By the time you read this, there will only be 9 days left until Christmas. That is, if you're reading this on Tuesday, December 16. If you're reading later than that, you'll have even fewer days to go. Are you ready for the big day? Have you done all of your Christmas shopping? Well, before we get bogged down by the busyness of this time of year, let me remind you that the countdown is on for our two biggest celebrations of the season at McMurry Church: the Children's Christmas program and our Christmas Eve service.
This is the second year since I started pastoring at McMurry that we're having a special program featuring our children on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Last year, we had "A Christmas Musical Variety Show." That program was the brainchild of Lillian Gaither, who wanted to bring back a Children's Christmas program like McMurry had had in previous years. The program turned out to be a real blessing. Laureli, Zac, Kaleb, Rylie, and Owynne did a great job. The adults enjoyed it and were glad to see our young folks up front in church.
Be sure to join us at 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 21, for this year's program, titled "Noel." The children of our church, assisted by the Praise Team and Choir, will sing songs and do readings to tell the Christmas story. We will also have special music. Instead of a sermon, I will tell the story of "The Friendly Beasts" accompanied by my 5-string banjo. The kids have worked hard on this program, so let's all pack out the house on Sunday and show them our support.
Our Christmas Eve service will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24. The service is patterned after the "Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols," an annual observance that goes back to 1880 at King's College of Cambridge University in England. Lessons and Carols uses Scripture readings, Christmas carols, and other special music to tell the Christmas story. Our service will include lighting the Advent and Christ candles, along with Holy Communion, which is open to all people who seek to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ. (It doesn't matter about church membership or denomination. All are welcome to receive Communion.) There will also be a time when people are invited to "Walk to the Manger" and present their special Christmas offering. We will end the service with the singing of "Silent Night" and the passing of the candlelight throughout the sanctuary, which beautifully symbolizes spreading the Light of Christ throughout the world, from one person to another.
You won't want to miss either of these special services. Be sure to invite your family and friends. For your family and friends who live out of town, tell them they can worship with us online via Facebook at www.facebook.com/McMurryUnitedMethodistChurch. And if you miss either service live, you can always watch it after the fact. Live videos are posted on Facebook for 30 days. All are welcome at McMurry, whether in person or online. See you in church!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Clayton