November 21, 2005

CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) produced "Joy to the World," a television special that will air across the United States on many ABC-TV stations this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. ELCA Communication Services prepared the one-hour program for the National Council of Churches USA and the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

"We really value our relationship with major networks like ABC through the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission and the National Council of Churches. It allows us to share Christmas celebrations with millions of people across the country," said Ava Odom Martin, director for public media, ELCA Communication Services, and the program's producer.

"ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson opens the program with a greeting he recorded in Manger Square on a recent trip to Bethlehem," said Kristi S. Bangert, interim executive director, ELCA Communication Services.

Many ABC stations plan to broadcast "Joy to the World" on Christmas Eve at 11:30 p.m., local time. Management of some stations may elect to air the program at some other time, usually on Dec. 24 or 25.

The program features Lutheran Christmas worship in various cultural traditions – African American, American Indian, Arab and Middle Eastern, Asian and Latino. A Swedish Santa Lucia celebration introduces the mix of cultures recalling the birth of Jesus Christ through music and praise.

Services were recorded for the program during Christmas 2004 and involved several ELCA congregations: + Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago + Thai Lutheran Community Church, Forest Park, Ill. + Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. + Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Ohio, and St. James Lutheran Church, East Cleveland + Eben Ezer Lutheran Church, Oaks, Okla. + San Marcos Lutheran Church, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

"The ability to produce this program is a direct result of ELCA members' mission support. Such a television production is an important part of our church's outreach effort across the United States and Caribbean," Bangert said.

Martin added, "For those who have no idea what a Lutheran church is like, they can experience with us the rich diversity of our many multicultural and ethnic specific congregations. We hope many people will tune in to share the Good News of God's grace."

ELCA News Service