Every year at the end of December we celebrate Christmas.  Along with Easter, it’s one of our high holy times within the church year.  Christmas remembers the incarnation, as God enters the world in human form, through the person we know as Jesus.  Christmas reminds us that God SO loved the world that he gave his only Son to come among us, live with us, cry with us, laugh with us, and eventually die on a cross for us.

So this year we’re going to celebrate this wonderful and divine act of love twice.  Yes, we’ll still gather by candlelight on Christmas Eve.  However, we will also gather in worship on July 21st at 10:30 am to celebrate Christmas.  We will sing carols, we will hear the story of Christmas, and you will have an opportunity to share gifts.  During the last half of July an angel tree will be set up in the sanctuary to provide opportunities to donate to local agencies.  These ministries seem to receive more help during the Christmas season, but often get overlooked during months like July.  So we’re going to invite them to celebrate Christmas in July with us by remembering our God of love who comes to us throughout the year.

So on July 21st, feel free to wear your red.  Bring a generous heart, be ready to sing, and let’s rejoice at all God continues to do in our world today.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Derek