When the commonplace becomes strangely uncommon, lives are changed. A hillside becomes an angel loft; a manger becomes a throne; a stable becomes a palace, and life on earth has never been the same.

No literary work illustrates a transformation better than Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. A door knocker takes on the face of a departed partner, and events begin to turn toward the supernatural as Scrooge is changed.

Available on here on the website, in the worship guides, and in the literature racks, the Devotion invites you and your family to ReThink Christmas. Explore the Biblical insights and the sermon connections to Dickens’ work, and not only Scrooge will change, but you will change as well!

Advent Schedule 2009

Charles Dicken's famous book, A Christmas Carol, finds Ebenezer Scrooge with a disdain for Christmas and all it's trappings. For him, Christmas is a time to be cross with the world he finds himself in... "What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour righter..."

Maybe today, more than ever, we can understand the words of Scrooge. How easy it is to try and protect ourselves, our interests and feel the only promise of Christmas is found in the bills that cannot be met and the ideal picture no one can live up to.

Join us at St. Luke's United Methodist Church as we use this famous story to intersect with another famous story of Christmas, the birth of Christ. We will be visited by the Spirit who calls us to Rethink Christmas in ways which could ensure it to be said of us, as it was of Scrooge at the end," that he knew how to keep Christmas well."

For a full printable version of the Advent Guide that includes Spiritual Formation Growth Groups (studying Advent Conspiracy during December), Children and Youth (NexGen) activities Invitational Events, the JOY Center with its many opportunities to do something special for someone in need this Advent, please see the Advent Guide.

Christmas Preeve "Keep Christmas Well" full worship schedule
	December 23, Wednesday Christmas Preeve Worship: 6:15, 7:15 & 8:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary
		The greatest time to reach our community in mass numbers with the absolute best of St. Luke’s is on Christmas Eve. What better way to welcome them than to make room for them. We invite all members to come to some very special Pre Christmas Eve services on December 23rd. These services will have the same music and elements as our December 24th services, but with extra special touches for our church family. Contemporary Music will be provided at the 6:15 & 7:15 services, the Choir will perform at the 8:15 service. Please note that childcare will be available at the 6:15 & 7:15 p.m. Christmas Preeve services. No reservation is needed.
Children's Participation Nativity Pageant "O Come All Ye Children"
	December 24, Thursday Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m.
		This service is geared towards families with young children. Children are encouraged to come dressed as biblical characters from the Christmas story and will participate in acting out the story during this service. Limited number of costumes will be available in the Sanctuary. Music by the Wee Singers and K Chorale.
HopeSpring Christmas Eve Service
	December 24, Thursday Christmas Eve 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with Praise Team
		This candelight service will be held at the HopeSpring Campus and will have music provided by the HopeSpring Praise Team band.
Christmas Eve "Keep Christmas Well" full worship schedule
	December 24, Thursday Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 4:00 p.m. Children's Participation Nativity Pageant (see above) 5:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Children's Choirs 6:15 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Contemporary Praise Team 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Contemporary Praise Team 8:45 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Sanctuary Choir 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Sanctuary Choir 11:15 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Mixed Ensemble
		Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship Services will celebrate Christ's birth with music and a message. All services will be in the Sanctuary. Please note: Most of these worship experiences will fill to capacity at least 15 minutes before start time. Please arrive no later than 30-45 minutes before service start time for the best chance of being seated at the service of your choice. The 5:00, 6:15, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. worship experiences are the most well-attended, so please plan accordingly. Please note that childcare will be available at the 5:00, 6:15 & 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve services. No reservation is needed.
"More than a Christmas Carol" full worship schedule
	December 27, Sunday First Sunday after Christmas Traditional Worship: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary Contemporary Worship: 9:30 a.m. in the Gymnasium
		This will be a service of Lessons and Carols. There will be no 5:30 Service or PowerHouse on December 27th.