For some of us Christmas can be a time of stress and anxiety. Joy and cheer sometimes are overwhelmed by sadness.
Join us for Pender’s Blue Christmas Service on December 17th at 7:30pm.
Chuck talks about “Blue Christmas” and what we can do to help others who feel the weight of the season.
Chrismon Tree. Did you know that Pender has a Chrismon Tree in the sanctuary at Christmas time?
Do you know what do those symbols mean on the tree? Who made them and why?
Ornaments made from Christian symbols (or Chrismons, a contraction for ‘Christ monograms’) were first developed by Frances Spencer and the women of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA. Many churches display a Chrismon tree during the Advent and Christmas season decorated with handmade ornaments.
In the video below, Chuck talks about the Chrismon Tree.
Sunday, November 30, 2014 is the First Sunday in Advent.
The first Candle of the Advent Wreath is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, on November 30 this year. 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?
In 2013, 540,000 wreaths were donated and placed at more than 900 participating locations.
Last year, American Heritage Girls in the Washington, DC area laid approximately 3,000 wreaths at a nationwide remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington D.C. Help fill the entire cemetery of 13,000 veterans’ graves this year with your donation today!
Sponsorship forms are available in the Narthex and donations are requested by Nov. 17th.
The United Methodist Church does not have an official statement or position regarding Halloween.
Church members are free to make their own decisions about their participation in Halloween activities. Local churches can decide if they wish to offer traditional or alternative activities for children at Halloween.
News and Views 