Happy Friday!In my house the tree is up, the Christmas music is rolling, and I can’t wait for all we are going to experience together over the next month. Preparations are well under way as we again prepare to welcome many guests to our services over the weeks ahead. Would you consider jumping in with us on a serving team?It takes a small army of people to pull off what is a pivotal part of our communities Christmas experience. Starting next week, we will have more information for you on how to help out in this busy season!This weekend, on the first weekend of Advent, we are continuing in our wisdom of James series. For weeks we have seen this theme of mastering the tongue come up in this incredibly practical New Testament letter.In the text for this weekend, we see James call followers of Jesus to take the next step in living out what we believe. I tell you about it Saturday @ 7pm and Sunday @ 10am.Hopefully I’ll see you in person, but you can always catch us online as well.Jeremy Cook | Senior Associate Pastor Annual General MeetingThe Elder Board invites you to attend the Annual General Meeting on Monday December 5 at 7pm, to celebrate God's faithfulness this past year, make decisions regarding future Elder Board Members and hear a bit about what the coming year will hold. Everyone is welcome to attend, voting is reserved for church members only. You can take a look relevant meeting document by visiting spac.ca/meeting. We hope you will join us.Justice and Compassion Christmas ProjectsAs the Christmas season approaches, there will be many way to engage in giving by participating in one or more projects that our Justice and Compassion team is leading.You can help an individual in need with our We Care Christmas Bags! Thank you to everyone who picked up a tote bag. Please return the bag to the church by December 11. Due to an overwhelming response, we do not have any more tote bags to give out. For more information about We Care, please see here.Pizza with the PastorIf you are new or feel new, join us to learn more about our church. Discover how to get connected and enjoy the opportunity to meet others. Pizza with the Pastor is a regular event we hold, as a way for you to meet others who are new(er), as well as some of the pastoral team.Pizza with the Pastor will be held after each service on November 26 or 27. When you register you can select which class you'll be attending.If are unable to join us in person please email us for an online option. Seniors ConnectCalling all Seniors! We would like to invite you to the next Seniors Connect on November 29th. It will be a special Christmas luncheon. There is a cost of $20 per person, please see here for more information. Kids Ministries Family Advent Devotional GuideThe holiday season goes by so quickly with the hustle and bustle of all the celebrations and preparations. We're inviting you to take pause each day as a family and reflect on the presence and peace of Jesus in this season. Sign up here to access our family advent devotional which includes a short reading (separate Elementary and Preschool readings both included) and a beautiful build your own nativity scene document. Guides are available online to print at home, or in-person at the Kids Kiosk in the atrium on weekends or at the front church office.A call to PrayerFor our December prayer gathering on Wednesday December 7th, we invite you to come and pray together as a body of believers. We will be focusing our hearts on Christmas. Praying for all the details of the Christmas services to come together and for all the people who will be coming to Sherwood Park Alliance Church, choosing to celebrate Christmas with us. May all our hearts be open to the wonderful news that Christmas brings and be a shining light in our Community.The prayer meeting will be held in the SCA Secondary's Common (school Library) at 7 PM. Registration is requested.GroupsGroups are a gathering of people from all walks of life where you are invited into a place of deep community, where you can be known, loved, and encouraged to grow in your walk with Jesus.Some upcoming and ongoing opportunities to meet in a Medium size or Support Group/Network are:Wednesday Night Gents - meets every Wednesday nightWomen's Cafe - coming up on Nov. 28 & Dec. 1Daybreak Meets Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. Last meeting time before Christmas break is November 30. Will restart January 18, 2023.Parenting Children with Special Needs Support Group - coming up on December 3, meets monthly.For more information on all Groups, please contact [email protected].