Eight Days Until Christmas
Salt and Light Newsletter
December 17, 2025
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Pastor’s Thoughts
Eight Days Until Christmas
There are eight days until Christmas.
That sentence carries a different weight depending on where you are standing. For some, it brings excitement. For others, stress. For a few, maybe even a quiet ache. But before the schedules fill, the gifts pile up, and the days blur together, it is worth pausing on a simple truth from the Christmas story that we often overlook.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the Bible tells us there was no room for them in the inn. It is a familiar line, but we sometimes read it too quickly. The problem was not that there was no room anywhere in the city. Homes were full. Rooms were occupied. Life was happening.
There just was not room there.
And I wonder how often that mirrors our own hearts at this time of year.
Christmas has a way of filling every available space. Our calendars get crowded. Our minds get noisy. Our homes get busy. Even good things like family traditions, church events, and acts of generosity can take up so much room that we never stop to ask if we have actually made space for Christ Himself.
The tragedy of the inn is not cruelty. It is distraction.
No one was trying to keep the Messiah out. They were simply full. Full of responsibility. Full of obligations. Full of life as they knew it. And in their fullness, they missed the greatest arrival in human history.
Yet God did not turn away.
Jesus was born anyway. Not into comfort, but into humility. Not into a prepared palace, but into a place that had to be made ready in the moment. Straw was gathered. Space was cleared. A room was prepared, but only after everything else had filled up.
Eight days before Christmas, this is not a call to do more. It is an invitation to make room.
To clear space in our hearts for worship instead of worry.
To quiet our souls long enough to hear again the wonder of God with us.
To prepare a place, not just in our homes, but within us, for Christ to dwell.
The question is not whether Jesus will come. He already has.
The question is whether there is room for Him where we are.
This week, as Christmas draws near, may we not be so full that we miss Him. May we prepare the room, not perfectly, but intentionally. And may we discover once again that when Christ is welcomed in, even the most ordinary spaces become holy ground.
– Pastor Justin Walker
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Christmas Food Drive
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Food Pantry meals that were given to
25 families in our community on Saturday, December 13.
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Church Happenings
Wednesday Night – December 17
6 - 6:45 PM - Dinner | Upper Lobby
Christmas Brunch- Sausage and Bacon Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole, Roasted Vegetable Frittata, Sausage Links, Skillet Potatoes, Grits, Baked Apples, and Dessert.
A $5 donation is requested to cover food costs with additional going to the Building Fund. If you cannot make a donation, please join us for dinner, all are welcome.
7 PM - Bible Study - Romans 11:28-36 | Sanctuary
Romans 11 Study Notes
Nursery - 5th Grade | Lower Level
Middle and High School Youth | Lower Level
Romans with Paul Thomas
Girls (8th grade & up) - “Lies Young Women Believe” with Sarah Thomas
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This Sunday – December 21 | 11 AM
The Unexpected Christmas Series
Message: Week 4— The Unadorned Christmas
Text: Luke 2:8–20
This week in the Unexpected Christmas Series, we’ll look at the shepherds, the first people God invited to see the newborn King. Forgotten by society and pushed to the margins these men were chosen on purpose. God revealed the birth of Jesus not the powerful or the polished, but to those who knew their need. Through the shepherds, we are reminded that Christmas is good news for all people and that Jesus came humble, and approachable and for those who need Him the most. Come and be reminded that Christ did not come adorned in glory, but wrapped in humility, inviting all to come and see.
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Women of the Word Bible Study- Tuesdays | 9:45-11:30 AM
at Sharon Holbert’s Home Questions? Contact Sharon 502-235-6687
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Salt and Light Academy Christmas Program - Friday, December 19 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
The church is invited to join Salt and Light Academy for their annual Christmas program with performances by the students.
Let’s support our SLA students and enjoy this delightful evening celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, when God came to earth to dwell among us.
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Christmas Eve at Salt & Light - December 24 | 5 PM
Join us for a special Christmas Eve candlelight service as we come together as a church family to remember and rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This will be a simple and meaningful night of worship, Scripture, and reflection. We will gather in worship in the round, sing beloved Christmas songs, and read the Christmas story from God’s Word woven throughout our time together. Pastor Justin will share a message as we reflect on the hope of Christ, and we will close the evening with a candlelight moment as we sing Silent Night together.
