December 23, 2010

Dear Messiah congregation,

It is almost here. I am putting the finishing touches on my Christmas Eve message. I listened in on the choir rehearsals this week. They sounded ready. The candles have been placed by the door. The bulletins printed. The building is nearly ready. Are you ready? In the midst of beautifully wrapped presents, gatherings of friends and family, and delicious food, we want to share a moment of celebration with you. A moment that proclaims this is not just another Christmas. Just as the angels announced two thousand years ago, we will hear their Good News tomorrow: in Bethlehem, a Savior is born and he shall be named Jesus. This one life will once again change the world and change us as we stand in the presence of His glorious light.

Christmas Eve
All of our worship experiences will include the story of Christmas and the carols that celebrate Jesus’ birth. I will focus on the meaning of Christmas, using the nativity story that the Gospel of John provides. God has made an important investment in you, and Christmas is the proof of what God is prepared to do for you – and what God asks of you. At our 7:00 and 9:00 services I will be using a video that you might like to preview a video (click here). How might this video relate to Christmas? I look forward to providing an answer. What might your answer be?

4:00 Children & Family – children will able to participate in a live nativity. We will hear the story, sing carols and pass the light. This is a shorter service especially designed for children.

7:00 Contemporary Candlelight – led by our worship band, choir, and others musician. We will hear the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew, sing many of the traditional carols, and end with the light of individual candles filling the sanctuary.

9:00 Candlelight and Carols – led by our Chancel Choir, Jubilate Ringers, and the organ. We will listen to the story of Christmas from Luke and Matthew, sing many of the traditional carols, and end with the light of individual candles filling the sanctuary.

Christmas Eve Mission Offering
Already, you have given generously to fund a restroom facility (iko toilet) for a primary school in Kenya. On Christmas Eve, you will have an opportunity to also provide a well – clean, safe drinking water for a community where clean water does not exist. Your gift will save lives.

Stained Glass windows
You have completed the stained glass window project! Thank you to all who have given to make this beautiful addition to our worship space. In the New Year, we will formally dedicate your gift to the glory of God.

Thank you for your service
Last Saturday, more than 300 of you gave part of your day to preparing meals with Feed My Starving Children. I was present for the 9:00 a.m. shift. There was a tremendous spirit of joy in the room as the meals were packages. We had persons of all ages working side by side. It was a beautiful sight to behold. And you packed enough food to feed 300 children in Nicaragua for an entire year. Last night our youth prepared and served a meal at Simpson Shelter. Some of you rang the bell for the Salvation Army. Others helped to pack gift boxes with Operation Christmas Child. You have helped with the Food Shelf and provided Christmas gifts for families in need. You have offered financial assistance for the IOCP Housing campaign. You have given to help families at Messiah make it through the season. I think about all you have been doing for others this month. God is able to take what we offer and accomplish far more than we could ask or imagine. You make me proud to be your pastor. Thank you.

Christmas Cards
Thank you for your Christmas cards. I’ve heard that the practice of sending Christmas cards is on the decline. You wouldn’t know it by checking our mailbox. The last thing I do before going to sleep on Christmas Eve night is to sit down with your Christmas cards and offer a prayer of thanks for what God is doing in your life. Christmas is not just something we do each year. Christmas is something God makes available to us so that we might experience God’s love as a brand new gift. May it be so for you.

Merry Christmas!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Steve
www.messiahchurchmn.org