City Harvest Church’s Candlelight services are one of the highlights of the year for the church. City News takes a look at the many reasons why you should look forward to December 2016.
It’s a beautiful Christmas beautiful night, and there’s no better place to be in than church. We could go into a long spiel that would give you a minute by minute account of what happened this particular Candlelight Service. Or we could show you, and remind you why Candlelight Service is worth coming back for every year:
CN PHOTOS: Daniel Poh, Kenneth Lee & Michelle Toh
1. Enjoying the company of your friends and family
It’s a time of thanksgiving in the church. With the Candlelight Services being held at the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to stop and remember all the memories you’ve created with your friends and family the past 12 months. Take a moment to enjoy the year you have had with them.
2. A show-stopping performance
Last Christmas, the stage looked nothing like its regular, clean, sleek self. It was dressed with leather couches, a blazing hearth, a beautiful coffee table and a Christmas tree decorated the stage giving it a warm, cosy look. Taking centerstage, City Worship gave the church members the gift of song, neatly wrapped as a cover of Pentatonix’s “That’s Christmas To Me”. The acapella performance, with its soothing harmony brought a beautiful reminder of the joy Christmas brings. It was a beautiful lead into the message. You can expect something different during Candlelight services each year.
3. Pastor Kong’s message
Pastor Kong Hee always prepares a sermon for Candlelight service that touches not just regular members but the hearts of their family and friends. The spirit of Christmas fills the entire auditorium as all are reminded of the gift of Jesus.
4. The hall shining like a star-filled sky
As Pastor Kong lights the first candle, the flame is passed down from candle to candle. You watch as the glow from the candles travel through the hall like a gentle wave of light. Soon bright dots light the hall, and there’s a hushed murmur as strangers lean towards each other lighting each other’s candles. It is a moment of peace created from the understanding that you’re safe and loved in church.
5. A poignant, Spirit-filled time of peace as we sing “Silent Night” together as a family
With candles aglow and hearts full of love, we remember that it is for God that we are in church. Christmas is not just about family and friends, it is about God. As we sway to the music, we close our eyes in thoughtful silence and thank God for all that he’s done. We remember he’s the reason for the season.
6. A photo to remember the night with for years to come
The images come out slight dark, slightly grainy. They sometimes turn out outright blur. But in everyone’s photo—of friends and family pressed together, holding candles, with the soft glow of the flame illuminating their faces—you see what CHC aims to give its members to take away after each Candlelight Service: joy and thankfulness. Check your Instagram feed—you’ll find messages of hope, gratefulness and, most importantly, love.
