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Dear Church Family, I'd like to express special thanks to our children's choirs and Chancel Choir for their excellent Christmas concerts this past week. I deeply appreciate our exceptional music ministry at BUMC. Many of you know that the world is predicted to end this Friday, based on interpretations of an ancient Mayan calendar. However, since Jesus said, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36), I wouldn't worry too much about it. Instead, we need to be prepared for the end of history by having faith in Jesus Christ, and we need to be working to advance God's kingdom before Christ's return, primarily by serving others in need, as we read in Matthew 25, "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Like many of you, I'm still in shock and grief about the recent school shooting. Let us remember to pray for the people of Newtown, Connecticut as they deal with this horrible event. As we approach Christmas at BUMC, I asked Rev. Rachel PeavyhouseFay to tell us about "The Longest Night" service of healing and hope, and Rev. Jeff Wilson to tell us about our Christmas Eve services.