Worship Service, December 7, 2025
8:30 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
“The Fruit of Repentance”
Rev. Seth Saathoff
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 3:1-16.
The Second Sunday of Advent: Peace
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Called Meeting of the Congregation
December 7th
There is a Called Congregational Meeting on December 7, during the 11:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of the 2025 Officer Nominating Commit tee presenting its slate of officers. We hope you will join us.
Christmas Dates to Remember:
December 24: Please make note of a slight change in schedule for our
Christmas Eve Service. The Worship Service will begin at 6:00 p.m.
December 28: We will have "Lessons and Carols" at the 11:00 a.m. service.
There will not be an 8:30 service that day.
Flowers in the Sanctuary
Sunday's flowers are given
to the glory of God
by the Corbit family,
in memory of Nicole and Alex Corbit
2025 Flower Calendar
Please keep in mind that our 2025 flower calendar is now on the Welcome Desk.
Be sure to write in your dedications for the times of year that are significant to you and your loved ones.
Flower arrangements are $45.
Love God - Live Generously - Invest in Others!
The Children's Pageant: Help Needed
The Children's Christmas Pageant is scheduled for Sunday, December 14th, during the 11:00 worship service.
We need lots of little angels, shepherds, sheep, and wise men to recreate the Holy Night for the congregation. Our final practice will be held Sunday, Dec. 7, after the 11:00 a.m. service. This is an invitation for any elementary-aged student, who would like to participate in the pageant, to contact Dena Sowden at (979) 255-2096 or DSowden@fpcconroe.org.
Poinsettia Purchases and Dedications
As is our tradition, we will fill the Sanctuary with poinsettias for our Christmas worship services. December 7th is the final Sunday order forms will be available for you to order poinsettias and make dedications in honor or in memory of your loved ones, special events or grateful thanks. Poinsettias are $15 each. Order forms can be found on page 19 of this bulletin or at the Welcome Desk. You may place them in the offering basket or turn them in to the church office by December 11th.
For the Children:
Chicken nuggets, corn dogs, fries & fruit will be served, or children can bring their own dinner.
We will have crafts and then end the night with a movie. Pillows & blankets are encouraged.
Space is limited, so RSVP early.
Christmas Gifting
FPC-C is truly blessed to have a devoted and hard-working staff. In the past, we have given each of our staff a monetary Christmas gift to show our appreciation for their dedication. We would like to continue that tradition this year and, to that end, we would like to give everyone in our congregation an opportunity to participate. If you would like to donate to this very worthy effort, please be sure that you designate your donation for Staff Appreciation. Because we would like to distribute this gift to each staff member before Christmas, we are asking that you submit your donations to the church office on or before 12/14/2025. Thank you in advance for your support. Administration Committee
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes."
(Job 19:25-27a)
Welcome
Welcome to our newest member,
Betty Hilton,
who officially joined the church
during the Session meeting on
Sunday, November 16.
Through the Bible in One Year
Beginning on Sunday, November 16, the new start time for the class will be 4:00 p.m. The class will remain a one-hour study.
The class has completed its study of the Old Testament, so on December 7th, at 4:00 p.m., we will begin a study of the New Testament.
The class would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to participate in the New Testament study to plan to attend. We will begin with an overview of the New Testament, followed by our study of Matthew the following week. We will continue using Alan Stringfellow's “Through the Bible in a Year” as our guide. All are welcome (church members and community friends)!
Stewardship Campaign Update
The Stewardship Campaign for 2026 pledges are off to a good start. To date, we have received 73 pledges for approximately $478,400. This puts us almost 75% of the way towards our goal. There are still over 30 individuals who pledged in 2025 that have not, as yet, committed to pledging for 2026.
If you have already pledged to give for the 2026 Budget, thank you for your very generous support. If you plan to pledge, but were unable to attend Dedication Sunday last week, or forgot to bring your card, or simply have not had time to fill it out yet, PLEASE do so in the near future. Either put your completed card in the collection plate this Sunday or drop it by the church office at your convenience. If we are to balance the budget in 2026, we need everyone’s commitment.
