Hillside Herald DECEMBER 2020

This year our theme for Advent is: Experiencing the World Changer. Jesus is the World Changer. Experience the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) together with us, walking through Advent, meeting at the manger, and walking away from Bethlehem knowing that we, too, can change the world. For the good. For Jesus’ sake. Jesus doesn’t just do change for change’s sake, though. He’s in the game of changing everything He touches for the better. Where there is darkness, He brings light. Where there is despair, He brings hope. Where there is ignorance, He brings knowledge. Where there is brokenness, He brings wholeness. Where there is injustice, He brings justice. Where there is shame, He brings forgiveness. Where there is death, He brings life. Please look through this newsletter to discover some of the what we will be doing this Advent season, including a movie night, Project Prayer, and our annual Christmas Eve service. 2 Hillside Herald DECEMBER 2020

Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24

7:30 PM (time subject to change)

Come celebrate the birth of our Savior with: SONGS SCRIPTURE

FELLOWSHIP (both in person and Zoom)

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 @ 7:00 PM

Come join us to watch and celebrate the greatest story of all time: the birth of our Savior! This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family! Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiSfup00uZY

3 4 Project Prayer Project Prayer provides a unique opportunity during the Christ’s Birthday Observance for the Church of God worldwide to join in a 25-day prayer vigil. With so much di- vision in our world, it is powerful for the church to join in prayer for our leaders, the Church, and the world!

This list shows states and countries where the Church of God has a presence. On each day, please join in a day of prayer with the other states and countries listed for that day. Also, on the following page are the names and assignments of several leaders in the Church of God. We ask that you pray specifically for each of these individuals and the teams they represent—for their leadership, protection, and provision as they serve God and the church in their respective areas, locally, and around the world.

Daily Prayer Schedule for December 2020 Date, State, or Country

1. Alabama, New Mexico, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Kenya, Belize 2. Alaska, North Carolina, Bulgaria, Tanzania, Nepal, France 3. Arizona, North Dakota, Paraguay, India, Cayman Islands, Serbia 4. Arkansas, New Hampshire, Australia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Ghana, Argentina 5. California, New York, South Korea, Dominican Republic, New Zealand 6. Colorado, Ohio, Peru, Sudan, Bermuda, Côte d’Ivoire 7. Connecticut, Michigan, Oklahoma, Canada, Indonesia, Northern Mariana Islands 8. Delaware, Oregon, Bangladesh, Antilles, Barbados, Eurasia 9. Florida, Pennsylvania, Singapore, Cuba, Congo (DR), Russia 10. Georgia, Rhode Island, Panama, South Africa, Philippines, Uruguay 11. Hawaii, South Carolina, Bhutan, Japan, Antigua and Barbuda 12. Idaho, South Dakota, Cambodia, Jamaica, Angola 13. Illinois, Tennessee, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Vietnam 14. Indiana, Texas, Mexico, Rwanda, Italy, Egypt 15. Iowa, Vermont, Zimbabwe, Laos, United Kingdom, Venezuela 16. Kansas, Virginia, Central Asia, Haiti, Th ailand, Netherlands 17. Kentucky, Washington DC, Virgin Islands, Colombia, Hungary 18. Louisiana, Washington, Honduras, Mozambique, Ukraine 19. Maryland, Wisconsin, Zambia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Denmark 20. Massachusetts, West Virginia, Guam, Guyana, Greece 21. Missouri, Wyoming, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Switzerland 22. Minnesota, Nevada, Guatemala, Malawi, Bolivia 23. Montana, Mississippi, Uganda, Myanmar, Germany 24. Nebraska, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Grenada, Spain 25. New Jersey, Lebanon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Brazil, Montenegro

4 5 PROJECT PRAYER

Jim Lyon Natalie Farmer Ben Shular Andrew Gale General Director Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, Executive Director, Church of God Ministries Church of God Ministries Church of God Ministries Global Strategy of Church of God Ministries

