Dear Glen Mar friends,
It’s a different pastor pondering this week, as Pastor Mandy and Eric are celebrating their 30th anniversary with a cruise.
I was reading an article recently that spoke about people’s openness to hearing the message of Christmas. The writer noted that, overly commercial or not, our faith story is front and center in popular culture through music, gift giving, family tradition and more. Even in a time when fewer and fewer people are affiliated with a worshipping congregation, we have a unique opportunity at Christmas to offer them something of real value…proclaiming the message of Jesus in the gathered community of faith.
We’re not always good at sharing our faith. Many of us, including me, would say that we’re not called to be evangelists, which is a particular spiritual gift given to some. But all of us can be invitational, and when we are, God brings blessings. In poll after poll, as many of 82% of unchurched people say they are open to coming to church if someone invites them. Here’s my question: When did you last invite someone to join you for church? Would this Christmas be a good time? Another oft-repeated set of research shows that Christmas is the easiest of all entry ramps to church.
Glen Mar has lots of opportunities that would be great times to invite friends and neighbors and relatives.
If you know people who are grieving or dealing with a tough time in life, the Longest Night service on December 21 at 7:00 pm. might be just the thing for them.
Your music-loving friends may be delighted by the Christmas Cantata at both morning services, 9:30 am and 11:00 am, on December 22.
There are 6, yes SIX, opportunities to worship between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Family Services at 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm, Traditional Services at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, and a Communion Service at 11:00 pm on Christmas Eve, followed by a service Christmas morning at 10:00 am. There truly is something for everyone!
What have you got to lose? Studies show that people are very likely to welcome the invitation. There may even be someone who knows you go to church and is just waiting for you to ask them to join you.
Use the links here to invite people to the Longest Night, the Christmas Cantata “Love! A Gospel Christmas Celebration”, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. The opportunity to celebrate the birth of our savior may well be the best gift someone will receive. As I said on Sunday: hope is contagious. Be a carrier.
See you in church…with a guest!
Pastor Gayle
