Welcome
Every year for the last eight years, at least one of our kids has been a part of the holiday program at their elementary school. At the end of every show, the entire student body crowds into the gym for the closing number that has the kids singing about the “season of hope.” I’m sure many of the kids are thinking about the gifts soon to be received, but each year I find myself thinking about the relational gifts with which I’ve already been blessed. I’ve been blessed with three wonderful children, a wife who is priceless, friends who care for all of us as if we were their own family, and a Father who has loved me in all of my brokenness and imperfection.

As we move further into this “Season of Hope,” I am determined to cherish these blessings more than ever and hope you will do the same.

Merry Christmas!
Pete App

New Lead Pastor
God has blessed us with an answer to your prayers with a congregational vote that was overwhelmingly in favor of bringing Doug Zerbst on as our next Lead Pastor. The Transition Team, Elder Board and Staff thank you for your prayers, patience, and persistence. more>>

Christmas Eve Services
Wednesday, December 24
2:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m.
KidsQuest will provide nursery care/classes for infants through pre-Kindergarten at the 2:00 and 4:00 services only. Consider inviting family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors to join you as we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus! Invitations are available at the Welcome Center.

Year-End Giving at GBCC
If you desire to make a year-end financial contribution to Green Bay Community Church, thank you! To ensure your 2008 gift is recognized as such, your mailed contribution must be postmarked in 2008 or be given during the weekend services December 27-28, 2008. Gifts received after December 31, 2008 cannot be claimed as a 2008 contribution even though a check may be backdated to 2008. However, mailed contributions postmarked in 2008 can be claimed as a 2008 contribution even if received in 2009. Please note the church office will be closed December 24-January 4.

If you have questions please contact Pete App, 593-3478.

Budget Affirmation
December 20, 2008 - January 11, 2009
GBCC's 2009 proposed budget will be available on the church website and at the Special Events Center beginning December 20 in preparation for the congregational budget affirmation January 10-11, 2009.  Please review the budget and contact Pete App, 593-3478 with questions.

LifeStages
Our sympathy to:

• Lance and Sherry Laabs for the death of Sherry’s mother on November 17.
  

New Member:

• Debra VanAsten

Click here for more information on Membership, Baptism, Baby Dedication, Weddings, Funerals and Memorial Services.

Birthday Party for Jesus
Thursday, December 18
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Chapel
KidsQuest is hosting a family-friendly Birthday Party for Jesus to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. More information is available on the GBCC website. more>>

Family Tree House/Breakfast Bar off for the Holidays
GBCC's family service, Family Tree House, along with GBCC's Breakfast Bar, will be off from December 21-January 4. Both will resume January 11.

Family Tree House
After months of consideration, the Family Tree House Team concluded that changing the format from a weekly to monthly service is necessary due to actor and other major role shortages. We are excited that this new format will allow Family Tree House to continue and be a special worship experience for families! 

We will continue to introduce a new virtue each month and provide a shared learning experience for parents and children, reinforcing the K-5th grade KidsQuest lessons.  We hope to see you on January 11 at 9:45 a.m. in the auditorium and the first Sunday of the month after that: February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, and June 7.

Journey to True Financial Freedom Seminar
Saturday, January 17, 2009
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Chapel
Cost: $25 per registrant, $50 per couple. Includes one course workbook per registrant.

Have you ever found yourself struggling to balance your financial needs and wants with your desire to help others and the Church? Do you find yourself “stealing from Peter to pay Paul” every month just to get by on your monthly bills?

If this sounds like you, the Journey to True Financial Freedom seminar will help you. We will discuss how God wants us to be stewards of what he provides, and will introduce tools to effectively manage your finances using biblical principles. It will provide a framework for you to take control of your finances instead of having them control you!

Pre-registration is required, click here.

For additional information regarding the seminar, please click here.

Contact: John Emery, 499-7859

Feet to your Faith
On Saturday, October 25, over 200 GBCC volunteers served people in need. Click here to read responses from some of the grateful recipients.

Outdoor Connection Winter Family Retreat
February 6-8
Whispering Pines Resort, Shawano Lake
Everyone is invited to the Outdoor Connection’s First Annual Winter Family Retreat. Come for the weekend or drive over on Saturday! Located just 30 minutes from Green Bay, Whispering Pines Resort on Shawano Lake offers the perfect playground for outdoor and indoor fun. Bring your skis, snowmobile, ice skates, snowshoes, ice fishing gear, and extras to share. $5/person or $15/family, suggested donation includes hot cocoa, lunch, and group activities.

