Christmas Eve for All Ages at St. Stephen Lutheran Church

From a family-friendly experience for your pre-schooler to a traditional carols and candlelight service for everyone from the kids to Grandma, there is a Christmas Eve service to match your needs at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton Street, Marlborough.
    At 4 pm on Friday, December 24, the Family Service will encourage participation through
responsive readings, a story time, holy communion, and an opportunity to share prayers. “This is a time to come together to hear the Good News that Jesus is born,” said St. Stephen Pastor Joseph Graumann. “Kids are welcome to sit on the floor in the center of the church, and the first two rows will be reserved for their parents,” he added. This service will be a little shorter than the evening service.
    The Festival Eucharist Service, at 7 pm, will offer a more traditional Christmas Eve with readings, prayers, holy communion, carols, and the lighting of candles. Both the handbell choir and the vocal choir will provide additional music. Those who attend will hear the creation story in a new way “as we celebrate God’s message, that Jesus is with us, here and now,” Pastor Graumann noted. “Whether you are new to church or newly returning, you have a place at Christ’s table.”
    Masks are required for everyone age two and above, at both services, and those who are eligible are encouraged to be vaccinated. For those who would prefer Christmas Eve worship from home, both services will be available through YouTube. Go to the church’s website, www.saintstephenlutheran.com, and select Visit our YouTube Channel.
    For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com  or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org). The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, and Bolton.
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