Bulletin
December 15, 2024
All Campus Announcements Bloomington Bedford
ALL CAMPUSES
Advent Text Messages and YouVersion Reading Plan
The Advent season is the season of waiting before Christmas! We use this season of anticipation to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of Jesus! We want to invite you into the daily practice of Scripture during the Advent season. You can join us in two ways. First, text keyword: "Advent" to 812.324.8644 to join a daily text group and receive a text message with that day's Scripture starting on December 1. Second, click the link below to join a YouVersion Bible reading plan group of others from Sherwood Oaks reading Scripture through the Advent season together. If you have questions, contact Jim Clark.
Christmas
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, we know there is a lot going on! There's a lot going on here too around Christmas! Visit our Christmas website as your one-stop-shop for all the Christmas things happening at Sherwood Oaks this holiday season, including our Christmas Eve services on December 23 and 24 in Bloomington and December 24 in Bedford.
Season of Care
As the holiday season approaches, we all have time, talent, and resources to share with others. Whether it’s a thoughtful Christmas gift or an hour spent lending a hand, every moment counts. This season, consider investing in meaningful opportunities to make a difference. We invite you to join us in giving the gift of time, talent, or treasure through one of these options. Visit our Season of Care website to explore these opportunities.
Year-End Giving
As the year comes to a close, we invite you to make a year-end donation to Sherwood Oaks. Your generous donations help support our ministries and outreach efforts. Contributions made by December 31st will be included on your 2024 giving statement for tax purposes. You can drop off donations at the church office during regular office hours. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!
BLOOMINGTON:
Bible App Sermon Online
Follow along online this weekend! Download the free YouVersion Bible app and click the 'events' tab in the lower right corner to find us on the map or click the link below to go directly to this weekend's outline.
6mas
Attention High School Students! Get ready for the event of the season -- our High School Ministry's annual '6mas' Party! Come join us on Sunday, December 15th from 6-8pm in the Fellowship Hall for a night filled with great food, awesome friends, and lots of holiday cheer. The event will feature a $5 White Elephant Gift exchange. Please bring a gift along to exchange. No need to sign up--just show up and bring a friend (or two) along for the fun!
Bloomington Campus Text Messages
If you are interested in text messages about Bloomington campus specific news and information, text keyword: East to 812.324.8644 to join our texting group.
CIY Mix
Middle School Students: CIY Mix is a weeklong conference for Middle School students featuring fun, games, intentional worship and intense discipleship discussions. All students grade 6-8 are invited to attend. This year, CIY Mix will be held at Country Lake Camp in Underwood, IN from July 12-16. The cost for the trip is $464 but registerants can save $100 by registering before January 31, 2025. For more information, contact Sarah Bynum.
CIY Move
High School Students: Join us this summer at Johnson University for an amazing week packed with worship, time with God, relationship building and more! Cost for the event: $400. Register before January 1, 2025 and save $100! Click the link below to register. If you have questions, email Sarah!
Costa Rica project with CSF
Join us for the TCMI Costa Rica Project with CSF from May 11-18, 2025, as we partner with AMCA to serve families in San Jose's Los Gido neighborhood and work on outreach projects in the rural mountain jungles of La Cumbre. This trip offers a chance to build relationships and contribute to community development through hands-on projects. We’re seeking 10-15 participants with a heart to serve and a curiosity to learn about Costa Rican culture. The cost is $1,400, which includes airfare, transportation, meals, lodging, and medical insurance. Register by January 30, 2025, with a $100 deposit for this unforgettable experience!
Footsteps of Paul Trip
Join us in March to walk where Paul walked and see where John lived on our Footsteps of Paul trip in March of 2025! This adventure will allow you to increase your faith as you see and experience things you read about in your New Testament. This trip is designed to grow your faith. Find out more, including cost, itinerary and registration, at the website below.
GriefShare
Are you struggling with grief or loss? We have a GriefShare support group that meets at Sherwood Oaks starting January 8 through April. Find out more and register below.
GriefShare Information and Registration
Groups
We believe we're better together! Your group of people might be waiting for you! Check out our groups page and take your first step toward finding your people.
Let's Talk Marriage
Join us in December for a morning of fellowship, games and a Christmas cookie exchange! All married couples are invited to the Married Life Ministry's Let's Talk Marriage at 11:00am in the Fellowship Hall. Couples who want to participate in the cookie exchange should bring two dozen cookies to share. This will be our final (for now) Let's Talk Marriage as the Married Life Ministry assesses the 2025 schedule. To receive updates from MLM, text keyword "MLM" to 812.324.8644 or click the link below to visit our website.
Middle Mayhem
Middle school students: Join us for our last Middle Mayhem of 2024 on Friday night, December 20 from 7:00-9:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. The event will feature a $5 White Elephant Gift exchange. Please bring a gift along to exchange. No registration is required; just join us. Email Sarah Bynum if you have questions.
Missions project to RAHPA Cambodia
Visit RAPHA International centers in 3 locations in Cambodia on June 6th- 16th! Tour facilities where young victims of human trafficking find safety, faith, restoration and training for secure and productive lives. Serve among staff and students with games, crafts, music and devotionals. Visit Angkor Wat, local markets, and street life in Siem Reap, Battambang, and Phnom Penh. Stay in top hotels with excellent meals, ground transportation, and insurance are all covered in the price ($4,200). Valid passport and entry visa needed, We'll help with that! Registration deadline is February 15th 2025. We hope to see you there!
