Garage Camping Trip
Friday, December 3, 5:00 pm, Hillsborough State Park
Garage Youth Guys (and Dads too): We’re going camping on Friday, December 3 at Hillsborough State Park. We will leave citylife church at 5:00 pm. Plan to bring your fishing poles, sleeping bags, and of course, deodorant! Sorry ladies, this event is for guys only! For more information or to RSVP, please contact Pastor EJ at 813.933.3991, ext: 230 or at ejmirelez@citylifechurch.cc

onelife Christmas Couples’ Dinner
Friday, December 10, 7:00 pm, Chapel A
Join us as we launch onelife, an exciting new ministry for married couples. This will be an evening of connecting with couples as we share a delicious meal, fellowship, fun and the vision of onelife. There will be special music, door prizes, and couples’ holiday photos. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP to onelife@citylifechurch.cc or call the church office at 813.933.3991 for more information.

Angel Food Ministries
Saturday, December 18, 10:30 am
This exciting new ministry provides the general public with an opportunity to purchase quality food at a very low cost, and there are absolutely no restrictions on who qualifies! Visit www.angelfoodministries.com to view the menu for November. Food orders can be placed online or at the church by 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 9, and all food boxes should be picked up at citylife church on Saturday, December 18, between 10:30 am to 11:30 am. All food orders must be paid for in advance either by check, cash, money order or EBT cards. For additional information call Mike and Teresa Cox at 813.973.4131.

citylife Celebrates Christmas
Saturday, December 18, 7:00 pm
Christmas is just around the corner, and we’re going to celebrate citylife style! Mark your calendars now on Saturday evening, December 18, at 7:00 pm for “citylife Celebrates Christmas!” Experience an incredible night of music as the citylife worship ministry celebrates the joy of Christmas along with special musical guest, Adlan Cruz! Adlan, a highly acclaimed concert pianist, will return this year to usher in the beautiful season while the vocalists and musicians of citylife inspire you with beautiful, heart-warming melodies. To learn more about Adlan and hear excerpts of his playing, visit his website, www.adlancruz.com.

Save the date, and spread the word to your friends too. Their December calendars are sure to fill up as fast as yours, and this event can only be enjoyed for one night… December 18!

citylife church Holiday Schedule
Please note that in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, citylife church will adopt the following schedule:

There will be no Wednesday evening classes or activities on December 22 & 29.
The church offices will be closed Wednesday, December 22 through Friday, December 31.
Connection Point Groups will not meet on Sunday morning, December 26. However, the citylife café will be open by 9:30 am for those who’d like to connect before the 10:30 am worship service.

Christmas Eve Service
Friday, December 24, 5:00 pm
Bring your family on Christmas Eve as we celebrate Christ’s birth with music and the Word. This will be an inspiring time as we gather with the citylife family to reflect upon the true Reason for the Season.

Happy New Year!
Your citylife family wishes you a year of God’s best blessings in 2011. Kick off the New Year by joining some of your favorite people on Sunday morning, January 2, for the first citylife church worship service of 2011!

Wednesday Night Church
Would you like a fresh encounter with God in the middle of your week? Make a point to join us for church every Wednesday night to experience intimate worship and a powerful message.

citylife TV
Don’t forget you can now watch citylife services in 30-minute programs on the Christian Television Network (CTN) every Sunday morning at 7:00 am and every Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm. Our media ministry is partnering with CTN in this endeavor to expand the kingdom of God literally around the world. God is truly leading us into a new season of ministry here at citylife church!

This Month in the Promise Land

Each Sunday in the Promise Land everything we do centers around one of three Basic Truths: God Made Me, God Loves Me, and Jesus Wants to be My Friend Forever. We believe that if preschool children can learn these three Basic Truths by the time they enter Kindergarten they will have a solid foundation upon which they can develop their relationships with Jesus during their elementary years.
Furthermore, each month this Basic Truth is emphasized with what we call a Bottom Line, a key concept which is constantly repeated so that the children firmly grasp the idea.
The Basic Truth that our nursery and preschool kids will be learning during Sundays in December is “Jesus wants to be my friend forever” and the Bottom Line is “Jesus is God's Son.”

This Month in the Tree House

Each Sunday in the Tree House everything we do centers around three Basic Truths: I Can Trust God No Matter What, I Should Treat Others the Way I Want to be Treated, and I Need to Make the Wise Choice. These Basic Truths are based on the description of Jesus when he was 12 years old, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). We believe that if elementary children can learn these three Basic Truths by the time they’re 12 years old they will have a solid foundation upon which they can continue to develop their relationships with Jesus during their middle school years.
The three Basic Truths are emphasized each month with a different “Big Idea.” These Big Ideas (or virtues) are commonly accepted standards of behavior that parents generally like to see in their kids. Not surprisingly, each one of these Big Ideas finds its foundation in God’s Word.
The Big Idea that elementary kids will be learning during Sundays in December is “Joy: Finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way.”