This service is designed for the whole family to experience together. There will be no dinner, nursery, children’s ministry, or youth ministry this evening.
We invite you and your family to come and celebrate the light of Christ with us on Christmas Eve.
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New Year’s Eve - Wednesday December 31
There will be no dinner, service, or groups. All resume Wednesday, January 7.
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Salt & Light Cookbook
As you prepare food for the holidays, please submit your favorite recipes for the cookbook being compiled. We have 45 recipes and need yours! We would love to have at least one recipe from each family!
When completed, the cookbooks will be sold with the proceeds going to the church building fund.
Please email your favorite recipe(s) and a favorite scripture for each recipe - along with a photo of the completed dish, if possible - by December 31 to Ashley Mazzoni at Ash.82Mazzoni@gmail.com
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Prayer Meeting - Friday, January 9th at 6:30 PM
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Love Languages Date Night with Dr. Gary Chapman - Friday, January 16 | 7 - 9 PM
at Salt & Light Church
Free Event - Register here
Discover how to better understand, communicate and express love.
Learn practical tools to strengthen your relationship.
Reconnect with your spouse and enjoy a meaningful evening together.
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Youth Camp - June 12–16, 2026
5 days of fun and fellowship—lake swimming, staying up late, eating too many snow cones, and most importantly, growing in God’s Word.
Students 12 years old (by June 12 and have completed 6th grade) through high school may attend.
A $5 registration fee is required to hold your spot.
Total cost is $400 per student - $75 is due February 16th and the remaining balance of $325 is due May 18th. All camp payments are non-refundable.
Register Here
If the cost of camp is a hindrance to your student’s attendance, please see Paul Thomas or email Youth@SaltandLightKy.org
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Young Adults | Next Chapter (Ages 18-31)
For anyone around 18–31 who wants to stay connected, build friendships, and grow in faith together.
Signal Group - to request to join and stay in the loop or with questions - text Joshua Rieth 502-230-6629 or Kaiden Perrodin 502-663-3681
Bible Study - Sundays | 10:05 - 10:45 AM - Meets near the Library
Currently studying Colossians
Questions? Email Cheri Grinnell - Cheri@SaltandLightKY.org
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Lee Corps - Tuesdays | 7 - 9 PM Upper Lobby
Lee Corps provides a youth led, adult facilitated, Christian cadet program to foster leadership and a love for Christ in our community’s youth, ages 12-18. They excel in leadership and military skills preparation with a Christian worldview to serve their country and communities through training in tactics and field training, Christian apologetics, marksmanship, physical conditioning, and much more.
Lee Corps is not associated with or a ministry of Salt & Light Church but uses our facilities for their weekly training and welcomes interested young people to attend. No registration required.
Younger youth are welcome if they can sit through and be engaged in the presentations.
For more information LeeCorps.org or contact LtCol (Ret) Michael Muller (270) 300-1571 _________________________________________________________
Serving Opportunities & Needs
Building Fund - $179,694 of the $200,000 due 12/31 has been given.
Thank you for prayerfully considering giving an offering toward the property purchase.
Please memo your offerings “Building Fund”.
In 2021, when Salt & Light outgrew our former location, God provided the beautiful 71 acre property with a former horse auction facility and barn where we now gather as a church family.
We entered a lease to own agreement with a payment due December 31 of each year until the purchase is complete. Monthly rent and all improvements and repairs the church invests in the property is also credited toward the purchase.
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Security Team - Volunteers are needed to serve on the Salt & Light Security Team.
Please text Mike Muller 270-300-1571
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Salt and Light Academy’s Christmas Giving Tree - Select an ornament from the tree - located inside the main entrance - to commit to recurring monthly giving.
Each hand color signifies a giving level commitment:
$50 - Blue or Pink
$100 - Orange
$200 - Purple
$500 - Green
$1000 - Red
One-Time Gift of any Amount - Yellow
Any local donor making their first gift by December 31st and committing to recurrent monthly giving of $50 or more may fill out an order form to receive their choice of a “Raising Saints & Patriots” short or long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie.
