29 Dec Christmas at Our Church: Byron Center, Mich.

Filled stockings and other gifts from the college students at Banner of Christ Church

Mike Caley (right), senior pastor, Banner of Christ Church (Byron Center, Mich.)

Banner tries hard to share Christmas with the most hurting and needy people in our community and church family–more so than at any other church I have served. This year, our students took it to a whole new level.

Our middle school students were challenged in early December with $5 seed money from their teacher, Mrs. Sue Vogt. All 10 students worked hard to make various items, and then brought them to church and to their families to sell to raise funds to help minister to families at Renucci House–a temporary residence associated with Devos Children’s Hospital for families of sick children. In all, they raised over $400 to buy gifts and a Little Tikes playhouse to present to Renucci House.

On December 18 they went to the house and prepared and served dinner to the residents, and presented the playhouse and gifts.

Our College Students–18 to Life Class–last year decorated and filled 50 stockings to share with the homeless in Grand Rapids at Christmas. This year they challenged the church family to join them, and presented 150 empty stockings for families to decorate and fill.

The response was amazing. On Christmas morning, just before our service, we prayed for the students and sent them out with 153 filled stockings. They later reported that it took them under 45 minutes to distribute all the stockings to some very grateful individuals. The stockings were filled with food items, personal toiletries and care items, gloves, mittens, and hats. Several also included small Bibles or devotional books.

In all, beyond these above, Banner helped over 30 families with various gifts, gas and grocery cards, even a cord of seasoned and stacked wood. We celebrated the joy of Jesus’ gift of himself to us, by embracing the challenge to give beyond ourselves.

Tell us something special your church did during the Christmas season–events, programs, ministries, anything. You can use this form or send an email.

28 Dec Christmas at Our Church: Camden, Mich.

Anna and Simeon

The Lake View choir

Stephen Smith (senior pastor, left) and Ben Gladhill (associate pastor (right), Lake View Church, Camden, Mich.

December is an exciting time at Lake View Church (like most churches)! We rejoice in the many avenues of outreach and ministry God enables us to enjoy. One of our main outreach events is our annual Christmas musical. This was Lake View’s 22nd year, and we offered three presentations of “Hope Has Hands” on December 9, 10, and 11.

This dramatic musical was enhanced by the ongoing dramatic scenes featuring the conversation of Anna and Simeon sharing their part in the life of the Christ child. The 30-voice choir blended with soloists, children doing sign language, and interpretive drama to present the powerful message of hope that the birth of Christ affords to all.

Many of our various small groups and ministry groups were involved in outreach and sharing.

• 14 adults from one small group got together before leaving go Christmas carolling and prepared 15 plates of goodies and gifts to give to shut-ins, the elderly, and some who lost their spouses in the past year.
• Our ONE80 student ministries provided the worship service on Sunday, December 11, for about 100 residents at the Fairlawn Haven Residence in Archbold, Ohio. Teens provided music and a devotional, and took time to share with the residents and spread cheer!
• Another small group enjoyed a progressive Christmas dinner and then attended a musical presentation.
• Like many churches, we participated in the Operation Christmas Child outreach, sending 115 boxes this year.
• Our Wednesday night AWANA Club enjoyed celebrating the birth of Christ on Wednesday, December 14–Jingle For Jesus Night. The evening included gifts, candy, and carol singing, and the Christmas story was presented to 100 that evening.

Another annual event is the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service which is a tremendous outreach to our community and neighbors. The theme this year was “Immanuel – The Word Became Flesh.” This one-hour service intentionally included the congregation with numerous responsive readings, eight Christmas hymns, and numerous solos and instrumentals. The evening was completed with the packed-out sanctuary glowing with everyone’s candles being lit and the singing of Silent Night.

Pastor Steve Smith’s Christmas series this year was called “Christmas HOPE – Getting to Know the Christ of Christmas.” The series, from John 1:1-14, thoroughly explained the Incarnation and person of Jesus Christ. We were blessed by many responses to this series and we rejoice with Jody, one of our adult men, who accepted Christ on Christmas Sunday morning. During the closing song he came forward to publicly profess his newfound faith in Christ with joy and tears!

Tell us something special your church did during the Christmas season–events, programs, ministries, anything. You can use this form or send an email.

28 Dec Christmas at Our Church: Reedsville, W. Va.

Marshall Woods (right), pastor, Mill Chapel (Reedsville, W. Va.)

Susan Brown and Paula Croft were directors of an incredible Christmas program on December 18 that involved people of every age.

On Christmas Eve, we had a 9 pm service, in which the place was packed. We ended the service with a candlelight service.

And then on Christmas Day, we held one service, since at other times we have an 8:30 and 11 am service. The Spirit of God was so sweet.

Tell us something special your church did during the Christmas season–events, programs, ministries, anything. You can use this form or send an email.

27 Dec Christmas at Our Church: Pixley, Calif.

Rod Bittick (right), pastor, Pixley UB (Pixley, Calif.)

Every year Pixley UB (Pixley, Calif.) holds a Christmas Candlelight Musicale. Members and friends are encouraged to present a song, reading, dance–whatever they can do. In recent years, musical performances by various grandchildren have predominated. The evening concludes with a candle lighting and congregational singing of “Silent Night.”

Tell us something special your church did during the Christmas season–events, programs, ministries, anything. You can use this form or send an email.

26 Dec Christmas at Our Church: Saginaw, Mich.

The youth of Calvary Community Church (Saginaw, Mich.) did a blacklight performance of a contemporary version of “Joy to the World.”

24 Dec Christmas at Our Church: Hillsdale, Mich.

Hillsdale children's musical (click to enlarge)

Lester Smith (right), pastor, Hillsdale UB Church (Hillsdale, Mich.)

Approximately one-third of the entire congregation of the Hillsdale UB Church presented a Children’s Christmas Celebration, “For the Glory of the King,” at both services on December 18. The total attendance that day was 643. There were many visitors, including a number of financially-strapped families.

A group of 4 men in the church had previously given Pastor Les Smith over $2000 in cash and gift cards with the instructions to “go play Santa Claus” with those in need. Letters were sent out to about 75 families outside the church that had been given assistance during the past two years.

The letter invited these families to the children’s musical along with an enclosed coupon to turn in to the Welcome Center at the close of either service for a $25 Walmart Gift Card. A half dozen families indicated a desire for additional follow-up from the church.

Click on the photos below for a larger view.

Tell us something special your church did during the Christmas season–events, programs, ministries, anything. You can use this form or send an email.