Yours in Christ, Administration Committee
Office Volunteer Needed for
Wednesday Morning
The church office is in need of a Wednesday morning volunteer to cover the phones and welcome guests during the weekly staff meeting. If you can give a few hours of your time, please contact Yvonne Rose at (936) 756-8884.
2025 Officer Nominating Committee
The 2025 Officer Nominating Committee is hard at work putting together their proposed slate of new elders to serve on session. If you have prayerfully considered nominating yourself or someone else (with their permission), please contact Catherine Scheffler at 713-715-9766 or email her at scscheffler@sbcglobal.net
Good News!
As of September 30, 2025, the church has used proceeds received from the Capital Campaign to pay down the outstanding debt by $341,331.
This amounts to a reduction in operating expenses of $32,853/year!
Total pledges to the three-year campaign now stand at $991,438. The Capital Campaign Committee would like to thank all those who have com mitted to this worthy cause of reducing our debt and have made its success a reality. Your generosity has greatly relieved the strain on our operating budget and will make it possible for our church to broaden its mission in the future.
It is not too late to participate. While the “official” pledge period is over, you can still pledge. If you are not comfortable with a three-year commitment, we ask you to prayerfully consider a one-time donation. Every dollar you give goes directly to reducing our indebtedness.
Finally, please continue to pray for the continued success of this effort and our church. Blessings, Capital Campaign Committee
This amounts to a reduction in operating expenses of $32,853/year!
Total pledges to the three-year campaign now stand at $991,438. The Capital Campaign Committee would like to thank all those who have com mitted to this worthy cause of reducing our debt and have made its success a reality. Your generosity has greatly relieved the strain on our operating budget and will make it possible for our church to broaden its mission in the future.
It is not too late to participate. While the “official” pledge period is over, you can still pledge. If you are not comfortable with a three-year commitment, we ask you to prayerfully consider a one-time donation. Every dollar you give goes directly to reducing our indebtedness.
Finally, please continue to pray for the continued success of this effort and our church. Blessings, Capital Campaign Committee
Young Adult Retreat at Mo Ranch
March 20-22, 2026
Reignite your purpose and strengthen your spirit. Join us for a transformative retreat designed for those navigating the post-college years. Connect with a supportive community, explore life planning, vocational discernment, and creative budgeting, all while deepening your faith through worship, prayer, and interactive workshops. Together, let’s build a future of meaning, purpose, and connection.
Details regarding this retreat can be found at:
https://www.moranch.org/attend-a-conference/adult-conferences/young-adult-retreat/
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:24)
Spiritual Direction with Rev. Callie Candee
Christians have sought out silent prayer retreats for centuries; driven by a hun ger for closer communion with God, we choose times of silence, of meditation of Scripture, to hear God more clearly and to follow Jesus’ invitation to 'come away with me to a quiet place and rest.' In our ever too busy world, such an invitation is a blessing, as we enter stillness, reflection upon God’s Word, and open ourselves to hearing more fully God’s response to us. Rev. Callie Candee is offering one-on-one Spiritual Direction sessions for our congregation. She can be reached at CallieCandee@yahoo.com.
Updated Church Directory
Deborah Geddes is working with the Membership team to produce an updated release of the church directory. If you are aware of any updates that need to be made, please contact her at 832.212.2600.
Prayer List Updates
In an effort to keep everyone informed with accurate and timely requests, we would like to update our prayer list.
If someone on the prayer list no longer requires prayer, please make the church office staff aware. Thank you.
Save the Date for Upcoming Events ...
December 7 Seasonal Music Sunday / Parents Night Out
Called Congregational Meeting
December 12 Young Adult (C.L.A.P. Group) Christmas Party
December 14 Children's Pageant/Youth Progressive Dinner
December 24 Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 p.m.
December 25 Christmas Day (Church office will be closed)
December 28 Lessons and Carols (11:00 a.m. service only;
there will be no 8:30 service.)
