Advent 2023
A holy Advent is one with time set apart from demands of overwhelming depends of “holiday-shoulds.” Advent is found in moments of stillness and expectation for what is to come, the birth of a baby. A humble birth that has changed the narrative of our lives. It is a story of wonder. It is the life of Jesus.
We hope that you will join in faithful advent practices to prepare your heart for the newborn King of creation. Advent begins on December 3rd which will be noted when our liturgical color change to blue. Find ways to lean into the wonder of advent at home and in community below.
Living Well Through Advent
This devotional is intended to be used for daily personal reflection as we journey through Advent. Limited hard copies are available to pick-up at the church, use this digital PDF, or sign-up to get to receive an email of the daily devotion.
The theme is Practicing Wonder with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind . In these challenging and complicated times, on the surface it may seem like focusing on wonder is a luxury, a nice bonus or extra in one’s life if one has the space to do so. But in reality, it is critical to our well-being. Wonder invites us to pay attention to the Sacred that is present in every moment. To practice wonder is to practice being curious and open to the movement of the Spirit. It is an essential practice this time of year when the culture puts many demands on us, wanting us to complicate our lives by doing more, buying more, eating more, etc. Focusing on wonder, especially a profoundly spiritual interior wonder, is indeed countercultural. This makes it a perfect focus for Advent because the session of Advent itself is countercultural. So let us embrace wholeheartedly the season of Advent, along with these reflections, as the support we need to practice wonder in a way that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas.
Welcome Advent: Parish-Wide Event
On the first Sunday in Advent we will be welcoming the season of waiting. There will be one Sunday service at 10:15 AM (no 8 AM service) to worship together in unity before heading upstairs to Musselman Hall for a luncheon and Cookie Walk.
Lunch is free and will include soups, chillis, and hot dogs.The Cookie Walk will be $8 a pound and all proceeds will go to The Outreach Committee. We look forward to worshipping in union, breaking bread around the table, and welcoming advent with wonder.
RSVP or sign-up to bake for the Cookie Walk by November 27th here.
AdventWord
One Word – One Day: experience the creative side of devotional time with the AdventWord by Forward Movement. If you are someone who uses social media you will discover people following the #adventword prompts all across the globe. A one word prompt can lead to infinite responses: research the word make a poem, look for images of the word take a picture, draw or paint a picture, write a story, reflect on your memories, find a song with that word, color your prayer from the word, hold the word in silent prayer. The creativity and wonder are endless. Use this resource in a way that best suits your needs during advent. Get a daily email with the AdventWord to your here by signing-up.
| Wind | December 3 |
| Hidden | December 4 |
| Presence | December 5 |
| Peace | December 6 |
| Grace | December 7 |
| Watch | December 8 |
| Awake | December 9 |
| Glory | December 10 |
| Herald | December 11 |
| Valley | December 12 |
| Truth | December 13 |
| Patience | December 14 |
| Hasten | December 15 |
| Begin | December 16 |
| Spirit | December 17 |
| Repair | December 18 |
| Give | December 19 |
| Dream | December 20 |
| Laughter | December 21 |
| Quench | December 22 |
| Ponder | December 23 |
| Covenant | December 24 |
| Light | December 25 |
Holy Family Journey Game
All you need is a deck of cards and some wonder to help our Holy Family journey to the stable.
Healing Service
December 20, 7 PM
God our healer, whose mercy is like a refining fire: by the lovingkindness of Jesus, heal us and those for whom we pray; that being renewed by you, we may witness your wholeness to our broken world; through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit. Amen. (Book of Occasional Service, A Service for Healing)
An evening prayer and meditation service with Deacon Dennis for all people experiencing grief this advent season. Join us in the quiet of the night for a short evening of reflection, acceptance, and holding out for healing and hope. All persons are welcome.