Dear Friends,
I remember the great depression that came over me last year when I realized how different Advent and Christmas would be under COVID guidelines. Thinking about everything that we would not be able to do was overwhelming to say the least. I wanted our traditional activities and gatherings that fill me with the Christmas spirit.
This year we still have restrictions, but there is great joy in my heart about what we can do. We are back holding in person worship together, socially distanced and masked, but still together. We will be able to have a Christmas Eve service in our sanctuary (7:00pm on Friday, December 24), which will potentially bring tears to my usually dry eyes after a year of online Christmas Eve. Our Christmas pageant will not be the full musical that we have had in the past, but we will still have a live pageant (December 12) to fill our hearts with the message of Christmas.
In addition, if yoU are longing for more time together that is safe and enjoyable, we will be offering something NEW this December – Sunday Fundays! Each Sunday in December we will have a gathering option in front of the church or in the park (weather dependent).
December 5 – Christmas Cornhole Tournament (play or cheer)
December 12 – Christmas Lunch and Party
December 19 – Gingerbread House Decorating for All Ages
December 26 – Carols and Cocoa in the Park
Some of these activities may seem silly or childlike but experiencing Christmas can be a fun and interactive experience that leads to joy. So, come have fun, remembering the goodness of God’s Spirit that moves in new and different ways when we are open to it.
I cannot wait for Advent Worship, Advent Bible Study, Communion, Sunday Fundays, Sunday School, Christmas Pageant and Christmas Eve Worship. This will be a wonderful and blessed December with the true message of Christmas at the heart of it.
Blessings, Pastor Stacy