Thoughts on Christmas
I am anticipating a great Christmas season with one of the best parts sharing it with my church family. We have just begun the Advent season with an important emphasis, The Gift of Christmas! When we think of Christmas, we most often think of Jesus’ birth as a gift of God, as well as the season being one of giving. But there is an undercurrent to what the Nativity really means that is often missed, this place where we can meet God in a vital and life-changing way. This is where we will focus all the way through Christmas. My hope is that we will walk through this season together learning better how to center our lives around The Gift of Christmas. There are many services you can attend. We have all our usual special services on Sunday morning, but don’t forget our Saturday 6:00 p.m. worship time or our new Sunday worship time at 5:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery worship is on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. You can also worship online at www.firstmethodistmansfield.tv, live streaming or later in our archives.
Some opportunities I would like to lift up:
- In each weekend worship opportunity, we will celebrate The Gift of Christmas!
- On Sunday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m., we will have our annual Remembrance Service. If you have lost a loved one, this is a time to remember with others, not only our shared loss but the hope we have in Christ.
- Join us on Sunday, December 11, at 3:00 or 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary for First Family Christmas, an inspiring and amazing musical presentation. It is a great time to bring the family together to focus on Christmas as we move from the secular to the sacred. Our First Family Christmas will certainly be a high point of our season.
We’ve also set our Christmas worship schedule:
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Friday, December 23
- 6:30 p.m. — Contemporary with a living Nativity in which all children are invited to participate.
- 8:00 p.m. — Traditional with choir and orchestra
Saturday, December 24
- 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. — Contemporary with a living Nativity in which all children are invited to participate.
- 8:00 p.m. — Traditional with choir and orchestra (This will also be streamed live.)
- 10:00 p.m. — Traditional with handbells
- 11:30 p.m. — This service is 30 minutes and includes carols, candlelight and communion.
Christmas Sunday, December 25
We will celebrate with three Sunday morning services, 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, as well as Sunday night at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel (9:30 and 11:00 a.m. will also be streamed live).
“For today in the city of David there has been for you, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
May I be one of the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Category: Weekly Thoughts
