1.) MISSIONS… Mitten Tree--The Mitten Tree is looking good, but there's still plenty of room on its boughs for more mittens/gloves, hats, and scarves--any size/age from infants to adults. Your donations will be packed up and delivered to Mary Jo Copeland's Sharing and Caring Hands shelter shortly after Christmas. Add some warmth to a family's winter!

ICA Bake Sale--The Moms group at church and their kids hope you're enjoying the treats you purchased last week. Your loyalty really paid off--$1236.78 was raised, and with a match from the Missions discretionary funds, a check for $2473.56 was sent to ICA this week!

Gift Card Results--We were able to give $630 worth of gift cards to the Minnetonka Tree House for the kids' Christmas stockings, thanks to your donations. These are kids who often have difficult family situations and commonly experience hopelessness. Tree House is a Christian-centered anchor in their lives, and CCoE's kind gifts are sure to warm their hearts.

Family Holiday Giving--We donated Christmas gifts to a local family of four through this program coordinated by MInnetonka Community Education. The gifts were purchased with funds from the Missions discretionary account. They will surely add to this family's Christmas cheer!

2.) INTERESTED IN SERVING ON CHURCH COUNCIL…? Four new council members will be elected at the 2026 annual meeting. Councilors oversee the pursuit of the mission and the management of the business and spiritual life of the church. Read the following description of the position and reach out to Pastor Jonathan Holtmeier and Moderator John DePaolis by January 12 if you are interested in serving. 

• Church Council Position Description

3.) MONDAY NIGHT LIVE…aka Recovery Alive... Monday night Recovery Alive is changing…to a new and improved “Monday Night Live”.

Monday Night Live format…

5:30-6:15 - Food & Fellowship
6:15-7:30 - Alive in Christ Bible Study
6:30-7:30 - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alive in Christ Bible Study is for anyone interested in a group Bible study.  Mike Poehler will be leading a new Bible Study on the ‘Gospel of Mark’.  Everyone is welcome!  Please contact Mike Poehler or Tom Fuxa is interested.

4.) COUNCIL MEETING: TUESDAY, 01/13 at 6:30PM… All are welcome. Agenda coming soon.

5.)Dinner for (8) Eight…

Dinner for Eight is starting new in 2026!

What?

Dinner for Eight is a fun way to enjoy food and fellowship in groups of (8) eight.  A host will host a group of eight in their home.  The host will contact the group of eight and coordinate schedules to find a date/time that works for everyone.  The host will decide on a main dish (theme).  The group members can offer to bring a side, salad, dessert or something else that will go with the main dish (host provided).  The group of (8) eight will meet at the agreed upon date and time.  Everyone enjoys a meal together and some fun fellowship.

Why?

Our Church Family is growing.  Lots of new faces.  This is an excellent way to meet new people and develop the relationships that make for a strong healthy church congregation.  It is also a lot of FUN!!!

When?

Kick off will be January 2026.  Sign-up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board outside the new Conference Room.  Please include your name, name of your plus 1 and phone numbers.  If you would like to be a HOST write HOST next to your name.

How?

After the January sign-up Hosts will be notified, groups will be assigned to a host, and contact will be made.  Groups can meet anytime between then and the end of March.

We have done Dinner for (8) Eight in the past and everyone who participated had fun.  Please contact Tom Fuxa - 952-374-8858 or Becky Fuxa - 952-297-2577 with questions.  We will be talking to folks in the comming weeks about signing up.

5.) SUNDAY WORSHIP HELPERS NEEDED THIS SUNDAY: signup here

• Altar Flower Donation

• Help with Offering

• Coffee Hour Clean-Up

6.) MUSIC AT CHURCH… A Letter and Calendar for Music at Church 2025-2026

7.) STREAMING INFO
Sunday services are now available LIVE on YouTube, allowing everyone to join the service even if they are only able to be there in spirit. Previous services are also available anytime via the same link. https://youtube.com/@ccoemn/live