Advent 2024
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. The church calendar begins with Advent and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We celebrate Christ in December, the last month of the year closing out a difficult year. Meanwhile, it is hard to celebrate the promise of a new year which we know is bringing great uncertainty. In the midst of it all, we are also turning a page in our congregation as church leaders will be sharing their proposed strategic plan in January.
Remembering the birth of Jesus is perhaps just the grounding and centering experience we need in this threshold time. What needs releasing? What do we hold on to? How are we being made new? His birth brings with it both the invitation for a reset--the promise of renewal and refocusing--as well as an opportunity to sink deeper into the incarnational blessing--God's love with us and in us as we head into the new year.
Words for the Beginning: An Advent Devotional
You are invited to intentionally nourish your Advent journey as you engage the art, poetry and reflections, trying on the various spiritual practices. Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices: online.flippingbook.com/view/811735764/ . In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.
If you would like a printed copy of the Advent Devotional, you can pick one up at the Advent Festival on December 1 or in the Front Office.
Sunday, December 1 - The First Sunday of Advent:
You Are a Blessing
Worship at 10 am: Hanging of the Greens and Communion Sunday
Lighting the Hope Candle
Participate during worship in bedazzling our Sanctuary as we begin to anticipate the birth of Jesus.
Advent Festival following worship: Crafts, treats, and connection to prepare for the Advent journey during this intergenerational event.
Sunday, December 8 - The Second Sunday of Advent:
We Can't Go Alone
Worship at 10 am
Lighting the Peace Candle
Carol Sing and Lunch at 11 am: We will stay and sing carols in the Sanctuary after worship, then proceed to the Social Hall for a catered lunch. Everyone is invited to bring a plate of cookies (no nuts).
Sunday, December 15 - The Third Sunday of Advent:
Do the Good That is Yours to Do
Worship at 10 am: Pageant Sunday
Lighting the Joy Candle
Intergenerational Christmas Pageant during worship. Something truly magical happens when our children and youth tell the story of Jesus' birth. The way they embody the joy, curiosity, wonder, love, peace, hope, and liberation of this abiding story gives us abundant life. Adults, we have parts for you too! Reach out to Cynthia if you’d like to join in the fun.
You are invited to wear your favorite "ugly" or beautiful Holiday sweater to worship!
Tuesday, December 17
The Longest Night Worship Service
Worship at 7 pm
Sing, pray, light a candle, receive God’s peace and hear a word of hope spoken into the shadows. This service makes space for the mixed feelings of the holidays: grief, fear, overwhelm, anger, numbness, and frustration.
Sunday, December 22 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Hope is Worth the Risk
Worship at 10 am
Lighting the Love Candle
Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve:
Love Knows Your Name
Lighting the Christ Candle
5 pm Family Christmas Eve Celebration
Intergenerational worship with Christmas carols, a participative telling of the birth of Jesus, and singing Silent Night by candlelight.
10 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Celebration with special music starting at 9:30 pm
A traditional service with carols, a Christmas message, and singing Silent Night by candlelight.
Sunday, December 29 - The First Sunday after Christmas: Don't Forget to Laugh
Worship at 10 am
The birth of Christ brings good news of great joy to all people, which is cause for celebration. On this Sunday after Christmas, we encourage you to be playful, to not take yourself too seriously, to laugh.
Sunday, January 5 - Epiphany:
The Road Ahead Isn't Straight
Worship at 10 am
Our first worship service of the new year includes offering everyone a "star word," a blessing, and an invitation for the new year.