This Week - Dec. 18th thru Dec. 24th

** The new website and email are active and are the new contact locations for all things Cornerstone Fellowship of DeGraff. https://www.cornerstonedegraff.org/ is online but still a work in progress. You are hopefully using the new [email protected] for the church email.

** There are positions available within the church for you to get involved and belong to this body of believers. Be prayerful over the possibilities that God is desiring to use you. 
- Administrative Council chairperson
- Trustees volunteer
- Pastor Parish Relations volunteer
- Nominations volunteer
- Hospitality chairperson
There are many more ways in which you can get involved. Reach out to Pastor Mike with the ways in which God is calling you to be active!
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The active Facebook page is found at: https://www.facebook.com/CornerstoneDeGraff
The active YouTube channel is found at: https://youtube.com/@CornerstoneFellowshipDeGraff
** Cornerstone Fellowship of DeGraff is a Global Methodist Church, and we will are in the Allegheny West Conference and you can visit their site at https://alleghenywestgmc.org/ if you are wanting more information!  All the videos from the Annual Conference are now posted on their website!

** G.R.A.C.E. notes for this week.

This morning we received a recall notice from Sam's Club (for Quaker Oats Company) for Chewy Granola Bars.  We buy those bars "frequently" and the recall description included the 60 count packs that we used last week (and bought the last time on December 5, 2023).

To my knowledge, our first ever recall!

Here is what we have done so far regarding the issue:
- Contacted Scott Mann at Riverside Schools to let him know that there was a recall.  They will send out a notice to parents to throw them away.
- Contacted Mary at Possibilities because some might have been in the gift bags we gave to their team members last week.  Asked her to throw them away.
- Sarah Collins and I went to the church this morning and went through the bags that were scheduled to go to the school today or tomorrow morning. Those bars have all been removed. They are currently on a shelf with a notice that they are not to be eaten.  We will trash them when we go that way the next time.  I wanted to wait until I had talked with Sam's Club.
- I called Sam's Club this afternoon and talked with a very helpful individual.  She issued a credit for the last 4 boxes that we bought on December 5th. The Email said I had to go to a Sam's Club store.  Apparently, even though the recall says all products since January 1, 2023, they are really looking at the most current dates for sales/purchases.
- A credit is to appear on our bank statement within the next 5-7 business days. 

This was not how I planned to spend my Monday and I know others felt the same way but the blessing is that we have taken action to make sure students do not get these granola bars (at least this week).  And, we added popcorn to the menu for this week so instead of granola bars and popcorn, they are at least getting popcorn instead of no substitute.

Wishing everyone blessings during the Christmas season and New Year!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, Darlene
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** Light Hours has been a great resource for our college age young people. Stay tuned for our next meeting day and time.

** Faith Builders new Bible study group will be taking a break due to schedules and ball games. Will be looking for a time coming up soon to get back started. We will be looking to start a new Faith Builders Class in January, so be on the look out for this new class!

** Our Cornerstone Women's group is planning to meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. The next meeting will take place Thursday December 7th at 6:00.

** Our Cornerstone Men's group will be going again on Wednesday December 6th at 7:00. Let us know if you are attending and we can get you a copy of our Proverbs study!

**Missions Moment - time to get involved! - we have been busy helping families in need within our community!

** Our Advent series will be based on the book, Hidden Christmas by Timothy Keller. How are the details of Christmas often missed for the simple version. How can we go deeper this Christmas? If you would like to get a copy of the book to read as we go through December you can pick one up here: https://a.co/d/4uxCyZ4

** If you would like to purchase a Cornerstone Fellowship of DeGraff shirt you can follow this link and purchase your Cornerstone Fellowship swag! -  https://exodus-shirt-company.myshopify.com/collections/cornerstone-fellowship-of-degraff

** Our next carry-in lunch after church will be on Dec. 31, New Year's Eve. Turkey will be provided and a side/dessert sign-up sheet will be in the Gathering Area. 

** There will be a one day youth conference for grades six through twelve at Sidney First Methodist Church on January 14th. 2024. Registration for this event will close after December 31st. Feel free to register at: https://www.impulseconference.com/register - Registration is $30 and includes lunch, snack, dinner, and a swag bag! 

** January 24th from 7-8 we will be holding "Shout To The Lord" , an evening of song and praise. Light refreshments will be provided. Plan now to attend and get your song list together! The whole community is invited!

** We are now collecting canned vegetables for the Five Loaves Food Pantry. We need 110 by Jan. 14th. They give out meals and food boxes Wed. Jan. 17th at 4:30 pm. If you would like to help carry boxes!

This Week at the Church: - December 18th - December 24th
Monday: Church Open 10-12

Tuesday: Church Open 10-12
 
Wednesday: Bible Study - Thessalonians at 10:00 am / Choir Practice 6:00 pm / Praise Practice 6:30 pm / Men’s Worship Warrior Wednesday 7:00 pm / Pastor Mike’s Quick Shots - Facebook and YouTube 8:00 pm
 
Thursday: Church Open 10-12 / Senior Lunch 11:15 / Cornerstone Women 6:00 pm
Friday: AA Meeting at the church 8:00 - 9:00 pm / Church open 7-9 pm
 
Next Sunday: December 24th, 2023 - 4th Sunday of Advent - Behold - Luke 2: 21-35 / Psalm 89: 19-26 - Adult & High School Sunday School Classes 9:30 / Worship Service 10:30 / Evening Candlelight Service will be at 7:30 pm!

Use these links to get to our other social pages.
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/CornerstoneDeGraff
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/@CornerstoneFellowshipDeGraff

On Mission! Worship - Reflect - Pray - Study - Serve - use this skill set to move into our new year and make sure that we are using the new 5-S Method of Being The Church - Surrender - Surrounded - Spirit-Led - Self-Fed - Sent
Please pray this week for those who are sick and need healing, and those who you can share the love of Christ with! Do not forget to pray for your church, your community, and your pastor.