Carlisle Christian Church celebrates Christmas Eve

The Carlisle Christian Church opened their 2016 Christmas Eve candlelight service with a performance by the church’s praise band, who were later joined by the youth of the church.

Throughout the service, youth members of the church shared readings from scripture, and even some Christian related poems and stories. Cole Livingood shared “A Soldiers Christmas,” about the struggles of those serving in our military during the holiday season. Reese and Ryan Johnson read “The Night Before Jesus Came” a twist on the classic Christmas story “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

The service encompassed many excellent musical performances, including “Happy Birthday Jesus” sung by youth members Allie Compton, Kayleigh Ann Smith, and Summer Compton accompanied by Denise Gilliland on synthesizer; Cade Gilliland with “Christmas in Heaven,” and his mother Denise on synthesizer; “Mary Did You Know?” performed by praise band members Whitney Mathes (vocals) and Ralph Brookshire (acoustic guitar); “O Little Town of Bethlehem” as sung by Ralph Brookshire; Mike Johnson with “O Holy Night” and later “Christmas Hallelujah” with Denise Gilliland. As usual, all of the musical selections by members of Carlisle Christian were beautifully executed and certainly memorable.

Toward the end of the service, after communion had been served by older youth of the church, flames were passed down the aisles from candle to candle, and the congregation joined in “Let There Be Peace on Earth” to conclude yet another beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service at the Carlisle Christian Church. Youth Minister Tony Smith concluded the service with prayer.

The Carlisle Christian Church offers Sunday morning services each week with Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 a.m., and congregational worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday evening programs include Younger Youth Open Gym: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Dinner for All in the Fellowship Hall: 5:30-6 p.m., Classes for All: 6-7 p.m., and Older Youth Open Gym: 7-8 p.m.