The 11 PM service on Christmas Eve has a particular magic to it. There is a natural camaraderie as we all breathe a collective sigh that wordlessly utters, "We made it." We have made through the Thanksgiving dishes, Black Friday (and now Cyber Monday), four Sundays of Advent, and the bumpy joy of preparations which seem to echo the anticipation of a young couple awaiting the arrival of their first child.
I want to extent a special invitation to attend our 11 PM service and join together with a smile and a collective sigh, saying, "We made it." At our 11 PM service we will sing, pray, and share Communion. And while the Christian Liturgical Year begins with Advent, there is a sense for those who attend that celebrating communion and the ringing of the twelve bells at midnight mark the threshold of one year to the next more significantly than either the beginning of Advent or New Years Eve.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend, including receiving Communion (which is served with unfermented grape juice).
For our earlier-birds, we call our 5:35p service "A Family Celebration" to reflect the less formal and child-friendly tone. Whether you have children with you or not, at least one smile is guaranteed, and there will be carol singing, special music, and a brief reflection.
Each of our services closes by circling the sanctuary and singing "Silent Night" with candles in hand.
Warm Christmas Blessings,
Sean
I want to extent a special invitation to attend our 11 PM service and join together with a smile and a collective sigh, saying, "We made it." At our 11 PM service we will sing, pray, and share Communion. And while the Christian Liturgical Year begins with Advent, there is a sense for those who attend that celebrating communion and the ringing of the twelve bells at midnight mark the threshold of one year to the next more significantly than either the beginning of Advent or New Years Eve.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend, including receiving Communion (which is served with unfermented grape juice).
For our earlier-birds, we call our 5:35p service "A Family Celebration" to reflect the less formal and child-friendly tone. Whether you have children with you or not, at least one smile is guaranteed, and there will be carol singing, special music, and a brief reflection.
Each of our services closes by circling the sanctuary and singing "Silent Night" with candles in hand.
Warm Christmas Blessings,
Sean