Special Services and Surprises: Christmas Week at The Gathering // M-Note 12.16.23

Even though December 24, is over a week away, Christmas Eve festivities start next week at The Gathering.
 
On Tuesday, December 19, and Saturday, December 23, we will have early Christmas Eve services for those of you who are heading out of town. It will be the same message and music as Christmas Eve (including candlelit Silent Night), just a few days early. It will also be a chance to give to the Christmas offering, all of which will once again fund clean water in Mozambique.
 
On Thursday, December 21, we will have a brand-new Kids Christmas worship service. This is a service designed for elementary and younger students, but all are welcome (my teenagers will be there). This won’t replace Christmas Eve worship but parents, if you are trying to find ways to engage your kids in the deeper meaning of the holiday, this is a great way to do it. After the worship service, there will also be some fun surprises that may or may not include live animals.
 
All the early services are at The Gathering McCausland. For times and all the Christmas service details, check out our website.
 
This will be our 15th year of giving away all of our Christmas Eve offering to fund wells for clean water in Mozambique. As many of you know, I just had the chance to travel there in October to see firsthand the impact this offering is making. While I was there, a local leader and I dedicated one of the newest wells that The Gathering funded. At the end, he said to me, “make sure to tell your church not to grow tired of us.” I promised him we would not. This partnership is special and impactful. This offering to date has funded over 200 wells that have provided safe water for over a half a million Mozambicans. Last year’s offering was over $200,000, and I am hoping we can surpass that! But, this will take intentionality and conversations beforehand. So, I hope you and your family will come on Christmas Eve ready to give a generous offering knowing that this will be the one gift you give this year that can truly save someone’s life and change the outcome of their future.
 
Before I go, I want to thank all of you that have bought a copy of my newest daily devotion and prayer book, The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer. They are available online and also at each of our sites.
 
I can’t wait for Christmas. It is my favorite worship service of the year. Soak up these coming days with your friends and family and I will see you in church on Sunday.
 
Peace,
Matt

P.S. If you haven’t done it, I would love for you to share the word about Christmas Eve at The Gathering. Invite someone to join you this Christmas for worship. There are more folks than you realize just waiting (even needing) the nudge of an invitation. You can also share the invitation online and on social media. For easy ways to invite, check this out.