When you’re having a worship service, sometimes you need an Environmental Effect. For example, you plan to use real candles in a Christmas Eve service. If the HVAC system is running at that time, then it can make it challenging to keep the candles lit. One solution is to ask one of the ushers to turn off the HVAC system just before the candle lighting. That way, the fan won’t be blowing and the candles will stay lit. However, if it is cold outside, then you don’t want the heat to stay off too long. You need to time the HVAC’s cycle so it warms up just before the closing song. Then you can turn it off. After the song, you can turn it back on again. After everyone has gone home, then the HVAC can return to standby mode.

Environmental Effects can enhance the worship service. In concerts, they often use a haze effect to enhance the lighting effects. The beams are easier to see if there is some fog in the air. However, you need to be sure that the haze is not going to cause any problems for the congregation. Be sure to use hazing fluids that are non-allergenic.

This Advent Season brings memories of Christmas in childhood. Remember the awe and wonder of those Christmases, with family traditions and gifts of love. They joy of opening presents was matched the feasts of Christmas dinner. In my family, we always went to a Christmas Eve worship service, where we sang Christmas Hyms and celebrated Holy Communion. The service would always end with singing “Silent Night” as we lit candles in the dark. The whole sanctuary lit up with light!

With the year coming to a close, our thoughts turn to Advent. It is a wonderful time of year, with many Churches having special activities and worship. Children are involved in Christmas Pageants. Youth create special events like Christmas in Bethlehem. Adults have Church School gatherings. In all of these activities, we strive to remember the Christ child, who stepped out of Heaven to walk among us on earth. How can we emphasize that message in the midst of all of the celebrations?

There are also those who experience the Christmas Blues. Maybe they had a death in the family around Christmas time. Or perhaps they are alone, away from family during the Advent season. Either way, they need support and encouragement. How about making a list of members who haven’t been in a while and reaching out to them to let them know that the Church cares? There are probably some people that stopped coming during the pandemic and haven’t found their way back yet. You could reach out to them to invite them to join you for a Christmas Eve service. A personal invite may help them find their way back into fellowship.

Advent is the start of the Christian Year, as we once more begin to tell the story of the Christ. This year, find a balance between all of the activity and reaching out to those who have been isolated and alone. The joy you share will enrich the community of believers in the year ahead.