Christmas Eve 5p and10:30p
 Every year I either hear the question, “Are you ready for Christmas?” This usually means  “Are you through buying all your presents?” or “are you maintaining your sanity through all the stress and pressure, responsibilities and expectations?” Perhaps it means “Are you through cooking all of those special treats?" “Is your tree decorated?" or "Is your house ready to go with all those decorations that are buried in the garage for eleven months of the year?” The list goes on and on, but it usually centers on the busy-ness of the season coupled with the desire to have that “perfect” Christmas.
It is so easy to lose sight of what Christmas truly is. We lost a lot when roasting chestnuts on an open fire pushed to the side the celebration of the Feast of the Incarnation. All of those old movies and cheesy Christmas songs have a place, but they should never replace the truth of what Christmas really means.
That’s why Christmas Eve services at COTHA are so important. We gather to hear familiar Christmas carols, send our children to a wonderful Christmas program, hear the story of that first Christmas from the 2nd Chapter of Luke, and share communion with our family and friends. We need this reminder that no matter how delightful our children find the story of the one who came down the chimney, it pales in comparison to the truth of the story of the one who came down from heaven.

Our Christmas Eve services will be held at 5:00 and 10:30 and will help us all re-center ourselves on that cataclysmic event that took place over 2000 years ago. As we gather, sing, pray, listen and share communion, we will draw near to the One who showed us something on that first Christmas that continues to change women, men and children around the world, and experience in a fresh and uplifting way, that we are loved by God.
I invite you to be here and invite your friends, neighbors and family. Nothing is better than experiencing once again the life changing proclamation that “Unto us this day is born, in the city of David, a savior who is Christ our Lord.”

Christmas @ COTHAThis letter was sent to COTHA in response to Christmas @ COTHA...where we look inside our congregation for families that might need a little extra help this time of year. All donations and families are anonymous hence the "open letter".  We collected over 100 gifts for 7 families...a big thank you to all that helped make Christmas that much brighter for someone else!

To our sweet COTHA family,
We want to thank you so much for your generosity and thoughtfulness extended to our family. In the midst of your own busy holiday schedules and "to do" lists, it warms our hearts that you would take time to think of us in such a special way, as to come bearing gifts to place under our tree.
Each day our family enjoys your gifts of prayer, compassion, gentleness, joy, faith, and fellowship; however, it would seem that the saying is true..."the ornaments of our lives are the friends that bless it".
Thank you so much for blessing our lives daily and especially at the season of Christmas and sharing your love and kindness with us. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and most Blessed New Year.

By Mark Tucker, Ministry Pastor of COTHA Kids Xperience
Christmas at COTHA is a special time of year for children of all ages, from 8 months to 88 years old and beyond. It is a season of joy, peace, love, and family togetherness. Christmas is also the most familiar of the church seasons for our COTHA Kids, who range in age from five to ten years old. Ask any of them, and they will know the true meaning of the season: it’s all about celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Sure, for my kindergarten crew clear through to the fourth graders, and everywhere in between, Christmas is also about the magic of Santa Claus, stockings, holiday lights, hot chocolate, presents under the tree, and a very intimidating “naughty vs. nice” list. In the same breath, however, they will share the tale of Joseph and Mary, no room at the inn, a baby born in a manger, surrounded by animals, a bright star in the sky and, eventually, a couple of wise men bringing gifts to our newborn Prince of Peace.
They will also tell you something you might not expect from ones so young: It’s also about a season of compassion. “Compassion” is a big, important word and, thanks to our friends at Orange (the ministry curriculum/framework we use here at COTHA), we’re spending the entire month of December digging deep to learn the meaning. Yes, this month’s COTHA Kids Life App is Compassion, which is “caring enough to do something about someone else’s need.” And it’s not just about learning a definition, but it’s the way they apply it in real world form that is global and epic and will melt your heart.
For the past 15+ years, the COTHA Kids have partnered with World Vision to share gifts of compassion with other children around the world. Last year, through our church’s amazing gifts, led by our children’s energy and efforts, we collected enough donations to buy a goat, two pigs, some bibles, a few soccer balls, plus clean water, new clothing, medicine, school supplies, 10 trees, fishing supplies, and seeds.
This year, it’s all about a cow. Yes, I said it, they want to raise enough money to donate a cow! As their pastor, it puts a huge smile on my face and gives me a whole lot to “moo” about. In the past, I have witnessed children emptying their piggy banks into the collection basket, penny by penny. I have seen my student ministry crew members, inspired by the cause and the kids, answer the compassion challenge themselves and donate greatly from their own wallets and purses. My favorite moments are listening to stories of the COTHA Kids who worked odds jobs around the house or in their neighborhoods to earn the money themselves. You see, they are learning early in their lives that the true reward of the season is the joy of giving. That compassion then amplifies their gratitude when receiving gifts themselves. It’s an amazing cycle that continues on in their spiritual growth journey here at COTHA.

Would you please play a part? 
If you are interested in helping the COTHA Kids make their Compassion Challenge goal in support of World Vision, please click HERE
For more details on World Vision, please visit their website: www.worldvision.org.
To learn more about the Orange curriculum, check out http://thinkorange.com.