I love the Christmas season! It can be stressful and a little messy at times, but I still love it. The lights and decorations, the food and family gatherings, the gift giving and tree trimming all make this such a joyful time. Of course, this year we are experiencing everything through the lens of Covid. So I'm sure there will be aspects of our Christmas celebrations that are different this year. But my prayer is that we would still see and experience the beauty and joy of this season.
I think my favorite part of the season is Christmas Eve candlelight worship. There's something so warm and comforting, so peaceful and serene, about that moment when the Christ candle is lit and then the light is shared from candle to candle, person to person. There is beautiful symbolism in the way the darkness is expelled as the light of Christ is shared.
I've already had a few people ask what we will be doing at Rock Church for Christmas. Although it is difficult to know the future in these uncertain times, our plan at this point is to offer both in-person and online worship. Our intention is to offer a variety of times to make services available to as many people as possible with varied schedules. The schedule will include services at 3:00 p.m. (Plaistow), 4:00 p.m.(Sandown), 5:00 p.m.(Plaistow), and 6:00 p.m.(North Shore). These will all be higher precaution services. This means we will sanitize before every service, masks will be required throughout, seating will be limited and social distancing will be observed. Our goal is to create a beautiful and safe Christmas Eve experience for those who wish to join us in-person.
Additionally, we will offer a matching schedule of online services on Christmas Eve. So whether it is in person or online, there will be services at 3, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. We have already set up the sign up for the in-person services. Because we have to limit attendance to maintain spacing, I would encourage you to sign up for a service right away at this link. Also, if for any reason your plans change, please be sure to update your sign up so we don't end up turning people away unnecessarily.
I also want to say a word about our online giving tree. This year we particularly want to be able to bless families in need. But with Covid, it is a bit more challenging logistically. So we have set up an online giving tree at this link. I would invite you to check it out and share if you are able.
Covid or no Covid, I believe God has something special for us this Christmas. My prayer for us all is that we would fully experience the joy, hope and peace that Christ brings as we celebrate his birth together. I look forward to us all being together this weekend either in person or online for our advent service. Also, I want to remind us that this Sunday is a communion Sunday. For those of you worshiping online I would encourage you to have community elements ready so we can all share that together during the service.
Have a blessed week.
Pastor Steve