December 8, 2020
Dear Friends and Members of Shadow Rock,
In this unusual time of pandemic we have many unique opportunities to celebrate, connect and wish each other a Merry Christmas. In this letter I want to share our plans with you and I hope you can join us.
Christmas Eve is a significant time for our spiritual family. We set aside time to join each other, sing Christmas carols, pray, and give to the Pastor’s Charitable Fund. The highlight of our time together is singing Silent Night while lighting candles and experiencing hope and belonging as we see the reflection of light in our windows. This year, we are not doing Christmas Eve in our traditional way. We will be safe and responsible and yet we will still have many of the elements of our Shadow Rock Christmas Eve.
The centerpiece of our community experience will be a Christmas Light Display at the church on Christmas Eve. The gates will be open so you can see the campus decorated with light and luminarias. You will be greeted at the entrance and instructed to adjust your radio so as to hear Christmas music. Drive slowly through the parking lot and connect with the sacred space where you have spent so many Christmas Eve evenings. We will have a tall Christmas tree surrounded by sandboxes with candles for you to light if you choose. There will be a secured box for your Christmas offering. You may leave with a Shadow Rock Christmas ornament. The time for visiting our campus with its message of light will be 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on the 24th. Come any time during that 90 minutes. We know this is not the same but we hope it contains enough elements to help.
Other Christmastime offerings include:
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Rock the Week 12/23 - A compilation of Cornerstone Chorale Christmas Anthems, as well as more details and links to the other online events listed below
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Christmas Eve 12/24 at 8:00 p.m. - Christmas Message by Pastor Ken through Zoom
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Christmas Eve 12/24 at anytime - Recording of 2019 Christmas Eve Service, especially for those who enjoy the special stillness of the 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service and wish to keep that tradition
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Christmas Day 12/25 at 3:00 p.m. - A casual Christmas Cookie Gathering through Zoom
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New Year's Eve 12/31 at 11:00 p.m. - Watch Night Service welcoming in the New Year
My favorite Christmas song is the “The Christmas Song” sung by Nat King Cole. The sincere wish at the end of the song is my wish for you.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you
Some singers change the word “phrase” to “prayer.” Both work, and I say both for you.
~Pastor Ken
