HPU Invites Community to Join the Filming of a Christmas Special to Air on ABC
High Point University > News > Community News > Events
Oct 13th, 2023

HPU Invites Community to Join the Filming of a Christmas Special to Air on ABC

Community News
News
Press Releases

SOLD OUT

HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 13, 2023 – High Point University invites the community to join a live audience and celebrate the Christmas season during the recording of a nationally televised Christmas worship service that will be filmed on campus.

Attendees are encouraged to wear Christmas attire to the recording session that will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6 at the Hayworth Fine Arts Center. The program will air on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day on ABC-affiliated stations across the country, under the auspices of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC).

Participants can enter the HPU campus at the main entrance at the intersection of Innovation Way and University Parkway. Parking will be available in Lots A and B.

Several High Point University groups will be performing holiday music including the University Singers, the Women’s Chorus, the Men’s Glee Club, the Chapel Choir and the Chamber Singers.
Several High Point University groups will be performing holiday music including the University Singers, the Women’s Chorus, the Men’s Glee Club, the Chapel Choir and the Chamber Singers.

This is the second time this nationally televised worship service has been filmed at HPU. Click here to watch the Christmas special that was filmed and aired across ABC affiliates in 2021.

HPU’s passion for celebrating the Christmas season and the Rev. Dr. Michael Brown, an HPU alumni and member of HPU’s Board of Trustees, helped bring this unique opportunity to campus in 2021 and again this year. Brown is an author, gifted preacher and adjunct professor. After his retirement as senior minister at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, IBC asked him to repeat the Christmas worship service he had led at Marble Collegiate that aired on ABC-affiliated stations and said he could hold it anywhere.

“This worship service will share the Christmas message with viewers around the country, and High Point University is known for honoring and celebrating the Christmas season,” Brown said. “This is the perfect campus for it to take place.”

The Rev. Dr. Michael Brown, an HPU alumni and member of HPU’s Board of Trustees, helped bring this unique opportunity of filming a Christmas worship service to campus.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Brown, an HPU alumni and member of HPU’s Board of Trustees, helped bring this unique opportunity of filming a Christmas worship service to campus.

Local clergy and HPU community members will share scripture readings and prayers. Pastor Frank Thomas of Mt. Zion Baptist Church will be speaking.

Holiday music will be performed by several HPU groups, including the University Singers, the Women’s Chorus, the Men’s Glee Club, the Chapel Choir and the Chamber Singers.

Adults and children who are 12 years or older are welcome to attend. Because this event is being filmed live to air nationally on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the university appreciates guests only bringing children who are 12 or older.

HPU students will receive valuable hands-on experience during the creation of the broadcast. Watch this video to see how they contributed in 2021.