Join us at 6:00 on February 22 for a potluck before our 7:00 Ash Wednesday service. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season leading up to Easter. Traditionally it has been a time for Christians to reflect on their lives and where they need God in daily living.

Grow through regular prayer, study and sharing with a small group of Christians.

Serve the church through volunteering, and serve the community through mission and evangelism.

The leadership of South Lake Presbyterian Church has adopted this simple three step-plan to use in our ministry. Connect, Grow, Serve. This plan will be used in two main ways.

First, the steps state briefly and clearly what a follower of Jesus does. They can be used by each member of the church to honestly assess their own faith journey and determine what is the next step of discipleship that they need to take.

Second, the church can use these steps to focus programs and ministries on what is most important. When evaluating any class, worship service, or other church event the first question that should be asked is, "Does this help people connect, grow or serve in a way that leads them forward on a path of Christian growth?"

These steps can be used to determine how to wisely use the resources God has entrusted to us. What programs should we invest more in because they are helping people to connect, grow and serve? What programs should we invest less in because they are merely keeping people busy or happy, but not really moving people forward in faith?

Connect, Grow, Serve will help the church reach out to visitors, welcome them to the church and show them simple and clear steps to help them grow into a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

Since the summer the leadership of our church has been studying, discussing, praying, and planning for the next chapter in the life of our church. This Sunday, you will have the chance to learn about a new plan for growing our church by focusing on the spiritual growth of each person at SLPC.

The sermon in each of our services will be about our need to keep maturing in faith, and the annual meeting at 10:00 a.m. will focus specifically on  our new "Connect, Grow, Serve" plan.

Holiday service times: 

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 7pm
• Christmas Morning - 10am
• New Year's Day - 10am

It's easy to spend a lot of time focusing on what to gifts to get our loved ones this year, but we need to remember that Christmas is about God's gift to us. Join us as we exxplore and experience the angel announcing God's gift to Mary, and realize how we are all "favored by God."

It's easy for us to get caught up in the holiday busyness and miss what Christmas is all about. This Sunday we'll be going deep into the Bible story to learn how we can keep our focus on God as we approach Christmas Day.

This class is great for those unfamiliar with the Bible, who need a refresher, or want to study the big picture of scripture. Each week we will watch a brief video artistically presenting the week's lesson and then explore the lesson through scripture reading, discussion, and Biblical maps and charts for you to take home.  The Greatest Story begins on October 23 at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth House. 

Nobody wants to be unhappy, yet at times we all make choices that bring us to places of dissapointment and hurt. Join us as we finish our current series about recognizing the things that we do (or don't do) that make us unhappy, and how we can choose a different course.

• Step 4 - Admit Your Mistakes (but keep making them)
• Step 5 - Talk About God's Love (but don't show it) 

Entertainment will be provided by renowned international music pianist, Armando Velasquez.  You won't want to miss this spectacular event!

Please place donations in the box in the narthex, or drop them by the church office during the week.

Questions?  Please contact Cindy Teetzel @ the church: 352-394-2753.

Thank you for your generosity, and for your prayers for the children as they begin school August 22.