“We want the whole community to come and fellowship with us at this special Christmas Eve service,” said the Rev. Carrie Kramer, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church of Pell City.
The Chapel in the Pines Christmas Eve service is at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24 at Chapel in the Pines near the Pine Harbor Golf Course Clubhouse on Pine Harbor Road.
“The Christmas Eve service is multi-denominational,” Kramer said. “We will sing Christmas hymns, and the Christmas story will be shared.”
Kramer said there will also be a short message, “The Birth of Jesus,” shared by First United Methodist Church of Pell City Senior Pastor Sam Huffstutler.
“Ginger McCurry will also perform a vocal special music for the program,” she said.
Kramer said the program should last approximately 30 minutes.
“We will also celebrate Holy Communion,” she said. “Anyone who wishes may participate in the Holy Communion (open table).”
Kramer said the Chapel in the Pines Christmas Eve service is part of Chapel in the Pines, a multi-denominational service held May through September each year.
“Chapel in the Pines was started in 1965 by Wayne Graham, a pastor at First United Methodist Church of Pell City,” she said.
Kramer said since Logan Martin Lake is such a central part of the community, Graham wanted a worship setting for area residents to worship together regardless of denomination.
“Chapel in the Pines is a centralized location that works out very well,” she said. “And the lake setting is very beautiful.”
Kramer said this is the second year to use the new benches for the Christmas Eve service.
“The new benches are wonderful,” she said. “They are beautiful and stable, and make a nice place to worship.”
Kramer said last year, a ‘Build-a-Bench’ fundraiser was held to raise funds for the new benches.
“Many local residents gave the money for the benches in memory of or in honor of a loved one,” she said. “We plan to dedicate those benches this June.”
Kramer said the benches can accommodate approximately 300 people.
“We normally have 100-150 people attend the Christmas Eve service,” she said. “But we would love to see those benches full.”
Kramer said they came close to capacity one Sunday this past summer.
“Chapel in the Pines grows every year,” she said. “Many people consider Chapel in the Pines their church, for the summer and the Christmas Eve and Easter Sunrise services.”
Kramer said he thinks Chapel in the Pines helps create a sense of unity within the community.
“Having a space to worship together creates a unity our individual churches need,” she said. “We are all disciples of Christ. We all have a common purpose and common faith. Chapel in the Pines is one of the places we can all worship together in unity.”
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