FACTWeekly Update
Weeks of Sunday, december 22 & SUNDAY, December 29, 2024
WELCOME! Our heartbeat is to Connect to Christ, Grow with Others, and Engage the World together as Family. We gather to be disciples totally committed to Christ, becoming like Him in supreme love for God, selfless love for others, and sacrificial love for the world as we go locally, regionally, and globally. We hope you participate today with an expectation to encounter the Lord and a desire to celebrate the wonder of Jesus. It’s all about Him!
New (or New Again)?
We’re glad you are here. For information about Next Steps or Prayer, scroll to the bottom. Would you please take a moment and complete the Next Steps Card (button below) so we can start to get to know you? For information about FACTkids ministries (including Sunday morning Kingdom Kids), FACTyouth, or general FAQs about First Alliance Church, click here.
News & Information
In addition to the next steps given that are part of each opportunity, you can also stop by the Welcome Center or contact the FACT Office.
Connect to Christ
End of Year Spiritual Assessment: How has 2024 been for you personally, relationally, and spiritually? How has what you’ve experienced over the past year developed you further as a biblical, loving, Spirit-filled disciple of Jesus? As you look ahead to 2025 and the hope of a new year, why not take a few moments to reflect on your personal spiritual growth over the past year? The 7 Marks Personal Assessment & Review tool (available at FACToccoa.com/7marks) allows you to assess how the 7 Marks of a Healthy Disciple have developed and manifested in your life during 2024 as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work and determine some spiritual next steps for 2025. Let’s keep leaning into the presence of Jesus as we connect, grow, and engage together in 2025.
Grow with Others
Intentional Hospitality ... simply the act of inviting people on purpose to share food, conversation, and relationships … to get to know one another better around a table. It can be to your home, a park, or a restaurant or coffee shop. The power of hospitality is building friendships that open hearts. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just intentional. While not every time may involve a direct gospel conversation, every time is about expressing the love of Christ in relationship. Intentional Hospitality involves both people we know well and those we don’t, both brothers & sisters in Christ and those who don’t follow Jesus yet like neighbors, co-workers, etc. We see hospitality as a core action and heart attitude of biblical, loving, Spirit-filled disciples in the pages of the New Testament. Share the joy of Christ with others during this season.
Engage the World
Why do we do what we do? A Message from our CM&A President.
FACT Giving
November 2024
Monthly Needed Income for General Fund = $36,514
Monthly Received for General Fund = $30,047 (18% under budget)
Monthly Needed Income for GCF = $8,432
Monthly Received for GCF = $7,348 (13% under budget)
December 15, 2024
Received for General Fund = $6,128
Received for the GCF = $1,351
FACTFAMILY NEWS
There will be a Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 7:00 pm.
The FACT Campus will be closed from December 25, 2024 through January 1, 2025.
Come celebrate the life of William (Bud) Hotalen with his family on Sunday, December 29 from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a card basket if you wish to leave words of encouragement for the family.
Join the Alliance family in launching the new year with 40 Days of Prayer. Mark your calendars! We’ll begin on Sunday, January 5, and conclude on Thursday, February 13. Register HERE to get the daily devotionals.
The Sunday Evening Gathering will begin again on Sunday, January 5th, at 6PM in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited for a time of Bible instruction, testimonies, prayer, and singing.
All Wednesday night activities begin again on January 8, 2025, at 6:30 pm. This includes AWANA, FACT Youth, Prayer Meeting, Ladies Bible Study, and all Discipleship Groups.
Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8 am in the Family Life Center. This is open to all men and boys, Come and share in the food, fellowship, and prayer.
FACT will be hosting a baby shower for Hope and Cleto Lerma on January 11, 2025 from 2:00-5:00 pm. RSVP 706-768-2987. Amazon Registry: https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/hope-lerma-february-2025-mountairy/1CT05NY9IMZIF.
FACT Evening of Prayer: On Sunday evening January 12th, at 6PM the Sunday Night Gathering will host a special night of prayer in the church sanctuary for the entire church body. The Elders have requested this time of prayer for our congregation to humble ourselves before God and seek His direction in the year ahead. All are invited to attend.
Alliance Women will be meeting Saturday, January 18, at 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Our speaker will be Juls Purser.
