Happy New Year!
I’d like to offer another special thank you to the many who made our concluding Christmas services so special.
Christmas on Clairemont: For our 2024 Christmas on Clairemont, we not only had a packed sanctuary, but also had a huge overflow crowd downstairs via livestream. Thanks to Daniel, Kathryn, Mark and countless others, it was a resounding success, so much fun, so meaningful and so helpful. And of course, the reason we do this show and the reason Daniel remains so passionate about this annual project is the chosen mission cause we can support each year. We currently have collected over $16,400 (and counting!) for Bright Stars of Bethlehem! Thanks to the many of you who have contributed so generously to this vital ministry in the very town of Jesus birth.
Our Christmas Eve Children’s Service: Beginning a few years ago, we started having a special morning Christmas Eve service focused on the children of our community. This year, thanks to Shelley, Mark, Zach, Sana, Charmaine, Randall, Jonathan and the Fresh Start band, and many other helpers, we had an enthusiastic crowd of over 190 folks, children, youth, young families. Together we witnessed the children and youth recreate and re-enact the Christmas story on our Fellowship Hall platform. What a joy to experience the enthusiasm of so many new friends from our surrounding neighborhoods.
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Once again, thanks to Kathryn, Daniel, Mark, Cheryl, Casey, Cameron, Emily, Levi and many more, our Candlelight Service for Christmas Eve was equally special and meaningful. Somewhere around 300-350 members and community friends were together with us in our sanctuary to give thanks and to welcome in the grand conclusion of our Advent Journey, this ongoing Adventure of the Christian life we share.
The Importance of People: While I am reluctant to place too much emphasis on actual numbers, I do want to emphasize the people with whom we experienced highly memorable Christmas moments. With over 1000 friends gathered with us for Christmas on Clairemont, and with the 190 children, youth and young parents on Christmas Eve morning, and with the 300-350 members of our community with us that evening, we can know that an incredible number of special human beings (over 1500 in person, and over twice that online) experienced the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christmas season with us through music, prayer, presence and spoken word.
Thanks again to the many who supported these events and who helped in any way to make our First Baptist Decatur witness so valuable and helpful to our larger Decatur community. Bless you and let’s keep up the great work!
Love,
David
David Jordan
Senior Pastor