CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
This year we're celebrating Christmas Eve together next Sunday morning, December 22nd, 10am here at Avalon. Invite a friend to discover "Something Unexpected" with us this Christmas!

BLANKET NANAIMO
You generously donated 450 items, including 24 blankets, 100 emergency blankets, 4 sleeping bags, 43 towels, 5 tarps, 3 boots/shoes, 36 jackets, 1 rain poncho, 6 toiletries, 1 box hand warmers, 85 pair of socks, 5 pair work gloves, 2 tote bags, 42 sweaters/hoodies, 20 pair underwear, 4 pair of pants, and 94 gloves/scarves/hats/mitts. Thanks, TMP!

TUESDAY MEN'S GROUP
Come hang out with us for an hour every Tuesday morning from 7-8am. Right now we're meeting on Zoom. Email men@themeetingplace.org to get the link. Can’t make it every week? That’s ok, join us when you can.

TMP CARE TEAM
When you, or someone you know are in need of practical, spiritual, or emotional help, please reach out to the TMP Care Team by emailing support@themeetingplace.org or by filling out the form online.

HELP WANTED
The City Youth could use your help in an unexpected way--dinner for the teens attending Bible study and/or snacks for the youth group as a whole. Email peter@themeetingplace.org for more details. If you're not scared off by early Sunday mornings, and you'd like to get your steps in for the day, our Setup Team can use your help as we turn the theatre into a church. This behind-the-scenes team is a critically important one. If you'd like more details, check at the info table or email us at admin@themeetingplace.org. Kidz Place could use your help! Hang out with kids (play games, do crafts, listen to stories and share snacks) one Sunday a month. Email russ@themeetingplace.org.  If you've been around TMP for a while, you know we love a reason to party! Whether it's a BBQ, a Valentine's dessert & games afternoon or a chili contest, bringing people together to connect, laugh, and eat together is something we really enjoy. We're looking for more people to join our Events Team. If you're someone who enjoys planning parties and organizing events, stop by the info table in the lobby or email admin@themeetingplace.org

SUFFER FROM FOMO?
Do you have a Fear Of Missing Out on what's going on at TMP? Join our email update list--it's only one email per week, max, and it'll help keep you "in the know" around here. Sign up here.

DONATIONS RECEIVED
* The week of December 1, 2024 - $7,532.52
* The week of December 8, 2024 - $7,442.20
* Required weekly giving to meet budget - $6,903

Our Vision: to be people who are all about unleashing God's extravagant love on this city and around the world.
Our Mission is simple: to equip people to love God and love others - everyday, everywhere.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. - Luke 2:8-20 (NLT)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. - Romans 5:1 (NLT)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. - Romans 12:18

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.   Luke 2:10 (ESV)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29 (NLT)

"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." - Matthew 16:25

1. Have you ever felt like you were going to “lose it”? (get angry with someone, not know which way to go in life, etc.)  Or maybe you did “lose it” - what happened?

2. In life, all kinds of unexpected things can happen. What’s Something Unexpected that happened to you over the past year?

3. God did Something Unexpected when Jesus showed up as a baby (nobody was expecting the messiah to be a baby!) How has God worked in unexpected ways in your life?

4. Russ talked about 4 things we could take away from this message:
-Make Peace
-Don’t Be Afraid
-Look!
-Lose It
Which one of those did you connect with the most?

5. Where do you feel you’re at in having peace with God?

6. In the movie clip, Iron Man said, “You throw another moon at me, and I’m gonna lose it.”  In Matthew 16:25, Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” What are some ways you can “lose it” this week and this Christmas?