To make the first donation, please set up recurring giving here and select “Monthly”.
To order your shirt, please complete the form here.
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Food Pantry
Bible Donations - The Food Pantry gives a Bible to many of our visitors. Children’s Bibles are especially popular.
We are not requesting purchasing Bibles. If you have gently used Bibles that you no longer use or that your children have aged out of, it would be a blessing if you could donate them for us to share.
To restock the pantry shelves, the following items are needed:
Pasta & pasta sauce
Jelly
Frozen chicken
Frozen pizza
Frozen lasagna
Hamburger helper
Chef Boyardee
Spam
Pancake mix
Syrup
Milk - Half Gallon
Eggs
Butter
Please place food and Bibles in bags labeled “Food Pantry” on the hospitality counter near the Coffee Bar. Please ask the Coffee Bar Volunteers to place perishable items in the refrigerator.
Thank you for donating and praying for this ministry!
If you are in need of food or know someone in need, please text Courtney Day 502-648-5447 for a private appointment to shop in the pantry.
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Children’s Ministry
Teachers for 4-6 year old class - 11a Sundays
Music with the Children - if you are musically gifted, we would love for you to teach and sing Bible songs with the children twice each month or as you have time to share.
Substitute and Rotational Teachers are needed to fill in for 1 class or multiple weeks when regular teachers are unavailable or to give them a break for a month or so.
Special Needs - Volunteers are needed to serve as one-on-one buddies in class with children with special needs.
For More Details - text Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
Greet and Check-In children and their families to the nursery and their classes when they arrive on Sunday morning and/or Wednesday evening. Text Debbie Duvall 502-321-8798
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Salt & Light Academy
Classroom Build Supplies Needed - new classrooms have recently been constructed and a few items are needed to complete the project. If you have any of these items you could donate, know a donor, or would like to give money to purchase supplies, please see the listing of needed items here.
Questions contact Kurt Shelton 502-387-0960
Lunch & Recess Volunteers - Interact with and help the children to give the teachers a planning period. A background check is required. Email Michelle Elliott michelle.elliott@saltandlightacademy.com
Please continue to pray, promote, and support Salt and Light Academy. Your ongoing giving keeps the school fully funded and tuition-free, and every gift matters.
One-time or auto pay weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donations may be made or set up online Here
Donations of needed supplies for classes and the office are greatly appreciated. You can view and give through our Amazon Wish List
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Wednesday Dinner
Volunteers are needed to assist with food prep at Katie’s house in Shelbyville on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.
We don't need a weekly commitment, anything you can do to lend a hand will be greatly appreciated!
Contact Katie Anasis by call or text 937-441-4225. Thanks so much!
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Salt & Light Library
Open Sundays 8:30 - 11 AM and 15 min after service
Wednesdays 5 - 7 PM and 15 min after service
Volunteers Needed - Text Sharon Holbert 502-235-6687
Book Donations appreciated — view our wishlist:
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Family Communication Board
We have a bulletin board in the Upper Lobby inside the main entrance, on the wall above the giving box across from the Connection Point area, for you to post needs you would be blessed to receive and shares you would like to give.
Freely Receive - If you have a need - a service or item or a friend to do something with - please post it on the side of the board labeled “Freely Receive”.
Freely Give – when you have something to give - a lawn mower that still works, furniture you aren't using, a willingness to serve by sharing a skill or some spare time - please post on the side of the board labeled “Freely Given”.
Note papers are in the basket to write your give and receive notes to post on the board.
This is not a buy, sell, or trade board, but a family sharing board.
The only money that should be exchanged would be a paycheck if you are offering to hire someone.
Check our family sharing board often, there may be a message that will be a blessing for you!!
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Care Ministry
If you are in need of care (hospital, long-term facility, homebound), please contact Salt & Light at 502-265-6828
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Stay Connected – Join Our Facebook Groups
Stay encouraged and connected!
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Have an Announcement of an Event or Volunteer Need?
Please email new submissions by Monday each week to Marie Long at Long12686@gmail.com
Thanks for helping us keep everything clear and timely!