Dear Friends,
With Christmas nearly upon us I want to begin this week’s blog by simply saying to all of you “Merry Christmas!” Unfortunately, a number of years ago I gave up on trying to send Christmas cards (when my list broke 200 and I just couldn’t keep up anymore.) But I want you all to know how much I love you and truly wish for each of you a joy-filled Christmas. Christmas is a wonderful season for many. But as followers of Jesus Christ, this is more than lights, decorations and gifts. This is the celebration of our Savior’s birth. For us, this is a sacred and holy season. I pray that you will experience spiritual blessing in this season that moves your heart closer to Christ.
I do want to remind everyone about our Christmas Eve schedule. Because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, there will be both morning and evening services on that day. In the morning we will complete our Advent series on the Greatest Commandment with a message on what it means to truly love God with all our strength. The morning schedule will be 9:00 am services in Sandown and Plaistow (NOTICE THERE WILL BE NO 10:30 AM SERVICE IN PLAISTOW.) There will be a 10:30 a.m. service at our North Shore campus. Later in the day we will offer our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at the following times: 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Plaistow, 4:30 p.m. in Sandown and 5:00 p.m. at North Shore. I hope you will not only join us, but take this opportunity to invite a guest to this special Christmas Eve service.
I also want to remind you of a couple of other things that are coming up. On New Years Eve will will hold a Night of Worship at our Plaistow Campus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Then we will prepare to welcome the new year with a time of praise and worship beginning at 7:00 p.m. Following the night of worship, we invite everyone to stay for a time of fellowship. You are welcome to bring a dessert or snack to share. I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year than to be together as the people of God singing praises to our Lord! This Night of Worship is open to all campuses and our communities.
Finally, I want to lift up the Night To Shine. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered in God’s love, for people with special needs, age 14 and over. It will be held on Feb 9 at our Plaistow location. This is an amazing opportunity for us to show the love of Christ to a community of people who are greatly overlooked in our world. But it is a huge endeavor and we need everyone’s help. There will be two information nights. The first will be via zoom on Wednesday Dec. 27 at 7:00 pm. The other will be in person on Saturday Dec. 30 at 9:00 a.m. You can get more details at this link.
I hope to see many of you on Christmas Eve, but if I do not get the opportunity to speak with you in person, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers for a blessed and joy-filled Christmas!
Love you all,
Pastor Steve