Good Christmas Eve morning everyone!
Anyone else excited besides me? I'm so pumped up I can hardly sleep or even talk. Well... ok... it could be that I haven't been feeling so hot this week, but I'm going to chalk it up to excitement nonetheless. Nothing is going to keep me from enjoying my church family tonight or my grandchildren tomorrow! All eight will be over to Grandma and Grandpa's house - I can hardly wait to snap THAT photo in front of the Christmas tree! It will be Titus's first Christmas with all his Pierce cousins!
But first - our church family gathering tonight! I LOVE this photo of Grandpa Fred and Granddaughter Sami, who will sing together tonight. The picture tells the story of what you can expect at 5pm tonight. Families coming together. Offering their gifts of music and story to the Christ child and their fellow congregants.
I love how Fred is looking at Sami. I love how Sami is feeling the love of her grandfather. I love how they are doing this together, something they will always remember. I love how we get the opportunity to share this moment with them tonight, something we will always remember!
When Brandi and I first came up with the idea of opening up our Christmas Eve service to anyone who wanted to offer their gifts to Jesus, we really didn't think we would get many takers. We are both overwhelmed and filled with gratitude at the response and attitude of our church congregation.
Tuesday night almost 30 different folks came to rehearse - pretty much everyone who will be participating! What a great sacrifice to give up another evening during Christmas week. Though no one seemed to be feeling the sacrifice, but rather the fun and the love.
I especially enjoyed watching Brandi lead so magnificently as she coordinated everyone and let them know when they went up and what they would be doing. She has grown so much in her leadership role at Church Requel. What a pleasure to watch her be so rewarded in her ministry!
I learned so much about some of our parishioners Tuesday night. For example, I had no idea that Paityn and Grace (pictured above) could play the flutes so beautifully. Now that I know we have two fantastic flautists among us, I promise you tonight will NOT be the last time you hear from them!
Nor did I have any idea that Chris Thoman and Tamara Engstrom (pictured at the right) could sing! But they can - really well!!! They will be joining Brandi, Trish and Missie leading us in a Christmas medley at the beginning of our time together tonight.
I knew that David Hill (pictured below) could sing and play the guitar. But I had no idea that he could also play the piano and sing at the same time. But he can! (I have a feeling this will not be his last time either! Now that the pastor knows!)
And did you know that Susie Wiegand and Ken and Karen Jacob are all such great story tellers? They are! Susie will be inviting all the young children to come up front with her. Ken and Karen will be telling a story to the big kiddos! Don't worry. You can stay in your pew seats. Haha.
It was one year ago tonight that we all discovered Brian Betts could sing so beautifully. He will be back again tonight. We'll also enjoy the rock style Christmas guitar music of Dan Logan during our greeting time. Finally, we'll hear the Christmas Bible reading from Loni, Paula, Fred and Shelli. Awesome!
I did not know that Rachel knew sign language, but she does!!! As you are lighting your Christmas Eve candles at the conclusion of tonight's service, make sure you look up to see Rachel bringing her birthday gift to Jesus. This is a HUGE step for her. Rachel does not like being in front of people. But she does love Jesus and want to bring him this gift. I couldn't be more proud!
I've written a small talk, broken up into two short segments about the Hide and Seek of the Christmas story. I can't wait to share it with all us seekers tonight. It will be my birthday present to Jesus.
I will also be working with our tech team tonight, working the sound board and watching Don on the cameras, Grayden on the computer and Cohen on the lighting. By the way, tonight's lighting will truly shine more than usual, as today is one of the shortest periods of daylight in the year. So it will be dark outside by the time we get started.
Speaking of getting started, I would suggest that everyone arrive well before tonight's 5pm start time. Here's why. 1st - you won't want to miss Dave and Jen Repp lighting the Advent candle tonight. Given Jen's health challenges in 2015, I don't know how anyone will be able to watch that without wet cheeks.
2nd - you won't want to miss out on Marci's annual birthday presents. It wouldn't be a birthday party without birthday cake. Marci will be bringing those delicious Christmas cupcakes. She brings more every year, but they never last! Come early and claim your cupcake...
3rd - ... and your seat! This service is one of those few when our pews are really in demand. And of course you will want to sit with your whole family together. The best way to insure that is to come early.
One more word about the logistics for tonight - let's talk parking. Did you know that within one city block of Church Requel that there are actually MORE parking spaces than there are pew seats in our church? It's true. What's not the case, however, is that our church parking lot across Marion Avenue will have empty spaces. Those will probably go pretty quickly.
Here's my request - if you know your way around and you're in pretty good health, how about parking away in one of the other spots and leave the church parking lot available for our visitors and guests?
Speaking of visitors and guests, please invite people TODAY! They will come if you ask them. Many of your friends are actually looking for a place to worship tonight. This is a great opportunity for us to share our church family with others. So invite them. Stop right now and just think about who you might know who would appreciate an invitation. They will thank you. So will I!
Merry Christmas Blessings! See you tonight by 5pm. Pastor Mark
