The newspapers and news stations are jumping all over a new thing this Christmas: Several of the churches around town are cancelling church services on Christmas :? Does that make sense to anyone?? I know some churches are going to just one service on Sunday morning, but that's different from cancelling all services. One really big church put out a press release saying that they were moving their services to Saturday to help out their volunteers who work so much on Sundays, so they could spend Christmas with their families. Hello?? What are you telling the world when you let the holiday calendar change your worship calendar?? It's sad, really. :cry:
OKmom, I agree with you. I will admit the first time I heard we were still having Christmas service I was like "yikes, we do so much family stuff that morning I don't know if I'd make it". I was also asked to sing that morning. But then after I thought about it I was like "it makes perfect sense". Just because it lands on Christmas doesn't mean we shouldn't observe the holy day. It makes more sense to keep it. What a perfect blessing it is to have Christmas day on a Sunday and be able to go to church that morning. We only have one service, but we do any other Sunday as well. I am going to see to it that our butts are there! God must be shaking his head.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! I had asked about that in the "Christ in Christmas" thread! My church is NOT having a service, nor one on New Year's Day (!!!). My in-law's church isn't having a service either. My MIL is thrilled, because she would have had to miss anyway to prepare dinner. My response to that..."But that is YOUR CHOICE...." Since all of DH's family goes there, I was anticipating opening presents right in the middle of regular service time. But I talked with my MIL today, and she's wanting to do that AFTER eating. So we may be able to go to Mom and Dad's church. THEIR preacher said from the pulpit that, especially with all the complaining of how stores, etc. are ignoring the true meaning of Christmas it would be DISGRACEFUL to cancel services!
We have service at 5 pm on Christmas eve and then we have service at 10 am on Christmas day. To not have service would not be right. This is Christs birthday, you go to church and make dinner later then what it would have originally been.
Our church is having regular worship/sermon, but the time is changed from 10-11am and no Sunday School. You wouldn't believe the people who were complaining about having church on Christmas!!! It makes it evident who looks at "church" as something to grudgingly "do". I wonder if this same attitude was found the last time Christmas fell on a Sunday? or do you guys think it is part of the last days mindset?
Thank You! I'm so glad that I'm not the only one shocked by this. Our preacher is going out of town and has asked my husband to deliver the sermon on Christmas morning (his first Sunday morning sermon ). When we called my MIL to tell her that we wouldn't be there on Christmas Day b/c he was preaching, she got so mad! We had already told them that we wouldn't be there until later in the afternoon because we were going to church that morning -- like we always do -- and that made them mad, too. But, now with dh preaching the morning and evening services, we won't be able to make it at all (we live 100 miles away). They don't understand why we can't be with the family on Christmas, and I told her that we would come down on Christmas Eve. They know that we go to church every Sunday morning, night and Wednesday night...no matter what holiday it falls on. As far as being with family on Christmas, we will be.....our church family!! :angel:
It couldn't have been said any better than that... after all it is Jesus' birthday... we have big parties when we have a birthday but this is to be kept hush hush - give me a break - it's disgusting! (Sorry - no offense meant to anyone here)
AMEN! We are cancelling Sunday School that morning, but we most certainly are having church. I've not heard one word about not having service. The thought never crossed my mind about not going. In fact, I'm going to tell my ex he can't have my son till after service. What a glorious day to Worship on. I'm beyond excited, more so than in years past, honestly.
I didn't read all the post but we will have a prayer service and the Lord's Supper at 9:30 am until 10:30 am. Nothing else but I did want to be in Church. That is what the season is about. I don't see cancelling service on Christ's birthday. We need to make time for Christ on his birthday. How much more important than that.
It was on the news that two of the churches in our town a cathlic and babptist church will be closed on Sunday. One of them handed out a cd of christmas music and sermons and a guide to enjoy their own worship at home. Other churches are having less services, just doesn't make sense to me.
We were at Mom and Dad's church Sunday evening, because my girls' friends from AWANAS invited them to the children's Christmas contata. I spoke to the Associate Pastor, and thanked him for having planned a Christmas service. I told him that we would probably be there, since our church was wimping out.
Now I am guilt ridden. We have had some out-of-town family stuff to plan and the only window of time for us all to be together is of course Christmas morning. That would mean traveling instead of going to church....help me out here!!!! I'm having a hard time figuring out which thing to do???!!!
Brooke, don't feel guiltly. It's not like you'll be sitting at home doing nothing. You'll be traveling.
I'm agreeing with Jen, Brooke! I really want to be at church Sunday morning, but it's not worth getting into a family feud over. If my MIL says they want to open presents at 11:00, we'll be there.
Ok...how cool is this. We are actually have a baptismal service on Christmas morning. What a glorious day to make your public statement about Christ! I'm so excited. (I'm not doing it, but I'm always excited when someone is baptized). Cool or what?
Don't feel bad, Brooke and Jackie. Sometimes these things are totally out of our hands when it comes to getting large families together. I think I'm more shocked at the churches cancelling services and not giving their members the option to worship.
LibbyLou, I agree 100%!!! I was baptised on Easter! OKMom, that's it exactly! They are taking away the OPTION of doing it. In defense, however.... My daughters' piano teacher is on staff of one of the larger congregations around here (several thousand members) that is cancelling. They are planning four Christmas Eve services, and was telling me some of what all is involved in planning a service in such a large church. Am SO THANKFUL I don't attend a "Mega-church"! (And this church does have a very good reputation; I've several very good friends that attend there!)
Our church is having service at 9am, no Sunday School. We have decided to attend church with my Dad that morning~ my Mom has to work (she's a nurse) and I hate to see him travelling to church alone. His church starts at 10:45, which will suit my girls' timeframe much better~ they are hard enough to get ready for church on a normal Sunday morning! As for churches cancelling services, I think that is wrong. However, I am of the mindset GOD first, FAMILY second, CHURCH third. So, you have to figure out where your priorities are and go from there. I do not think it is WRONG to not go to church on Christmas morning~ as long as you are remembering that you are celebrating CHRIST's birthday and remember to include HIM in your day.
Very nicely put, Heidi! Mom came home from the hospital today; her pastor let her know in no uncertain terms that he does NOT expect her to be there on Sunday morning; she isn't up to being around that many people. (He's a wonderful, caring guy!) Dad may stay home with her, which I certainly understand! We plan on going to their church regardless. Carl's not totally comfortable with that. He feels that our going without my parents implies that we are interested in coming regular. I told him no. Most people there know me and my family either through my parents (ie: they're friends of Mom and Dad) or through AWANAS. Either way, they know my kids, and they know that we are very active at our own church. So us going there on Christmas I don't think will be taken out of context.
