Merry Christmas Eve Friday Church Requel!
I'm writing you all just a short reminder email this Friday morning, because it is Christmas Eve and I'm sure you all have much going on. But I do hope that part of your "going on" will include being at Church Requel - in person or online - at 5pm later today!
Our Christmas Eve choir practiced this past Monday night and we all had a most delightful time! Our choir will open up tonight's special service with "Come Now Is The Time To Worship" by Phillips Craig and Dean, "Silent Night (Christ The Saviour Is Born)" by Shout Praise, and "Born Is The King (It's Christmas)" by Hillsong.
Brian Betts will share the story and sing the song, "O Come All Ye Unfaithful." (Yes, I spelled it right!) Tre, Mason and Jacoby will take turns reading our traditional Luke 2 Scripture reading. Izzy, Paityn and Leia will sing "Hallelujah" by Cloverton.
I have written a new Christmas Eve sermon. (Is it really possible to write something new about Christmas?) It is called, "God Are You There?" For those who like to get a head start, you can read the sermon in your Bible app (look for "Events") or you can click on this link: http://bible.com/events/48817816
Our band will then come up and lead us all in singing traditional Christmas carols together. You know them all: "The First Noel," "Hark The Herald Angels Sing," "Away In A Manger," and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear."
At the end of our worship time together we will turn off the lights and light our Christmas candles while Brandi sings, "O Holy Night." This is one of our most cherished traditions at Church Requel!
If you cannot attend in person, you can watch online! Leanna will be producing our online service on Facebook Live and on YouTube. Here is the YouTube link for tonight: https://youtu.be/5ViIF08dKR4
As I write this newsletter this morning I am reminded that it was exactly nine years ago tonight that we began worshiping together at the Point of Grace. What a special night that was! We were all so grateful to have a place to call home. We had been meeting in our home, then at the conference center, and then in another church on Sunday nights. We all felt that we couldn't go on like that. Many of us showed up at 2pm every Sunday just to set up for a 6pm worship service together. Those were good days, but they were also exhausting days. We were just about at our end. And then God.
So whatever challenges you may be facing right now, stop and celebrate this Christmas. Know that God knows you and loves you and wants to fellowship together with you. Be open to the possibilities. See the opportunities. Pray the dangerous prayers and see what God will do!
Be reminded that there will be no worship service this coming Sunday morning. We hope you and our staff and volunteers will enjoy some precious family time together.
Hope to see you all tonight at 5pm EST! Love you much!
Pastor Mark