Holiday Worship: Impact Christian Church

The Christmas season is a time of giving for , said Minister Steve Hammer.

"It's a very giving and generous congregation all year long, and we step that up during Christmas time," said Hammer, who is senior minister for the Thorn Run Road church.

In recent weeks, Hammar said Impact's generosity has extended to a local military family grappling with the injury of a loved one. Members also pulled together to throw a Christmas celebration for an area family facing unemployment.

This year the church gathered more than 1,100 pairs of shoes to be donated to the charity Soles4Souls, which recycles shoes for those in need.

"That day I challenged them," he said. "We've got people around the world who are barefoot and maybe you should remove your shoes and donate them. We had a lot of people walk out barefoot that day."

Hammer said Impact will have a traditional candlelight service at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve. There also will be services at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve and at 10 a.m. Christmas Day.

As many as 400 people attend regular services at the church, and Hammer said he expects that number to climb this weekend.

"It can work around everyone's holiday schedule," Hammer said.

He said the church, which has a membership of more than 700, is "contemporary and casual."

"I wear jeans when I preach," he said. "We want people to be comfortable. We're trying to help people let God love them. Sometimes people close themselves off."

This week, Patch takes a look at how Moon area churches are marking the Christmas season.