Advent 2013

Rejoice! Rejoice!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 15:13 NRSV

Advent is the most joyous season of the Christian calendar.  Here are some of  the highlights of this year’s Advent season at our church:

Saturday, November 30—Get into the Christmas mood by helping to decorate the church!  Putting up festive greenery, Chrismons, nativity sets and lights between Thanksgiving and Advent has been a long-standing tradition here.  This year, we’ve located additional decorations such as the multi-branched brass candelabra you saw at the anniversary dinner, and Bill Wentling is working with an electrician to get us more electrical outlets for the best holiday lighting ever.  We’ll start at 10:00 am, and the Davises will serve lunch when the carillon plays at noon.  Fun, food, and fellowship—don’t miss it!

Sunday, December 1—The first Sunday in Advent.  Holy Communion, the lighting of the first Advent candle, and the “First Sunday” collection of non-perishable food items for the Valley View Community Food Bank.  The 50th Anniversary slideshow will be shown again at Fellowship, with the photos from the gala included.

Sunday, December 8—The second Sunday in Advent.  Lighting of the second Advent candle, Congregational Meeting, and celebration of December birthdays at Fellowship following worship services.  (Christmas cookies may start showing up about now!)

Saturday, December 14—The eagerly-awaited Holiday High Tea.  The ladies of the church will set beautiful tables with their own china and decorations, and the men will wait tables in cummerbunds and bow ties.  And if that weren’t enough, the food will include delicious scones, cucumber sandwiches, and desserts galore.  Call Norma Mack at the church office (623-974-3605) to be added to the waiting list for tickets.

Sunday, December 15—The third Sunday in Advent.  Lighting of the third Advent candle.

Wednesday, December 18—December Fellowship Dinner: An Evening of Carols with Bill Gleason, our choir director, and Kelsey McKee, our pianist.  Dinner starts at 5:00 pm in Swain Hall.  (Choir practice will begin after the program.)

Sunday, December 22—The fourth Sunday in Advent. Performances by the “Great Bells of Fire” handbell choir under director Sherrill Tyacke, a special Christmas Cantata by the voice choir and director Bill Gleason, and collection of the Christmas Joy Offering (see above).  To learn more about how the Christmas Joy Offering is changing lives for the better, watch the video at http://www.pcusa.org/resource/2013-christmas-joy-offering-video/

Tuesday, December 24—Our traditional Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary.

We hope you can join us!