Last sunday in Advent

Sunday, December 22 will be the fourth Sunday in Advent.  Once again we will pray that we will be prepared for the second coming of Christ.  At the same time we will be preparing for the celebration of our Lord's birth at Christmas.  While we will sing the hymns of Advent, once the Eucharist service is over we are planning on the greening of the sanctuary.

We will gather in the church to decorate for Christmas.  Perhaps there will be some singing of Christmas carols as we do our preparatory work.  In fact we are asking all who plan to stay to bring a pot luck lunch so we can enjoy ourselves without getting too hungry.  The Advent wreath candles will be changed to white; the altar hangings will be changed; the hymns and carols will be listed on the board; and, evergreen boughs will bring fragrance to the building.  Hopefully not only our building will have been prepared but our hearts also.

The internet had a cartoon that suggested that those wishing to avoid the rush of Christmas to attend church on the last Sunday of Advent instead.  But, we would love to have you join us on Christmas Eve at 4:30 pm or 10 pm.  There is even a service at 10 am on christmas Day.

Despite the commercialization of Christmas that has us singing Jingle Bells and Rudolph since October, we only have a short time before the Feast of the Epiphany, our special day.  Do join us for this Christmas season and on through the church year as we follow the Way.

And most of all, a blessed, happy, and Merry Christmas to one and all.