With Christmas actually getting here next week, there's a lot going on on The Circuit. In case you've been wondering about these upcoming events, here's a little more information...
Monday, December 21st: Even as the holiday season gears up into full swing, we know that there are places in our lives that are still difficult to deal with, parts of us that can't quite feel any holiday cheer. Many of us grieve over loved ones we've lost recently, or even not so recently; we've faced difficulties with jobs and money; we have experienced loss in relationships and other life transitions. So, we are taking some time on December 21st, the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, to acknowledge those broken and dark places in our lives, even as we wait for the light of Christ to shine in our darkness once again this year. This service, at 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Church, will be a service of remembrance and healing. We will have time to meditate and pray, as well as time to receive anointing, for those who wish it. I will share a few words of hope, a reminder of God's light even in our darkness. I hope you'll join us for this quiet time of worship and prayer.
Tuesday, December 22nd: All three of our church buildings have been churches for well over a hundred years, and we like to celebrate and reminisce about our heritage, from time to time. So, we will have our 9th annual Old Fashioned Christmas program at French Broad Church at 6:00 p.m. next Tuesday. We will have a few homemade treats available at the start of the program, and our friend Don Cassell will bring us some special music, along with some of his friends and our own Richard Baumgartner. We are excited for this holiday celebration, just like Christmas may have been celebrated in this church over one hundred years ago, and we hope you'll come along for the festivities!
Thursday, December 24th: Maybe it's only because I'm new to the ministry, but I thought it would be exciting for us to celebrate the coming of Christ in all three of our church buildings, on Christmas Eve! We will have a service of Lessons and Carols at Huckleberry Springs Administrative Center and Chapel at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, with refreshments following in the Fellowship Hall. The services at 5:00 p.m. at Bethel and 7:00 p.m. at French Broad will also feature Lessons and Carols, but will have a celebration of Holy Communion, as well. Please come celebrate the birth of Christ and the beginning of the Christmas season with us on Christmas Eve!
Thursday, December 31st: As we look forward to 2010, it's important to take time to give thanks for the ways God has worked in our lives in 2009. We will gather at each church on New Year's Eve for a time of thanksgiving and a time of prayer for the year ahead. Each service will be followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments, but we will conclude in time for people to get on with whatever plans they may have for the evening, whether that be partying, watching football, or just getting to bed. You can join us for these services at 6:00 p.m. at French Broad and at 8:00 p.m. at Bethel.
Of course, we'll have our usual Sunday schedule during this busy season, too. We'd be glad to see you at French Broad at 9:00 a.m. for Sunday School and 10:00 a.m. for worship, or at Bethel at 10:00 a.m. for Sunday School and 11:15 a.m. for worship. Wherever you worship during this season, though, may you have a blessed and peaceful Christmas, as you welcome the newborn King and seek after what it means to be his disciple.
Peace,
Pastor Betzy
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