Holiday Season Update

Hey Y’all,

I hope you are having a great holiday season so far, Happy Thanksgiving by the way! I want to send out a quick email updating you guys on everything that is going on this holiday season at Surprise Christian Church.

First, I wanted to update you on what is going on with the building permit and the city. The city got back to me yesterday and there is good news and some bad news. The bad news is, we are not approved quite yet, there were a few more redlined items that needed to be adjusted. The good news is, there are only 3 redlines for adjustment. (For comparison, last time we had 20+ red lines across several areas: electrical, mechanical, plumbing, etc… this time, it’s only 3 in one area, architecture.) This means that one more adjustment and turn in and we are good to go!

I anticipate the work will begin early to mid-Dec. I hope you are ready to help as we begin demo!

Also, on the topic of the building, our sign as been approved by the city and the sign company has been working on it for well over a week. We should have a sign on the building very soon!

Secondly, I wanted to update you on what is happening for our Family to Family food boxes this year. If you are not familiar, every year we put together food boxes for the families that have student is on free and reduced lunch that is intended to last them the holiday season, as schools are out for break. This year is no different! We will be putting together food boxes with the goal of gathering 10 boxes for the families this year. You can find info at this link.

I know 10 boxes is not anywhere near what we are capable of or what we have done in previous years (Last year we almost did 70! Wow!). Because of this, I am asking you to still fill a box! We want to go way above and beyond the need that we have in front of us because I know so many families need food because of the pandemic. All the extra food boxes we get above and beyond 10 will either be used to helps support families in need or they will be donated to Valley View food bank.

Speaking of Valley View Food Bank, our third announcement is regarding Christmas Eve services. With the pandemic, not having a facility to meet in, and other factors, Christmas Eve has become a challenging service to orchestrate! We looked at numerous options to meet in person but many of them were uncertain at best. After much searching, God laid an opportunity right in front of us.

As we were speaking with Valley View about their donation needs, an event that they do was brought up that helps us and helps them! On Christmas Eve, Valley View Food Bank does a Christmas event, handing out toys, food boxes, and other items, and they even have Santa come for a visit!

We decided that the best thing for us as a church to do was to get out and serve on Christmas Eve. As a result, we will be serving at Valley View Food Bank on Christmas Eve from 11-3 (At the El Mirage location), helping to hand out toys, food boxes, and the like. After gathering to serve, we will be livestreaming a special Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m. We encourage you to gather with your family, as you cook up dinner or prepare for the morning and watch the livestream as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

I know this is an unusual Christmas Eve service. Normally, Christmas Eve is a massive service that we really go all out to celebrate. Yet, I cannot help but feel this is much closer to what Jesus would want from us on this day compared to a big service. There is nothing wrong with doing a big service, but a big service serves us, gathering at a Food Bank to meet the needs of those who need help, that serves others and honors Christ. God willing, this will be something we make a regular part of our Holiday Season at SCC. 

I hope this email finds you well and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Your Surprise Christian Church Family!

P.S. Don't forget to send in your questions for our Revelation themed open mic weekend this weekend! Just shoot it over to drew.carroll@surprise.church. You could also just come in person:) Sign up link is here.