Patrick and Jamie Nachtigall Don and Caroline Armstrong Regional Coordinators, Regional Coordinators, Mike and Heather Webb Europe /Middle East Asia-Pacific Co-Directors Global Strategy of Church of God Global Strategy of Church of God Children of Promise Ministries Ministries

Arnetta McNeese Bailey Jim O’Bold Eric King Executive Director President President Christian Women Connection Servant Solutions Warner Press

5 6 Hillside Herald DECEMBER 2020 FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY During the coronavirus shutdowns the SSF Food Pantry will continue to serve those in our community who are in need of food. This is made possible by the leadership of Clark Gibson and the hard work and dedication provided by our wonderful volunteers. Thank you all who give of your time and energy to help make this ministry fun and successful. New guidelines have been put in place to make sure proper social distancing is practiced, and minimal face-to-face contact is made. Last month worked out great. Everyone worked together to ensure safety, and the food was distributed quickly, efficiently. We had new clients and volunteers, as well as many of the regular crew who help make this ministry so successful. Brother Clark is aware of the need for this ministry to continue, and the need for the safety of everyone involved. If you have questions regarding this please give Clark a call. Volunteers are still needed to help set up, distribute food, register new clients, clean up, and share the love of God with the clients. This is only once a month, and your help is needed now more than ever. Please contact Clark Gibson for more details.

NEXT DISTRIBUTION: Saturday, December 12, 7:30 AM

FOOD AND SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE The church and the Food Pantry have accumulated supplies for people who are in need. We have household paper products as well as a well- stocked pantry with various food items. We know that nobody likes to ask for help, but if you or someone you know is in need, please reach out and let the Lord provide.

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Since 1947, the Marine Corps Reserve has spreading the joy of Christmas by collecting toys and distributing them to America’s less fortunate children. You can help bring hope to a child by par- ticipating in the Toys For Tots program. The 23rd Marine Reserve Regiment is collecting toys this Christmas season. Our very own Bill Stevenson has placed a collection box in the Narthex. Please consider donating an unwrapped toy for you boy and/or girl. You can also make a cash donation by going to their website: www.toysfortots.com. Love donating to the collection box, but want to keep a safe distance? You can still help keep Christmas alive for a child in need. Experience the same joy of giving by purchasing and placing your hand-picked toy in the Marine Toys for Tots Virtual Toybox: https://toysfortotsbox.com/?utm_source=ToysforTotsFoundation&utm_medium=Website_DonateAToy&utm_campaign=ToysforTots_from_TFT

BIBLE STUDIES ARE STILL MEETING ON ZOOM! WEDNESDAYS 6:30 PM SUNDAYS 9:30 AM We are starting a new Bible Study called, “The His- tory of the Early Church.” Beginning with the Babylonian Exile, we will discover God’s hand in paving the way for the Messiah to come into the world “in the fullness of time”. We will then examine the factors of the early church that led to the formation of the New Testament. Also, Sister Shirley Gibson leads a wonderful Sunday School class on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM. All are welcome! ZOOM YOUTH GROUP

*ONLINE GAME NIGHT: TUESDAYS @ 5:15 - 7:00

*YOUTH GROUP: FRIDAYS @ 5:15 - 7:00 PM

EMAIL ANDREW AKARD FOR MORE INFORMATION: [email protected]

