facWEEKLY December 19
We hope you've had a good week, FAC Family! Here are just some of the great things happening in the coming weeks.
Check out "What's Happening" for a full list of events taking place this quarter.
Worship This Sunday
Advent Week 4: Song of Love | Isaiah 43:1–7
The Advent season invites us to slow down and prepare our hearts to remember the Birth of Christ. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on the theme of LOVE—a love that entered our world through Jesus and continues to transform our lives today. We hope to see you here!
Christmas Eve at FAC
Date: Wednesday, December 24
Time: 4pm
Place: in the Worship Center
Join us for our annual Christmas Eve candlelight service as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ!
No childcare will be available, but children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Holiday Office Hours
Please note the following holiday office hours:
Monday, 12/22: 8:30am-4pm
Tuesday, 12/23: 8:30am-4pm
Wednesday, 12/24: CLOSED
Thursday, 12/25: CLOSED
Friday, 12/26: CLOSED
Monday, 12/29: CLOSED
Tuesday, 12/30: 10am-12pm
Wednesday, 12/31: 10am-12pm
Thursday, 1/1: CLOSED
Friday, 1/2: CLOSED
Annual Magi Offering
At our Christmas Eve service, we will carry on our Magi offering tradition. As in years past, we encourage the FAC family to generously give above their regular tithes and offerings to contribute to those in our congregation who are in need. All Magi gifts go to our Benevolence fund.
When giving, please designate on your check, giving envelope, or Pushpay donation as "Magi offering" to ensure the funds go to the right place. If you would like to give a Pushpay donation click on the button below. (You can give before Christmas Eve if that works best for you).
DivorceCare
Dates: Thursdays, beginning January 8 (13 weeks)
Time: 6:30–8:00pm
Place: In the Fireside room (E215)
Cost: $20.00 (Includes workbook)
Struggling with life because of separation or divorce? Divorce Care can help. It’s a
support program specifically designed to help with healing and to regain hope for the
future. During this 13-week, video-based support group program, you will find helpful
counsel from respected experts, compassionate understanding, and learn practical tools
for decision making. For registration and more information click the button below.
Men's Bible Study - Daniel
Dates: Saturdays, beginning January 10
Time: 9–10:30am
Place: in the Fireside room (E215)
To make a difference, you have to be different.
The book of Daniel is set in the heart of a hostile, pagan empire. Yet four Hebrew men found a way to honor God, and in doing so, participated in miraculous displays of God’s glory. This 8-session study can help men develop the godly courage, convictions, and habits found in Daniel. Perhaps God will use our faithfulness to demonstrate His glory in today’s Babylon.
There is no cost to attend and no need to sign up; just show up! Contact Wes Palmer (wbpalmer8@gmail.com) for more information.
Financial Peace University
Dates: Sundays, January 11–March 8
Time: 4–6pm
Place: in room B106
Cost: $99.99
Do you ever feel like you just can't get control of your money? You are not alone. You'd be surprised how many people are struggling with finances just like you. Our culture is designed to weigh you down with credit cards, car loans, and student loans. It can be overwhelming…but it DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. All you need is a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of direction, and a whole lot of encouragement from people who are on the same journey toward financial freedom. Financial Peace University is the perfect place to find all of this!
Join the Financial Peace University class starting on Sunday, January 11 at 4:00 PM in room B106. Break free from financial pressures, get out of debt, and learn life changing money principles. To register, click the button below. Interested participants should contact Dan Barnett at dbarnett@facerie.org if cost is prohibitive.
GriefShare - Loss of a Spouse Seminar
Dates: Wednesday, January 14
Time: 1–4pm
Place: In room B106
Cost: $10.00 (Includes participant guide)
Grieving the death of your spouse? You have come to the right place...welcome to GriefShare's Loss of a Spouse seminar. Your life has changed forever. The daily emotions and challenges can seem too hard to bear. God has a plan for your journey of grief, and we have loving and caring people to help you during this time.
There's Still Time To Build A Shoebox
You can still help take the Good News of Jesus Christ to boys and girls living in places where there is little to no access to the Gospel. How? Build a Shoebox Online! FAC has left its Build A Box Online open until New Year's Eve. If you haven't but intended to give to this great commission initiative or wish to add to a previous gift, you can do so here.
Give HOPE to Erie Refugees This Christmas
ServErie is partnering with multiple organizations to raise money for Erie refugees. During Christmas at the Warner, two projects will be highlighted to assist HOPE ministry to purchase sewing machines and a driving simulator for our classes. If you wish to help financially, visit https://catw2025.square.site/, scroll down and choose the sewing machines or driving simulator projects. This giving opportunity ends December 31. For more information, contact Amy McCullough at amccullough@facerie.org.
facYOUTH Summer Experience 2026 - Lead THE Cause 2026
Hey First Alliance Church!
We are excited to announce that facYOUTH is heading BACK to Denver, Colorado for our Summer 2026 Experience at Lead THE Cause!
If you’re wondering what Lead THE Cause is all about—it’s an unforgettable week where students from across the country come together with one passion: seeing their friends and people come to know Jesus!
Throughout the week, students will be trained to share their faith, serve the greater Denver community, and even step out to share the Gospel with real people in the city. It’s a powerful mix of learning, serving, and living out the love of Christ in real time.
If you’re a student—or a parent of a student—who will have completed 8th–12th grade in 2026, this trip is for you!
Click the link below to register.
We recommend using a computer and setting aside 15–20 minutes for the application, as it’s a detailed form. A $200 deposit will be due at the end of registration.
Registration will be open until February 28, 2026.
If there are any questions, please contact Pastor Chen at cvue@facerie.org
Advent Devotional from The Alliance
With the Christmas season right around the corner, we’re excited to share this Advent devotional with you! This year’s devotional from The Alliance focuses on the theme "All of Jesus". It covers the four traditional Advent themes, as well as a special devotional for Christmas Eve.
You can find the Advent Devotional by clicking the button below. A limited number of paper copies will be available at The Hub.
2025 Year End Giving
Donations to FAC that you wish to have included on your 2025 Year-End Giving Statement must be received at FAC on or before Sunday, December 28, or if mailed, postmarked by Wednesday, December 31. Online credit card donations must be received by Wednesday, December 31. Electronic check donations must be initiated on or before Saturday, December 27. After these dates, charitable contributions will be credited to the calendar year 2026.
If you have any questions about year-end donations, please contact our Executive Director, Michael Lawson, at (814) 833-9862, Ext. 222, and leave a voice message, and he will return your call.
Prayer for International Workers, Steve & Christy Volstad (South America)
Steve and Christy Volstad are international workers supported by Inca Link, based in the US, but serving missionaries in South America. You can learn more about Steve and Christy by picking up a copy of our “Prayer Guide for World Missions” at the Missions Table, near the entrance of the Worship Center and you can partner with Steve and Christy in ministry by giving to the FAC Missions.
Do You Have a Prayer Request or Praise?
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere" (Ephesians 6:18, NLT).
The staff and elders at FAC would love to pray for you. Send your request or praise to Pastor Scott through the form below.
Finance Information
Father, as we lay before you our financial offering, we give you all that we are and everything that you have entrusted to us. Bless these gifts for the sake of your kingdom and glory.
General Fund
Last Week
Actual: $19,009
Budgeted: $22,881
Prior Year Comparison: $40,009
Year To Date
Actual: $328,868
Budgeted: $343,212
Prior Year Comparison: $314,714