December 14, 2023
Dear Central Church,
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Perhaps there are certain foods your family always eats, places that you like to visit, or Christmas movies that you have to watch before Christmas.
I appreciate the rhythms of this season and the things Lauren and I have done to help create meaning for our family. Most of our favorite Christmas traditions revolve around church, which probably doesn’t surprise you. We pause each week to light Advent candles in our home, and we always look forward to the Christmas Eve candlelight service.
I hope you’ll make Christmas Eve at Central a part of your family’s Christmas tradition. As you know, it’s on a Sunday this year, which means we’re shifting some things around. Here’s what the schedule looks like:
10:30am - 4th Sunday of Advent Morning Worship (No Life Groups or early service)
4:00pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Option #1
5:00pm - Christmas Treats Fellowship
6:00pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Option #2
We wanted to give your family as many options as possible to fully experience the joy of this day. Just so you know, the morning service will be different from the evening. Many families will attend in the morning and choose one of the evening services, but we want you to engage in whatever way is best for you.
Here are 2 things you can do to help us prepare:
Invite your friends and family to Christmas Eve at Central. Here’s a video you can share on Facebook, which is a super easy way to introduce people to our church.
We need help moving some chairs to set up for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service. If you can stay after the morning service and help arrange chairs, it would help out tremendously. Please let Pastor Raymond Moore know via email if you’re able to help. Lunch will be provided.
Finally, as we near the end of the year, please remember the eternal impact your generosity can have at Central Church. God uses your gifts to transform lives and advance our mission of making Christ-like disciples. The church office will be closed from Dec. 22 - Jan. 1, but any gift post-marked or received online before Dec. 31 will be recorded on your 2023 giving statement. You can give online anytime by accessing our secure giving portal by clicking here.
May God continue to bless you, and I look forward to making many Christmas memories with you in worship at Central Church.
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark
PS. During Advent, I’m doing a weekly segment on the Growing People Podcast that explores the stories and scriptures of this season. Check out this episode where our host, Jared Lane, and I discuss 2 Peter 3:8-9 and unpack how waiting on God is not without purpose.