Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service
Friday, December 21, 7:00 p.m.
The words of the Christmas song, “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you”, might echo in your head when you hear this. The truth of the matter is, that for many of us Christmas might bring with it sadness and despair. Have you lost a job, finances, or suffered a death? If so Christmas can be difficult.
In the midst of this struggle, HOPE still lives. It lives in the baby who was born that night in the manger, and in the Lord who still today shines in the darkness.
Join with us as we celebrate in a way that combines our deepest feelings with the true meaning of the season. Be a part of our Blue Christmas Service. Come because this service will be most meaningful for you, and/or bring a friend that you believe is having a dif-ficult time approaching Christmas. Or, simply come to worship with others as we celebrate the birth of the Christ who shines His light into even the darkest corners of our lives.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Monday, Christmas Eve Services, December 24, 2018
5:00* pm — Family Service, in the Worship Center
6:00 pm & 6:50 pm — Brass Ensemble
7:30* & 9:15 pm — Contemporary Christmas Eve service in the Worship Center
10:30 pm — Christmas Eve with Holy Communion in the traditional Sanctuary
*child care (5:00 & 7:30)
All services will have candle lighting. Only the 10:30 PM service has Holy Communion included in the service.
Christmas Eve Brass Ensemble
In keeping with a Christmas Eve tradition for many years, the Church of the Good Shepherd Christmas Eve Brass Ensemble plans to offer some sounds of the season again this year. We plan to play after the 5:00 service (beginning at approximately 6:00), and before the 7:30 service (beginning at approximately 6:50). We will get orga-nized and tune at about 5:15 on Christmas Eve. If you play a brass instrument and would like to join us on December 24, please contact Mike Stauffer at Stauf230@aol.com or 717-273-7207.
Bell Ringers
Bell Ringers for Salvation Army! We have once again been asked by the Salvation Army to participate in the bell ringing campaign on Saturday, December 15th outside of Hobby Lobby from noon to 8:00. Sign-up is at the Welcome Center.
Christmas Eve Parking
For the 7:30PM service, please consider dropping your family off at the front doors and then parking at the strip mall below the church and walking up the hill. Having some of our people parking at the greater distance this will provide place for guests, visitors, and those who may need parking closer to the entrance. Thank you for your help!
Adult Advent Study
An adult Sunday School Class will be studying James Moore’s “What Can We Learn from the Christ Child” at 9:45 in the lounge, starting December 2nd. Please join us. If you want a copy of the book call Joan Sowers (717-272-4279) or e-mail (gsowers@ mbcomp.com). We’d love to have you join us!
Equipping Focus Month
Our Church’s Equipping Team, a team dedicated to promoting the ministry of “equipping the saints for service,” is planning an Equipping focus for the month of January. We will have a sermon series inspired by “The Grinch”, on the topic “WHO-ville, not DO-ville” to remind us that our service flows out of our identity in Christ.
And, of course, we will also be offering another opportunity for you to participate in the PLACE experience. We will be offering PLACE on Friday, Feb. 1, 6:30-9:00 PM, and Saturday, Feb. 2, 9:00-12:00 AM. This is a GREAT opportunity for you to learn more about yourself- HOW God created you, and WHAT God created to do in life and minis-try. Be on the look-out for more information and sign-up sheets in January, or talk with Kathy Zavadak or Pastor Lisa to learn more.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT — Jingle Bell Beach
1st show: Open to Public and Congregation 12/15 at 3:30pm
2nd show: Open to Families and Congregation *12/16 at 6:00pm
*our preschoolers will be opening up Jingle Bell Beach with their very own, “Tell the Good News, Jesus is Born” performance on Sunday, December 16th only.
Jingle Bell Beach – A Christmas Singing Competition of Pitch Perfect Proportions
From the award-winning team of Christy and Daniel Semsen comes JINGLE BELL BEACH, a remarkably fun and fresh new Christmas musical for kids! Once again it’s that time of year, when aspiring young vocal groups from all around the country make their way to JINGLE BELL BEACH for the famous Jingle Sing competition. Hosts Sandy and Sunny Pepperminter welcome the final contestants for this year’s competition: the Snowflakes, the Starfish, and the Electrons!
When a storm ruins the contestants’ plans for getting home in time for Christmas, things heat up to tidal wave proportions! The result? The announcement of a rare “Reindeer Rumble”…a spontaneous, on-the-spot song competition to determine the winner of this year’s event. In their eagerness to win the contest, it becomes clear that one of the contestants is struggling with her understanding of the meaning of Christmas. As the others share the story of Jesus, the spirit of competition quickly transforms into the wonderful spirit of Christmas! We are reminded that Christmas is about Emmanuel – God with us – and the Good News that Jesus came to be our Savior.
Christmas Eve Ministry
Church of the Good Shepherd will again be undertaking a Christmas Eve Ministry. This year we will be serving meals at the Lebanon Rescue Mission and the American House and new this year – we will be serving a meal for the Celebrate Recovery team.
Sign-up sheets for the Christmas Eve Ministry will be located in the Gathering Area starting Sunday, December 2nd.
In addition to providing meals to the community, we will be purchasing and delivering gifts for children who have a mother in prison. Information regarding children for whom gifts are to be purchased will be located in the Gathering Area starting on Sunday, December 2nd.
This Christmas Eve Ministry has several components based on your availability, talents and passion. This is a great ministry for families to participate in during the Christmas season.
- Purchasing gifts for 100 children of prison inmates Drop off by December 16th
- Serving Christmas Dinner at Celebrate Recovery on December 19th
- Delivery of gifts on December 24th
- Desserts donations Drop off by December 24th
- Serving over 100 meals at the Lebanon Rescue Mission December 24th
- Serving meals to 75 residents at the American House December 24th
If you have any questions regarding this year’s Christmas Eve Ministry, please contact Janelle Worcester (717-222-9011) or Kim Mann (563-508-4732).