CELEBRATING THE EVENING OF INSPIRATION
On the first Thursday in December, the lady’s ministry team of Cold Springs Church has put on an event called “Evening of Inspiration”.  The event includes decorated tables, a potluck dinner, a gift drawing, carols, a Christmas message and an ornament exchange.  Cold Springs ladies give of their time, resources, creativity, and hospitality to insure every person who walks through our doors feels welcome.  FUN!  And a wonderful way to welcome in the Christmas season.
This year, we had the pleasure of hearing Pam Cooke share about her experience with embracing the way God chose to bring about our redemption.  She asked “Why Jesus?”  She heard a response – “Why not Jesus?” 

He came – “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:  Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14.

He loved – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends.” – John 15:13

He showed us The Father – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.  After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.  - Hebrews 1:3

He left The Spirit – “But I tell you the truth – it is better for you that I go away.  For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send Him to you.”
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Why do women decorate tables every year, why do they invite others, why do women come to the event who have never set foot in our church, and why do women return year after year?  Jesus.  “Why Jesus?”  “Why not Jesus!”  
Our prayer from lady’s ministry is that you would experience the fullness of Jesus in this glorious holiday season.

With Much Love,
Christina

Celebrating lifts one’s soul. Celebrating tells His story. Celebrating is contagious. There’s so much to celebrate:
 
Let’s celebrate the KidsWorld team members. Ministering to His children, TOGETHER, with such a talented team of people is my number one celebration. I celebrate and I thank God for His bringing us TOGETHER. Each of us individually, graciously bringing our gifts and talents that He has blessed us with to create, to equip, and to impact. It is glorious!
 
Let’s celebrate Sunday mornings. The previous KidsWorld director always said, “every Sunday is a miracle.” I see that! That’s why on Monday mornings we begin with prayer and praise for what He did.
 
Let’s celebrate the completion of our church’s most recent giving project, Operation Christmas Child. Last year fifty shoeboxes were sent, and this year God more than tripled that number – over 170 shoeboxes were packed and sent! Yay God. I celebrate because the number of shoeboxes increased. Yes. Wow.

I celebrate, too, because Operation Christmas Child was done TOGETHER. “It was AMAZING!” Church team staff members made shoeboxes. Many church members took a shoebox, filled it, and returned it.  Some brought items to fill the shoeboxes. Some gave money towards shipping expenses and/or items to purchase for the boxes. Some participated in the packing party and packed boxes until the supplies ran out. Cold Springs Church people were generous – with their money, their time, their energy, and their love.

There is so much to celebrate! Plus, celebrating is FUN!
 
I’d like to close with a few of my favorite CELEBRATION Bible verses:

• Psalm 145:6-8 – Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful.
• Isaiah 63:7 – I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us.
• Psalm 147:1 – Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
• Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
• 1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
• Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
• 2 Samuel 7:22 How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
• Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
• Psalm 16:2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
• Deuteronomy 10:21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.