Discipleship 316 will begin January 19 at 9:00 am in the Family Life Center. The following will be offered during the next session:
"Understanding the Scriptures" will focus on Biblical Themes that tie the Scriptures together, such as the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Exodus and Jesus Christ, the People of God, and understanding Biblical prophecy.
"Functional Foundations for the Family" is a class for all ages. Come join us as we look at parenting, the needs of children, how to stand strong and thrive in a changing world, how scripture guides us, and much more. This will be a collaborative, welcoming, and interactive class.
TBD
Join Friends and enjoy food, fellowship, and games. This is a community for all ladies and girls. They will meet Friday, January 24 at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
Mark your calendars for May 26–30, 2025, to join with your Alliance family in Columbus, Ohio, for a powerful event that will impact the future of The Alliance. Council is a time of fellowship, corporate worship, and drawing close to the heart of God. This year your attendance is critical as we continue Council business, including electing the 13th president of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. This year's theme is His—check out this video to hear more if you missed it! You can register here.
Monthly Prayer Focus
The Peace & Hope of Christ
Give thanks for our Messiah whose birth we celebrate this month. Praise the Lord that the awaited, God-made-flesh, humble, delivering, saving Messiah came and that through our Messiah there is hope, peace, love, and joy. Pray that the presence of Christ would be experienced by those who are without joy or alone during this time of the year. Pray that the Prince of Peace would draw near and comfort those you know who are emotionally hurting. Pray for those you know who are spiritually far from God that they would discover Jesus is the living hope and that in Christ there is everlasting peace. Pray for opportunities, as biblical, loving, Spirit-filled disciples, to tangibly demonstrate the joy and love of Christ to those we meet as we go, especially those who need to experience peace and hope. May we all remember, celebrate, and experience Emmanuel – God with us – in a personal way.
All of Jesus for All the World
Alliance Ministries
BOSNIA
Please pray for a parenting support group starting this week. Pray for open doors to share Christ’s love in word and deed.
United States Church Ministries
Pray for preparations for Converge, January 13-15 in Dublin, Ohio. Pray that it will go smoothly and that all who desire to attend will be able to come. Pray for attendees as they prepare to engage and collaborate with like-minded individuals who are passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission.
FACT Giving
November 2024
Monthly Needed Income for General Fund = $36,514
Monthly Received for General Fund = $30,047 (18% under budget)
Monthly Needed Income for GCF = $8,432
Monthly Received for GCF = $7,348 (13% under budget)
December 15, 2024
Received for General Fund = $6,128
Received for the GCF = $1,351
FACTFAMILY NEWS
There will be a Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 7:00 pm.
The FACT Campus will be closed from December 25, 2024 through January 1, 2025.
Come celebrate the life of William (Bud) Hotalen with his family on Sunday, December 29 from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a card basket if you wish to leave words of encouragement for the family.
Join the Alliance family in launching the new year with 40 Days of Prayer. Mark your calendars! We’ll begin on Sunday, January 5, and conclude on Thursday, February 13. Register HERE to get the daily devotionals.
The Sunday Evening Gathering will begin again on Sunday, January 5th, at 6PM in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited for a time of Bible instruction, testimonies, prayer, and singing.
All Wednesday night activities begin again on January 8, 2025, at 6:30 pm. This includes AWANA, FACT Youth, Prayer Meeting, Ladies Bible Study, and all Discipleship Groups.
Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8 am in the Family Life Center. This is open to all men and boys, Come and share in the food, fellowship, and prayer.
FACT will be hosting a baby shower for Hope and Cleto Lerma on January 11, 2025 from 2:00-5:00 pm. RSVP 706-768-2987. Amazon Registry: https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/hope-lerma-february-2025-mountairy/1CT05NY9IMZIF.
FACT Evening of Prayer: On Sunday evening January 12th, at 6PM the Sunday Night Gathering will host a special night of prayer in the church sanctuary for the entire church body. The Elders have requested this time of prayer for our congregation to humble ourselves before God and seek His direction in the year ahead. All are invited to attend.
Alliance Women will be meeting Saturday, January 18, at 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Our speaker will be Juls Purser.
Discipleship 316 will begin January 19 at 9:00 am in the Family Life Center. The following will be offered during the next session:
"Understanding the Scriptures" will focus on Biblical Themes that tie the Scriptures together, such as the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Exodus and Jesus Christ, the People of God, and understanding Biblical prophecy.
