This document is a newsletter from Tates Creek Christian Church providing information about upcoming events and articles from church ministers and staff. The main articles discuss how Christmas traditions can change over time but the focus should remain on Jesus, remembering loved ones during the holidays, and the selfless act of mothers ensuring their children can create memories with extended family during Christmas. The newsletter also provides the church service schedule, list of staff, and calendar of December events.

1. Tates Creek
Current
Merry Christmas
December 2015

2. Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
2
Contact
Tates Creek Christian
3150 Tates Creek Road
Lexington, KY 40502
(859) 266-1621
office@tatescreek.org
Visit Online
www.tatescreek.org
facebook.com/tatescreekcc
Worship
Sunday
Traditional - 8:30 am
Blended - 9:50 am
The Vine - 11:10 am
Sunday School -
8:30, 9:50, 11:10 am
Evening - 6:30 pm
Staff
Tommy Simpson
Kim Beckwith
Don Seevers
Mike Allen
Brad Haggard
Matt Lee
Lesley Tipton
David Eversole
Billy Bishop
Conor Doyle
Office Staff
Kim Jones
Jenni Gregg
Rhoda Rolfes
Vicki Wesley
Contents
Feature Article
10-11 “30 Ways to Keep Christ in
Christmas”
In Every Issue
3-9 Minister Articles
12 Prayer Ministry
12 Guided Prayer Topics
13 Elder/Deacon Serving Schedule
14 Intern Article
18 October Statistics
19 New Members
20 Calendar
Ministry News
15 Missions Moment
Events
16-17 December Events
Mission
Tates Creek Christian Church exists
to win people to Christ (evangelism),
build up believers in faith, knowledge, and
service (encouragement), to help those in need
(benevolence), and to stand up for Christian
values in the community (witness).

3. Often times, change comes into our personal lives whether
we like it or not; whether we had a choice about the change
or not. The type of change often affects our anticipation
of Christmas! When the change is positive, we really look
forward to Christmas. If the change is negative, then we may
be dreading Christmas. Since Dad passed away, every holiday
has been very different; especially Christmas! Dad was always a lot of fun
to watch opening gifts. He never took the time to remove the wrapping
paper from the box. He always, always tore into the box ~ to the point that
Mom could never recycle the gift boxes he opened. Precious memories
that bring a mixture of smiles and tears! Now, since Zella & I have three
small grandchildren, every holiday is becoming very different; especially
Christmas! Needless to say, we are looking forward to seeing their reactions
this Christmas! Yet, whether the change in our personal lives was positive
or negative, there is a very strong constant in Christmas that provides joy
beyond our understanding.
We find that constant in the message the angels
announced to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be
for all the people; for today in the city of David there has
been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke
2:10-11). For some of us, our hearts have been broken
by change this year. We may have lost a loved one or a
very dear friend. Maybe we have contracted an illness
that is greatly affecting our health. Maybe our marital
status changed this year ~ a change we did not want and tried very hard
to stop. Maybe we are without a job, and we are feeling stressed about
providing for our family with Christmas approaching. Christmas will be
very different. It may seem that the goal for Christmas is just to get through
it. However, the Savior of Christmas brings forgiveness, and He also brings
healing, even healing for a broken, sad heart. Jesus always provides a new
beginning, a new tomorrow, a new future.
Hopefully, when there has been positive change in our personal lives, we
will not allow that positive change to shadow the real reason of celebrating
Jesus throughout Christmas! For this truth, we rejoice every day and every
Christmas, in spite of the change that walked into our lives!
Glory to God in the Highest! ~ Tommy
tommy@tatescreek.org
Tidbits from Tommy
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Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org

4. Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
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Senior Adults
The story is told of a salesman who was bragging about his skill
in making the most extraordinary sales. He said he once sold
two milking machines to a farmer with only one cow. “That’s not
so silly,” one of his fellow salesmen said, “Maybe he bought the
other one in case the first one broke down.” “Maybe,” said the
first salesman, “But he gave me the cow as a down payment.”
I thought to myself as I considered that story….How much like that farmer
much of our society is at Christmas. With their removing of the traditional
religious songs from schools. With their tearing down nativity scenes
from public places. I’ve often thought: what’s the point of those people
celebrating? What’s the sense of buying all those gifts?
IF NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBSERVING THE GIFTS THE WISEMEN
BROUGHT TO THE CHRIST CHILD…
IF NOT TO OBSERVE THE GIFT THE HEAVENLY FATHER BROUGHT TO THE
WORLD?
The world, often times, calls us fools for
believing God’s son was born of a virgin in
a cattle stall….all while they buy milking
machines without owning a cow. They have
a shiny, joyous holiday with no real reason
to celebrate it. Think about this for a moment: These people say,“We are
offended by the religious overtones of the holiday.” Yet, they are right there
participating in the joy brought by the holiday.
When doing my master’s work many years ago, I took a counseling class
at the graduate school at Wichita State University. The class was on a
particular theory of counseling which championed employing empathy as
its major tenant. I wrote my final paper on how those very principles and
practices were first practiced by Jesus. In essence, they took the best of
Jesus and put another name on it. That’s the same thing the world does
today. They take all the warm and fuzzy feelings of Christmas, package
it in their own package, and call it theirs. But, friends, is Christmas really
Christmas without Jesus? Let’s make every effort to not get so caught up
in the lights, the smells, the gaiety, and the excitement of the season, but
rather in the person it is all about. If we don’t, we’re just like that farmer, all
machine and no cow.
~ Bro. Kim
kimbeckwith@tatescreek.org

5. Christmas for most people is a time of great joy and
celebration. I say‘most people’because I know firsthand
that it is not universally true. Having worked in nursing
homes for many years, I saw many people in our care who
suffered much from loneliness, all through the year but
especially during the Christmas season.
God knew from the very beginning that it was not good for us to be
alone, thus he made a helpmate for Adam. Together, Adam and Eve
worked and helped each other, even if they did get into a little trouble.
God used that trouble to set His plan in motion. The plan where He,
Himself, would come through His Son, to forever
cure man’s‘trouble’with sin and his suffering from
loneliness. God would be able to fulfill man’s
deep desire for connection by offering an eternal
relationship with Him.
This plan was announced hundreds of years
before through God’s faithful prophets. The faithful
Israelites heard these promises and began to figuratively sing the words
of my favorite Christmas song,“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom
captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”
Not only would they be rescued, but God would be with them! That calls
for rejoicing!
This is the coming of God that we remember and celebrate at Christmas.
We also can rejoice because we have been rescued by Jesus and Jesus is
with us, even today.
God is always faithful to His word. While Jesus was here he told us of
another time when He would come – the end of time as we know it. At
that time, He will establish the true and complete reign of God over all of
creation and the new dwelling place of men will be without suffering of
any kind because we will be with God.
Do we say today, like the faithful Israelites of old and the Apostle John at
the end of Revelation,“Come, Lord Jesus”?
~ David
david@tatescreek.org
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Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
O Come, Emmanuel

6. Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
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As Christmas draws ever closer, many of us grow excited
with anticipation. Especially children. Remember when
Christmas used to be a magical time of the year? I have great
memories of Christmas as a child. My parents spoiled me at
Christmas. As I’ve gotten older, I really enjoy Christmas with
my own children. I love going to church on Christmas Eve and being with
them on Christmas morning, just spending time as a family. But it can also
bring financial stress, busyness, and other distractions that can take away
from the true meaning. In a way, I dread Christmas in a worldly sense, but
what remains constant is the reason we celebrate in the first place. I have to
stop and remind myself of that often during this season.
Many of us have other stresses beyond just finances. Some of us,
throughout the year, have lost loved ones, or things have changed in our
relationships and there is going to be the stinging reminder of an empty seat
at the table. I am praying for you. Really, I am
praying that you will be able to focus on Jesus
throughout this season. I pray that you will be
reminded constantly that he is our source of
hope. I pray that our Lord provides you with
blessings that take your attention away from
the hurt, the pain, and the loss. I’m going to
need your prayers for the very same thing.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas
season filled with joy that comes from the
promise of the person of Jesus Christ. I hope
you are blessed by time with family and
friends. Focus on Jesus and he will bring joy
and peace. He is, in fact, the Prince of Peace.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be
upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
In His Service, ~ Mike
mike@tatescreek.org
Young Adult Ministry

7. Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
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Student Ministry
Home for Christmas
Our high school fall retreat this year was a joint retreat with
three other churches. Typically we only go with our group,
but I have become convicted that unity means we need to
share space and energy with other people and churches. So,
we went along with Southside Church of Christ, Southern Acres Christian
Church, and Centerpointe Christian Church. The most amazing thing was
that, rather than being a time where groups clashed and competed with
each other for territory, the students quickly gelled. In fact, our students on
the trip said that it was the best retreat they had attended precisely because
they got to meet students from other groups!
One of the main draws for Christmas is the time we get to spend with
family. Going home, settling in, and feeling whole with the people that have
formed us, is the joy that we have during the Christmas season. This is what
is offered to the world in Jesus’birth. Through Jesus we all have a brother
who is not ashamed to call us family (Hebrews 2:11-12). So in a real sense,
every church service is a homecoming for us, and we await the ultimate
fulfillment of the present offered to us.
This family also extends across racial and ethnic lines (Galatians 3:26-29).
One of the other great joys our students get, is working with Russell Cave
Church of Christ to put together Thanksgiving boxes for families in need
in the Winburn community. The feeling that comes with encountering
someone who is different, and then finding joy in that difference is what
really changes our hearts.
So this Christmas, let’s not just find“home”and“comfort”with those who
are close to us, but let’s extend that hospitality to someone who isn’t like us.
That is precisely what God did for us in giving us Jesus.
Let’s lift Him up together! ~ Brad
brad@tatescreek.org

8. Christmas Traditions– Can they change with time?
I love the Spring! I love the new life around the world from baby
horses being born to new flowers and green grass. I love the
summer! The heat, the sweat, the swimming pools, camps, and
so much more. I love the fall and the reminder to slow down and
see God’s beauty in everything. Winter and I get along ok. The kids and I enjoy
the snow together, but the shorter days aren’t my favorite. That’s one reason
that I REALLY LOVE CHRISTMAS!! It’s this moment tucked in the middle of a long
season. Christmas is a time wrapped in traditions from growing up and making
new traditions with our young children. When I was growing up, Christmas
meant making gifts for my siblings like IOU booklets to serve them for the next
year. It meant traveling from grandparents to grandparents after we opened
presents at our house on Christmas morning. For a few years, through college
and before children, Christmas was a time of craziness for Terah and me to get
everywhere we could to keep people happy in our family. Then, when Colten
was born, the traditions started to become our traditions. We always woke up at
our house on Christmas morning. We always read the Christmas story before we
opened presents. For the past few years in Lexington though, our Christmas has
looked a little different. We love to cut down a tree together and fill our house
with its fresh smell. The kids love to decorate the tree. One night each year we
take a Christmas light tour around Lexington. Each year we have the honor of
delivering Christmas presents and food to families in need through Julius Marks
Elementary. The Christmas musical is always a highlight for us, but we probably
get a little more excited about the after party. It’s after the musical that we
(along with all of the family that came for the program) load into a van and travel
to see the Southern Lights. It fills my heart with so much joy to watch our kids
pointing at lights, laughing, singing songs, dancing, petting strange animals, and
waiting to sit on Santa’s lap.
All of these stories bring back special memories, and special emotions are
attached to each one. Each year I hope for the same thing, but it makes me
wonder… is it ok if traditions change? To me, from the lessons I have learned,
from the life God has allowed me to experience thus far… the answer is YES!
Every Christmas still has one main thing in common… Jesus!
I love Christmas, because the focus isn’t around what I want or don’t want. It’s
not on traditions and things that have to be… Christmas is about Jesus. The
birth of my savior. A time to celebrate God’s love for ALL of us. Jesus brings us
together and He is really what we need at Christmas. In fact He is ALL we need
every second of every day. I REALLY LOVE CHRISTMAS!
~ Matt
matt@tatescreek.org
Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
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Childrens Ministry

