The View from the Pulpit:

 

Dear Fellow “Family Members” of Resurrection,

ADVENT . . . a time of preparation

                                CHRISTMAS . . . a time of celebration

 

“Everybody  Needs  A  Place …”

As happens every year, you will see new faces at Resurrection’s Christmas services.  We call them “visitors” or “guests,” but in truth, they are not!  God is moving in their lives to bring them to His house, just like He did with you.  They are not here to visit – they are here to worship!  First time worshipers are looking for the same things in Church that you are.  They want help for lives that aren’t going well.  They are looking for a place that feels like home … paraphrasing the old TV show, “Cheers” … “Where somebody knows their name.”  And, they are looking for hope – HOPE in a world that seems hopeless.

We know the answer to the needs of help, home and hope.  That’s exactly why Jesus came, to open for each person a way back to God.  He wrote the invitations to the heavenly party, paid the price, and personally opened the door.  All we need do is respond in LOVE and FELLOWSHIP!  First time worshipers are doing just that, RESPONDING to the Spirit!

Now comes YOUR part.  When you see someone NEW at church this Advent and Christmas Season, greet them warmly!  Welcome them in the true spirit of Christmas!  Provide for them the help, the home and the hope for which they have come.  Learn their names.  Share a bulletin.  Lead them back to the nursery.  Invite them to come with you to a Bible Class (you do attend a Bible class, don’t you??).  Take them (and your children!) to the Sunday School Table (in the Church Office Lobby) and introduce them to our staff.  Pass the peace with them.  Invite them back.  Offer to meet them at the door when they return.  You may not only provide for them a Merry Christmas, but perhaps also a FANTASTIC FOREVER!  Wow!  What a gift!

+  CHRISTMAS  WORSHIP  AT  RESURRECTION  +

Sunday, December 24 is the 4th Sunday in Advent, and Resurrection will have only ONE SERVICE that morning, at 10:00 AM, led by the Songs of Praise Worship Team.  There will be NO Sunday School or Adult Classes that morning.

RESURRECTION  will offer two Christmas Eve Worship Services that evening, December 24:

6:00 PM – The “Christmas Eve Family Service,” with Readings, Carols, Communion and special Choir music, along with traditional carols of Christmas.  Nursery services are provided.

9:00 PM – The “CHRIST-MASS” – a traditional Christmas Eve Service with special Choir & organ music, the Christmas Readings, Carols, communion and candles. (a nursery not provided)

  • Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th: Gather with your parish family on Christmas Day at 10:00 AM, as we praise God for the gift of His Son! Let’s remember the reason for the season – Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, has come! (a nursery is not provided)
  • Sunday, December 31st, New Year’s Eve the Christmas Celebration continues, as we also observe New Year’s Eve! What a great way to begin the New Year; worshiping our gracious God for the gift of His son, Jesus Christ! Both the Early (8:00 AM) and the Late (11:00 AM) Services will be held, but there is no Sunday School or Adult Classes that day.

AND A BIG WORD OF THANKS … Please let me take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all at Resurrection – from my family to our church family – for all the love and kindnesses you have shown to us, not only this Christmas season, but throughout the past year of 2017!  The gifts received, the words of love and support, the cards shared have all been deeply appreciated.  The love we have for each of you in our congregational family cannot be expressed in words!  Thanks to all of you – God bless all of you! – and again, the most blessed of a New Year of 2018, as we share together the love and forgiveness which Jesus alone can bring, and seek to share that love in our community!

 

Pastor Hank Hollar