"Functional Foundations for the Family" is a class for all ages. Come join us as we look at parenting, the needs of children, how to stand strong and thrive in a changing world, how scripture guides us, and much more. This will be a collaborative, welcoming, and interactive class.
TBD
Join Friends and enjoy food, fellowhip, and games. This is a community for all ladies and girls. They will meet Friday, January 24 at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
Mark your calendars for May 26–30, 2025, to join with your Alliance family in Columbus, Ohio, for a powerful event that will impact the future of The Alliance. Council is a time of fellowship, corporate worship, and drawing close to the heart of God. This year your attendance is critical as we continue Council business, including electing the 13th president of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. This year's theme is His—check out this video to hear more if you missed it! You can register here.
Monthly Prayer Focus
The Peace & Hope of Christ
Give thanks for our Messiah whose birth we celebrate this month. Praise the Lord that the awaited, God-made-flesh, humble, delivering, saving Messiah came and that through our Messiah there is hope, peace, love, and joy. Pray that the presence of Christ would be experienced by those who are without joy or alone during this time of the year. Pray that the Prince of Peace would draw near and comfort those you know who are emotionally hurting. Pray for those you know who are spiritually far from God that they would discover Jesus is the living hope and that in Christ there is everlasting peace. Pray for opportunities, as biblical, loving, Spirit-filled disciples, to tangibly demonstrate the joy and love of Christ to those we meet as we go, especially those who need to experience peace and hope. May we all remember, celebrate, and experience Emmanuel – God with us – in a personal way.
All of Jesus for All the World
Alliance Ministries
BOSNIA
Please pray for a parenting support group starting this week. Pray for open doors to share Christ’s love in word and deed.
United States Church Ministries
Pray for preparations for Converge, January 13-15 in Dublin, Ohio. Pray that it will go smoothly and that all who desire to attend will be able to come. Pray for attendees as they prepare to engage and collaborate with like-minded individuals who are passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission.
Highlights
Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday
10am - 5pm
Sunday 12/22
Coffee & Connection
10:00 am, FH
Worship Service
Kingdom Kids
Nursery & Toddlers
10:30 am
Sanctuary & livestream
TUESday 12/24
Christmas Eve Service
7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Wednesday 12/25 - Wednesday 1/1
Campus Closed
Sunday12/29
Coffee & Connection
10:00 am, FH
Worship Service
Kingdom Kids & Nursery
10:30 am
Sanctuary & livestream
Celebration of Life for Bud Hotalen
2:00 - 4:00 pm, FH
LOOKING AHEAD
1/5-2/13, 40 Days of Prayer
1/4, Men’s Prayer
1/5, Sunday Evening Gathering Begins
1/8, All Wed Night Activities Begin
1/9, Elder’s Meeting
1/11, Men’s Breakfast
1/11, Baby Shower for Lermas
1/12, FACT Evening of Prayer
1/16, Elder’s Meeting
1/18, Alliance Women
1/19, Discipleship 316 Begins
1/21, Admin Board Meeting
1/24, Friends
FH = Fellowship Hall
Next Steps
Do you have questions about First Alliance Church Toccoa? Take some time to explore FACToccoa.com or call or contact the church office.
If you are ready to take a next step to Connect, Grow, & Engage together as a part of First Alliance, let us know via a Next Steps Card, visit the Welcome Center if on campus, or call or contact the church office.
Need Prayer?
Are things going on in your life? Is God challenging you and you would like to talk to someone? Following the service, some of our elders and their wives are available for prayer in the Prayer Room (off the lobby near the restrooms). You can also Request Prayer if joining online.
You can submit Prayer Requests via a Next Steps Card, by contacting the church office, online at FACToccoa.com/prayer, through the FACT App, or by calling the church office. When you need prayer, we’re here for you.
Giving
Giving is one of the ways we respond to God in worship. We are able to gather & go locally, regionally, and globally through the consistent, generous tithes and offerings given. Here’s how you can give:
Check/Cash in a Giving Box or mailed in
Online via FACT app or this website.
Text Give to 706-567-7379
Online options are safe, secure, and can be used to set up automated giving.
Get Connected
There’s an easy way for you to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the various FACT e-newsletters. Visit FACToccoa.com/newsletters to subscribe to FACT news (weekly FACTs You Can Use and occasional other updates), prayer requests, men’s opportunities, women’s opportunities, FACTyouth Parents Update, or Married People Monthly.
