Holiday Service Schedule
Wed Nov 24; 7:00 PM Thanksgiving Eve
Sat Dec 4; 4:00 PM Lessons & Carols
Wed Dec 1, 8 & 15; 1:30 & 7:00 PM Advent Services
Fri Dec 24; 1:00, 4:00 & 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Services
Sat Dec 25; 9:30 AM Christmas Day Service
Fri Dec 31; 5:30 PM New Years Eve Service
All Church & School Christmas Decorating Day
We need volunteers to help decorate the church and school to prepare for Christmas festivities. There are 3 work areas: just outside the building for our Drive Through Christmas Nativity event, and in the gym and sanctuary for services and musical performances.
The 2021 decorating day was Saturday, Nov 27th at 9:00 AM. Contact Kari Larsen klarsen@ilcsbatavia.org to volunteer to help setup decorations.
We host 3 different Christmas Eve services each year.
- Family - the 1:00 family service lasts about 45 minutes and is especially for families with young children. Little kids will love this interactive service led by Pastor Chris. The youth praise band leads the singing with popular Christmas songs.
- Traditional - this is our most well-attended Christmas service. We sing traditional hymns and there are performances by the choir and handbells.
- Candlelight - while the other services are held in the gym, this late night service is in the sanctuary. The format is very traditional and Communion is given.
Christmas Day & New Year's Eve Services
Our Christmas day service is in the traditional format and communion is distributed.
Bring a candle, any candle to our New Year's Eve service. It's our tradition to set these candles on the altar and light them. This symbolizes Christ's promise to be with us and our response to shine His light into the New Year.
Lessons & Carols Service
A tradition started in 1994, the annual Lessons and Carols service is held on the 1st Saturday in December. At this service we prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of our Savior. There are 9 scripture readings with musical performances in-between including special anthems, congregational hymns, string ensembles and choirs. There is usually a mass choir performance at the service, but we have modified due to recent COVID restrictions.
Drive Through Christmas Nativity
Stop by our parking lot to drive through nativity scenes featuring live actors. As you drive through each of the 5 nativity stations, listen to our narrator on Podbean or on the recording below as he tells the true story of Christmas. The drive through with narration lasts approximately 15 minutes with normal traffic.
Sunday, Dec 5, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Midweek Advent Services. For the 3 weeks leading up until Christmas we put together special advent services on Wednesday afternoons and evenings to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior. Come as you are for these simple services led by Pastor Chris. We sing traditional advent hymns and hear about the wonders of our God!