Advent
Advent Devotionals
The John P. Webster Library is offering two Advent devotional options this year. Please pick up yours at the entrances to the meeting house:
Glow: The 2023 Advent-Christmastide Devotional
Once again the Stillspeaking Writers Group offers a daily devotional to guide us through the days of Advent, then Christmastide, and on to the celebration of Epiphany. Glow includes candle-lighting liturgies for home use as well as daily readings with scripture and prayer.
The glow of Advent is a watchfire’s embers as a new day begins to dawn.
The glow of Advent is the peace of candlelit faces singing, “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
The glow of Advent is spelled with the “O!” of yearning and, then, with the “O!” of realization as we grasp the season’s meaning: everything has changed.
Slow Down. Quiet. It’s Advent.
This illustrated calendar poster suggests ways to mark the days through the Advent season. Daily line drawings and quotations march across the calendar blocks, offering ideas for prayer, helping others, or reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. Perfect for posting on the fridge!
Sunday School Students – and Anyone Else!
Pick up a copy of the 2023 Reverse Advent Calendar at the entrances to the meeting house. Kindle the true spirit of Christmas by filling a bag with groceries and toiletries for those who need them. Please bring your filled bags to church by January 7, 2024.
Please join us for the Advent season at First Church!
December 3 – First Sunday of Advent, Hope – 10 a.m. worship service with Communion.
December 10 – Second Sunday of Advent, Peace – Rev. Tom Carr will provide the message during the 10 a.m. service.
December 17 – Third Sunday of Advent, Joy – 10 a.m. worship service featuring a brass quintet.
December 17 – Arts in the Center Concert, Chorus Angelicus at 4 p.m. in the Meeting House. Order tickets Here
Christmas Eve Services
December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Love – We will have two Christmas Eve Services of Lessons and Carols. (Please note, there will be no 10 a.m. worship service, just two services in evening)
- 4:30 p.m. – Festive Service with a walk-on children’s pageant. (please note, this service will not be live-streamed)
Christmas Pageant
The Faith Formation team is happy to announce a retelling of the beloved Nativity story will take place at the 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service! And we are inviting you – and you – and you! – to tap your inner shepherd, magi, or angel and join in the telling. Costumes will be available at the door the evening of the service. A brief practice will be held for Sunday School students during class on 12/17. Volunteers are also needed for special backstage tasks, including child wrangling, prop allocations, and a little heavy lifting. See Jennifer to join the production! - 9 p.m. – Contemplative, candle-light service. Click to watch it on our YouTube channel, live.
December 25 – Merry Christmas!
December 31 – Colossal Puppets return during the 10 a.m. worship service.
Ring in the New Year with Colossal Mary and Joseph!
They’re Baacckk! The Colossal Puppets of St. Michaels Church (Litchfield) are returning to First Church Sunday, December 31 for the 10 a.m. service! Come see this collection of massive shepherds, angels, kings (both good and bad), and the Holy Family as they march throughout the Meeting House. It’s a memorable way for children of all ages to commemorate the end of the Christmas season and look forward to greeting the New Year. Want to get involved? Volunteers are needed for the following:
- Assembling/preparing the puppets Tuesday, December 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Puppeteers for the December 31 worship service. This involves rehearsing on Saturday, December 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Disassembling and transporting the puppets back to St. Michaels Tuesday, January 2 at 1 p.m.
Sign up for any of these spots HERE, or speak to Jim Boratko.