A special church community gathering will be held on Christmas Eve with an open invitation to all including those who don’t normally go to church.
Reverend George Capsis of the Christian Outreach Ministries is holding a Christmas Eve church gathering at the President Avenue Community Church, Kirrawee which he hopes will spread the message of festive fellowship.
“As I do each Christmas I am inviting people who would not normally go to church to come and celebrate the birth of Jesus with us.God has sent out the invitation which is open to all,” Mr Capsis said.
“At this time of year there are many lonely people with whom I want to share the blessing of God in a friendly atmosphere this Christmas.season.
“ As the angel proclaimed to the shepherds on that first Christmas, ‘Do not be afraid , I bring you good tidings of great joy to all people, today in Bethlehem the saviour is born, On earth peace and goodwill to man.’
“In the person of Jesus God broke into human history to draw us to himself. Christmas gives us a good excuse to spread kindness and love to one another and a message of peace and hope to a troubled world.
“As a well known community activist I would like to prepare a little Christmas message to balance the often unfair negative sentiments which seem happy to attack Christianity at every turn.of late. People forget that this country became a great and free society under the blessing of the Christian faith. We do ourselves a disservice to readily disrespect and abandon our Christian heritage which promotes love and peace and kindness and honesty and a strong work ethic.
“If we are not careful we could lose these precious values that sustain our way of life.There are dark forces which are mobilising against the Christian faith with the intent to destroy it. I wish that Christians in large numbers would stand up and promote their faith at this Christmas season. What a great opportunity Christmas gives us to celebrate our faith and promote Jesus the Christ Child who is called the Prince of peace.”
The service will be held on Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24 at 10 am at the President Avenue Community church on the corner of President Avenue and Churchill Road, Kirrawee.
“We will begin with morning tea refreshments at 10 am then sing some carols. Then I will give a Christmas message of hope and afterwards people can stay for more fellowship,” Mr Capsis said.
“Everyone is welcome.”