Want to stay the weekend? Limited space is available: $40/single, $80/couple, $130/family. Campers will share meal assignments.

Sign up today! For more information or to register, email or call Jeremy Kopke, 920-544-5455.

Serving
Serve once in a while or on a regular basis. Check out GBCC's Serving Opportunities more>> 

Critical Serving Opportunites
Budget and Debt Management Counselors (new)
Christmas Eve Nursery and Preschool Helpers
Computer Mothballer
Family Tree House Actors
Funeral Assistant
Meal Prep Leader

KidsQuest

Holiday Weekends
December 24
Christmas Eve services
Nursery – PreK only at the 2:00 and 4:00 services
No nursery or classes at the 7:00 service
No KidsQuest Elementary Classes

December 27
Nursery – PreK only
No KidsQuest Elementary Classes

December 28
Nursery – PreK only
No KidsQuest Elementary Classes
No Family Tree House

January 3
Nursery – PreK only
No KidsQuest Elementary Classes

January 4
Nursery – PreK only
No KidsQuest Elementary Classes
No Family Tree House

Student Ministries
Expressway
We will not have Expressway December 23/24, or December 31/January 1. Merry Christmas!

January Expressway Theme
Our theme at Expressway for December and January is “Blood and Promises” which is a look at the symbolism and power of blood (specifically, of course, the power of Christ’s blood to wash away our sins) and an examination of God’s covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant. Check out the book of Hebrews for some great stuff on this!

Sunday Morning Group
Every Sunday Morning
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Gym
High school students (and leaders!) are encouraged to join us in the front left section of the gym each Sunday morning at 10:30. A small posse has started gathering there every week; all are welcome to join us.


Iceblast 2009
Friday, February 20-Sunday, February 22
Friday 4:30 p.m. depart GBCC;
Sunday 4:00 p.m. arrive at GBCC
Lake Lundgren Bible Camp
Cost: $95
T-shirt cost: an additional $7
Registration deadline is January 27

This year’s theme is “Walk His Way” which will include a Rockstar costume party on Saturday night. The teaching times will focus on spiritual disciplines like prayer and reading our Bibles. See you there!

Contacts:
Brian Martin, 593-3484 or brianm@gbcommunitychurch.com
Shelly Jarosinski, 593-3487 or shellyj@gbcommunitychurch.com

Group Life
One of the greatest longings of the human heart is to belong: to know others and be known by others; it's the way God intended us to live.

Group Life provides opportunities for individuals to experience a sense of belonging, to grow together on our spiritual journeys, and to serve others.

While each type of group (Interest, Care, Discovery, Life, & Serving) provides a different opportunity to connect, all are designed around our vision of attracting people to Christ and building community.

No matter where you choose to plug in, there is a place for you in Group Life.

Winter Discovery Group Classes Begin in January
New and continuing Discovery Group Classes will be starting up during the month of January. Please click on the links below to be directed to our website or pick up a Group Life Brochure for class details.
Care Groups
Co-ed
Men
Women
Singles
Seniors
Students
Children

Single's Interest Group
GBCC’s Single’s Ministry provides events such as Packer Game outings, bowling, and dances. Click here to go to the GBCC Master Calendar, select the “Singles” in the category drop down list, a month, then click "go" for a list of the events scheduled.

20's Something
We will be studying the Vintage Jesus series by Mark Driscoll, which consists of twelve 30-minute videos answering major questions about who Jesus Christ is. Questions such as Is Jesus the only God? How human was Jesus? Why did He come? What did His death on the cross accomplish? Why should we worship Jesus? What difference has Jesus made in history? What will Jesus do upon His return? Our initial meeting will be at GBCC on Thursday, January 15, 6:30 p.m. in Room 206. All other meetings will be off-site at 3040 Crusade Ln.

Facilitator: Caleb Dahl, (715) 587-0213

Outdoor Connection
Outdoor Sports
Thursday, January 8
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Room 216
We will be discussing what opportunities are available to enjoy God’s great outdoors during the winter months in Wisconsin.

Topics will include:
*Cross-country Skiing
*Downhill Skiing
*Snowshoeing
*Snowmobiling
*Snowboarding
*Anything else that will get you outside!

For more information you can check out our new website, www.OutdoorConnectionGroup.com.

To subscribe to the weekly Outdoor Connection email just shoot a message to Jeremy and place Subscribe to Weekly Reminder in the subject line.

Database
Please help us keep our database information accurate by notifying us when you change your phone number, email address, mailing address, family status/members, etc.  Contact Tracy, 593-3475 or click here.

Weekend Services
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.