Lynbrook, RVC to Celebrate Christmas Eve Together

In the spirit of coming together at the most wonderful time of the year, the congregation from the non-denominational Vineyard Church, and campuses will celebrate on Christmas Eve for the first time.

And according to Vineyard Church Lynbrook pastor, the Rev. Steve Munson, everyone is invited.

"Anyone from any religious background is welcome. You don't have to be alone on Christmas Eve. Everyone is invited to come to our Christmas Eve service and feel loved," he said. "We are having a candlelight service. We will be singing Christmas carols, have a short sermon on the meaning of Christmas, light the candles and sing Silent Night with the lights turned off."

Munson said the churches are a sight to be seen, especially during the holidays. "We have the Christmas lights up outside," he said, "it is quite beautiful."

With 600 active members attending both locations, Munson admitted that the laid-back environment and the playing of modern music has been a huge draw for many individuals that regularly attend the church campuses. "We attract a lot of young people because of our contemporary music. It's a very relaxed atmosphere," he said. "You don't have to wear a suit and tie here, but if you want to, you can."

Vineyard Church Rockville Centre and Lynbrook senior pastor Rev. Randy Larson said that individuals from all walks of life attend the church. "We have every ethnicity and every financial status," he said. "It's a pretty diverse congregation."

Staying busy ministering both locations, Larson remains optimistic about shuttling back and forth. "It's a five-minute drive between the churches. I give five services on the weekends — one on Saturday and four on Sundays," he said.

With significant progress being made by Vineyard Church in the communities, Larson said he is enthusiastic about the future.

"We are making connections with the community. The Rockville Centre campus has a food pantry, it's one of the few pantries that give meats. Most pantries today just give canned goods," Larson said. "We are working our way toward a food pantry in Lynbrook. Lynbrook just had a successful coat drive."

Establishing itself in the 1980s, the history of the Vineyard Church began in California. According to its website, Vineyard was a name chosen by Kenn Gulliksen, a prolific church planter affiliated with Calvary Chapel, for a church he opened in Los Angeles in 1974. There are more currently than 1,500 Vineyard churches worldwide, 550 in the United States.

The Rockville Centre campus was established 20 years ago, while the Lynbrook location opened this past Easter Sunday.

The two church campuses plan to come together again at Adelphi University on Jan. 9 at 10:45 a.m. Again, all are welcome.

Looking forward to uplifting Christmas Eve services in Rockville Centre and Lynbrook, Larson says he's ready to celebrate.

"It will be a beautiful evening," he said. "We have been having Christmas Eve services in Rockville Centre for the past 20 years, and it will be even nicer now that we can include the Lynbrook campus."

The Christmas Eve church service schedules are 5 p.m. in Rockville Centre (251 Merrick Road) and 11 p.m. in Lynbrook (180 Denton Avenue).