9. 9
Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
Preschool Ministry
Critterland News
My mother and father were divorced when I was two
years old, so much of my family is spread throughout the
states. Throughout my childhood, Christmas was always
a bit different than most of my friends. Being that my
mother was a flight attendant, she and I celebrated on Christmas Eve
with presents and usually a dinner out. Then, on Christmas morning, we
were driving to the airport to both catch flights, me to visit my father
or grandparents, and her to catch some extra overtime for working the
holiday. I would end up with my stepmother’s extended family, and had
the typical big dinner, presents, crazy family antics, you name it. It was
a lot of fun. What I never really thought about, until I became a parent,
was that my mother made a very large sacrifice for me every year so that
I could spend time with the rest of my family. She could have kept me
to herself, or we could have gone and visited her family, who lived in
Minnesota. But she didn’t. She was selfless, and because of that, I was
able to make memories with all of my family members. I am so thankful
for this because now that I have children, I truly see the importance of
being with those you love around the holiday season. This Christmas,
will you be selfless? Will you sacrifice your wants for others?
~ Lesley
lesley@tatescreek.org

10. Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
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Our world makes it challenging to keep Christ in Christmas. Anyone
else notice that? Don’t get me wrong: I love this season. The lights and
festivities. I’m a Christmas baby and I find this time of year magical. I love
experiencing it with my kids…the excuse to wear Christmas pajamas days
on end, reading holiday books, sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies
for lunch… But more than anything, I want to make it meaningful. I want
Jesus to be the focus. I want my kids to know what the day and all the
celebrating is really about. They won’t hear it at school or see it in the sales
advertisements. They will know because we will show them.
Here are some ways we make Christmas meaningful (and a few ideas we
plan to implement):
• Set up a Nativity and make it a focus in your home. [We put ours front
and center on the entry table in our home].
• Hide baby Jesus and“seek”Him Christmas morning before opening
gifts. [I did this first thing last year. Here’s how I found it half an hour
later. Turns out Mary had a little Snowman. I love little kids]
• (or) Gift wrap baby Jesus in your nativity and let this be your first
unwrapped gift Christmas morning.
• Take a cue from the Magi and limit
the gifts, reminding kids it’s not their
birthday, it’s His.
• Have a daily family devotion that
unwraps Christmas, here’s ours for this
year; ”Advent Tabletop Devotional”. [This
is perfect for families. It offers a verse for
each day and a question or two that will hopefully lead to a meaningful
discussion.]
• Participate in Advent. Last year, we did the“Jesse Tree Advent”. And I
love this 25 day free printable Advent idea.
• Light an Advent wreath each day leading up to Christmas.
• Have a birthday cake for Jesus or go all out and make it a birthday party!
• Watch DVDs like Why Do We Call It Christmas? That help you tell the real
story of Christmas.
• Give your kids the gift of giving: Have them shop with purpose. This
year we are giving our kids money to shop from the Compassion gift
catalog.
• Or buy something that blesses twice and changes lives (Mercy
Shop).
• Don’t stress about things that really don’t matter this
Season. I have been a Christmas hoarder in the past. Last
30 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

11. Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
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30 Ways to Keep Christ . . . continued
year, I had two newlywed couples come and dig thru my decorations.
I saved two boxes of things I value most and gave the rest away. It’s
simple this year and I like it.
• Make the Nativity interactive with tools like What God Wants for
Christmas. It’s from the creators of Resurrection Eggs.
• Do something for someone else on Christmas Day. This will be our fifth
year to visit the NICU (with treats) that saved our daughter’s life five
Christmases ago.
• Talk with your kids about giving God a gift. What does He want from us?
• Hang a stocking for Christ. Fill it with notes just for Him.
• Invite someone to share Christmas dinner with your family.
• Shop for single mom. This year play secret santa and drop off gifts for a
single mom!
• Don’t participate in the excessive commercialism. Enough said.
• Watch The Nativity Story together as a family. We started this tradition
two years ago. I think this PG movie tells the greatest story ever told
very well.
• Help your kids shop for their siblings.
• Talk about the symbols of Christmas.
• Be generous as a family at Christmas-baking, giving, doing.
• Hold a Yule log party: it’s an old European custom to bring in an
enormous log on Christmas Eve and burn it in the fireplace (or fire pit)
and say prayers. Today, Yule log cakes and eggnog are served. You can
sing carols, read Scripture, tell stories, pray for the new year, and have
good fellowship.
• Bake, make, or buy a special gift for your Pastor. We did Pioneer
Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls year before last. What a gift!
• Cherish traditions with your family. Start a new one! Like the next one:
• When preparing your Christmas meal, set a literal place for Jesus, your
honored guest.
• Attend church on Christmas Eve.
• Read Luke 2 together on Christmas Eve or morning. We’ve been doing
this since before we had kids.
• Leave a Nativity out all year long. I did this last year and it was really
special.
~ Kristen Welch
http://wearethatfamily.com; reprinted with permission

12. Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
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Prayer means so much to me. It’s my time
alone with God. I always know that He is there,
just waiting for me to give Him my full attention.
Our Lord wants us to talk to Him one to One.
Sometimes I don’t even ask Him for anything, I just
spend time telling Him how great and wonderful
He is and thanking Him for His merciful love and
goodness.
Many times in my life, I’ve just cried out,“Lord,
help me!”. God knows what is on my heart, even
when I cannot put it into words. Some of the best
times are when I say nothing, but listen for God
speaking to me. More often than not, God asks
me to“wait and just trust Him”.
I am so blessed to have experienced over and
over again how God“fixes things”when I truly
“turn it over to Him”. “His Will”is a far greater
solution than I could ever ask or imagine! I don’t
always understand God’s answers, but I try to trust
in His wisdom and power to accomplish what
is best. As Jesus asked our Heavenly Father, (as
recorded in Matthew 26:39), “Yet not as I will, but
as You will”.
~ Beth Kessler
PrayerDaily Guided
Prayer Topics
December
1 First responder families
2 Christmas Angel Tree
3 Those undergoing
chemotherapy
4 Isaiah 53:3-6
5 Judy Fish
6 Psalm 82:3 mission
7 Conor Doyle
8 Shop with a cop program
9 Military family members
away at Christmas
10 Those without a close
walk with Christ
11 Luke 1:31-33
12 Greg & Vicki Syverson
13 Room in the Inn
14 Kim Jones
15 Room in the Inn
16 Sharing the Joy of the
Christ Child
17 Those alone at Christmas
18 Luke 2:6-7
19 Sergio & Holly Alvarado
20 Victory for Life
21 Jenni Gregg
22 Salvation Army & Hope
Centers
23 Children’s first Christmas
24 Those living in fear
25 Luke 2:10-14
26 Jonathan & Jubi Williams
27 United vision for 2016
28 Rhoda Rolfes
29 Newly elected officials
30 Strengthen families in
2016
31 Those with no hope
The mission of this ministry is to pray, motivate, and train others to
pray, and to provide prayer opportunities so that we might know our
Lord more intimately and serve Him more fervently.
If you would like to share your prayer testimony to encourage
others, please contact Peggy Crawford at psnow2020@aol.com.

