Here's what's ahead for tomorrow night -- our annual Christmas Eve experience at Good Shepherd:

5 p.m. -- Family Experience. Our first service will feature an over-the-top children's drama that speaks to the heart of Christmas. For the young and young at heart.

7 p.m. & 9 p.m. -- Candlelight Praise & Worship. We'll have violin and cello. Guitar and keyboard. Monologue and sermon. Candles and flame. And yes, O Holy Night. All as we head toward the conclusion of A Christmas Story Christmas with a message called "What's Behind The Desk?"

Bring a friend. Bring your family. Bring a soft heart and an open mind.

Christmas Eve 2009.

5, 7, and 9.

We received some kudos from Steve James, a United Methodist specialist in congregational development.

And it all had to do with what we say in our bulletin.

To see what he had to say, click here.

You know what I find interesting? I had forgotten that our bulletin contains those words.

Yet in spite of my over-familiarity with the text, it's good to get a reminder of the impact our words can have on the guests at Good Shepherd.

Here's our promo for A Christmas Story Christmas.

The series began last week with a look at what it means to have people telling you, "You'll shoot your eye out!"

This week we move to another key scene in the movie: the Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring. It will show us something about expectation and disappointment.

Which, believe it or not, has everything to do with Jesus, the children of Israel, and Christmas itself.

Sunday. 8:30. 10. 11:30.