ELCA Christmas Specials to Air on ABC-TV, Hallmark

ELCA Christmas Specials to Air on ABC-TV, Hallmark

CHICAGO, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Two programs produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will air on national television in December.

"Joy to the World," will premiere throughout the United States on many ABC-TV stations on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. On Dec. 18 Hallmark Channel will broadcast "Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas," a stop- motion animated program which made its debut on Hallmark in 2004.

"Joy to the World" is a one-hour program prepared by the ELCA for the National Council of Churches USA and the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

Many ABC-TV stations plan to broadcast "Joy to the World" on Christmas Eve at 11:30 p.m., local time. Other 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 seven ELCA congregations.

"Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas" to Air Dec. 18
Hallmark will air "Snowboard Christmas" Dec. 18 at 7 a.m. Eastern/Pacific.

"Davey and Goliath" is a property of the ELCA. Faith-based adventures featuring Davey and his talking dog, Goliath, aired on commercial television in the 1960s and 1970s. "Snowboard Christmas" was the first new Davey and Goliath production in 30 years.

In "Snowboard Christmas" Davey learns some important lessons about Christmas, and about understanding and respect for people with different religious traditions. Davey makes a bad decision, even after being cautioned by Goliath, his faithful companion and conscience. Davey's actions land him and his new friends, Sam and Yasmeen, in a dangerous situation. Davey's parents play an important role in helping him understand the consequences of his actions.

"Snowboard Christmas" was named a "Best of Show" winner in the 2005 Aurora Awards and was a 2005 Telly Awards category finalist in Film/Video Television Programs for Children.

"Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas" was produced by Premavision, Inc. (Clokey Productions), Los Osos, Calif., and executive produced by the ELCA.

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

CONTACT: John R. Brooks of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
+1-773-380-2958 or john.brooks@elca.org

Web site: http://www.elca.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Art is available

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