From The Pastor's Desk...
| Advent 2011 - From Darkness to Light Advent announces the arrival of a new year for Christians. It is the first season of the Christian calendar. During Advent we remember and celebrate important events and get ready for others.
Beginning four weeks before Christmas, the season of Advent is supposed to be a special time of waiting and preparing. It is a time when Christians get ready to experience again the story of God’s Messiah, Jesus – the Light of the World – who came to the people of Israel over two thousand years ago to rescue a world darkened by suffering, death, and pain. Advent is also a time when Christians embrace the hope that Jesus will come again. During this time of year we celebrate the good news that the Light of Jesus has pierced the darkness of evil. At first the Light was only a dim glow, a point of light envisioned by prophets. But then it sparkled to life as a baby in a manger. From this small beginning, the Light has grown and spread, overtaking the darkness, so that someday the darkness will be no more. The world will wake up to the dawn of a new day. It will be reborn as a new creation. During Advent we celebrate the coming of this Light and look forward to illuminating the entire world. |
But Advent is more than just waiting for the darkness to end. It is also about helping to overcome that darkness. As children of the Light, we share in the Light and bear the Light everywhere we go. We are to shine as rays of hope to all we meet by what we do, what we say, and how we live. As we travel the road to Advent, we are to illuminate the world around us. (From illuminate: An Advent Experience)
That is the call, the charge, the challenge we have before us again this Advent season; we are to be bearers of hope and of light. The first step in fulfilling our call is to worship together on Sunday and/or Wednesday night. The messages will be all about light, about illumination. As we embrace the familiar practices of prayer, storytelling, Scripture reading, holy conversation and acts of mercy, we hope to bask in the hope, love, joy and peace of the Light and then share the Light, and all its gifts, with others. In this path of watching, waiting, living and doing, we will experience the extraordinary – that God came to us once as a helpless infant and God will come again as our reigning Savior and Lord.
That is the call, the charge, the challenge we have before us again this Advent season; we are to be bearers of hope and of light. The first step in fulfilling our call is to worship together on Sunday and/or Wednesday night. The messages will be all about light, about illumination. As we embrace the familiar practices of prayer, storytelling, Scripture reading, holy conversation and acts of mercy, we hope to bask in the hope, love, joy and peace of the Light and then share the Light, and all its gifts, with others. In this path of watching, waiting, living and doing, we will experience the extraordinary – that God came to us once as a helpless infant and God will come again as our reigning Savior and Lord.
Wednesday Night Advent Gatherings
November 30, December 7, 14, 21
These informal worship services will center around "The Journey” by Adam Hamilton. We will view a short video clip and then enter into a time of reflection, song and prayer followed by cookies, coffee and holy conversation. There will be a special "Star Time" for children, so bring them along.
Sunday Morning Worship
We will use a variety of texts from the Lectionary to explore our theme of "Laughing Light". Yes! That is Laughing Light – Light that shines upon us, before us and among us. The title comes from a new Advent hymn which we will sing each Sunday after we light the Advent Candles. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) We will explore that Laughing Light as we explore: Hope in the Light, Love with the Light, Joy for the Light and Peace through the Light, and then on Christmas morning itself – Laughing Star Light!
Christmas Eve Worship
Early Service – 5pm
This will be an interactive, intergenerational worship service where we will look for God’s gift of Laughing Light. Yes! We will be looking here there and everywhere for gifts to unwrap, gifts that won’t be found under our tree.
Traditional Communion and Candlelight Service
his service will include the lighting of the Candle Crèche as well as a wide variety of music. Come prepared to celebrate the Light and to sing!
November 30, December 7, 14, 21
These informal worship services will center around "The Journey” by Adam Hamilton. We will view a short video clip and then enter into a time of reflection, song and prayer followed by cookies, coffee and holy conversation. There will be a special "Star Time" for children, so bring them along.
Sunday Morning Worship
We will use a variety of texts from the Lectionary to explore our theme of "Laughing Light". Yes! That is Laughing Light – Light that shines upon us, before us and among us. The title comes from a new Advent hymn which we will sing each Sunday after we light the Advent Candles. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) We will explore that Laughing Light as we explore: Hope in the Light, Love with the Light, Joy for the Light and Peace through the Light, and then on Christmas morning itself – Laughing Star Light!
Christmas Eve Worship
Early Service – 5pm
This will be an interactive, intergenerational worship service where we will look for God’s gift of Laughing Light. Yes! We will be looking here there and everywhere for gifts to unwrap, gifts that won’t be found under our tree.
Traditional Communion and Candlelight Service
his service will include the lighting of the Candle Crèche as well as a wide variety of music. Come prepared to celebrate the Light and to sing!
