awanderingaramean: December 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

It's Not Too Late!

As we near the end of 2013 it’s not too late to make a year-end gift to whatever church you may attend. With thanks to the inspiration of a great blog by Perry Noble here are three reasons why you should consider making a gift.

#1 – When we give we become imitators of God (Ephesians 5: 1). God is the first and most generous being in the universe. God GAVE His Son (John 3:16). Jesus GAVE His life. God GAVE us His Holy Spirit. God GAVE us the promise of heaven. God GAVE us the promise to always be with us.

#2 – When we sow generously we reap generously (1 Corinthians 9: 6). Giving opens the floodgates (Proverbs 3:9-10) and is a blessing that is far greater than we could imagine (Acts 20:35).

#3 – There Is No Greater Cause On The Planet To Give To Than The Local Church. The only measure of success that matters for the church is a transformed life. In 2013 we celebrated 68 baptisms at Mountaintop (that’s up from 51 in 2012 and 38 in 2009). That’s an investment that makes a difference for eternity – I dare you to find anything else that promises that type of ROI! The local church remains God’s plan for bring His hope to the world and I am convinced 2014 is going to present amazing opportunities to join in God’s plan. In fact I’m convinced 2014 is going to be our best year ever!

Jesus said where our treasure is, that's where our heart is (Matthew 6:21). Why not take a moment to share your treasure and your heart by making a year-end contribution to the church you call home.

For those who call Mountaintop home, making a year-end gift is simple.

Cash or Check: You may mail or deliver your donation to the church business office during the week (the office is closed but there is mail slot you can drop your donation through). Contributions must be postmarked, time stamped, or received by December 31 to be claimed as a tax deduction for 2013.

Mountaintop Community Church

100 Centerview Drive, Suite 200

Birmingham, AL 35216

Online Giving: Visit Give Online to quickly set up an account and donate (one-time or recurring) via check or credit card.

Text: Use your smartphone to text the word “Give” and then a dollar amount to (205) 703-2758. Respond to the follow-up texts and link to complete your donation.

I’m am praying that you have a safe and joy-filled New Year’s celebration and that you are looking forward to all that God has in store for us in 2014!

To His glory!

T Doug

Thursday, December 19, 2013

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

There’s less than one week left before Christmas Day and here are a few things that you can do to make this the best Christmas ever:

Join us for worship this Sunday. The weathermen are predicting stormy weather but inside we have planned an incredible service that opens with a powerful musical presentation and concludes with communion. This will be a perfect weekend to encourage a friend to join you at Mountaintop.

Serve on Christmas Eve. There are still a few serving opportunities available on Christmas Eve and here’s the good news – some of those opportunities are to serve are on our traffic team! Traffic team volunteers get flashlights and cool vests and the authority to direct cars. Most of all traffic volunteers get to be the first smiling face that welcomes someone to Mountaintop! Visit the iServe booth on Sunday or signup online at iServe Christmas

Come to the 6:00 Christmas Eve Service. Our 4:00 service is our most crowded – both in the sanctuary and the parking lot. By arranging - or even rearranging your schedule – to come at 6:00 you free up a spot for one of the guests who will be responding to our invitations. And don’t forget to invite someone to join us on Christmas Eve!

Live into the Advent Conspiracy. Keep your commitment to Worship Fully (don’t let anything distract you), Spend Less (on things that don’t really matter) so that you can generously Give More (time and money) in ways that Love All and proclaims that Christmas can still make a difference.

If you are looking for a great devotional to prepare your heart for Christmas try The Christmas Story plan from YouVersion. This simple 5-day plan chronicles the humble beginnings of our Savior, connects us with His arrival as “God with us,” and ends with a celebration of His birth.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This Sunday at Mountaintop our kids (Kindergarten – Fifth Grade) are going to be leading us in worship.

It is going to be a rocking Family Playground Christmas that you don’t want to miss.

It’s one of the ways we are building toward Christmas Eve – when we will be welcoming the 6,000 guests that you are helping us to invite this year. Here are two more ways you can help make this Christmas the loveliest night of the year.

1. Come to the 6:00 Christmas Eve service. Our 4:00 service is typically the most popular, most crowed and one that most guests attend. You can free up a place at the table (and a parking spot) for someone if you arrange your schedule to come at 6:00. That is such a simple thing to do but it can make an eternal difference.

2. Find a place where we can serve on Christmas Eve (perhaps serve during the 4:00 service and attend 6:00). To welcome 6,000 guests we need cart drivers, greeters, nursery helpers, ushers, coffee servers and everything we do on a Sunday morning. Serving is a Christmas Gift you can give to Mountaintop and especially to someone coming (at your invitation) for the very first time. You can sign-up Sunday morning’s at the iServe desk or simply by clicking Christmas Eve

CHRISTMAS AT MOUNTAINTOP

Saturday, December 14

We are heading Off the Mountaintop to serve at Raleigh’s Place and Habitat for Humanity

Sunday, December 15

A Family Playground Christmas as our kids lead us in worship at 9:30 and 11:15

Sunday, December 22

We will celebrate communion at 9:30 and 11:15

Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve services at 4:00 and 6:00

Sunday, December 29

One Worship Service at 10:00

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

#GivingTuesday

Just a quick reminder that today is #GivingTuesday and chance to make a gift to demonstrate that Christmas can still change the world. Here are a few places you might consider making a gift this #GivingTuesday:

Mountaintop Community Church

LifelineChildren’s Services

Sav-A-Life

The Forgotten Initiative

Prescott House

Raleigh’s Place

Discovery Clubs (part of Jimmie Hale Mission)

Grace House

RestorationAcademy

To learn more about #GivingTuesday nationwide (and why it is so much better than Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday click here.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Happy Cyber Monday and #GivingTuesday Eve!

Thursday we paused as a nation to give thanks - and there is much for many of us to be thankful for this year. Then after the parades, turkey, football and the dog show (which I never understand) the shopping frenzy began (in lots of places it began on Thursday evening and continued into Black Friday and Small Business Saturday)! In recent years today has become known a Cyber Monday. Evidently today we go back to work, log online and buy more stuff (maybe that’s what has you online right now). But Christmas can be so much more than shopping.

Last Christmas we introduced to Mountaintop the idea that Christmas can still change the world and invited you to join us in an Advent Conspiracy to Worship Fully, Spend Less (on things that don’t last), so that you can Give More (to the things that do) and Love All. This Christmas we are hoping we will all continue the conspiracy.

If you are shopping online today, what if you decided (as an act of generosity) to also use money in a way that makes a difference. A gift to Mountaintop or one of our ministry partners (see below) lasts way longer than an iPod, toy or winter coat.

You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring donation. It's really simple and fast simply click on Give to Mountaintop. And here's my Cyber Monday offer: 100% of your investment will go to reaching people for Jesus and sharing a better way to live.

To the glory of God!