Family Resource Downloads

Here at citylife we think you'll agree that your kids could benefit from the lessons they'll learn each week in our Preschool and Elementary environments. Please remember though that what happens at home is more important than what happens at church! That's why when you pick up your kids, both parents and children will be given resources that will enable you to build on these important life lessons right in your own home!
- Small Talk Cards (Promise Land) and Refrigerator Door Cards (Tree House) are for parents, and they serve two purposes: first, they'll give you a clear understanding of what your child learned with us, and secondly they'll offer activity ideas or discussion starters for continuing age-appropriate and meaningful conversations at home. The information on Small Talk Cards is relevant all month long. Refrigerator Door Cards are updated every week with new information and relevant questions to discuss in the car during your ride home from church.
- God Time Cards are for Tree House kids. These provide fun and simple devotional activities to encourage children to make personal time with God a regular part of their week.
- Monthly Songs are for families, and they're only available online. You'll discover that these original songs directly deal with each month's teaching emphasis. In December, the Promise Land song is called "Happy Birthday, Jesus" and the Tree House song is "Light It Up."
Please know that each of these FREE resources can be downloaded directly from the "Family Resource Downloads" page at our website.

Looking to Get Involved?
There’s never been a better time to check out what God is doing in the Promise Land and Tree House environments within our citylife Kids Department. We’ve recently made significant changes to these ministry areas, and we’re looking for people who are willing to volunteer for a month at a time on Sunday mornings or at your convenience during the week. To learn more about what we’re doing and the various opportunities to serve contact Pastor Andy at 813.933.3991, ext 226 or at amayer@citylifechurch.cc.

citylife café
The citylife café is not only an excellent spot to connect with friends, but it’s also a convenient place to find a variety of items on sale each week. Whether you’re looking to purchase a CD of one of Pastor Tony’s sermons, a copy of Pastor Kaci’s album, “You Are God,” or you’re wanting to join the rest of your church family in buying a citylife coffee mug or t-shirt, the café is the place to go.

In addition we sell Starbuck’s Coffee along with a variety of other drinks and pastries, and the proceeds from these sales will directly benefit the missionaries we support each month.

Pastor Tom Sterbens’ newest album, Mercy Speaks, is now available in the citylife café. CDs are $15 and DVDs are $20. By purchasing Mercy Speaks, your generous gift will help move a family from an impoverished community in Cambodia to a place of shelter in a stable concrete home on their own piece of land.

Like what’s happening at citylife church? Join us on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed, and to interact with your citylife family. Be sure to invite your friends and family to connect with us too!

To “Like” us, click here. To “Follow” us, click here.

21st Century Connection Point
Sunday Mornings, 9:00 am, Council Room
Frank Fralick and Molly Cox invite you to this exciting study and lively discussion on the Book of John. The Theme is “Knowing God by Believing in Jesus Christ”. The writer John tells us that we can have an abundant life in Jesus Christ and how we can achieve this tremendous goal in our lives.

Contemporary Forerunner
Sundays, 9:00 am, Friendship Room
If you are 60 plus years of age and enjoy great Bible studies, you are invited to join this group for a lively discussion every Sunday morning. Occasionally they will sing the old hymns of the church and share what God is doing in their daily lives.

“And She Lived Happily Ever After”
Connection Point for Single Women, ages 35+
Sundays, 9:00 am, Room 206
This new Connection Point will lead single women to discover the fulfilling life that God has in store for them. Led by Brenda Pennock, this class will discuss building a satisfying career, finding your place in the church, establishing a secure home, and enjoying rich and meaningful relationships throughout life. Watch the bulletin for other single adult activities coming soon.

“Getting to Know God”
Wednesday Mornings, 10:30 am, Chapel A
You are invited to join Pastor Priscilla Romero and Phyllis Graves every Wednesday morning at 10:30 am, for a time of intercessory Prayer and Bible Study. Our desire is to encourage those who attend to have a more intimate relationship with the Father.

Young Hispanic Adult Connection Point
Sundays, Room 208, 9:00 am
This class is a methodical study of the Bible led by Lillian Baez. You will see the progressive revelation of God’s will, how it has been manifested over the centuries, and how it affects your life today. This class will be taught in English.

Victorious Living Connection Point
Sundays, Chapel A, 9:00 am
The “Victorious Living” Connection Group is studying the weapons of our warfare in a new series titled “Are You Armed for Battle?” Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are victors not victims, and through Christ, we have the authority over all the power of the enemy. Please join us as we study the scriptures and discover which weapons are available and how to use them to walk in victory on a daily basis.

Life-Related Learning Connection Point
Sundays, Fellowship Hall, 9:00 am
This multi-generational Connection Point meets every Sunday morning at 9 am for prayer and to enjoy a topical Bible study. They are currently studying “Teachings on Community,” which covers topics such as witnessing, being compassionate, and connecting with the community. This group also visits shut-ins throughout the week. To learn more about this group contact Leerone Benjamin at 813.264.0967 after 5:00 pm.

Charter School of Excellence
The Charter School of Excellence, serving grades K-6, is located in the citylife church Family Life Center. This school has a strict approach to behavior and discipline and emphasizes the qualities of respect and character in their classes. With state of the art equipment and caring teachers, children have the opportunity to learn in a private school atmosphere without the large tuition fees. For additional information call the School Leader, Charles Malatesta at 813.931.5100.