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Ladies, join us this December for a fun time of baking and eating and fellowship! We've organized a special two-night event called Mix It Up, and we're hoping to see you there.

December 1—Christmas Breads: We have room for forty women to watch as we make and share special Christmas breads. The only thing you need to bring is a smile, although we'd love it if you would also be prepared to share with us a favorite family holiday tradition. We'll meet in the Dining Room at 7 p.m., so mark your calendars and be sure to sign up today!

December 4—Christmas Cookies: Twenty-five women are invited to make and share their favorite cookies with each other. We ask that you bring 75 cookies as well as a container in which you can take home the extras. This cookie exchange is guaranteed to be a lot of fun, so join us in the Dining Room at 7 p.m.

Due to limited space, pre-registration is required for both nights, and we ask that you only sign up for either the bread demonstration or the cookie exchange. To register, please visit our Welcome Center on Sunday morning or call the church office throughout the week. Our sign-up sheets are filling up quickly, so make sure you get your name in as soon as possible!

Things have been rather quiet on the blog lately, but that doesn't mean that Women's Ministries is slowing down! Our Sunday morning ABF just finished a challenging study in the book of Ruth, and we'll soon be starting a new book — The True Woman, by Susan Hunt — on November 23.

The True Woman examines characteristics of godly womanhood, including virtue, wisdom, dignity, and faith. Join the Women of Influence ABF on Sundays at 10:45 in Room 235 and explore what the Bible has to say about your mission and your identity as a true woman of God. Come by for a cup of coffee, some great fellowship, and a wonderful time of spiritual enrichment.

Women's Ministries is offering a unique opportunity for older women to mentor younger women.  Apples of Gold restores joy and fulfillment to women frustrated with their marriages and chidren by presenting a positive message about motherhood; providing women with encouragement and support to make positive changes; motivating women to become better wives and mothers; equipping women with relational and practical skill they need; building community along with women in similar life circumstances.

We are looking for six women who will spend eight weeks working with six mentors learning and experiencing the Titus 2 principle of teaching the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self -controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  We are waiting for God to send the women He wants to be mentors and mentorees.  Email us (see the contact page for the address), leave a comment, or call us at the church office (815-459-1095).  We still have a few openings.  We would love to hear from you!

If you're interested in joining a Sunday morning Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) class, now's the perfect time to try one out! The Women of Influence ABF meets on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. in Room 235, and Alvira Colbert is currently leading a study based in Ruth. The Message of Redemption and Revival in the book of Ruth is a video-based Bible study featuring the teaching ministry of Nancy Leigh DeMoss. The videos, along with the companion workbook, will help you discover purpose in every gain and in every loss. Come by for a cup of coffee, some great fellowship, and a wonderful time of spiritual enrichment.

Fall is just around the corner, which means we're about to launch several new Bible studies this month. To register, click here to download a printable brochure with the full schedule and details about each class. You may either mail this to the church or drop it off during the week. We will also have sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center on Sunday, September 7 and Sunday, September 14. If you're new to the area or new to our church, please feel free to stop in for a week to see what you think of the study before signing up. Visitors are always welcome, so invite a friend and see what God has in store for you this year!

Big news on the MOPS front, ladies! In an effort to better serve the moms of our church and our community, we are moving the bi-weekly MOPS meetings to Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., beginning September 11. (This is a month earlier than we normally start, so make sure to note this on your calendar!) We will be meeting in the dining room instead of the multi-purpose room in order to create a cozier atmosphere.

MOPPETS, our children's program, will benefit from some changes, as well. Children who are 2 years old (by September 1) will be participating in a new AWANA program called Puggles, and those over three years old will be joining with our AWANA Cubbies. These changes will allow for more structure and variety for the children, providing new and expanded opportunities for fun and learning and fellowship.

The Cubbies will stay in their Paradise Island room until 9:30 a.m., then be relocated with their leader to the multi-purpose room. During this time they will sing, salute the flags, review the weekly memory verse, view a puppet show with Cubbie Bear and his friends, listen to a weekly Bible story, recite memory verses, participate in crafts or relay games, then end with presenting badges and rewards and recognizing birthdays.

Please note: MOPS only meets twice a month but Cubbies are welcome and encouraged to attend weekly.

For more information about MOPS or to register, please click here to download a copy of the MOPS brochure. You can also download and print the AWANA registration form if your children will be eligible for Puggles and/or Cubbies.

Please don't hesitate to call, email, or leave a comment with any questions you may have!

The support group for parents of adult children (read more here) begins tomorrow, Thursday, June 26. We will be meeting at 9 a.m. at Pat Kingston's house (in Woodstock). It's not too late to join, so please call us or leave a comment on this entry if you're interested in attending!

Parents of adult children face unique challenges, ones they are often not prepared to handle. Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children is a book which offers hope and healing, as well as six practical steps to dealing with these experiences and the pain that sometimes accompanies them. If you are interested in a joining a support group (for men and women) that would be working through this book study, please leave a comment on this entry or sign up in the church Welcome Center on Sunday morning!

If you're interested in joining a Sunday morning Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) class, now's the perfect time to try one out! The Women of Influence ABF meets on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. in Room 235, and Alvira Colbert is currently leading a study called "Lord, Teach Me to Pray." The class is based partially on Andrew Murray's book, With Christ in the School of Prayer. Come by for a cup of coffee, some great fellowship, and a wonderful time of spiritual enrichment.

Our summer Bible study has just been announced! Join us on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. as we work through Beth Moore's book, Living Beyond Yourself, an in-depth study of Galatians 5 and the fruits of the Spirit. The cost is $20, and the class will begin June 10.

View and print the registration form here (opens in a new window). The completed form can be mailed to or brought by the church office.