Are we really hours away from New Year’s Eve?
Yes! This Sunday, December 2nd, is the first Sunday of Advent, which marks the beginning of the church calendar. You’ll find the sanctuary decorated and the color purple hanging as a symbol of this season of waiting – and preparing – for Christ to be born. We’ll begin our preparations by lighting the first candle of our Advent wreath.
And, we’ll be confronted by a challenging text – Luke 21:25-36 – which gives us the invitation to “keep your heads up” event as the world seems as though it’s falling apart. Good news in hard times.
We have a rich and full Advent & Christmas season planned here at FPC (see below), and we hope you’ll be a part of it.
Dec 8 (Sat): Bell-Ringing & Carols – 2-4pm in front of Key Food (268 Main St). Join us as we sing some Christmas carols and ring the bell to raise money for the Salvation Army and support their service to our community.
Dec 15 (Sat): Christmas Dinner & Caroling – 5pm in McKinley Hall. Bring a friend and enjoy a spaghetti dinner (please contact the office to sign up so we know how much food to prepare; suggested donation: $6/adult). At 6pm, those interested will head out to sing carols for our homebound friends in the neighborhood while others are welcome to stay and enjoy carols at church.
Dec 16 (Sun): Christmas Pageant – 10am in the Sanctuary. See the story of Christ’s birth re-told by the young people in our Godly Play program as they perform an original pageant, written by Gwynne Watkins. Stick around at the end of the service to sing along with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus… all singers welcome!
Dec 21 (Fri): Blue Christmas – 7pm in the Sanctuary. Gather with us on the winter solstice for a time of silence, candlelight, and moving music. Through prayer and creative ritural, we will make space to acknowledge our pain and grief… and remember the coming of the light on the longest night.
Dec 24 (Mon): Christmas Eve Candlelight – 8pm in the Sanctuary. Celebrate the mystery and wonder of Immanuel – God-with-us – with a traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service. With music, beauty, and hope, we invite you to encounter the heavenly peace of this Silent Night.