Red Kettle Bell Ringing for Salvation Army
Sherwood Oaks hopes to fill every Red Kettle position for the Salvation Army in Monroe County on Saturday, December 14! When you volunteer to stand at our kettles, you’re not just ringing a bell... you’re changing lives and strengthening our community. Volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries or shelter an individual for a night. We have approximately 100 slots open for individuals, families, groups or connect groups! If you have questions, contact Kristi Huston or click below to register.
ServeFinder
Each of us have unique gifts and abilities! God wants us to use those abilities to help build up his church! Maybe you're gifted with singing ability or maybe your gifts are in working with children, we have a place for you to serve at Sherwood Oaks. Join us in finding your place to serve. Click the link below to get started!
SK! Apologetics Class Spring 2025
Every Sunday at noon, starting January 5th-26th, students will have the chance to explore why we believe the Bible is true and how that truth shapes how we live. It's an exciting opportunity to apply God's word beyond Sunday services and prepare for the next step in their faith journey. 5th graders are invited to engage with the middle school ministry, helping them grow spiritually and get ready for what's ahead!
SK! Children's Worship Experience
Sunday morning, December 15, our AWANA and Sherwood Kids! will help lead in main worship at the 9:30am and 11:00am services. Join us as this talented group of children use those abilities to lead the church in a special way!
TCMI Project to Haus Edelweiss, Vienna, Austria
Join us in shaping future Christian leaders across Eastern Europe and Central Asia! Serve at TCMI Haus Edelweiss from March 29th to April 11th, 2025, supporting seminary students in food prep, housekeeping, or maintenance. Engage with students from over 15 nations, forming lasting connections and hearing firsthand about God's work in their communities. All expenses, except airfare to Vienna, are covered. Registration ends February 15th. We hope you can join us!
Women In Ministry : Elder Discussion Class
Our Elders will be hosting and leading a four-week class on Wednesday nights in January to discuss what the Bible says about Women in Ministry. This class will meet at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room. No registration is required. Join the discussion.
Women's Ministry Study: Luke in the Land
Join us for a special Women's Ministry study group starting Wednesday, January 8th, with sessions at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM (choose the time that works best for you). Over the course of seven weeks, we’ll follow Kristi McLelland on a powerful journey through Israel, exploring snapshots from the Gospel of Luke and visiting key sites like Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, and the road to Emmaus. Through teaching videos filmed on location, we’ll deepen our understanding of how Jesus’s ministry unfolded and how the Messiah brought His kingdom to earth for everyone. We look forward to growing in faith together—invite a friend for this unforgettable experience!
Women's Ministry Study Registration
BEDFORD:
Bedford Bible App Sermon Online
Follow along online this weekend! Download the free YouVersion Bible app and click the 'events' tab in the lower right corner to find us on the map or click the link below to go directly to this weekend's outline.
Bedford Campus Text Messages
If you are interested in text messages about Bedford Campus specific news and information, text keyword: "Bedford" to 812.324.8644 to join our Bedford Campus texting group.
December 29 Changes!
We will not host our traditional 5th Sunday Pitch-In on December 29 due to the holidays. Additionally, Sherwood Kids will not meet and kids will be welcome to join their parents in service. Come a few minutes early for service on that Sunday for a special treat! See you then!
Fuel
All students, grades 6-12, are invited to Fuel at the Bedford campus on Friday, December 20 starting at 7:00pm. We will be hosting a "White Elephant" gift exchange. If you would like to participate, bring a wrapped $5-$7 gift to exchange. Fuel is a time for students to recharge and "fuel up" from what's draining them by providing a safe, fun and relaxed atmosphere to hang out, play games, enjoy snacks and be teenagers together without fear of judgment from their peers. No registration is required; just join us.
Men's Euchre Night
Men: Join us Wednesday night, December 18 at 6:30pm for a Euchre Night. All skills and abilities welcome! No sign up or registration required! See you there!
New Year's Eve Party
Join us in the SOCC Bedford gym on Tuesday night, December 31 for a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve party from 5:00-9:00pm. Show up and leave whenever you want. Bring your favorite game and a food or (alcohol-free) drink to share. Invite some friends or family to join us.
Weekend Attendance and Giving Update
Your continued financial support enables us to serve our communities and the world. *Note: On July 1, 2023, we started a new fiscal year.
Attendance 12/08/2024:
In-person: 1741 | Online: 281
*We have changed how we track our online attendance. If you have specific questions about how this information is determined, email
Offering 12/08/2024:
Total: $432,498.25
FYTD Over: $100,402.52
*Recently we have made a change to how we report this number. This number now reflects the total amount over/under "budgeted giving" only. Previously, giving to the Dollar Club and special projects was included in this figure. We feel, however, that this was an inaccurate way to reflect our budgeted giving. The above number is amount above/below our budget projections for this fiscal year. If you have any questions, please contact our Business Office Manager Elizabeth Moore.
Current Financial Update: November 10, 2024
Thank you for your support.