Christmas Eve – December 24, 2013
5:30 pm Children’s Service
7:00 pm Handbell Concert
7:30 pm Contemporary Family Service
8:30 Live Nativity In the Common Ground worship space
10:30 pm Handbell Concert
11:00 Traditional Candlelight Communion Service
Sunday, December 1, is the First Sunday in Advent.
The sermon for December 1 – Sing Out The Joy – Isaiah 42:10-17
Advent is a time to take stock of the fact that Joy comes to the world because the Lord has come. Isaiah foretold that when the Messiah came He would give us JOY in the midst of the harshness of life. I wonder can we find the joy in the midst of the events in our economy, in a marriage gone sour, in a nation that is conflicted? Let’s discover the joy the Lord will bring.
The Advent Wreath
The first Candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, shortly after November 30. It is called the Prophecy Candle and reminds us that Jesus’ coming was prophesied hundreds of years before He was born. The candle’s purple color represents Christ’s royalty as the King of Kings.
Suggested Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Chuck Knows Church — ADVENT WREATH. Four candles in a circle with a big one in the middle? Yep, take a moment and learn the basics about the advent wreath. And why is the pink candle…pink?
Seen any symbols of fire around your sanctuary?
Do you know what’s the second most important day of the Christian year?
Chuck messes with candles again and explains Pentecost.
Where you worship is there a big tall strapping candle in the chancel area, taller than the rest?
What’s the story behind that candle and why is it special during Easter time?
Chuck has the inside scoop and a smile.
The fourth candle, lit on the fourth Sunday of advent, is the Angel’s candle.
As we light this flame, we are reminded of the heavenly hosts that proclaimed Christ’s arrival with “Behold, I bring unto you good tiding of great joy!”
The Angel candle is also purple, reminding us that it was a King’s birth the angels were announcing.
Suggested Bible Reading: Ezekiel 34:23, Luke 2:15-20 and John
10:11
Did you miss the video from Chuck on the Advent Wreath? View it here.
News and Views 