Happy Thursday before Christmas, Church Family!

Christmas Day is getting close, and many of us are gearing up for school to let out, gifts to be wrapped, and calendars to finally slow down for a break. But don’t let the reason for the season get lost in the shuffle. More important than time off, flawless decorations, or even finding the perfect gift is God’s perfect gift to us: Himself.

As Christmas approaches, I’d like you to remember two things.

First, God loves you so much that He came down to His creation. God the Son was born like us, grew up like us, and lived the perfect life we couldn’t, knowing that He would one day lay down His own life to save us. There is no greater gift than that.

Second, we will celebrate the glory of God’s perfect gift on Christmas Eve, and we’d love to have you join us. Each of our CityRise campuses will hold services next Wednesday evening to refocus our hearts and rejoice in the full meaning of Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus Christ.

We’re also gearing up for CityRise Missouri City’s huge campus and community party this weekend: Christmas Together: A Community Celebration! Our Missouri City events are consistently popular and well-attended—both as fun get-togethers and as meaningful outreach moments to our neighbors. Make your way out to Missouri City on Saturday at 5P for Christmas CRMC style! 

CityRise Bellaire
4601 Bellaire Blvd
3:00P* & 5:00P
 
CityRise Missouri City
2601 5th Street
5:00P
 
CityRise West U Baptist
6218 Auden
4:00P & 6:00P*
 
* Livestreamed services will be 3:00p (Bellaire), and 6:00p (West U Baptist) at cityrise.org/live.

Christmas Eve services also come with something special. Everyone who attends will receive a free copy of my book, 40 Days of Faith: Wisdom for Walking by Faith Each Day. Would you consider inviting someone who could use some faith encouragement as 2026 approaches?

I’m looking forward to a special Sunday and a meaningful Christmas week, and I hope you are, too. Make plans to join us on Christmas Eve (invite family and friends!), and I pray you have a wonderful start to your holiday week.

We’ll see you on Sunday!


Stay Expectant,
Pastor Roger


P.S. As 2025 comes to a close, prayerfully consider your year-end giving to CityRise and your continued support of God’s work here in Houston. All the ways to give financially can be found at cityrise.org/give. Thank you for your generosity!