Previously known as the Laymen’s Pre-Christmas Services, a group of 14 Carthage area churches has assembled the 2018 Carthage Community Christmas Services scheduled for Dec. 17-20.
This series of four services, the first at 7 p.m., Monday and the others at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, will be held at the Fairview Christian Church.
Dennis Bowers, publicity chairman for the committee planning the Community Christmas Services, said the theme for the week is “Jesus Reigns.”
With the exception of the first service, each service is held in the morning so busy community members can come, worship and remember the true message and meaning of the Christmas season before they head into their busy days.
“The annual event has been put together by church members representing a number of Carthage churches since 1950,” Bowers said. “The services have not changed much since the beginning. They have always been a time for Christians in the community to come together during the busy Christmas season to celebrate their common hope in the birth of Jesus Christ. Great communicators and talented musicians are selected from across the community each year to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas!”
The speakers
• The main service is a special candlelight service scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.
Participants for the evening, representing several local churches, will include Cathy Wilson, Dr. Tom Barlow, Ray Mathis, Richard Webster, Ziden Nutt, Minette Allmoslecher, Mark Elliff, Judy Swarens, Julie Tilley, and Kyle Catron.
• Doug Aldridge will speak at the service at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Doug is the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean and Professor of Apologetics and New Testament at Ozark Christian College. Prior to that he ministered for six years at the Downey First Christian Church in Downey, California.
His undergraduate work consisted of, Bachelor of Biblical Literature and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Ozark Christian College in Joplin. He also earned a Master of Ministry degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.
Prior to entering the ministry, Doug worked as a seasonal firefighter for the California Department of Forestry. He also worked three years as a paramedic for Hemet Valley ambulance.
• Ginny Andrews will speak at the 7 a.m. Wednesday morning service.
Ginny is a Carthage resident, originally from West Plains, Missouri.
She is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University with degrees in Mass Communication and Political Science. Ginny is married to Brad Andrews, an agronomist and business owner from Jasper. The two met at MSSU’s campus ministry Koinonia and have been married for 19 years.
She worked for Koinonia as well as Good News Productions, Int’l in Joplin before having children. This is Ginny’s eighth year of home educating their three children: Caleb, Hannah, and JT. The Andrews family attends Fairview Christian Church in Carthage where they have been members for 11 years.
She is the educational director of the Association for Christian Homeschool Families, a homeschool co-operative in Joplin. She also serves on the ACHF board.
Brad and Ginny are the chairs of the Cross-Cultural Missions team at Fairview and Ginny has multiple roles teaching and serving in children’s and youth ministry there. The Andrews Family has traveled internationally and enjoys outdoor activities, travel, and history. Ginny’s highest value is living out the Matthew 5:16 principle: loving and serving well to God’s glory.
• Larry Hartman is speaker for the 7 a.m., Thursday service.
He is originally from Ft Collins, Colorado. He graduated from high school and also from CSU, both in Ft Collins. His degree in Horticulture is from CSU.
Following a career in horticulture and floriculture Larry has retired in Carthage, where he has lived since 1981. He is presently grounds keeper at Rollins Creek. Larry has 2 sons, a daughter, and 8 grandchildren.
He enjoys cooking, gardening, and travel. Larry is a member of Grace Episcopal Church; he is also an enthusiastic advocate for early childhood literacy and the importance of giving back. His hope is that he is able to live his life so others can see Jesus.
Each morning service will include special music, including Will Endicott, Melissa Smith, and John Nicholas.
Please plan to stay after the services for light refreshments.