13. Senior Adult Events
Adult Bible Study
Wednesdays ~ 10:30 am
Better With Age Club
December 17 ~ 10:30 am
Bring side dishes, salad, or
dessert to share.
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Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
Communion Serving Schedule
December 6
Elders: George Heaton, Danny Branham
Deacons: Ed Hall, Ken Banks
Ashland Terrace: Bill Johnson
Home Comm: Henry Evans, Bill Burke,
Greg Wheeler
Sat Comm Prep: David Rankin
Prep after 1st Srv: Dale/Curlie Kistler
Clean-up after 1st Srv: Fred/Emma Goode
Prep after 2nd Srv: Dale/Curlie Kistler
Clean-up after 2nd Srv: Fred/Emma Goode
Prayer Room: Ken Baker, Larry Bugg
Ushers:D.Ison,B.Johnson,D.Smith,G.Coleman
December 13
Elders: Larry Hitchner, George Heaton
Deacons: David Martin, Chris Lee
Ashland Terrace: David Straub
Home Comm: Chris Lee, Charlie Byers,
Russell Brown
Sat Comm Prep: Mark/Gayle Fields
Prep after 1st Srv: Peggy Sharp/Bette Corum
Clean-up after 1st Srv: Teresa Pendleton
Prep after 2nd Srv: Peggy Sharp/Bette Corum
Clean-up after 2nd Srv: Teresa Pendleton
Prayer Room: Judy Clark, Carolyn Ball
Ushers: S.Stack, D.Moore, B.Burke, D.Feltner
December 20
Elders: Ken Sharp, Larry Hitchner
Deacons: Terry Morrison, Greg Wheeler
Ashland Terrace: Russell Brown
Home Comm: Steven Clem, Terry Morrison,
Ken Banks
Sat Comm Prep: Teresa Pendleton
Prep after 1st Srv: Teresa Pendleton
Clean-up after 1st Srv: Peggy S./Bette C.
Prep after 2nd Srv: Teresa Pendleton
Clean-up after 2nd Srv: Peggy S./Bette C.
Prayer Room: Janice Moore, Monica Kennedy
Ushers:J.White, D.Pettry, L.Miller, S.Kearns
December 27
Elders: Mike Mirre, Ken Sharp
Deacons: Steven Clem, Bill Burke
Ashland Terrace: Harold Butler
Home Comm: Ed Hall, Harold Butler
Sat Comm Prep: Kathy Hicks
Prep after 1st Srv: Fred/Emma Goode
Clean-up 1st Srv: Dale/Curlie Kistler
Prep after 2nd Srv: Fred/Emma Goode
Clean-up 2nd Srv: Dale/Curlie Kistler
Prayer Room: Peggy Crawford, Beth Kessler
Ushers:B.Poor, D.Martin, D.Smith, J.Martin
New Sermon Series
“His Glorious Appearing”
December 6 - The Coming King
Matthew 25:31-33
December 13 - The Servant King
Matthew 2:1-12
December 20 - The King of Kings
Revelation 19:11-16

14. Generational gifts
I love the story of David,“A man after God’s own heart.” I love
reading about the life of David. He truly was a“Man after God’s
own heart.” However, like all of us today, David fell short. He messed up
and ended up paying the price for his mess. God said to David in 2 Samuel
12:10-11, “The sword shall never depart from your house, because you have
despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.
Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household.” These verses
were the punishment brought to David by God because of his adulterous
affair with Bathsheba.
In the next couple chapters of 2 Samuel, we can
see this punishment from God begin to unfold.
Amnon, David’s son, falls in love with Tamar, his
sister and David’s daughter. The result was a major
feud and bloodshed within the family. Absalom,
David’s oldest son, avenges Tamar and was
banished (of the sorts) from Jerusalem. The mess
continues… All of this because David choose to
disobey God rather than walk in the commands
that God set before him in the law of Moses. If
David had obeyed God, more than likely none of
the family mess would have happened.
Christmas is a time of giving. We give big gifts, small gifts, expensive,
thoughtful, and loving gifts that bless our families. Physical gifts are great!
They are beneficial and show our loved ones that we do love them. But
what if there was an even greater gift? Something better and longer lasting
than a physical gift… David set his family down a destructive path that tore
his family apart for generations. David didn’t leave his family with the gift
of blessings from the Lord. But we can. Unlike David, we can set a path for
the generations to come to have the blessings of the Lord on our families.
What a great gift that would be!
~ Conor Doyle
conor@tatescreek.org
Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
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Conor Doyle - Preaching Intern

