Shanghai Moore Memorial Church (Mu’en Church) held four Christmas worship services on the fourth Sunday of Advent or December 20.
The church, which is located near a subway station, was decorated by the colorful wall lights and words of “ Merry Christmas” on the main building.
Churchgoers were required to register in advance to attend each service, in order to limit the number of participants and meet the requirements of COVID-19 prevention and control.
The third service began at two o’clock in the afternoon. Attendees entered the sanctuary after having their temperatures checked, following COVID-19 protocols.
To the music of O Come All Ye Faithful, choir members, officiant, and pastors entered in turn. The officiant announced the beginning of the service and led the congregation in reading Luke 2:8-14, which was also the main text of the service.
First, the choir sang five Christmas carols including Silent Night and Amazing Grace. Then a sermon entitled, "I Bring You Good News of Great Joy" was delivered and the pastor asked the believers for their most beautiful Christmas wishes and gifts. As December is Christmas month, it is celebrated everywhere, such as in shopping malls, streets, and churches. But everyone should know about Jesus, he is not only our Lord but also the Lord of our family and friends. So the pastor said every Christian had a responsibility to share the gospel and let others receive this most beautiful gift.
In addition, the pastor said the Lord was worthy of our praise and everyone should welcome him into their lives. He not only lives for us, but also died for us. The blood on the cross cleansed us from sins, and the resurrection brought us the hope that he would take us to live with him in the future. Jesus was born in a manger humbly and served us all his life. In the past year, we have personally experienced the peace God’s presence brought, as we still could enter the church to worship Him during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the sermon, the staff workers presented the dance Amazing Grace and a Nativity play entitled A Baby Is Born for Us, and the service ended with the hymn Joy to the World. After the service, everyone received a 2021 calendar as a Christmas gift.
In addition to the Christmas worship services, the church will also hold a sacred music worship service on the evening of December 24. The service was fully booked two hours after the information was sent out at seven o'clock on Monday morning. According to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the number of participants must not exceed 600 and reservations need to be made on WeChat.
-Translated by Abigail Wu
(The article is originally published by Gospel Times.)
