December 26th, 2025 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Dear Grace-filled Family,

I hope your Christmas was filled with the light and peace of Christ!

I am still reflecting on the beauty of our Christmas Eve services. It was truly a joy to see our Sanctuary and Maxwell Hall filled with so many faces—both familiar and new—as we celebrated Christ’s birth.

I want to take a moment to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff and the army of volunteers who worked so hard behind the scenes. From the ushers and greeters who made everyone feel welcome, to the musicians and tech teams who ensured our worship was beautiful, and those who helped with the pageant and hospitality—you all ensured that love "showed up" at Memorial this week. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to coordinate five services (6 with the digital) in one day, and I want you to know that you are seen and deeply appreciated. 

As we move into this final weekend of 2025, please take note of a change to our usual schedule. On Sunday, December 28th, we will have only one worship service at 10:00AM in the Sanctuary. For those of you who join us online, please note that our digital service will also go out an hour earlier than usual, at 10:00AM on our YouTube channel.

Immediately following the on-campus service, we will begin the "Browning of the Church"—the process of taking down our beautiful Christmas decorations. If you are able to stay for a little while to help us pack things away, we would be so grateful for the extra hands! Many hands make light work, and it's always a wonderful time of fellowship as we transition toward the new year.

Please be aware that the Church Office will be closed for the holiday break, reopening on Monday, January 5th. Our staff will be taking this time for much-needed rest and renewal with their families.

Finally, I want to say thank you to our entire church family for another truly wonderful year of mission and ministry together. Your generosity, energy, passion, and faithfulness are a constant source of inspiration for me. It is an honor to be your pastor, and I am already excited for all the ways God will guide us and use us in 2026.

May the peace of the Christ-child remain with you as we enter this New Year.

Blessings,

Pastor Charlie