January 1 New Year's Day (Church Office will be closed)
Our Sunday Morning Schedule
8:30 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
9:00 a.m. Fellowship (Bistro)
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes
10:30 a.m. Fellowship (Narthex)
10:35 a.m. Praise Band (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
The 11:00 a.m. Service is streamed live to:
FPCConroe.org (Watch live or later)
Facebook (FPCConroe)
YouTube (FPCConroe)
FPC Church APP
If you encounter problems with this website (links, etc.) please report them directly to Donna Kattner
at dkattner@gmail.com for a quick fix. Suggestions are also welcome. Thank you.
Weekly Events ...
Sunday - December 7
8:30 a.m. Worship with Communion
9:00 a.m. Fellowship (Bistro)
9:30 a.m. Bereans Sunday School Class Bob Shepherd (Rm. 105)
Paul's uplifting letter to the church at Philippi.
9:30 a.m. Fellowship Class (Rm. 204)
Studying "More Parables from the Back Side" by J. Ellsworth Kalas,
taught by Deborah Geddes, Glenna Lang and Glenn Elms
9:30 a.m. Exploring Our Faith with Susan Buckley (Rm. 206)
9:30 a.m. Seekers' Bible Study with Randy Blanton (Library)
Paul's Letter to the Romans on Sunday
Join Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82754565124?
Meeting ID: 82754565124
Passcode: 77304
9:30 a.m. FPC Kids' Sunday School (Rm. 203)
10:30 a.m. Fellowship (Narthex)
10:35 a.m. Special Music Sunday
11:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary or Streamed Live)
fpcconroe.org/watch live;
youtube.com/fpcconroe;
www.facebook.com/fpcconroe
FPC Church App (See Downloads at fpcconroe.org)
12:00 p.m. Committee Meetings
4:00 p.m. "A Year Through the Bible" Study (Rm. 105) - On break until 12/7/25.
4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Parents Night Out (Gym)
Monday - December 8
1:30 p.m. Monday Bible Study (Parlor)
Tuesday - December 9
10:00 a.m. Ruth Circle (Parlor)
5:15 p.m. Lydia Circle (Youth Area)
Wednesday - December 10
9:30 a.m. - Martha Circle
4:00 p.m. Small Group Study (Rm 206) Will not be meeting again until 1/7/26.
5:45 p.m. Handbells Practice (Sanctuary)
7:00 - 8:00 p.m . Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Sunday - December 14
8:30 a.m. Worship with Communion (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Fellowship (Bistro)
9:30 a.m. Bereans Sunday School Class Bob Shepherd (Rm. 105)
Paul's uplifting letter to the church at Philippi.
9:30 a.m. Fellowship Class (Rm. 204)
Studying "More Parables from the Back Side" by J. Ellsworth Kalas, taught by Deborah Geddes, Glenna Lang,
and Glenn Elms
9:30 a.m. Exploring Our Faith with Susan Buckley (Rm. 206)
9:30 a.m. Seekers' Bible Study with Randy Blanton (207)
Paul's Letter to the Romans
Join Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82754565124?
Meeting ID: 82754565124
Passcode: 77304
9:30 a.m. FPC Kids' Sunday School (Rm. 203)
10:30 a.m. Fellowship (Narthex)
10:35 a.m. Praise Band (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary or Streamed Live)
fpcconroe.org/watch live;
youtube.com/fpcconroe;
www.facebook.com/fpcconroe
FPC Church App (See Downloads at fpcconroe.org
4:00-7:00 p.m. " A Year Through the Bible" Study (Rm. 105)
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Youth Progressive Dinner (No Spark today)
Wear Your Name Badges!
To help Rev. Saathoff and his wife, Katy, get to know us easier, members are encouraged to wear their name badges on Sunday, September 15, and subsequent Sundays as well.
In case you’ve lost your badge or need a replacement, new badges with magnetic backings have been printed and are available in the narthex. Please see Pat Hudson if you have any questions.
Also, all church members are asked to wear their name badges when visiting FPC and/or PDS. Anyone that does not have a badge should stop at the FPC office and get one before entering any other area of the building. While this may take a little extra time, it is necessary that we provide a safe environment for our school children, teachers and staff members. We appreciate your under standing.
Prayer List Updates:
Please help us keep the list updated. Your assistance is appreciated.