15. 15
Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
A Note from Bob and Kathy Drane, Hopeful Hearts
We have always been grateful for TCCC’s participation in the“Hopeful
Hearts Blessings Bags”at Christmas time for orphans in our orphanages in
Ukraine. But as you know the 5 orphanages are now closed in Ukraine as
that area, Crimea, is now a part of the Russian Federation. As the Ukraine
door closed, God opened another door.
God has enabled
Hopeful Hearts to
purchase ten acres of land
in Myanmar with funds
from selling property in
Crimea for the purpose
of building a Hopeful Hearts Children’s Village. This village is much
needed after the cyclone left thousands of children orphaned. The village
will include 10 cottages that will provide homes for 20 children each in a
Christian family setting, a church, and five acres for agriculture projects and
a dairy operation. The village will provide homes for a total of 200 children.
We praise God that TCCC has joined with Hopeful Hearts to build one of the
10 cottages in Myanmar.
At Christmas each of us spends a lot of time, effort, and financial resources
looking for the ultimate gift for those we love. The definition of ultimate
is“the best achievable or imaginable of its kind.” For approximately 200
orphaned children in Myanmar, Tates Creek Christian Church has joined with
Hopeful Hearts Foundation in providing the“Ultimate”gift. This gift is not
anything wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbons but this is a gift of hope, a
gift for a future, a gift that will make a lasting impact for a lifetime. . . .it is the
gift of a home. The house that Tates Creek will build will be a safe haven and
a place for these children to grow and blossom into all their potential. It
will be a place where the Good News of Jesus will be proclaimed. On behalf
of approximately 200 children who will call this village home I want to say
a big Thank You and Merry Christmas to Tates Creek Christian Church. Your
generosity and heart for orphans will be a blessing to children in Myanmar
for years to come. I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:10.
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”
Thank you Tates Creek for managing well what God has given you
and for being willing to share it with“the least of these.”
Missions Moment

16. Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
December Events
Angel Tree Ministry
The Angel Tree names are now available in the
Main Foyer. The names of the children on the tree
come from Russell Cave Church of Christ and the area
that Russell Cave Church of Christ serves. If you would
like to sponsor a child, select an angel and PLEASE SIGN
UP on the sheet provided, giving your name and phone
number. All gifts will need to be wrapped, labeled,
and returned to the tree by December 13. If you need
assistance with shopping we have people available
to do that for you, just let us know when you are
choosing your child. Contact Mary Furnish at
219-9111 or Jenni Gregg at 273-2932
if you have any questions.
Room in the Inn
It is time for our
ministry with the
homeless in Lexington
to begin again. We will
be providing a meal
and a place to sleep
every other Thursday evening
beginning December 17. Please
look for volunteer sign-up sheets in
the foyer.
Contact Chris Lee for more
information at 859-885-9012.
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Services
December 24
4:30 & 6:30 pm
Join us as we celebrate the
birth of Jesus our Savior!
“Simply Christmas”
Children’s Christmas Program - December 20 - 6:30 pm
Sing along to traditional Christmas Carols and hear the message of Jesus
in a simple way!

17. Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
December Events
Women’s Christmas Tea
December 5, 2015
12 - 2 pm in MMC
“Giving the Gift of
Encouragement”
Speaker: Eva Self
Ticket cost $10.
Contact Becky Child at 312-0078.
Service Project:
Please bring a non-perishable food
item for the Christmas food baskets
going to Julius Marks Elementary
families.
Middle School Party
Wednesday, December 16
6-8 pm - Middle School Room
Children’s Party
Friday, December 18
6:30-8:30 pm - Fellowship Hall
High School Party
Sunday, December 13
6-8 pm - Youth Room
OLLI at UK
Holiday Concert
December 5 ~ 3 pm
TCCC Worship Center
Christmas Collage 2015
December 13 - 4:30 pm
Featuring the Metrognomes, the
Worship Choir
T3CPO, Rejoicing Ringers
And…a few surprises, too!
Bring friends & family for this exciting
celebration of Christ’s Birth. One
performance only this year! An
offering will be received for worship
ministry needs.

