Sending or receiving a Christmas Card is nice, despite the cost of the stamp and the time to address and mail holiday greeting to friends and family.
That, up until several decades ago, was how the friends that attend the Blowing Rock Methodist Church stayed in touch during the months that they are not in residence in their second home in Blowing Rock.
That changed when someone suggested Christmas in July - a celebration that puts all the elements together (except the cold and snow) that brings friends and neighbors together in the month of peach on earth and good will to all.
The Church on South Main street, is a seasonal church open Sundays June-September. Consequently, its worshippers do not get to be together during the Christmas season in December. That situation is remedied on the July Sunday closest to the 25th of the month when the church annually holds a special “Christmas” service. 
This Sunday, July 27, will be Christmas in July at the church. Special musical guests Carla and Michael Nicholson, from Germany, and Brian Newland, Brynne Pulver, and Shalene Wyrick, majors in the Appalachian State University music program, will join resident choir members,
Craig Brown, David Clark, and Connie Waddell are providing the music.  Carla Nicholson will sing in the hymn sing at 10:30. At 11:00 am in the formal worship service, Michael Nicholson will sing “The Birthday of a King,” Brian Newland will sing “O Holy Night,” and the combined choir will sing “The Shepherds’ Story” and “The Hallelujah Chorus.” 
The church will have a tent and outside speakers in the front yard to accommodate overflow worshippers, and the public is cordially invited to attend.
“This is a very special day in the life of our congregation,” said Dr. Hal Warlick, resident minister at Blowing Rock Methodist. “Once our regular members and friends leave their cars and go onto the church campus, it is Christmas and because we don’t have to contend with the cold and snow, we are able to accommodate all those who participate with overflow accommodation outside the church on the lawn.”
Members and friends get caught up in the celebration, with “Merry Christmas” the byword of the day and Christmas melodies filling the air.