GCC office & Building Closed weekdays
Thursday • December 25 - Saturday • January 3
Sunday Church services will happen as usual! The church office will be closed and all weekday ministries will take a break from Thursday, December 25, through Saturday, January 3. Some staff will be preparing Sunday services, processing mail, and planning for 2009, but keep in mind that the building will be closed during the week. The Elders graciously allotted a few extra days off to connect the two four-day weekends so staff could refresh, recharge, and celebrate Christmas with their families.

Men’s Basketball
Men’s Tuesday and Thursday morning basketball will end for the Christmas Season on Thursday, December 18, and will resume after the new year on Tuesday, January 6. Men’s Monday night basketball will end for the season on Monday, December 15, and will begin again after Easter.

SonBreak Women’s Conference
Saturday • January 24 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
Overlake Christian Church in Redmond is sponsoring their first annual women’s conference, “From Trials to Triumph – Starting Anew in Christ After a Tough Year.” Guest speakers include Ruth Graham, Chonda Pierce, Sarah Taylor, Lisa Whelchel, and Pam Tebow, with worship by Temple. Go to www.occ.org for tickets and information.

Financial Peace University
Sunday • January 11 • 8:30am or 5:30pm
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University begins Sunday, January 11, at 8:30am or 5:30pm and runs for 13 weeks. Cost for materials is $100 per family and pre-registration is required. Childcare is provided. If you have questions or wish to sign up, stop by the information counter in the lobby today. If you would like to see what this class is all about, there will be a preview December 21 and January 4 at 12:15pm in Room B66.

Perspectives
Mondays • Beginning January 12 • 6:30pm
Perspectives is more than just a class – it is a fifteen-week discipleship experience. It is taught by a different guest speaker every week, each of whom is a recognized expert who has lived and breathed what they teach. It is an experience that will revolutionize the way that you understand God’s Word, and you will see God’s hand at work in our current events like never before! Just like Jesus did with the men on the road to Emmaus, Perspectives will open your eyes to God’s purpose as revealed in all of Scripture. “There is nothing that will inform, inspire, and motivate Christians like Perspectives. It will stretch your mind, move your heart, and stir your will.” --Billy Graham

YTD Giving

as of 12.28.08
Fiscal Year 9.1.08-8.31.09
Needed $1,105,817
Actual $991,127

WELCOME TO GRACE TOUR
Sunday • January 11 • 10:45am • Reception Room
The Welcome to Grace Tour happens the second Sunday of each month. Learn about our history, staff, and opportunities for service and growth.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS
Sunday • January 11 • 9:00am-Noon • B62
The Membership Class happens the second Sunday of select months. Pre-registration is required. Come and learn about the grace of Jesus Christ, and who we are as a church. This class is a requirement for membership, but all are welcome to attend. Register in the lobby on December 28 or January 4, or contact Susan Lyon at ext. 204 or slyon@gccauburn.net.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2008
Donors must deliver contributions on or by December 31 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2008. Checks that are placed in the church offering during a worship service in 2009 will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction in 2008, even if the check is predated to 2008 or was actually written in 2008. However, checks that are written, mailed, and postmarked in 2008 will be deductible in 2008 though they are not received by the church until 2009. Cash contributions do not qualify for the charitable contribution deduction unless they are attributed to an individual in the church’s giving records. Anonymous cash donations are not deductible.

Women's Winter Studies

Women of Hope
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm • Begins January 13, 2009
Facilitator: Carol Riehl
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm or Wednesday, 9:30-11:30am • Begins January 13 & 14, 2009
Facilitator: Diane Schukar
Gospel of John: Joy of Living Study
Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am • Begins January 14, 2009
Facilitator: Carol Calvert
Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life
Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am • Begins January 14, 2009
Facilitator: Judy Baker
Sign up in the Lobby on Sundays

Winter Adult Classes

Classes begin Jan. 18 except as noted.
8:30 – 10:30am
*Financial Peace (begins January 11) Chapel. Facilitated by David Baer.
9:00am
Small Group Essentials I (Jan.18–Feb.15) B62. Facilitated by Ron Petersen.
Small Group Essentials II (Feb. 22-Mar. 22) B62. Facilitated by Steve Brock.
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth B63-5. Facilitated by Lisa Nelson.
*Search for Significance (begins Jan. 11) B67. Facilitated by Michele Ray.
10:45am
The Forum
B63-5. Facilitated by Thad Anderson.
Singles/Careers, 30–50ish
B62. Facilitated by Bob Ronning.
Christians Beyond Kids
B68. Facilitated by various class members.
5:30pm
Financial Peace (begins Jan. 11) B63-5. Facilitated by David Baer.
Changes That Heal B67. Led by Carol Graham & Sue Peters.
*Divorce Care B62. Led by Jim Oldham & Team.
*Precepts-Living Victoriously in Difficult Times
(Jan. 18-Feb. 22) B66. Facilitated by Dave Shirley.
Precepts-Ephesians-The Church:Rooted in Love,
Walking in Power (March 8–May 31)
B66. Led by Dave Shirley.
Mondays 6:30 to 9:30pm
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (Jan. 5-April 27)
Chapel. Coordinated by Bob Ronning & Greg Holcombe.
*fee for class

CHildren’s Ministries
Volunteers are needed for Children’s classrooms on Sundays, December 28 and
January 4 for the 9:00am and 10:45am services. Volunteers are also needed for Christmas Eve at the 4:00pm and 5:30pm services.

Grade School
There are no grade school classes on December 28 and January 4.

Student Ministries
The Burn
The Burn will be canceled December 21, 28, and January 4. It will resume January 11.
Small Groups
Student Ministries Small Groups will be canceled December 24 and 31. They will resume January 7.
HS Winter Youth Celebration
Saturday • December 27 - Tuesday • December 30
Please pray for our students & staff as they attend this conference in Portland.
Middle School Night Tubing
Friday • January 16
Details and registration forms (2) are available online, at The Burn, or in the SM office.

Prayer Info & Times
Turn in prayer requests/updates for “In the Loop” prior to Monday at 10:00am. Please include your phone, email, or hard copy contact information.
• Sue Busse at x266 or sbusse@gccauburn.net
• Lois Anke at x200 or lanke@gccauburn.net
Sunday
9:00 & 10:45am • Prayer Room
Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday
6:00-7:00am • Reception Room
*Tuesday Morning group will not meet 12/23 or 12/30.
Alternate Thursdays
7:00-8:30am • Reception Room
12:00 noon • Reception Room

Prayer Requests turned in between Dec. 21 and Jan. 5 will be published in the
Jan. 11 edition of In the Loop
*For Emergency prayer requests during that time, call the church office at 253.833.5660 and dial ext. 246 to leave a message
 

PRAISES
MIKE SPIGER praises God for answered prayers for friends of Gateway Medical Alliance to minister to the people of Morocco. Donated office and warehouse space, medical supplies, staff, and volunteers are instruments of His love and mercy to assist Moroccans. Please continue to pray for a productive schedule of events for the spring.
PRAISE GOD for the eight people who received Christ at the Posada on Monday, December 8. Please hold them up in prayer, that they would grow in godly wisdom, faith, and obedience.
KATHY JACKSON thanks you for your prayers for healing from her recent injuries caused by a cat. Her wounds are healing well from the infection; however she may need some physical therapy. Please continue to pray for her total healing.