Mark your calendar! If you have questions, please email the church office or call (317) 722-0000. This schedule will be continually updated as more details are confirmed.

First Sunday of Advent, November 30.

Beginning December 1, Be Still and Know (our devotional resource) will offer Advent and Christmas-themed devotionals. Each Monday will look at the traditional themes of Advent: hope, love, joy, and peace, and for the rest of the week we’ll look at Jesus’ colorful ancestors, those usually glossed over in the “begats.” You can read each day’s entry online or get them by email.

Our traditional Giving Tree items will be available for you to take on December 7. We’ll buy gifts for Indiana Youth Group and clients of the Damien Center.

Parent’s Day Out, December 6, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Parents, do you need a day to yourselves? Need time to do that holiday shopping? The JMCC Nursery Team will host our annual Parent’s Day Out for any child between the ages of 1–12! You can drop off your kids at the church any time between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm for a day full of fun activities, awesome games, and yummy pizza! Please fill out the information sheet at the info kiosk at church or email Melody Merida if you are interested.

Couples’ social event: Holiday Progressive Dinner on ­Saturday, December 6, at 6:30 pm. Cost is $25 per couple for good fellowship and great food. We will be limited to 15 couples so register today! Contact the church office for information or to make reservations.

The sermons and services on December 14 and 21 will explore Christmas themes.

Christmas Program, December 14, 6:00 pm. A celebration featuring our Children’s Choir, called Bethlehem Treasure. View the program.

Birthday Party for Jesus, December 21, 11:00 am. Children’s Church will celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a party — complete with games, cake, and gifts.

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 7:00 pm, we’ll hold a special service with candlelight and music.

Christmas Day Open House, Thursday, December 25, 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Pastor Jeff Miner and David Zier’s home. Desserts and hors doeuvres will be served the entire time, dinner will be served until 6:00 pm. Mark Brown will lead carol singing at 7:00 pm. Contact the church office if you need directions.

Regular service times for Sunday, December 28, 2008, as we look forward to 2009! We’ll begin the year with a sermon series that provides an in-depth look at ways we can become more intentional in our spiritual lives.

New Year’s Eve Party and Game Night, December 31, 8:00 pm to midnight at the church. All are invited as the Transformation Oasis sponsors this New Year’s event. Please bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert to share and your favorite board or card game. Happy New Year!

“If one member suffers, all suffer together with them; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with them.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

Are you affected by HIV/AIDS? Are you looking for ways to find support and grow spiritually? Welcome to the Positively + Oasis! Please plan to attend with a heart attuned to learning what plans God has for your future! We will look at ways to grow and praise God.

We will begin meeting the first week in December on Wednesday evenings at the Church. The Group is open to anyone who is affected by HIV/AIDS. For the first few meetings, we will get acquainted, share stories, and decide together how the Group will function.

Then we will study The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, with an emphasis on how those affected by HIV can look forward and determine God’s purpose for their lives. If you would like to attend or want more information, please contact Oasis leader Larry Gist via the church office. Confidentiality will be respected in the Positively + Oasis.

Please join the Indianapolis community of transgender people and our friends and loved ones for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which will be held at Central Christian Church (701 N. Delaware) from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 22.

This event will acknowledge and honor the lives of transgender people, to commemorate those who have died and to celebrate those who live their lives each day. Our own Oliver Danni Green, a member of our TransFormation Oasis, will be a featured speaker. For information, contact the TDoR Project Manager.

The TransFormation Oasis of Jesus MCC is thrilled to be a sponsor of the 2008 Transgender Day of Remembrance. TransFormation is a spiritual support group of people of all genders. We meet each Sunday at 2:00 pm in Room 2. Contact the church office for more information.

In the November 16 worship services, we will be dedicating our brand new Votive Candle Altars.

Candles have been an integral part of Christian worship through the ages. One example is found in Revelation 1:12-20, where the passage suggests a separate candle burns in God’s presence for each local Church, serving as a continual “reminder” to God.

Prayer candles build on that notion. When we light a prayer candle — traditionally known as “votive candles” — God sees our candle and is “reminded” of our prayer. The candle becomes a form of continuous silent prayer, expressing our hearts to God.

There are many ways to pray.  Votive candles are not a replacement for other forms of prayer, but they serve as a lovely reinforcement for the prayers we speak to God throughout the week.

Each Sunday when you arrive at Church, you are welcome to light a prayer candle before or after worship service, or during Holy Communion. Your candle will burn until it is consumed.  You are also welcome to light a prayer candle anytime you come to Church during the week. You may light a candle to express thanks or praise or to raise a prayer for yourself or others.  There is no cost for lighting a candle; God’s grace is free.

The altars were designed, constructed, and donated by David Humbert and Kenn King in consultation with our Building Trustees. Our deepest thanks to them!

Jesus MCC’s traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner will happen on November 27 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Please join us if your schedule allows! It’ll be a great time with good food and church friends. You’re welcome to bring board or card games.

The church will provide the turkey. Please bring a side dish or dessert to help complete the meal. If you plan to attend, please fill out the form in Sunday’s bulletin or email the church office so we can plan appropriately.

This year, for the first time, the church is also hosting the Community Thanksgiving Dinner that’s co-sponsored by Indy Pride and Indiana Black Pride on Saturday, November 22, at 6:00 pm.

It’s a pitch-in dinner with meat provided, and it’s open to everyone. In addition to the community meal, Indy Pride scholarship awards will be presented,  and there will be performances by the Pride of Indy Band and the Jesus MCC Gospel Choir.

And on Sunday, November 23, the Children’s Ministry will host our first ever Thanksgiving meal together at 11:00 am. This will be a smaller version of a traditional Thanksgiving meal that our children can share together as we give thanks for our blessings. The children’s ministry will provide the turkey, and we are asking parents to bring a small side dish to be shared. Sign-up sheets are available in your child’s classroom today and next Sunday. If you have questions, please email Melody Merida.