My niece offered to take family pictures for our Christmas card this year. I couldn't even recall the last time we made the effort for a family picture or a Christmas card. Then I looked on our wall and saw a framed family picture from .... 2017!! Yes, it was time!

Excitedly, we gathered outfits from our closets to put our look together. Towards the end of the planning process, we brought in same colored shoes from the garage to choose from. I wasn't sure what shoes to wear. It was suggested that I wear the dark brown boots. I said something to the effect of "Okay, I'll try them, but I'm not sure they'll fit. I think they're Brianda's." When I put them on, I was amazed at how the boot actually fit just right and how I really liked them. It was then, when someone said, "Yes, those are your shoes mom!"

Later on it was confirmed in the car as we were driving, that Celestine bought me these shoes that I had forgotten about! After he said that I remembered receiving them. How I felt bad that he bought me these really nice boots. I wore them a lot in the beginning and really loved them! How easily I forgot.

The greatest gift that we can ever have is life with Jesus - now and for ever. Do you remember the first time you accepted Christ in your life? The joy, the freedom, tears of love, acknowledging in your heart that only Jesus can make you whole? As the days and years go by, sometimes we forget or become complacent about who He is. Revelation 2:1-7 is a wake up call for us to come back to our first love:

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:1-7, NIV).

Major Shoshannah Ruwethin

*Reminder - Thanksgiving Potluck is TODAY!!

*Zoom Corps Council meeting, Monday, 7 PM.

*Correction - Arvona Stillwell's Celebration of Life will be in the Spring. Details will be shared as we receive them. Bless Don and their family by bringing cards of encouragement. We can send them on your behalf.

Join us as we reach out to care facilities this season with songs, smiles, and socks! We will be visiting seven locations this Christmas season. If you are able to join us in this special ministry, please let us know. Here are the first two dates and locations for now:

Sunday, 11/26,
2 and 2:30 pm - Singing
West Post Acute

1601 Petersen Ave

San Jose, CA

Sunday, 12/3
12 PM - Sock distribution Nursing and Skill

Sub-Acute Center

410 N Winchester SJ

Del Oro & Golden State Division

United Young Adult Retreat 2024

Overflow - Romans 15:13

DATE:

January 19th-21st, 2024

AGES:

18-35

LOCATION:

Zephyr Point Conference Center
660 Hwy 50
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

Friday, January 5th, 2024

Register Now

We are excited to announce that YAR 2024 will be a united retreat with Del Oro Division! Young adults will get to see a bigger picture of the Army. We also hope that they make new friends and use that opportunity to share their faith with others.

Please make your payments to The Salvation Army Santa Clara Corps. Any question about fees, please speak with Major Shoshannah.

We are all focused on the upcoming holiday season, but I wanted to give you a bit of information regarding the upcoming Territorial Congress:

• Date: June 13-16, 2024
• Location: Pasadena Convention Center
• Theme: Testify!
• Visiting Leaders: General Lyndsay and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
• Mission Statement/Scripture: Teach, Train and Motivate Salvationists to tell the Story of Jesus more often, and to more people, through words and actions. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
• ARC Command will be receiving their own travel subsidy for current beneficiaries. Those who have graduated and attend your corps can be included in your non-officer counts.

Registration and Accommodation

Registration is now open, and the registration website also has links to the hotels that we have negotiated room rates for. We encourage everyone to register and book rooms early. PLEASE note Retired Officers must book their hotel room directly through Major Nancy Dihle. https://events.usawest.org/

Ordination and Commissioning

The Ordination and Commissioning ceremonies will take place as part of the Friday night opening celebration session of the Congress, with the appointments being given out in the final meeting on Sunday afternoon. What an exciting way to start the Congress!

Meals

Registration at the congress includes 5 meals for the entire family. This will be a wonderful time for fellowship.

There is a goal of sending 200 delegates (no officers or retired officers included in this count) from the Golden State Division. There will be a subsidy available of $350 per delegate for the first 200 delegates. We are still working out details regarding the subsidy and how it will be distributed.

As more information becomes available, it will be shared. Here is the link to an article on The Landing about the Territorial Congress: https://usawest.sharepoint.com/sites/NewFrontierChronicle/SitePages/General-to-attend-2024-Congress-in-Pasadena.aspx

Please help us keep you informed by signing up for the Remind App. Simply follow the directions. The goal is to touch base with a newsletter once a week and avoid 25 responses to a group text. This is a secure way for us to do this. Text to: 81010, Send the message: @chkhc6.

Feel free to share the info. Thank you in advance.

Sunday:

• 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults
• 10:30 AM Worship service
• 11:00 AM Junior Church
• 12:30 PM Potluck & Fellowship (3rd Sunday unless scheduled otherwise)

Wednesday:

Illuminate Youth Schedule

• 2:00 PM Arrival/Open Gym
• 2:30 PM Welcome - devotions
• 2:45 PM Snacks
• 3:00 PM Troops
• 4:00 PM Brass, Drums, Piano, Hula, Art
• 5:00 PM Parent Pick Up

6:30 PM Young Adult Fellowship at Ruwethin's house

Thursday:

• 5:45 PM Intermediate Brass
• 6:30 PM Family Night Dinner
• 7:15 PM Adult Bible Study/Youth Choir

Friday:

• 5:00 PM Teen Youth Group (Monthly - Dates vary)

• 7:00 PM Women's Fellowship - Ladies Night Out (Monthly - Dates vary)

Email: shoshannah.ruwethin@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: siliconvalley.salvationarmy.org
Location: 3090 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408.247.4588
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSASantaClaraChurch