Christmas Eve Services
Tuesday, December 24
12:00 p.m. or later - Online Christmas Eve Worship
Experience Christmas Eve Worship in the time and place that works best for you. This is a unique, meditative service, intentionally created for the online space. Story, message, music, poetry, and peaceful images of the season are woven into an intimate time of worship. The link will be available here.
4:00 p.m. - Family Christmas Eve Worship
The birds are abuzz with news of strange happenings! Come join us for an interactive bird’s eye view of the Nativity. This Family Service for all ages features the book Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola, and music by our house band, Homeward Bound.
9:00 p.m. - Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship
Come welcome the joy and wonder of Christmas Eve with the beauty of candlelight, favorite Christmas hymns, the Chancel Choir and a string quartet. We will celebrate Holy Communion as we gather in hope on this special night.
Other Advent Events
Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, December 1 - 4:00 p.m.
Join us for this wonderful, long-standing tradition at Good Samaritan as we join together to decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas season while singing seasonal carols in a family-friendly service. During the service, we will be collecting gifts for infants through 8-year-olds to donate to STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program). Target gift cards in amounts $5 to $25 will be collected as well. Bring items to the service or contact Jan at jan@good.org. We'll conclude our evening with fellowship time and cookies!
Music and carol leadership will be provided during the service by our intergenerational Orchaband. Anyone who plays a string or wind instrument (young or old) is invited to join the Orchaband. Pick up the music ahead of time from the reception area by the Church Office. We will rehearse December 1 at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. It’s great fun! Contact Sarah at skumagai@comcast.net with questions.
Family Advent Worship
Sunday, December 8 - 10:00 a.m.
"Pathways to Peace" The way to peace is not always easy. The road is often rough and winding, we make the road smoother as we travel together. During the service we will be creating a variety of doves for our Christmas Eve service where we will be featuring Tomie dePaola’s Birds of Bethlehem.
Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 15 - 4:00 p.m.
As we prepare our hearts for the Christmas season, we warmly invite you to join us for a beautiful evening of Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. This beloved service will feature three of our music ensembles - the Chancel Choir, the Chancel Chimes, and Homeward Bound band - as well as readings of the Nine Lessons and singing of traditional carols. Following the service, we’ll gather for a festive reception to share in the joy of the season and fellowship with one another. Bring your loved ones, invite your friends, and let’s celebrate together the hope and joy that Christmas brings! We look forward to seeing you there!
Music from 2023 Lessons & Carols Service
Blue Christmas
The Advent/Christmas season may carry grief, heartache or struggle amidst activity, joy and celebration. Each week in December during our Sunday services, special ornaments will be available to add to our Blue Christmas Tree. You may write the name of “something blue” on each ornament as a prayer to add to our community tree.