Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! 

As we enter into this sacred season, I am reminded of Dr. Suess’ classic story of a grinch attempting to stop the coming of Christmas, and at the end the author declares, “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”  Yes, Christmas means a little bit more, and we will have to find ways through this strange season of Covid, Masks and adjusted schedules to celebrate the coming of the Christ-child as a church family that means a little bit more.  I want to share with you the church’s plans for the upcoming holiday season.  We are working on Sunday Advent services, prepping Advent to Go kits for families and planning the Christmas Eve Service, but this year will be very different.  Please know that the staff is working to keep things familiar with regard to our traditional Advent season with the Hanging of the Greens Service, Special Music Service and Lesson & Carols Service. 

The biggest change will be that the Session has approved an on-line only Christmas Eve Service for Thursday, December 24 at 5:30pm through the church’s FaceBook page.  After prayerful discussion, we believe that this allows families to stay safe, no one is excluded from worship due to seating requirements, folks can stay home to sing the old familiar Christmas hymns during the on-line service, and families can watch the service at their convenience.  While this is disappointing for us, the church leadership believes this is the most prudent and safe way to celebrate Christmas Eve. 

It is my prayer that we might be like the angels that visited the shepherds and “announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.”  Even as we struggle with the new normal, let us celebrate the coming of the Christ child in our homes and hearts!!!

In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Philip W. Oehler, Sr.

– Click here for the Advent and Christmas Services Calendar –