Hello
Emmanuel,
‘Tis
the season for new beginnings…
First,
the obvious: Jesus’ birth is a new
beginning. It is the beginning of a
different way to approach God. Or, from
a different perspective, it is a different way for God to approach you. It would no longer include a bloody bull on
an altar somewhere. Now there would be a
way for you to commune with your God with less fear and with more grace.
Second,
the not-so-obvious: many people will be
attending Christmas Eve services. Some
of these people will be those who you could see on any given week, actively
involved in the ministries of Emmanuel.
A few will be those who are active in other churches, but are attending
with family for that particular night.
And then there will be the occasional visitor who is looking for a spark—someone
who is looking for a new beginning for themselves. Maybe they have become bored with life. Or maybe they have had a rough year. Or maybe they are looking for deeper meaning
or more fulfillment or… well… there are lots of reasons to want a new
beginning.
Christmas
Eve is a perfect time for Emmanuel to provide that spark. It is no accident that, statistically,
churches typically get more visitors in January than any other month of the
year. Often times, it is a result of
those people who went to a Christmas Eve service, a spark was created and more
interest created to come back to a Sunday service. Let’s allow God to create that spark.
December
21st at 7:00 will be our Blue Christmas service. It is designed for those who may have had a
very difficult year; for those who feel sad this season; or for those who don’t
want to be merry right now. Some of them
may be looking for a spark.
December
24th at 7:00 will be our Kid-Friendly Christmas service. It is designed to engage the kids as the
Christmas story is told again. I never
really know how it might go. Kids are
unpredictable. On the other hand,
sometimes it is the innocent child that participates in the Christmas story
that creates more sparks than anyone.
December
25th at 10:00 will be our traditional Christmas service. It is the service that many of you grew up
with, that will include the nostalgia and memories of family with an atmosphere
of peace and hope.
On
an additional note, Emmanuel has the opportunity to send James Pollitt, one of
Emmanuel’s members, to Columbia as part of our District’s Mission Team’s trip
in February. We will share the tragedy
that has happened to one particular village and then the new beginning that is
being sent to that particular village. The
special offerings for Christmas Eve will be used to continue that hope.
Let’s
move through the season with the intent to create sparks. It is a special time for God to work in
people. Let Him use us. Let Him use you.
God
is Good,
Pastor
Joe
No comments:
Post a Comment