Twas the week before Christmas

Three services this week:

Blue Christmas/Longest Night
Wednesday evening, December 21, 7:00

Isaiah 7:1-16
Psalm 137:1-4
Isaiah 9:2-7

Message series: Christmas
Message: Dark indeed

Blue Christmas/Longest Night is a special service for people like me. I get a mild case of Seasonal Affect Distroder (SAD) because of the dearth of daylight. And, many years ago, my dad died in mid-December. This service is for people who have experienced a loss this year (or earlier), for people who are having trouble being merry at the moment.

This is a rather quiet, subdued service. We won’t even sing hymns (though we’ll listen to some slow, beautiful recorded music). We’ll pray. We’ll hear scripture. I’ll say a word. We’ll light candles.

- - -

Christmas Eve
Saturday evening, December 24, 7:00

Isaiah 9:2-7
Luke 2:1-20

Florida United Methodist Children's Home special offering
Message series: Christmas
Message: Light in the darkness

One of my favorite services; maybe yours too. We’ll light the final candle of the wreath as we read about God’s light breaking into the darkness. We’ll hear the familiar story from the Good News according to Luke. I’ll say a word. We’ll sing carols. We’ll light candles.

- - -

Christmas Day
Sunday morning, December 25, 11:00

Isaiah 52:7-10
John 1:1-14

Florida United Methodist Children's Home special offering
Message series: Christmas
Sunday’s message: The Word became flesh

Yes, Virginia, we will be here on Christmas Sunday morning. Come dressed casually if you like.

Children of all ages are encouraged to bring a favorite present for me to bless.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a present for Jesus, something that would make Jesus happy on his birthday. You can do that in one of two ways:

Write down a promise or vow to Jesus that you inend to keep, some change you intend to make. Put that in a sealed envelope with your name on the outside. You’ll get it back unopened. Or…

Bring an in-kind gift for ECHO, an item for the Homeless Coalition, or something of the kind. If it’s too big to drag down the aisle and put in the manger, bring a gift card and arrange for appropriate delivery of the gift itself. Here are some ideas:

ECHO:
http://www.echotally.org/how-can-i-help/

Big Bend Homeless Coalition:
http://www.bigbendhc.org/needs.htm

Refuge House:
http://www.refugehouse.com/support.html

Florida United Methodist Children's Home:
http://www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=5983

Habitat for Humanity:
http://www.habitally.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=100047

Heifer Project:
https://secure1.heifer.org/fund-a-project.html/?msource=kw3027&gclid=CNna8cS6j60CFSVjTAode1mXmQ