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

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Prepare your VCR: two NCC Christmas Specials
will sparkle on 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 light up the nation's
living rooms Dec. 24 on CBS and ABC. 

Outgoing NCC President Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Christian Methodist
Episcopal Bishop of Louisana and Mississippi, 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.

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 Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
has provided strong pastoral support for persons affected by Hurricane
Katrina and Hurricane Rita in Bishop Hoyt's episcopal district.

The one-hour "Joy to the World" Christmas special on ABC will include a
joyful 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.

Both specials are scheduled to run at 11:30 p.m. Dec. 24 but air times vary
from station to station. Viewers are encouraged to check local listings

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.