The Yaodu District Church in Linfen, Shanxi hosted its first Christmas & Thanksgiving worship service as scheduled on the morning of December 24.
Early in the morning, the staff in charge of reception stood by the door to register the attendees and take their temperature, greeting them with "Merry Christmas and Jesus loves you".
The believers, who were wearing masks, entered the sanctuary and were seated according to their seat number.
After the church bell rang at 9:30, the choir, the host, and the pastor entered the hall. Then the congregation sang carols, Gloria Patri and Midnight and Sleeping Bethlehem and read Psalm 96.
Later, the choir sang five carols, Who is This Wonderful Baby, True Light, In the Wilderness of Bethlehem, Birth of Jesus and The Lord's Love in China (these three are not sure). Pastor Guo Quanling gave a sermon on the nativity and supreme glory, explaining the significance of the birth of Jesus. After the sermon, the new seekers were welcomed.
Then the congregation sang the carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. After the host prayed and gave a blessing, the service ended in the song of Amen.
At 7:30 in the evening, the Christmas Eve Thanksgiving worship service was held and the congregation received the “peace apples” on Christmas Eve and other gifts.
(The article is originally published by Gospel Times.)
-Translated by Abigail Wu