Let’s all join together this Sunday from 5pm-7pm, to celebrate the Giesman’s 10 year anniversary with us. There will be cake and drinks. We ask that everyone bring an appetizer and a card of appreciation. Let’s make this a special time as we show Matt and Liz how much we love and appreciate them!

Pastoral Staff Absence: Pastor Josh will be away November 1-6 for bereavement leave and his father in law's funeral. He will also be gone November 7-10 filling a pulpit and officiating a wedding out of town. If you need anything, please reach out to Pastor Matt, the Session, or the church office.

Attendance: We have a really good problem - we are running out of room at the 8:30 service, and we could use your help! If you have the flexibility to attend the 11:00 service, please do so. This small change would leave room at our 8:30 service for visitors and newcomers to feel welcomed.

Nominations for Church Officers: The session is accepting nominations for church officers through Sunday, December 14. Click HERE to read more about the qualifications which are also mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1:5-9. 

Swordfighters and the Coffee Ministry presents the....Advent Chili Cookoff!
Sunday, November 16, 5pm-8pm
Dinner, fellowship, singing, and inspiration to daily remember and celebrate the preciousness of Christ's birth! Register HERE to bring your chili for scrupulous taste-testing with esteemed judges -and/or- Sides, dessert, chips, etc. Questions? Reach out to Lisa Brandt at lisabrandtcolorado@gmail.com.

Save the Date! We are partnering with the El Paso County Department of Human Services and their Christmas for Kids project again this Christmas season—November 9th through December 7th.

Advent Readers Needed! It’s a tradition here at Forestgate, that we share the advent season with those who attend Forestgate. If you're interested in reading scripture and lighting the Advent candle at the beginning of the service during Advent, anyone is welcome to sign up HERE.

Swap Party: Women of Forestgate, come to our first swap party! Happening Saturday, November 8, 9am-11am in the double classroom. The purpose of a swap party is to give, receive, donate, and enjoy some fellowship. Come and go as you please! Swap items: books (children’s, adult, fiction or non-fiction), puzzles, craft supplies (yarn, fabric, paper, beads, etc.) Bring any amount of items and take home any amount of items. Anything not claimed will be taken to a Life Network thrift shop. Bring a snack to share if you would like! Coffee will be provided. Questions? Contact Connie Harrington Connie.h.harrington@gmail.com.

Operation Christmas Child: There are two weeks left to get your Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts here to Forestgate! (Due November 16) FMI see samaritanspurse.org or contact Melissa Klute:  melissa@klute.org. Do a shoebox, bless a child, spread the Gospel!

Reclaiming Hope Stocking Stuffer Drive: Reclaiming Hope is an FPC ministry partner that supports survivors of human trafficking mainly by providing law enforcement backpacks for survivors at point of recovery along with counseling and mentoring support. Reclaiming Hope is accepting donations for stocking stuffers. Please see tri-fold board in lobby for suggested stocking stuffers! Items can be dropped off in the church office until Sunday, November 2. 

Ladies Christmas Tea: Save the Date! Saturday, December 6, 9:30am-12pm
Potluck Sign Up: Click HERE
Table Decorator/Hostess/Cleaning Team Sign Up: ClickHERE

Men’s Friday Morning Bible Study: We are currently studying the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul's letter of encouragement and instruction to the church at Philippi. As a fellowship of men in need of His daily grace, we go slowly through His Word, seeking to understand what the Lord is saying and how it applies to our everyday lives. "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine." (John 8:31)

Adult Sunday School Class on Romans: Many things in Scripture are black and white, but some things are what we call the "gray areas." How should we handle those? We will discuss this topic this morning as we look at Romans 14. Next week we will study Romans 15:1-13.

We are having another Christmas Choir this year! Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30pm. Sign up HERE. Questions? See Music Director Anna Saks anna.saks@forestgate.org.

Sep 23 - Nov 18: We meet in the double classroom at 9am. for fellowship & the study begins at 9:30am. We will be studying “No Empty Word: Relentless Pursuit, a Study on Hosea” by Paula Miles. For more info or to register, please contact Pat at TuesdayAM@forestgate.org. Books are $15 & will be available in September. Childcare is provided; please let us know when you RSVP that you’ll need it & for how many children. We look forward to seeing you there!

Forestgate is partnering with Village Seven Presbyterian Church to offer DivorceCare support groups for people seeking faith-based guidance on a recovery path after separation or divorce. The philosophy of ministry is for caring people to come alongside, to help people find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. This 13-week, video-based program will provide helpful counsel to manage the emotional turmoil and provide practical tools for decision-making. Groups meet Sunday evenings 5:30-7:30, starting September 7 at Village Seven. Register HERE. The same course will be offered at Forestgate starting in January. Contact Bruce or Connie Harrington for more information harrington.bruce@gmail.com.

Surviving the Holidays — Grief is just harder, more challenging around the holidays. Like a trusted guide, a 2-hour Surviving the Holidays event will prepare you to navigate the season’s changes. Learn how to deal with those challenges with practical ideas and helpful strategies for coping and gain insight into what to expect and how to go on. Join us Saturday November 1, 2025 at 1pm (click HERE to register) or Thursday December 4, 2025 at 6:30pm (click HERE to register). Questions? See Kelly Odell, Joan Funke Bruce Beyerly or email GriefShare@forestgate.org.

Wednesday Evening Men's Bible Study meets at 6:45 in the church library. Join us as we unpack the theological richness and warmth of the Heidelberg Catechism, using a Kevin DeYoung book as a guide. First published in 1563, the Heidelberg remains timeless for its clarity and heart-focus. Points of contact for any questions are Matt Giesman, Doug Lee, or Stephen Sprague.

Wednesday Evening Women’s Bible Study: Studying None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us by Jen Wilkin. Books $7. We meet in the double classroom from 6:30-8:30pm. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Stephanie at Wednesdayeve@forestgate.