Advent

The Season of Advent

Christmas Eve Services

Jesus’ birth is a story about God making room—for great joy to break beyond boundaries, for awe to push past the limits of our imaginations, for welcome to be extended to shepherds and strangers. This is a story about how God makes room.

Luke’s Gospel tells us that when Mary gives birth to Jesus, she lays him in a manger, for there was no place for them in the guest room. Scholars argue about where, exactly, the birth occurs—and why. Was it in a stable or the living room of a simple peasant home? Was Bethlehem teeming with visitors who were also there to be counted in the census? Was Joseph’s family inhospitable because they disapproved of his marital situation? Regardless of where the birth occurs, we know that Christ is born in a crowded, unlikely place. And yet, God makes a place here anyway. God draws the circle wider as shepherds and unexpected guests arrive. This Christmas, let us also make room—for strangers and neighbors alike. For this is good news of great joy for all people.

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Christmas Eve Music & Bulletins

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9:30am Service Bulletin

4:30pm Service Bulletin

As the air starts to chill we turn our attention to the holy advent.

Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people. As Advent comes again to a weary world, we ask, “How does a weary world rejoice?” This year, we will follow the stories in the opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel. As we hold space for our weariness and our joy, we will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. This Advent, may we find many ways to rejoice.

Advent Series

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Advent Devotional

Adult Advent Calendar

Use this interactive area as a guide, by week, for advent. All printed materials (listed below) are available in the Narthex throughout advent

Youth Advent Calendar

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Advent Devotional

The Advent Art of Week 1

As Advent begins, we start by acknowledging the weariness, grief, rage, and hopelessness we carry—and we also affirm that we are made for joy. Joy is designed to live in a full house of other emotions. We start the season with Zechariah and Elizabeth; they have battled infertility and have lived many years steadfast in their faith. Perhaps they feel the weight of hopes and dreams unattained. The angel comes to Zechariah with a promise of good news, but Zechariah can’t fully receive it, and he is cast into silence for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Sometimes weariness can harden us and prevent us from living fully. We’ve had hard journeys. Grief has left a scar on us. This is how we show up to Advent. Let us acknowledge the ways we, too, are hardened by disbelief. Like the psalmist, let us ask, “how long?” and plead for restoration.

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Advent Devotional

The Advent Art of Week 2

In community, our joy expands. When we can’t rejoice, we can carry each other’s joy. That is what Elizabeth and Mary do for each other. The good news begins to take shape in Elizabeth’s womb, but scripture tells us that she stays secluded, hiding her pregnancy from others—that is, until Mary arrives at her door, also pregnant. Perhaps Mary’s arrival is the inbreaking that changes everything for Elizabeth, for in that moment, her child leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Spirit. She can’t help but to rejoice. Her joy is contagious and wraps around Mary like a hug. Through the prophet Isaiah, we hear God speak tender words of comfort; this is the comfort we can give to and receive from each other during this season.

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Advent Devotional

The Advent Art of Week 3

After Elizabeth gives birth, her neighbors and family celebrate with her. When it comes time to name the child, Zechariah affirms the name given by the angel and by Elizabeth. In that moment of affirming the promise, Zechariah’s speech is restored. Everyone is filled with awe. How often do you allow yourself to be amazed? Wonder is all around us—can we recognize it? As we learn how to rejoice in a weary world, can we live in a way that allows amazement and wonder to surprise us often? In Psalm 126, those who expect to reap tears are granted a surprise: shouts of joy. Amazement is a balm for the weary.

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Advent Devotional

The Advent Art of Week 4

As soon as Zechariah’s voice returns, his first words are gratitude and blessing. He sings a story of praise for God’s protection and promise, and then he showers a blessing on his newborn son. He sings a story of hope. After Elizabeth proclaims blessings upon Mary, Mary sings: “My soul magnifies God; my spirit rejoices in God.” Mary sings about a God of liberation who pulls the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. Mary sings a story of hope, one in which justice and joy are interwoven. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, may we also sing stories of hope, justice, and joy.

Advent Devotional

The Advent Art of Week 5

Taize Worship Services

"While prayer alone can be arduous, the beauty of praying with others is an incomparable support to the inner life. By means of simple words, hymns, songs, it communicates a discreet and silent joy."

Join Community for Taizé style worship at

6:30 pm on Thursdays in November 30th thru December 21st. The Taize services, lasting 35 to 40 minutes, will be held in the Revelation Room behind the sanctuary. Enter the building through the Highland or Office entrances.

November 30

6:30pm

December 7

6:30pm

December 14

6:30pm

December 21

6:30pm

Winter Cantata

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Thank you to all of the Festival Choir and Orchestra members who brought us the moving and faithful message of Jesus’ birth through this year’s Christmas Cantata. The themes and message of Songs of Justice, Songs of Hope, Songs of Joy were inspiring and challenged everyone listening to see Jesus and the Holy Family in a new light. We celebrate Tyler Walters’ original arrangements and compositions which added depths of peace and joy to our experience. Unfortunately, we missed an important recognition! A very special thank you goes to Danielle Bridges, for her faithfulness to the fuller story of Jesus’ birth that goes beyond the manger scene we so sweetly conjure in our minds each year. Danielle put many, many hours into creating this year’s cantata by selecting each song individually, choosing appropriate scriptures, and writing the narration that tied everything together in a beautiful way. The result was a masterful work that invited us to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to turn inward to examine how we welcome “the other” in our daily lives! In the days ahead, please thank all those who participated in the cantata!

Watch the Advent Cantata; Songs of Justice, Songs of Hope, Songs of Joy

Events and Outreach

Mission Gift Festival

Ordering Information

Although We celebrated Mission Gift Festival on Sunday, December 3 you can still participate by purchasing items in the church office. More more information please see the materials attached below!

Click Here for the Mission Gift Festival Brochure

Click Here for the Description of Mission Partners

Click Here for a Mission Gift Festival Order Form