7 8 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR MIKE

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS? Once again we enter the season of Advent. Another season of shopping and Christmas festivities. However this year we will be facing an Advent season like no other. COVID has changed everything, even Christmas. Many people will avoid traveling, so family gatherings may not happen this year. Many will avoid the malls, so shopping will be done almost entirely online this year. Most office are closed, so there will be no office parties. Many businesses are closed, so there may not be Christmas bonuses this year. No pictures of children on Santa’s lap. Schools are shut down, so there will be no Christmas programs, and classrooms will not have Christmas parties. This will be a Christmas like no other. Yet it is still Christmas. The birth of our Savior has not changed. God still came to us in the manger in Bethlehem. Christ is still the Messiah, and He still forgives sins for those who truly repent and commit their lives to Him. This is why we have joy and hope, even in the midst of COVID, because all those activities mentioned above are events, but they are not Christmas. Our world changes, and our situations change. Christmas never changes. A good reminder of this is shown in the movie Joyeux Noel. Based on actual events this movie dramatizes Christmas, 1914, and an unofficial truce between warring factions during WWI. If they could celebrate Christmas under the worst conditions, we can celebrate Christmas this Advent season. (I highly recommend this movie!) The musical group Kutless has a Christmas album that I really like. The album has a song called This is Christmas. It is a beautiful song that brings the question “What is Christmas” to the forefront. This is a question we all should be asking this particular Advent season. We may not participate in many of the traditional Christmas activities that we love and enjoy, but that does not mean we cannot celebrate the birth of our Savior. Take a moment to consider these lyrics:

8 9 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR MIKE

Do you find it hard to sleep tonight Resting by the Christmas lights? Could there be something you forgot? Beyond the bows, and mistletoes The tree with presents wrapped below There's more to this than you had ever thought? Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

[Chorus:] What is Christmas? If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger

What is Christmas without Christ?

Remember how the story goes God's gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes Beneath the star, one great and holy night The shepherds heard the angels sing The wise men brought an offering Peace on Earth began in Bethlehem

Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

[Chorus:] What is Christmas? If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger What is Christmas? If the angels never sang 'Glory to the new born king?' What is Christmas without Christ?

There'd be no Glo-oo-oo-oo-ria In excelsis deo Glo-oo-oo-oo-ria In excelsis deo

This is Christmas It’s all about the Savior wrapped in a manger This is Christmas Because of Jesus Christ Have a blessed Christmas — even this year! Your servant in Christ. mike

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Join us every 1 2 3 4 5 Sunday morning Bible Study at church or on Youth Youth 6:30 ZOOM: Game Group

Meeting ID: Night ZOOM 5:15 434 017 312 5:00 Meeting ID: 826 199 822

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sunday School Bible Study 9:30 Youth 6:30 Youth Food Game Group Pantry Worship Night ZOOM 5:15 Service Meeting ID: 7:30 AM 10:45 5:00 826 199 822

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Youth 9:30 Game Night 6:30 Group 5:00 5:15 Worship ZOOM Service Board of Meeting ID: Movie 10:45 Trustees 826 199 82 Night 7:00 7:00 PM 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Sunday School Youth NO For unto us a 9:30 Game Christmas child is born . . BIBLE Eve Worship Night Service 5:00 STUDY Service 10:45 7:30 PM

27 28 29 30 31 Sunday School Youth NO 9:30 Game BIBLE Worship Night Service 5:00 STUDY 10:45

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Important Dates

5 — Shuhong Zhao 19 — Gina DeMartini 12: Food Pantry Distribution 8 — Tino Elisara 19 — Elias Phillips 15: Board of Trustees’ Meeting 12 — Sydney Sasaki 21 — Josiah Reilly 18: Movie Night -- 7:00 PM 14 — Joel Timpano 28 — Monica Sasaki 24: Christmas Eve Service 7:30 25: Christmas Day!

Mission Statement The mission of Hillside Church of God is to worship Jesus Christ as Lord, to proclaim him as our Lord and Savior, and to show the love of God through Jesus Christ to all persons, making disciples and equipping them for service. Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord almighty. Zechariah 4:6

Hillside Church of God 1415 Hillside Blvd. So. San Francisco, CA 94080

Church office Hours: TBA Phone: 650-588-6860 x2 (church) Church office email: [email protected] Website: www.hillsidechurchofgod.com

www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchofgod

Hillside Christian Academy—Preschool thru Middle School

Temporary Preschool Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-12:00pm Preschool Director: Chrissy Elliott/ School Principal: Helen Yoo-Lee 650-588-6860 x3 (academy) School office email: [email protected] Website: www.hillsidechristian.com

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