December Announcements
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Salvation Army Lunches- On the first and third Monday of each month The Bridge will be providing lunch for clients at the Salvation Army. The meals are served from 1-2:30 pm and we need a rotation of people to set up and serve. You can sign up to provide food or volunteer on the Meal Train below.
College Care Packages- Finals are approaching and we want to show a little TLC to our Bridge college students. We are in need of the following items:
Microwave snacks & meals- Bear Creek broccoli and cheddar soup, mac-n-cheese, kodiak muffins, etc
Tea and Hot Cocoa Packs
Gum & Mints
Granola Bars
Protein Bars or Peanut Butter snacks
Chocolate or Candy
Tissue - travel size
Fruit Snacks
Trail mix
Gift Cards: Target, McDonald's, Starbucks, Panera, etc.
Items can be left in the basket in the foyer. Please bring all donations by 12/3.
Christmas Cheer Packages- Did you know there are people in our Bridge Family who aren’t able to make it to church because of health issues? We would love to take them some holiday cheer! If you’d like to donate baked goods, chapstick, lotion, cozy socks or other small items for the care packages or would like to help deliver, please see Natalie Runyon. Items can be left in the basket in the foyer and should be dropped off by 12/10.
Community Christmas Outreach- Our Bridge Family has an opportunity to provide gifts for a local family. The items we need are listed on ornaments on the Christmas tree in the foyer. Choose one or two items to purchase and bring them to the church no later than 12/17. Please tape the ornament tag to the outside of your unwrapped gift. Questions? See Natalie or Cathy.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing- All ages are welcome to come ring the bells for Salvation Army on Dec 23. We will meet at Walgreens on State St. and spread Christmas joy from 12-2 pm. Please be prepared for cold weather. Wear your festive Christmas hats, gloves, or mittens, and bring hand warmers if you desire. Be prepared to sing carols! For more information, see Nikki Fiedler.
Prepare Him Room- It’s easy to get caught up in the details of the holidays and miss the Savior. Women, here is an invitation to intentionally make space to seek Jesus amid the season. Discover that the Christmas story is better than we’ve ever known as we dive into its historical and cultural context. Join us for dinner, worship and a live simulcast with teacher Kristi McClelland on Thursday, December 7 at 6:00. Let’s celebrate the birth of our Savior and embrace the true meaning of Christmas. Prepare Him room this season—your heart will never be the same. Register HERE.
Muncy Family: Missionaries to Mexico- On December 17 during morning worship we will have the opportunity to hear from Brandon and Hannah Muncy, who serve in La Paz, Mexico at Rancho El Camino. The Bridge will be sending a mission team to La Paz in June of 2024 to serve with the Muncy and Hoxsie families. We are excited for you to meet them and hear more about their work.
Christmas Candlelight Service- The Candlelight Service is a special night of worship at The Bridge. Bring your friends and family and join us Sunday, December 17 at 6:00 PM. This service fills up quickly, so plan to arrive early.
Mexico Mission Trip Q & A- The Bridge will be sending a team to La Paz, Mexico on June 22-29, 2024 to serve alongside our missionaries. For those interested in joining the team, there will be a brief Q & A after worship on 1/14 in the Adult Education Room. Please talk to Natalie Runyon for additional information. Register to attend the meeting HERE.
Children’s Christmas Choir- Our Bridge Kids will be participating in the morning Worship Service on 12/24. Practices will be held the last 15 minutes of service each Sunday beginning December 3rd, with a rehearsal immediately following worship on 12/17. Students in K-Middle School are invited to attend. In preparation, please have your kids listen to and learn the SONG on YouTube.
HyFi- On December 10, get ready to “Light the Night!” This Christmas, we are learning the simple truth, “I Am Never Alone!” We want your kids to know that God is always with them. He gives us hope, comforts us, gives us peace, and is near to us. Register your family to attend this month’s HyFi HERE.
CentriKid Camp Information Meeting- Do you have a child in 2nd-6th grade? We are excited to participate in CentriKids Camp again this summer on June 10-14 in Campbellsville, KY, and we’d love for your kids to join us! Camp offers a time for fun (without screens!) and connection with other kids and leaders as we learn about how God sees us, knows us and cares about our hearts. There will be a brief informational meeting following worship on 1/21 in the Adult Education Room. Check out the link for more information: https://centrikid.lifeway.com/parents/ Sign up for the meeting HERE.
December Memory Verse- This month our Bridge Kids are memorizing Matthew 6:31 & 33. Music makes scripture memory easy! Check out the following link with a song you can play in the car or at home. https://youtu.be/6vPX9g9EOgk?si=YNzz3HQ6spA_eKkI
As a church that is for our city, we want to encourage those who call The Bridge their home to check out and support local events and live missionally in our community.
Dec 2-3: ABOB Arts & Craft Fair at Alton High School from 9AM-3PM
ASO Christmas Concert- Celebrate the season with ASO! Hear the classic Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Christmas Festival. Saturday, December 9, 2023, 7 p.m. Hatheway Hall (LCCC Campus) Tickets can be purchased at https://www.altonsymphonyorchestra.org/concerts
Great Rivers Choral Society Celtic Christmas- Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9 at The Bridge.
God has given each of us gifts to use to build up the church. Whether you are new to The Bridge, or have been around for a bit, we have a place for you! If you’re wondering how you can serve at The Bridge, email us at connect@bridgetograce.org
Ecclesiastes- Hannah Anderson invites us to consider the wisdom of Ecclesiastes afresh as we search for a solid foundation for life under the sun. Together, we’ll learn to name our anxieties, concerns, and disappointments. We’ll discover how Ecclesiastes is more than self-help or good advice—how it frees us to ask the questions that Jesus Himself will eventually answer. And through its raw honesty and unflinching commitment to goodness, we’ll find hope in the One who guides all days under the sun. This lunchtime study for women meets on Tuesdays from 12:00-12:45, beginning 1/9. For more details, and to register to attend, visit Church Center or https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2037008
From Beginning to Forever- Many Christians today are daunted by the Bible, seeing the size and scope of Scripture as intimidating and overwhelming. The result is often a fragmented understanding of parts of the Bible. In From Beginning to Forever, Elizabeth Woodson guides you through the story of the Bible, showing how all 66 books combine to form one unified narrative. Weaving together the rich theological truths found in Genesis through Revelation, this 8-session study shows the eternal significance of what God is doing in the world and how he invites us to be a part of it. Women, join us for this study on Monday mornings at 9:30, beginning 1/22. Childcare is provided. Please register at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2036969
Beholding the Glory- A journey of faith, the visual arts and culture. Every week, a new Bible lesson and topic will be explored, supported by film clips, paintings, literature, music, and poetry. Class is led by Dan Nickel on Sunday mornings at 9 AM.
Men's Bible Study-Tuesday mornings from 7-8, the men of The Bridge meet to study and discuss the upcoming week's sermon text. Coffee and donuts are provided.
Community Groups:There are a variety of Community Groups that meet throughout the year. To find a Community Group that’s right for you, or to learn more about leading or hosting a group, see Pastor Jon.