Thanksgiving Wrap Up

Wow! If you missed the Thanksgiving Dinner with FHCC, then you missed something special. Over 100 people attended a night of eating, sharing, playing, and even singing Karaoke!!

Taking advantage of our new meeting space inside PS 144, the church rented out the cafeteria to hold the abundance of friends and families invited by the FHCC regulars. Hours before the event was to being people began pouring in ready to assist and serve the community. It was humbling to see so many offer so much with an eagerness to receive nothing in return. They simply wanted to make the night special for others.

When the dinner finally began, a prayer of thanksgiving was offered to the LORD for His miraculous gift of salvation and community in His name. For if it was not for Jesus and His redemption, FHCC would not exist and there would be no influence or friendship of any kind, especially among such a diverse crowd like FHCC. (Seriously, we are very wonderfully diverse!)

As people gathered together in tables of 12, everyone joined in conversation with their neighbor and made a new friend. Kids ran wild, and parents enjoyed with other parents and adults. No one was left of the fellowship, and every conversation was uplifting and positive. It was like heaven...and then the Karaoke machine was fired up!

All I can say about the Karaoke element is "WOW!" Who know we had so many rock stars in our midst!?!? Seriously, it was a lot of fun and everyone kept the song selection to modest and light hearted.

It was an incredible night, and we thank God for bringing us all together. FHCC is truly blessed by the works of God's Spirit and we ask that you continue to be a part of the family.

Christmas Cookie Exchange

Attention all Ladies,

FHCC will be hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange on Saturday, December 18th from 10:30a.m.--12:00p.m. at Genesis.

If you'd like to attend, please sign up at any FHCC event or email info@fhcchurch.com. Then bring 1 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies to share, plus an empty container in which you can pack your "exchanged" cookies.

Please help us spread the word to invite all our FHCC ladies and friends. We look forward to having some food and Christmas fun with YOU!!

Christmas Cookie Exchange
Saturday, Dec. 18th
10:30am - Noon
INSIDE Genesis (6708 Ingram St)
www.fhcchurch.com

Thanksgiving Dinner

One of the greatest promises of the Bible is that we have the privilege of being a part of God's family. When the redemption of God takes place in a believer's life, he is not simply saved from the future fires of hell, but just as importantly, he is presently saved from a life of isolation and independence. This is the joy every Christian has in being a part of the "family" of God!

This Thanksgiving we are inviting all of God's family to come and join us for a full-course dinner! We have rented out the cafeteria of local school PS144 and would love to have you, your friends, your family, and even your enemies gather around our Father's table. There is no cost to attend, but we do ask that you practice the gift of hospitality and bring a side dish for all to share. Dinner begins at 4:30pm and we want you to be a part!

*You must RSVP to attend this event due to School Board guidelines. Plus, we want to make sure we have enough Turkey for you!

Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 28th @ 4:30pm
INSIDE PS 144 (corner of Juno and 69Ave)
Cost: Please bring a side dish or dessert to share
www.fhcchurch.com

Genesis

This week our campus gets a new name and awning. It has been incredible to see the LORD take a ratty old storefront and convert it into a modern and comfortable worship center. Rarely does a day go by that people walking by to not stop, stare, and inquire how a church can be held in a such a modern and inviting place. We love how God is using this simple space for His glory.

Tragically, however, there is still a significant part of our community that has yet to enjoy the benefits of the campus. Due to the laws of Halakah (Jewish cultural law), our Jewish neighbors are forbidden to enter a church building regardless of its fixtures of elements. By calling our store its default name "the church," or by posting our church title over the door, we are shutting out the very people Jesus came to save! It is not that there is anything wrong with the title "church," or is it a title by which we should be embarrassed or ashamed of; rather, it is simply a cultural word that the Jewish community has chosen to take offense with and use to keep distance between themselves and us.

What's In a Name?
After much prayer and consideration, we have decided to officially name the church campus, "Genesis." This contemporary, Jewish and defining title will help alleviate the stress and phobia of the Jewish community, and allow for a more level playing field in sharing the Gospel with them. After all, the name "Genesis" means, "Beginning" and comes from the Jewish Bible. What better title for a place from God will start a new work and give new life to all people who call on His name.

Please be praying for this exciting new chapter in the ministry of our church. By God's grace, and through our obedience, many new opportunities lay ahead for the thousands of people of Forest Hills to come to know Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah.

Football and Jesus

Last weekend we kickoff a new ministry at FHCC, Flag Football. Many were excited for the chance to play a great American game, hang out with church friends, and establish some new relationships along way. Others, however, were not so thrilled with a church adopting a multi-week event of such a secular nature and billing it as an "outreach." The problem is that the first group simply wants to socialize, while the the second only wants the familiarity of religious traditions. Both are wrong, and both need to change.

A survey of the Bible will inform us that there is very little instruction on living a Christian life. There is plenty of "corrective theology," which draws us out of sin and into a relationship with Jesus, but the commands of what to do after coming to Jesus are pretty short and sweet. Essentially, they are "live life under the influence of the Holy Spirit." There is no command for how many times we are to go to church, what kinds of Bible studies we should be implementing or how many street campaigns we are to participate in. Instead, we are told to simply do all things for the glory of God.

Flag football presents us with a great opportunity to live like Jesus in the presence of the unsaved. While others are celebrating their talents, achievements, and bodies on the field, we, as the church, have the privilege of playing of celebrating our friendships in Jesus, rejoicing in the victories of others, and living above reproach when things don't go our way. We get to show the world what being a Christian is all about as we live life under the Spirit in every possible way.

If you are looking for a new Bible study to get involved in, we have one for you. It's called, LIFE, and it'll be taking place this Saturday from 10am to 2pm on the football field. We're going to pray together, play together, and do it all for the glory of God. More encouragement and conversations will take place during this time, then could ever take place behind a pulpit.

And if you think that you can dodge a Bible study by playing football, then you have another thing coming. Win or lose, we play for Jesus. Flag or two-hand touch, either way you are getting a bear hug from Pastor Jeremy. And we don't care whose team you play for during the game, because at the end of day we all want to be on Jesus' team.

This is ministry, this is life!