wfn.org | NCC offers two Christmas TV Specials

["NCC News" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

Prepare your VCR: two NCC Christmas Specials
will compete this Christmas Eve on CBS and ABC

New York, November 30, 2005 -- Two Christmas Eve specials produced under the
auspices of the National Council of Churches USA will compete with one
another at 11:30 p.m. December 24 on CBS and ABC.

Outgoing NCC President Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., will replace David
Letterman when he preaches to 1,500 worshippers in Jackson, Miss., on CBS;
and "Joy to the World," a mix of music and praise produced for the NCC by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will replace ABC's Nightline for one
night.

In the days before video tape recorders, the competing broadcasts would have
posed a holiday dilemma for network viewers who want to see both Christmas
specials.

On CBS, Bishop Hoyt will preach in Black's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
in Jackson, Miss., in a worship service based on the theme, "No Room in the
Inn." Celebrating with scripture readings, carols, spirituals and a praise
dance, the service will honor the birth of Jesus by awarding gifts to 100
survivors of the 2005 hurricanes.

The one-hour "Joy to the World" Christmas special on ABC will include a mix
of music and praise from Evangelical Lutheran congregations -- African
American, Asian, American Indian, Arab/Middle Eastern and Latino, from
Oklahoma to Illinois and Ohio to Puerto Rico. The rich and diverse cultural
blend begins with a Santa Lucia celebration in the Swedish Lutheran
tradition.

Local air times may vary. Viewers are urged to check listings with the local
ABC and CBS affiliates.

The National Council of Churches is composed of 35 Protestant, Anglican,
Orthodox, historic African American and peace communions representing 45
million Christians in 100,000 local congregations in the United States.

Contact NCC News: Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2522, pjenks@ncccusa.org; or
Leslie Tune, 202-544-2350, ltune@ncccusa.org.