December 12th, 2025 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Dear Grace-filled Family,

As we move toward the final weeks of Advent, this season quickly becomes one of the fullest and most exciting times in our church year!

There is so much beautiful worship, service, and connection happening, and I wanted to give you a quick rundown of some key dates coming up.

This Sunday brings one of the highlights of our musical year: the Christmas Cantata! Our Sanctuary Choir will lead us in this powerful worship experience during both the 8:00 am and 11:00 am services. You are warmly invited to attend and I encourage you to invite family, friends, and neighbors to experience this beautiful expression of the Christmas story.

Please note: There will be no 9:30 am service this week. Instead, Maxwell Hall will be transformed into our annual Mission Fair and Mission Gift Shop! This is a wonderful opportunity to support our partners, learn about their great work, and purchase gifts that truly give back. A delicious breakfast will be served as well, so please plan to join us then.

On Thursday, December 18th, we will once again partner with our ecumenical friends for a "Darkness to Light" service. This special service of worship is designed especially for anyone who struggles during the holiday season, particularly those who are carrying the pain of grief. If the season feels more dark than light for you right now, please know that you are welcome and held in this gentle space.

Finally, preparations are being made for another wonderful Christmas Eve at Memorial! This is a high season for worship, and we are excited to welcome our community to celebrate the birth of Christ, our Savior.

Our service times are as follows:

• 3:00PM Family Service in Maxwell Hall

• 4:00PM Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

• 5:00PM Contemporary Service in Maxwell Hall

• 7:00PM Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

• 7:00PM YouTube Livestream @MemorialFernandina

• 9:00PM Quiet Communion Service in the Sanctuary

Over the last several years, we have had to turn people away from our 7:00PM service, and we never want a visitor to be unable to hear the Gospel on Christmas Eve. As a solution, we have added a full Traditional service at 4:00PM. We hope that our many regular worshipers will be willing to attend the 4:00PM service as an act of hospitality to ensure we have room for the many visitors who seek to attend the 7:00PM service. Thank you for helping us make room!

This is a busy season of connection with our community, as well as being a high season for our worship. Please be in prayer for everyone involved in welcoming people and leading worship as we celebrate the birth of Christ, our Savior.

Blessings

Pastor Charlie