November 29, 2007

With the coming of this Christmas season, I am reminded of John 1:10-12, where we read regarding the coming of Christ that (NKJV):

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

What a gift we have from our Creator God! He cares for us so much that He provided Himself for us so that we might be called His children! May we be reaching out this season to touch the lives of MANY around us who need the Lord Jesus.

Christmas

Jesus

Celebrate His Birth

Last year among the 1,000s of Christmas lights at New Hope, only one thing was vandalized – our manger display disappeared one night. In searching for a replacement, manger scenes were extremely difficult to find. I thought what a GREAT IDEA it would be to provide our families with some decorations that have a clear Christian testimony. Thankfully, Jim and Kathy Savard are meeting that need by spearheading distribution of the great Christmas witness yard signs with the above-printed words.

These yard signs can be picked up at the school office ($5 each with $1.50 of that going toward Christmas baskets headed to U.S. soldiers in Iraq). Let your neighbors know that Jesus is the reason for the season! Give them as gifts for others to display.

Free Firewood. For safety reasons, we logged a number of trees in the New Hope Christian Schools’ Housing area. Come and get it as soon as possible: 

1)  while the getting is good!

2)  to help us clean up a terrible-looking logging mess!

Contact Steve, 660-5942, or Terell, 660-6320, for more details.

Adjustments Must Be Made in Use of the Gym. 

Starting Monday, 6-12^th grade students must carry a clean pair of shoes to be worn in the gym. Care must be taken that little bits of granite are not lodged in the treads of the shoes. These shoes must be periodically inspected before play on the floor. 

We wanted to avoid making this requirement, BUT we are spending much school money to clean the floor 3 times/day, and each cleaning gathers sizeable amounts of dirt mixed with little rocks from the track and dirt surrounding the school. We have purchased over $1,000 worth of mats to help keep the gym clean. But this is not enough, for the floor is already showing much abnormal wear, especially under the south basket. 

Tami can use much help decorating our campus for Christmas, 660-2689.

Electrician Help Needed. For almost four decades, the school was blessed with the frequent giving of Al Wood, a millwright electrician. Due to ill health, he is no longer able to assist us. We now have needs in 4 restrooms for the sake of winter heat as well as a number of modifications necessary in the gym. Please call the office if interested or if you would like more information.

Christmas for a Soldier. Student government is sponsoring this event that started this week and will end next week. If you would like to participate by sending items that will be shipped to soldiers in Iraq, here are the suggested items:

            ~Christian books by Pastor John Piper

            ~Christian music cds

            ~Flavored coffee syrups

            ~Biscotti for coffee house

            ~Chocolate covered coffee beans

            ~Trail mix

            ~Cookies

            ~Cary’s toffee (they love that)

            ~Toilet bowl cleaner/cleaning products

            ~History magazines

            ~Pictures of people from home

            ~Cards

            ~Encouraging cards for families

Christmas programs. Mark your calendars for the following 2 Christmas programs:

            Thursday, Dec. 13, Secondary Instrumental and Choral Concert

            Friday, Dec. 14, Elementary Christmas Program