18. Sunday School
Average Attendance
October 2015
Youth
Infants 7
Walkers 9
2 - 5 Year Old 14
Elementary 44
Middle & High School 45
Adult
Christians in Action 19
Crusaders 49
Early Bird 5
Faith 15
Fellowship of Believers 11
FOCUS 14
Generations of Faith 22
Good News 26
Grace & Truth 57
Grass Roots 14
Heaven Bound 13
In The Word 21
Open Bible 62
Reach 10
Seekers 11
Servants for Christ 17
Upper Room 11
Willing Workers 31
Young Adult Class 7
Ashland Terrace 6
Miscellaneous 6
Officers 3
Total 539
October Worship
Attendance & Giving
Total General Fund
4th 654 $35,248.
11th 659 $24,362.
18th 638 $23,135.
25th 694 $27,218.
Indebtedness
Mortgage Balance, October 31 $772,420.
Monthly Payment (Nov. 1) $22,888.
Principal $10,702.
Interest $2,186.
Add’l Principal $10,000.
To give online anytime or setup
a recurring online gift, visit our
website at www.tatescreek.org
and click on“Donate”. You may
also simply scan the QR code.
% of Dollars Given Online
17%
General Fund Report
2015 Budgeted Need per week $31,440.
2015 Average per week $28,782.
Oct. Total Income $109,963.
Oct. Total Expenses $117,195.
Moved to Savings $10,129.
Net Shortfall ($17,361.)
Tates Creek Christian Church 3150 Tates Creek Road
18
Funds Totals for Oct.
Deacons’Fund $1,854.
“What If...” $21,225.
Victory for Life $398.

19. 19
Lexington, KY 40502 www.tatescreek.org
New Members
Ashton Glasscock
Baptized November 8
pictured with his family,
his girlfriend, Kaitlyn, and her
family.
Lee Family
Piper, Samuel,
Savannah & Rodney
Transfer November 15
Melody Walters
Baptized
November 15
Kim Holt
Transfer
November 15
Juan Mesa
Baptized
November 11

20. TatesCreekCurrent
TatesCreekChristianChurch Office:(859)266-1621
3150TatesCreekRoadWeb:www.tatescreek.org
Lexington,KY40502 Email:office@tatescreek.org
Calendar ~ December 2015
3 Deborah Circle, 6 pm
4 Crusaders Fellowship, 6 pm, FH
5&19 Card Ministry, 8:30 am, 102
5 Christmas Tea, 12 pm, MMC
5 OLLI Holiday concert, 3 pm, WC
6 Grace & Truth Social, 4 pm, MMC
6 Monthly Ministry meetings
7 Elders’Meeting, 6 pm, 200D
8 Tabitha Circle, 6:30 pm
13 FOB Class Social, 11:15 am, FH
13 Worship Choir Christmas Collage,
4:30 pm, WC
13 HS Christmas Party, 6 pm, 303
14 Rachel Circle, 6 pm
14 Faith Circle, 6:30 pm, 104
14 J.O.Y. Circle, 6:30 pm, Fh
16 MS Christmas Party, 6 pm, MS Rm
17 BWAC, 10:30 am, FH
17& 31 Room In The Inn, 5 pm, FH
17 Women’s Ministry, 7 pm, 302
18 Children’s Christmas Party,
6:30 pm, FH
20 Pick up Christmas Cards
20 Children’s Christmas concert,
6:30 pm, WC
24 Christmas Eve Service, 4:30 pm
24 Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 pm
25 Christmas, office closed
Weekly Activities
Sunday:
We Care Store open for members,
9:30 - 9:50 am & 10:50 - 11:10 am
Rejoicing Ringers rehearsal, 4:30 pm
Evening Worship, 6:30 pm, WC
Adult Small Groups, various locations
Monday:
Orchestra rehearsal, 6 pm, WC
Tuesday:
We Care Store, 1:30 & 4 pm
Pit Crew, 3 pm, Uptown
Victory for Life, 6 pm, FH
Wednesday:
Adult Bible Study, 10:30 am, 200AB
Worship Team, 5:45 pm, WC
Worship Choir, 6:30 pm, WC
Thursday:
We Care Store, 1:30 pm, closed on
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
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