MCC: Candles, Spiral, and the Messiah Sing: 3rd Sunday in Advent

"If Jesus embraced Lepers Prostitutes & Convicts shouldn't we?"

On Sunday December 12, the Third Sunday in Advent, Memorial Congregational Church prepares for Christmas with Advent Wreath Candles, the Advent Spiral, and the 37^th Annual Messiah Sing.

We welcome members, visitors, friends, relatives, disabled, sight- and hearing-impaired, gay men and lesbian women, agnostics, and all others 'no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey.'

During Advent at MCC, the children of the church school classes lead the ceremony of the Lighting of the Advent Wreath.  Each week, a different class lights candles on the wreath, and the congregation participates to wish for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, until Christmas Eve, when the Youth Group and Senior High Fellowship will lead the final Wreath ceremony.  On this Third Sunday of Advent, the 4^th and 5^th grade children light the candles of Joy.

A beloved long-standing unique tradition at MCC during Advent is the Advent Spiral.  While adults worship in the sanctuary, the children walk the Spiral in Ames Hall, the church assembly hall which is darkened for a peaceful and warm effect.  The activity is based on the legend of the Star Child who must go on a great journey to find the Star Keeper.  When the Star Child reaches the Star Keeper, the child is given the special place in the heavens to shine over the stable where Jesus was born.

To guide the journey, the Ames Hall is decorated with a spiral of evergreen branches.  Along the way are placed symbols of life on earth; plants, vegetables and fruits, animals, and people.  Children and adults will walk through the spiral holding an unlit candle.  At the end of the road, they will find their light from the Star Keeper, a high school senior girl (usually) dressed as an angel.   The Star Keeper lights the child's candle, and the child retraces his or her journey, setting the candle down somewhere along the way.   As the journeyers continue, the candles accumulate, lighting the way in the darkened room to the Star Keeper.   

Sponsored by the MCC Christian Education committee, the Advent Spiral is focused on children, but All parishioners, members, and visitors may walk the Advent Spiral after worship, to experience the peaceful journey to the Star Keeper.  

In the Children's Moment, Rev. Tom O'Brien teaches the children about the meaning of the Advent Spiral. 

Readings come from the Hebrew Bible book of Isaiah, Chapter 35, verses 1-10, and the New Testament Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 1, verses 47-55.  The Senior Choir sings The Holly and the Ivy by H. Walford Davies.

The day's activities conclude with the 37th performance of The Messiah, the famous oratorio by G. F. Handel at 3:00 PM.  Director of Music Cathy Meyer conducts MCC Messiah Festival Orchestra, with vocal soloists soprano Rebekah Alexander, mezzo-soprano Emily Marvosh, tenor David Potts, and baritone John Whittlesey.  Public participates in choral movements, singing soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts in choral numbers.  Bring your own vocal score, or borrow one of ours.  Admission is free, with a suggested donation taken at the door. More information is available by phone at (978) 443-3885, email at publicity@mccsudbury.org  or at the church website: http://mccsudbury.org/?subtab=821 or visit http://www.mccsudbury.org and click 2010-2011 Concert Series Quick Link on the right pane. 

Memorial Congregational Church is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC).  MCC has an open and affirming ministry to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or financial situation.  All areas of the building are handicapped accessible. Sunday worship service begins at 10 am, and childcare for infants and toddlers is provided from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM.

Information on MCC worship services, music programs, Christian education, Outreach, and teen programs may be found at the church web site on the Internet at http://MCCsudbury.org. Watch for 'This Week at MCC' columns in most Metrowest area community newspapers.  Find us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/mccsudbury.  Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MemCCEvents.  You can reach the church office and staff by phone at 978-443-3885, or by email at office@mccsudbury.org.   The church is located at 26 Concord Road in Sudbury. Directions to the church may also be obtained from the church website.  Click on the 'About Us' tab and then click 'Directions/Map'.