Christmas Planning at Grace

Last night a handful of Grace folk began decorating our Celebration Center at the church-- thank you! It looks beautiful, and should provide an uplifting, Christmas-y feeling to your Sunday this week. Those decorations combined with the cold front we're experiencing now show me Christmas is near. So here are a few notes on upcoming Christmas opportunities at Grace-- mark your calendars!

This Sunday December 11-- the choir will offer several Christmas anthems, we'll sing several hymns, and we'll have a Hanging of the Greens liturgy. Both services this weekend will be identical.

December 24-- The schedule is different this year; and it's on a Saturday, which is kind of complicated.
4:00: A special service for children and families. This will be an informal time where the kids will lead worship through bells and chimes, singing, and scripture reading. We'll sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and enjoy birthday cake after worship.
7:00 and 11:00: These services will be identical, except for music. Both will feature candlelight and communion. The choir will sing at the earlier service so it will have a more traditional feel; the Hartmans will lead worship at 11:00 so it'll have a more contemporary feel.

December 25 and January 1 are both on Sundays, so there will be one service only both days-- 11:00. If you are used to worshiping at 8:30 please do not take these two Sundays off. These will be unique experiences.

Christmas Day will be "PJs and Pastries." Children and adults alike are encouraged to wear pajamas to worship-- no kidding-- and we'll have donuts before worship. Kids, bring one favorite toy you received as a gift and we will have a blessing of toys.
New Year's Day will be a Wesleyan Covenant Renewal service-- we'll begin the year by renewing our relationship with God. We'll also start a new sermon series on Grace UMC's Core Values.

But the fun doesn't end there. Sunday January 8, 2:00-5:00, everyone is invited to the Parsonage (1612 Lamberth Circle) for the annual Drenner Epiphany Party. We'll provide the homemade desserts and coffee; you bring the fellowship. This is our family's way of saying thank you to Grace for having us as your parsonage family.

Thank you for the privilege of serving such a wonderful congregation. I look forward to a wonderful Christmas season with you!