Snow on the AT

Kristy scored some "awesome wife points" today (not that she needs them) when she encouraged me to go on a trail run as part of my post-Christmas staycation. So, obliging her, I drove up to Woody Gap and ended up running to Gooch Gap and back on the AT. Below is a photo of snow on the trail that had not yet melted. The snow melt created many mini-creeks and waterfalls along the trail. Really cool.

I hear that the AT should be getting a good bit more snow on Tuesday. So, maybe I'll try to get away next week for some real snow running. :) Who says that north GA didn't have a White Christmas this year!

Sermon Notes and Audio from the Creekstone Christmas Eve Service

Here are the notes and audio from the Creekstone Christmas Eve message for those who were unable to attend. Hope you and yours have a happy New Year!

(download)

Click here to download:

Christmas_Eve_2011_-_4_angles.pdf (70 KB)

(download)

Christmas Eve Wrap Up

Just got the kid's presents wrapped and about to hit the sack. Wow, Kristy is an amazing gift wrapper. Anyway, I think we are ready for the morning.

Also, I'm really grateful for the folks who helped with the Christmas Eve service tonight. Even with a few technical difficulties, they rallied and received the grace to have a really blessed time together. Thanks to worship arts coordinator Jesse Turk and other tech volunteers for last minute heroics. So fun to see so many new faces, too.

We're all looking forward to video Skyping with the kid's "Nini" (grandmother) in the morning on my iPad so that she can watch them open their gifts. Thanks to the late Steve Jobs. This will be a first.

Will look forward to seeing everyone next year! How is it possible that it will be 2012? Seems like it was just 1985. :)

The Caston's Online Christmas Card

Dear friends,

As we reflect upon the cradle and the cross at the close of 2011, it is our prayer that 2012 will be a year of grasping the glorious grace-implications of the gospel even more deeply so that we will be compelled to extend them even more widely—from Dahlonega, through the north Georgia mountains and to the ends of the earth.

To that end, we pray that you and yours have a very Jesus-centered Christmas and a richly blessed New Year!

Soli Deo gloria,
McKay, Kristy, Ann Ferris, Schaeffer & Sarah Wynn

Creekstone Christmas Gift Wrapping Ministry (Video Highlights)

via youtube.com

Thanks to Matt Nielsen for making this video of Creekstone's practical demonstration of grace ministry to the community on Saturday, Dec. 17. Can't wait for more opportunities like this!

Christmas Sermon Notes and Audio- "Letting Hope Out of the Box" (Romans 5:12-19)

Here are the notes for this week's Creekstone Christmas sermon on Romans 5:12-19, "Letting Hope Out of the Box." The audio is on the Creekstone website here and on iTunes. Hope to see those of you in town for our Christmas Eve service on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at the High School. NOTE: We are not having a morning service this Sunday, Dec. 25 (so be sure to join us on Saturday night!).

Click here to download:

Romans_5.12-21.letting_hope_out_of_the_box.pdf (41 KB)

(download)

Gift Wrapping Day at Wal-Mart (Photos)

In order to show our community a practical demonstration of grace, Creekstone regulars wrapped presents for free outside of our local Wal-Mart today. It was such a joy to describe grace and turn away all donations and tips! Thanks to all who volunteered, especially to our coordinator, Rick Nielsen.

(download)

A Practical Demonstration of Grace on December 17

Creekstone's Gift-Wrapping Mission
By wrapping presents for busy parents next Saturday in front of Wal-Mart, we will be offering more than a great service—we will be offering a practical demonstration of grace. Our gift wrapping can’t be purchased by those in need. It can't be earned. It can only be accepted, just like God’s gift of redemption to us in Jesus.

* To participate, just email mission project coordinator, Rick Nielsen, at nielsenFM@inpo.org. See below for items you can donate.

How Will the Mission Work?
The mission will be in a tent front-and-center outside of Wal-Mart. “Elves” (adults) will greet and direct shoppers exiting the store to the gift wrapping tent. Wrappers will wrap gifts and engage the shoppers in conversation. The key to this is to explain why we’re wrapping gifts for free. There are no strings attached. We won’t take payment, tips, or promote our church (though we’ll tell about it if asked and hand out a small invitation card.)

Two-Hour Shifts
We have four two-hour shifts, ranging from 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. Currently, we have wrappers filling the first three shifts, but need more for the 4:00 to 6:00 shift. We also need elf help for each shift, and people who can help set up and take down at the end (after 6:00 p.m.).

15-Minute Training Session This Sunday
There will be a very short “training” discussion right after worship service this Sunday (Dec 11). It will take less than 15 minutes.

What We Need
Gift wrapping paper, boxes (for wrapping clothing, etc.), ribbon, and tags.

Five tables and 15 chairs

Coffee/hot chocolate service

CD player

Four trash cans

Four kerosene heaters

Lots of paper

Lots of ribbon

Lots of tape

Lots of labels

10 elf hats

* To dontate items, please bring them this Sunday, or contact coordinator, Rick Nielsen at nielsenFM@inpo.org.

Want to Participate?
Care to join in? Please contact Rick at nielsenFM@inpo.org.

Advent Luncheon Message: "Waiting Through the Pain" • Matthew 27:45-50

Here is the message on Matthew 27:45-50 that I taught on Tuesday, Dec. 6, for the Dahlonega community advent luncheon series, entitled, "Waiting Through the Pain." Both audio and sermon notes are included below. I love teaching in that context, where believers from all over the community come together to celebrate the gospel of Jesus. Thanks to St. Luke's Catholic Church for hosting!