Weekly Update, November 6th, 2026
Hi church,
We are excited to discuss with you a new development in our church. Andy Hallmark is interested in serving at our church as an Executive Pastor. For the past six weeks, we have been discussing this possibility with the Pastoral Team, staff, and Personnel Committee. We see tremendous potential for Andy to strengthen our church's overall ministry. This Sunday I will say more about this as well as provide a packet of information about Andy and our vision for his role. Andy offered to serve as a part-time volunteer for 6 months as a pilot, after which we will evaluate. We plan to discuss this further after church on November 15th and hopefully vote on November 22nd.
Volunteer Opportunity Saturday, November 14: Southside Community Church
One of our church planting partners in Baltimore, Southside Community Church, has invited us to help. They need some help cleaning and preparing the campus followed by prayer walking the neighborhood. This is a great way for us to encourage a new church plant and remind them they have people who are praying for them. Please let us know you plan on participating by signing up here on the church app or at the Connection Corner.
Light House Meal
Our next time to cook for the Light House Homeless Prevention Center is Tuesday, November 24. We need people to prepare a main dish, a vegetable, a starch, and dessert. We also need a couple people to serve the meal. Food must be purchased from a restaurant or grocery store, prepared in the Light House kitchen, or prepared in a commercial kitchen, and must serve 50 people. Please save your receipts and you will be reimbursed for the cost of food. Sign up in the church app or at the Connect Center.
SonShiners Thanksgiving Potluck
The annual SonShiners Thanksgiving Potluck is happening Friday, November 20 at 12:00 pm. We will share how God has blessed us this year and fellowship with one another.
The church will provide turkey, pumpkin pie, and drinks. We ask you to bring a dish to share- perhaps a special family dish or a traditional Thanksgiving dish.
You may sign up on the church app or at the Connect Center.
LIFE Group Begins November 12!
LIFE Groups are small group settings where you can grow deeper in your faith and in your friendships with others. They are casual discussion groups relating to a given topic of study. The goal is the development of healthy relationships where you can be loved, encouraged, challenged, and motivated for life in Christ. All classes are within 3 miles of the church. Please sign up in the church app, at the Connect Center, or by clicking below.
Group 4: The Parables of Jesus
Begins November 12 and meets on Thursdays at 6:30pm at the home of Charles and Meredith Grigg. Class size is limited to 20 people.
Description: The group will discuss the recent sermons from Pastor Bryan. The parables are so incredibly rich and meaningful so it will be enjoyable to understand and apply them further in our lives.
Prayer for Revival: November 12 at 11:00 am
Join with other believers to pray for revival within the church, community, and our nation. The next prayer time is Thursday, November 12 at 11:00 am in the Student Ministry Room.
BSF: Sharing the Gospel Seminar: Thursday, November 12 at 7:45 pm
Bible Study Fellowship is an excellent para-church organization that equips believers with Biblical truth. They meet on our campus each week during the school year.
They will be presenting a Sharing the Gospel Seminar from 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm in the Worship Center. You can attend in person or participate online: BSF: Sharing the Gospel.
Christmas Decorating
Join us Sunday, November 22 after the service to decorate our church for Christmas! The more the merrier and no experience is necessary.
What to expect: we need to haul out all the decorations from storage, set up, light, and decorate 1-2 Christmas trees, hang garland along the stairwell and on the platform, hang wreaths, place poinsettias, set up the nativity, and place miscellaneous decorations.
A light lunch will be provided. Please sign up in the church app or at the Connect Center to help us plan the food order. Please contact Traci Link with any questions.
Children’s Christmas Choir: Pre-K – 5th grade
The Children’s Ministry is putting together our annual Christmas children’s choir for a special presentation during the worship service on December 13. We will share the good news of Jesus through the song “Ring the Bells for Christmas,” and we would love for your child to participate.
Rehearsals are about 15 minutes and are immediately following the service in the Multipurpose Room. The dates for rehearsal are
· November 8
· November 15
· November 22
· November 29
· Dress rehearsal will be December 6
Operation Christmas Child: Shoeboxes Opportunities
Help share the love of Jesus with children around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Here are three ways to participate:
Pack a Shoebox: The last day to return a packed shoebox is this Sunday, November 8. You can pack boxes that will bless a boy or girl somewhere in the world individually or as a family.
Serve during National Collection Week: November 16-23. Help welcome community members dropping off shoeboxes to the church and prepare them for delivery to the regional processing center.
Volunteer at the Baltimore Processing Center: Help inspect and prepare shoeboxes for shipment around the world. Volunteer opportunities are available:
Monday, Nov. 30, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, Dec. 3, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Friday, Dec. 11, from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Arundel OCC team)
Must be at least 13 years old.
Join us in sharing the Good News of Jesus with children around the world! Sign up at the Connect Center or using these links National Collection Week and Baltimore Processing Center.
Upcoming Events
The Big Serve (Students) – Nov. 14, 3-6 pm
Cookies & Cocoa (Women’s Ministry) – Dec. 5, 2pm
Christmas Caroling – Dec. 11 at 6:00 pm
Christmas Play – Dec. 20 @ 6:00 pm
Candlelight Service – Dec. 24, 6pm