light the candle of peace. Jesus came to assure us that we can experience the peace of God. When we allow the Christ to guide and direct us in our life, we learn to be peaceful on the inside regardless of what life is showing us on the outside. Plan to join us this Sunday for worship as we light the 2nd Advent candle.
 
A Hospitality Note From Pastor Jacki
Let's not take serving on Sundays lightly, for we have a responsibility to make worship at NSCC, a joyful, inspiring and transformational experience for everyone who comes through our doors. If you are not able to serve on your designated Sunday, please find someone to cover for you. Let's serve well together - See ya on Sunday!

SECOND SUNDAY SERVERS
*Joint Service @ 11AM
Greeter - Monique Reittie
Offering - Wilma Dei Cas & Monique Reittie 
Guest Services - Bonnie Campbell 
Communion - Deacons
Guest Follow-Up - Deacons
Fellowship Hour - "ALL" Christmas Party & Potluck

THE "NO MORE EMPTY SEATS " CAMPAIGN
Invite 1 * Bring 1
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT
FUN 'N FAITH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Fun N Faith Sunday School 

The children will be preparing for the Christmas Eve Service during Sunday School.

NSCC is a place for kids !
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT NSCC
PLAY SILENT NIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE... ON THE HANDBELLS!
Did you know that NSCC has a set of handbells? We are going to dust them off and play during the singing of "Silent Night" this Christmas Eve. Dr. Jackson is looking for 2 more players to join. No prior musical experience needed...you just need to know the tune of Silent Night! There will be a short rehearsal this Sunday after the Contemporary service.
LOOKING AHEAD
Coming In January!
NSCC’s private members Facebook Group!
NSCC AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
OUR SPIRITUAL TOOLBOX
SERMON SNIPPETS
Did you miss a Sunday? No problem.
Traditional Worship Snippet:
Contemporary Worship Snippet:
THIS MONTH'S MEDITATION
A Meditation on Love and Comfort
TODAY'S DAILY WORD
World Peace

I CREATE HARMONY IN MY OWN LIFE AND IN THE WORLD.

World peace may seem like an impossible dream, but I have the power to create it by embodying peace in my own life. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” It is a state of being that begins within the individual. By being peaceful, I create peace.

Peace is my practice as I align my heart and mind with God. When I turn within to the Silence, I connect with my infinite source. When I center in Spirit, my words and actions naturally stem from a place of peace. I interact with others calmly, and in doing so help others experience peace. I create harmony in my own life and in the world.

I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.—Psalm 4:8
THOUGHTS FOR THE SOUL
The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.
- Lao Tzu
A CUP OF FAITH
Enjoy What You Have Right Now

One reason so many of us are stressed out today is we’re rarely content with what we have. We always want more—more money, more pleasure, more power. We want more of just about everything.
 
The Bible shows us another way, though.
 
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-12:  “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little”  (NLT).
 
It’s not that Paul didn’t have ambition, but he had learned contentment. Ambition and contentment have nothing to do with each other. You can have both.

Contentment isn’t laziness or complacency. Contentment is enjoying what you have right now rather than waiting for something else to happen so you can be happy. It doesn’t mean you don’t want to make progress. It doesn’t mean you don’t have goals. It just means you’re happy with what you have. Too often we’ve bought into wrongheaded myths that advertisers have taught us, like these:
·       Having more will make me happy.
·       Having more will make me more important.
·       Having more will make me more secure.
 
None of those statements are true. They’re all lies—and they keep us from the lasting peace we long for.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:6:  “It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind”  (GNT).

Peace of mind beats relentlessly chasing more every single time.

Prayer Suggestion : God, help me to enjoy and be grateful for my now.
DECEMBER AFFIRMATIONS
WHAT ARE AFFIRMATIONS?
Affirmations are positive statements of Truth. By affirming Truth we are lifted out of false thinking into the consciousness of Spirit. Each time we pray positively and faithfully, we are calling forth the divine activity that is always within us.
We focus on these affirmations throughout the month for greater expression of our divine inner light. Giving thanks in advance, we claim each of the affirmations as true for ourselves and our loved ones, remaining open and receptive to the highest good for all.
 
HOW AFFIRMATIONS WORK:
"One who knows spiritual principles has a certain inner security given him by the understanding of God. Our affirmations are for the purpose of establishing in our consciousness a broad understanding of the principles on which all life and existence depend.
"In order to demonstrate spiritual principles, we must keep establishing ourselves in certain statements of the law. The more often you present to your mind a proposition that is logical and true, the stronger becomes that inner feeling of security to you.

Affirmation works because of the faculty which is most directly involved in affirmation-faith. Affirmation plays an important part in the process of divine ideas becoming facts and experiences in man's existence on earth.
 
The Month of December Affirmations:

Inner Peace
Divine peace is my path and my true nature.

Guidance
I follow the star and respond to the light of divine wisdom.

Healing
God is the flow of life within my body and being.

Prosperity
I rejoice in abundant possibilities.

World Peace
The Christ born in me is a gift to the world.
RENT THE STONE HOUSE
If you know someone who needs a venue for their next event, tell them to contact the office at 203-322-1255.
Photo credit: Jefferine Jean-Jacques - https://www.jefferinejjphotos.com/
CHURCH CALENDAR
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North Stamford Community Church |  office@northstamfordchurch.org