Christmas Eve is Coming Early // M-Note 12.14.2024

Even though December 24 is over a week away, Christmas Eve festivities start next week at The Gathering!
 
On Wednesday, December 18, we will have our first early Christmas Eve service 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 include a chance to give to the Christmas Eve offering, all of which will once again fund clean water in Mozambique.
 
Families, you aren’t going to want to miss our Kids Christmas Eve, and this year we have 2 options for worship. This is a service designed for elementary-aged and younger kids, 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 including cookie decorating, live animals, and other fun Christmas activities. This service was SO popular last year that we are offering two opportunities this year, on Thursday December 19 or Friday December 20. It will be the same great service both nights, so you can choose the evening that works for you. This is also the PERFECT opportunity to invite friends, neighbors, and anyone else you know trying to help focus their family on the meaning of the season. With two nights, we have plenty of room, so please invite others. All of these early services are at The Gathering McCausland and the details can be found here.
 
This will be our 16th year of giving away all of our Christmas Eve offering to fund wells for clean water in Mozambique. As many of you know, I had the chance to travel there a year ago 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 $300,000, 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.
 
All of the details for Christmas Eve at The Gathering can be found on our website. 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.