In the Spencer house we have a special piece of Christmas décor that sits on our kitchen counter. It is a small Christmas countdown display, and every day we update that number as we draw closer to the big day. As the number of days goes down, the amount of excitement always goes up. Christmas is almost here, and anticipation is beginning to build in my family and in our church family. Last Sunday, our ABC Kids ministry helped us build up that excitement through our children’s choir. They looked fantastic in their Christmas pajamas, and they led us beautifully in both of our worship services. After the services, we all got to enjoy hot chocolate at the café, and we were left with an important reminder from our children to “go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!”
This Sunday we have an opportunity to tell that truth on this mountain. Jesus calls His church a city on a hill, and I believe ABC will indeed shine brightly from this hill this weekend. This Sunday, we are hosting a brand-new Christmas celebration called, “Merry Christmas Y’all.” This spectacular event will truly offer something for all ages. The fun will begin at 4pm with a free Christmas festival featuring a snow slide and snowballs, inflatables, train rides, a live ice sculpting display, cookie decorating, Live music, food trucks, and even a photo opportunity with Bevo! Then at 6pm, our worship ministry will lead us in an amazing Christmas concert inside our worship center featuring a full choir, 20+ piece orchestra, and special musical guests from Nashville called, “Evidence.”
Don’t miss this opportunity. Make plans to join us that afternoon and evening, but also make plans to bring someone with you. When the angel of the Lord found the shepherds in the field, he said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10 ESV). The angel reminds us that the good news of Christmas is for all people. We have an opportunity this weekend to invite outsiders, just as that angel invited those outsider shepherds to come hear the good news of great joy. Begin considering who you can bring with you. I’ve been encouraged to track the analytics for our “Bless Every Home” app. Since our church partnered with this evangelistic tool two months ago, our church members have prayed for 916 households around them. I encourage you to continue to pray for them, but also seize this opportunity to invite them to be your guest this weekend.
Your first invitation opportunity will come this Sunday morning as we continue our Christmas sermon series, “The Perfect Christmas.” Our Nashville guests, Evidence, will be singing in both of our morning worship services, so be here to give them a warm ABC welcome and to get a taste of what is to come later that evening. Our ABC Kids ministry will also have some fun that morning with a big snowball fight during Elevate (don’t worry, these are fake snowballs). ABC Students is also getting in on the fun with a tacky Christmas sweater party for everyone in attendance at our Bible Fellowship Groups. It will be a big Christmas-celebration morning, so be sure to share it with a friend or neighbor.
I want to thank you for your continued generosity in our year end giving. Your faithful tithes and offerings this time of year make all this ministry possible. I am so grateful to pastor a generous church that truly worships through giving. Join me in prayer for God to use all these financial gifts to help others come to receive the greatest gift this Christmas season. Have a great week, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.
MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL COMMERCIAL:
www.jonathanspencer.org 