SUMMERVILLE TIMES DECEMBER. 2013
Many would say that December is their favorite month of the year. It's not the cold weather or the concluding month of the year that makes it a special season in the hearts of so many people. It's the celebration of Christmas, with its message of joy and peace that is so welcomed m our culture. It is a time for family gatherings, the preparation of holiday foods, the exchange of gifts and cards, parades and parties, colorful decorations, and joyous songs—both secular and sacred. All this happens, year after year, because the child destined to be the Savior of the world, was born in Bethlehem.
Churches throughout the world will prepare its people for the celebration of this blessed event, beginning the first Sunday of Advent. During the four Sundays of this season, we will hear again the ancient story, beginning with the prophecies and ending with Christmas and Epiphany. I hope you will be present each Sunday, so that you will hear the whole story. This year, Summerville Church will return to one of its earlier traditions, celebrating a Christmas Eve Communion. The service will be held at 5:00 p.m., which will enable families to worship together. I hope you will delay your evening meal and other family activities, so that you can be present for this meaningful service- In many churches the Christmas Eve service ranks with Easter Sunday as the best attended service of the year. When I was pastor of the Kirk of Kildaire in Cary, we offered three services on Christmas Eve, Many visitors joined our congregation for these inspirational services,
At our recent Session meeting, we talked about ways to strengthen our Sunday School, We have a small group of dedicated adults who meet each Sunday for this time of biblical study. I hope others will join this group during the Advent season and coming year- Biblical literacy is faltering in our culture, even among those who attend worship with some regularity. Christian discipleship requires that we become involved in some program of systematic and regular study we now have enough children present on Sunday morning to offer a class for this age group. Would you consider sharing this responsibility with a team of teachers?
I hope the Advent season and Christmas will be a blessed lime for you and your families. Brenda and 1 are truly grateful to be a part of this wonderful congregation and to share with you this season of joy and peace-Good tidings to all!
Pastor Tom
Many would say that December is their favorite month of the year. It's not the cold weather or the concluding month of the year that makes it a special season in the hearts of so many people. It's the celebration of Christmas, with its message of joy and peace that is so welcomed m our culture. It is a time for family gatherings, the preparation of holiday foods, the exchange of gifts and cards, parades and parties, colorful decorations, and joyous songs—both secular and sacred. All this happens, year after year, because the child destined to be the Savior of the world, was born in Bethlehem.
Churches throughout the world will prepare its people for the celebration of this blessed event, beginning the first Sunday of Advent. During the four Sundays of this season, we will hear again the ancient story, beginning with the prophecies and ending with Christmas and Epiphany. I hope you will be present each Sunday, so that you will hear the whole story. This year, Summerville Church will return to one of its earlier traditions, celebrating a Christmas Eve Communion. The service will be held at 5:00 p.m., which will enable families to worship together. I hope you will delay your evening meal and other family activities, so that you can be present for this meaningful service- In many churches the Christmas Eve service ranks with Easter Sunday as the best attended service of the year. When I was pastor of the Kirk of Kildaire in Cary, we offered three services on Christmas Eve, Many visitors joined our congregation for these inspirational services,
At our recent Session meeting, we talked about ways to strengthen our Sunday School, We have a small group of dedicated adults who meet each Sunday for this time of biblical study. I hope others will join this group during the Advent season and coming year- Biblical literacy is faltering in our culture, even among those who attend worship with some regularity. Christian discipleship requires that we become involved in some program of systematic and regular study we now have enough children present on Sunday morning to offer a class for this age group. Would you consider sharing this responsibility with a team of teachers?
I hope the Advent season and Christmas will be a blessed lime for you and your families. Brenda and 1 are truly grateful to be a part of this wonderful congregation and to share with you this season of joy and peace-Good tidings to all!
Pastor Tom
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