Refining Faith
by Katie DellaCroce
Betrayal. I have walked through it more times than I ever thought I  would with relationships in business, friends, church, and family. Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). With each experience of tested trust, my first response is never, “Yes! I’m excited to see what God grows because of this!” But growth is what happens every time.
When there is a Judas in life it stings to learn the inner circle is not as it seems. There is the pain of what was done and the pain of the damaged or lost relationship. With each encounter, there is also an invitation to turn from bitterness toward forgiveness and expand faith with the Lord.
This summer my daughter attended camp and soon after she arrived home, she saw concern and sadness across my face as I was processing an issue and how I should handle what was troubling me. She approached in such a tender way and quoted Scripture that was chosen as her camp verse. It was no coincidence. She memorized it and said it was important to remember that when hard things come and we don’t understand why, we can still rest our minds by trusting the Lord. She said sometimes we want the Lord to take things away, but in our weakness is when His power is magnified (2 Cor. 12:8-9). She also said when we are struggling and can’t seem to do anything about it, pray and trust that the Lord is working for us. Tears fell as my focus moved away from the troubles in front of me to receive the fresh Word from the Lord through my daughter.
When things and people are removed from our lives, there is always a choice of behavior. I can choose to be stuck in the pain or to trust that the Lord is purposefully turning over the soil of my life to bring something new.
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Meet this month's contributor: Katie DellaCroce
 Katie is a mother of 3 and wife to John DellaCroce. She has led children’s ministry, women’s ministry and discipleship. She writes devotionals for her family in her free time. She can be found reading, dreaming up the next travel adventure or working in her backyard garden. Her favorite thing is freshly baked bread and a cup of coffee.
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 Women's small groups are starting soon in Fayetteville. Join us as we grow closer to God and connect with other women:
Encountering God by Kelly Minter
Tuesdays | Feb 1-Apr 26, 2022 | 9-11 AM | Fellowship Fayetteville | Discover approachable ways to practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, study, worship, and rest, providing peace as you walk closer with Jesus.
”End Times Prophecy” by Cathi Cody
Tuesdays | Jan 18- May 3, 2022 | 9-11 AM | Fellowship Fayetteville | Become familiar with prophecies in the Bible that deal with the times yet to come, from Genesis to Revelation. **Requires intensive reading and homework from the participant. **Limited to 48 participants.
Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland
Tuesdays | Feb 1 - Apr 26, 2022 | 6:30-8 PM | Fellowship Fayetteville | Take a thoughtful look at Jesus’ interactions with women in the Bible that will fuel your worship of the Living God.
Kid's Time is available during women's studies. For more information or to register CLICK HERE.
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 Each year Fellowship Fayetteville commits to provide Salvation Army bell ringers at our local Sam's Club near our campus on Hwy 112. Members of our church body will be filling the 9 one-hour spots for each Saturday through December 18, between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. Spots are still available! Grab your family, girlfriends, or women's small group, dress in your favorite fun holiday attire, and join in the fun while serving a great cause!
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Advent Resources
- Advent Daily Devotionals
Text #devo to 479-308-0410 or click here to subscribe to receive devotionals
- Family Advent Devotional Book
Available Sunday mornings or click here for a PDF version
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Are you looking for a way to work out your faith through service to others? Fellowship has multiple service opportunities that we'd love to talk to you about. Click HERE to fill out a Serve Form, share your areas of interest, and tell us a little bit about your giftings and experience. A staff member will follow up with you to go over available options for serving.
If you are specifically interested in serving through a Fayetteville Women's Ministry group, shoot us an email at fayettevillewomen@fellowshipnwa.org and we'll get you connected to one of our team leaders.
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(All Scripture references are from the New International Version unless otherwise indicated)
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