11:00 AM Thomas Place Community Center 4237 Lafayette Ave Fort Worth TX 76107

The Christmas season is nearly upon us! Sadly this time of the year can become a stressful season where we scramble to show how much we love our friends and family by buying them the shiniest, newest things! Many of us even go into debt during this season, and the sad thing is that most of us don't even remember the gifts that we gave or received last year. Is that really what Christmas about? Isn't it about remembering and celebrating that Jesus came into the world as a baby to redeem us? That God sent his Son as a gift to the world? If we are honest, commercialism and our love for "stuff" often receive more of our worship than Jesus during this season. But gifts are good, we see that modeled by God giving of Himself to us. Have you noticed that the most memorable gifts that we receive are usually either made for us or were relational in their nature? Someone cared enough to invest their time, creativity, and passions into that gift and that makes it special and unique. Another good thing about making gifts and giving of ourselves is that it often (but not always) costs less than our usual Christmas spending habits! Give More Love, Spend Less Money. What if we gave meaningful relational gifts this Christmas? What if we made gifts instead of buying them? What if we were able to worship Jesus this Christmas by taking that money that we save and loving those in need? (Matthew 25:35-40) We will be walking through this together as church at ACG and in Villages in the coming weeks, but one thing we wanted to do to help and encourage you in this worship experience was to setup a Do-It-Yourself Event. We need your help! We are asking folks to sign up and share a gift idea with others at this DIY Event. Bring a printout that explains how to make the gift as well as an example of the gift. If possible, it would also be great if you could bring a few parts, pieces, materials, ingredients so people can actually get started on a few gifts during the event. Please RSVP on the event if you can share a gift idea – the more the merrier! Here are some DIY Ideas: make your own BBQ Rub, make a board game, knit a scarf, make a photo album, transfer your favorite photo onto wood, bake cookies, make jewelry, make a terrarium, make homemade soap, make jam, make hot chocolate and include a mug, rice socks, create a recipe book, or make personalized fridge magnets. Some relational gift ideas: buy a glove for your younger brother (the gift is spending time playing catch), buy a fancy bottle of wine for your wife (the gift is a special date night), write a love letter, prayer journal, or recreate your first date. Be creative! Have fun! And keep in mind that this isn't about being cheap or creating some type of fundraiser. It is about worshipping Jesus and loving others. We need your chili! What is a winter event without a chili cookoff? We are asking if people would be willing to make a pot of chili to bring and share. Best chili gets bragging rights for a full-year. Please RSVP on the event if you can bring chili. Invite your friends! Invite your neighbors! We would like to use this event as an opportunity to connect with people outside of our own church body. So please feel free to invite anyone. We are also interested in getting other churches to participate as well. The event is being held at the Thomas Place Community Center in the Arlington Heights neighborhood. It is attached to a park with a playground, basketball goals, and picnic tables – so feel free to make an afternoon of it! Please show up at 10:30am to setup if you are bringing chili or hosting a gift idea station. See you there! RSVP here.

6PM 715 Samuels Avenue Fort Worth TX 76102

An intimate, simple, meaningful time of song and reflection on Jesus' birth and what it means to us, followed by hors d'eourves to celebrate Christmas together. No childcare, but kids are invited to join in for this "family gathering." RSVP to help us prepare for food and drinks!

More Info Coming Soon!

This overnight opportunity will give you the chance to meet other women from around The City, hear some of their stories centered around a central theme, and discuss/pray for each other based on that theme.

Full details and cost coming by January 2012, but no matter what Village, "life stage," age, or other distinction, plan ahead and join our first-ever women's retreat!

RSVP here.

[A note to guys – Encourage your gal to join us. Give her the day off; this will be a great weekend for her. After all, we held our first Men's Summit in November, & have another headed your way in late 2012!]

More Info Coming Soon!

More Info Coming Soon!