Weekly UPdate

Welcome to Palmetto Life’s weekly update! Click the Live On, Live In, Live Out drop downs to see what’s happening at PLC.

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” - Psalm 30:11 (NLT)

What is your most memorable Christmas memory?

When we reflect on Christmas, we often remember a toy, a favorite food, or a funny incident that makes us laugh. I have stories about all three, but the one that truly comes to mind involves God's grace in a moment of deep heartache.

2012 was a monumental year. Emily and I had just gotten engaged four days before Christmas, so you would expect it to be a year of celebration! And we did celebrate, but we were also navigating great change and loss. Earlier that April, my grandfather—whom I was extremely close with—passed away somewhat unexpectedly. His passing changed everything. Christmas was never going to be the same.

A year before, while serving as a missionary in China, my brother-in-law had befriended Xi Li, a young woman from China, who was coming to USC to study. She became a part of our family, and 2012 was her first Christmas in America. We were not prepared for how God would use her to bring us joy.

On Christmas morning, my grandmother quoted the Christmas story from Luke 2, just as she did every year, and then we prayed before opening gifts. Nobody mentioned my grandfather, and we did well... until we prayed. At that moment, we all started to cry. Crying soon became laughter as we realized how uncomfortable Xi Li must have felt witnessing this sudden emotional release!

God brought her as a comfort and joy to our family right in the middle of our hurt.

This Christmas might be one of those difficult years for you, too, but the joy of the season is that we can celebrate no matter the circumstance because the Savior of the world has come. He promises to replace our sorrow with joy.

Let God bring you joy this Christmas and let him turn your mourning into laughter. 

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” - Psalm 30:11 (NLT)

— Pastor Matthew Phillips

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This WEEK

Sunday, December 14: Advent

Advent starts November 30 and ends with a special Christmas service on Sunday, December 21. Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

What’s Happening in November & December

Click the Live On I Live In I Live Out tabs to see what is happening in November and December and to see how you can bring life.

  • We are dependent on God’s Word and want to help you grow in your understanding of it as well. Here are ways you can do that this month at Palmetto Life:

    1. Watch Sundays Sermon HERE

    2. Click Here to start the Bible: Explained 7-day devotion

    3. Register Here for our Midweek Life Class. Midweek starts back January 21, 2026.

    Advent 2025: November 30-December 21

    Advent starts November 30 and ends with a special Christmas service on Sunday, December 21. Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

    Christmas Worship Service: December 21 / 10:30am

    Invite your friends and family for a special day of Christmas music by the PLC Band and our children from Kids Life. This will be a great way to start off the week of Christmas.

  • We are a connected family. Our goal is to connect everyone into Palmetto Life Church. We believe God has created us for community. He is our father and we are his children. This makes us a family. We aim to connect you into this family by helping you find a place to serve and a place to grow.

    The Midweek Life Class is a great place to start. There you will meet people and learn more about God’s Word with other people striving for the same thing.

    Register Here for the Midweek Life Class. Midweek is on a break for the holidays and will start back on January 21, 2026.

    Kids Life: December 7

    Kids Life Parents, watch for an email from Lexi about a family day at the Statue Museum after worship on Sunday, December 7. If you aren’t getting emails, please contact us at info@palmettolifechurch.com to be added.

  • We want to make an eternal difference. Palmetto Life not only wants you to find life, but to bring life. We believe God has given you the tools necessary to make a difference in your community and has specifically called this church to do so in the Elmwood Park, Cottontown and Earlewood neighborhoods.

    1. December 13 - Cookie Crawl and Community Christmas Tree Lighting - more information coming on Sunday

    2. December 16 - Logan Elementary Winter Showcase at Palmetto Life Church - PLC is hosting the Logan Elementary Winter Showcase and we need volunteers to greet and oversee a hot chocolate bar. This is an opportunity to meet families and children from Logan Elementary as they gather to fill the sanctuary for their annual performance.

    CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

Coming 2026

Invite a friend to start off the new year with you at Palmetto Life Church!

  • Signing the Rocks

  • Launch Sunday

  • Worship

  • First Impressions Prayer Time

  • Welcome