Dear Church Family,
Long ago, on the very first Christmas, Jesus left his heavenly home to live here on earth with us. He did this because he knows our homes aren’t always filled with happiness, laughter, joy, and love — even on Christmas. But this is not the end of the story. Because of who Jesus is, there is hope now for our homes. Because of what Jesus did for us when he came here, there is yet also a future home for us with him there in heaven. There is right now for us all a joy and peace that the world cannot give, but Jesus Christ can!
I can’t wait to share this message on Christmas Eve with you and many from around the world! Remember, there is no regularly scheduled Sunday morning service this Sunday. Instead, to best reach our community, we will have three bilingual services starting at 4:00, 5:30, and 7:00 pm. Please share an invitation with someone you personally know to join you! Isn’t it exciting to think about possibilities if every one of us invited one person?
Then on Christmas Day morning, we will have an entirely different English-only service at 10:00 am. This service will be a traditional Christmas Day festival service complete with a celebration of Holy Communion. We will forgo projection on screen. We will sing out of the hymnal. We will also livestream the service.
ICYMI – Watch my message from last Sunday on how we can embrace the signs of God’s presence.
DSC on YouTube: Watch past messages and worship services on-demand on our church YouTube channel.
Download Our Church App – Use it to worship online, watch archived messages, and register for events and classes that are coming up. Our app is the communication hub for everything DSC! Search “Divine Savior Church” in your app store. Select “Doral English” as your campus.
Getting to Know Our New Worship and Ministry Center
Main Entrance/Parking:
You may park anywhere on campus. As you enter for worship on Sundays, please use our Main Entrance for Worship. This is located at the entrance facing 104th Ave. You will see new WELCOME letters marking the entrance to our lobby. As you invite guests, please also direct them to meet you here. The space is designed for you to find information about our ministry to use for yourself or as resources to share with others. Ushers will direct you, greeters will welcome you and there is a station for DSKids registration. If you have small children that need to move around during the service, the lobby provides a place to do so. Eventually we will have a screen and speakers there to hear/see everything that is going on in the service. After the service you can enjoy coffee, refreshments, and an opportunity to connect with your church family inside or out.
Quiet Room:
The small private chapel at the rear of the Worship Space is reserved for moms who wish to breastfeed their babies. There will be a screen installed later with the live service being played. Toddlers who need to move are welcome to use the lobby.
Bathrooms:
There are two options: the high school commons and the newly renovated bathrooms outside the private chapel, facing 58th Street.
Lounge:
This room connected to the side of the Worship Space is reserved for meeting our first time visitors after worship. During the week we use it for small group Bible studies or meetings.
Ministry Center Reception:
Our Ministry Center Reception is located in the part of the building facing 58th Street. You can enter here during the week to meet with our pastors, DSC staff, for Bible studies, small groups, or meetings. All of our offices and conference rooms are connected to this.
New Year’s – On Sunday, December 31 we will have worship services in the morning at the regularly scheduled times of 9:30am English and 11:30am Spanish. There will be NO evening worship services.
Furniture Assembly Volunteers Needed – We still have a few furniture items that need assembly. Are you willing/able? (bookshelves, small accent tables, etc.) Any help is a blessing! Please contact Staff Minister Becky at 786-477-9739 to coordinate a time Jan 2-6.
Baptism – Are you or someone in your family interested in learning more about baptism? Join Pastor Ben to learn what the Bible teaches about baptism. Click here if interested. Divine Savior Church offers baptism for FREE to anyone of any age!
Our Giving to the Lord:
Current Weekly Average: $10,686/ wk
Amount Needed for FY 2023-2024: $12,622 / wk
Click here to give an offering. You can make a one-time special gift or set up recurring gifts as well. Please note also that the opportunity to pledge and give toward “$2,025 for 3 Years” is for offerings over and above regular, recurring giving.
Offering envelopes – Please take a moment to listen to this special message from our treasurer, Ron Hansen, regarding the use of envelopes for offerings.
Christmas Eve Playlist –Alegría | On Christmas Night (by Caleb Schmiege) | Away in a Manger (All Glory to Jesus) | La primera Navidad / The First Noel | Noche de Paz / Silent Night
Daily Devotions –Stay connected to God’s Word with the WELS daily devotions. Subscribe and have a devotion sent directly to your email each day. Grace Moments are daily devotions provided by Time of Grace. Download their app for easy access to all their gospel content.
The Mysteries of Christmas (Daily Advent Devotions) –These 25 meditations look back on the mysteries of the Messiah’s first coming and look ahead to the mysteries of his second. Visit this Martin Luther College web page for various ways you can subscribe and read these wonderful devotions written by MLC professors.
Upcoming special days:
- Sunday, December 24 – NO morning worship; Christmas Eve bilingual worship 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm, or 7:00 pm
- Monday, December 25 Christmas Day worship 10:00 am English only
- Sunday, December 31 New Year’s theme worship at regular morning time 9:30 am; NO evening worship
- Sunday, January 21 Baptism Sunday bilingual worship followed by a potluck lunch
Changing Lives with Jesus,
Pastor Ben
