ABOUT THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Preparing Our Hearts and Our Homes For Christmas

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Advent is a season of anticipation and hope.  During these December days we look forward with great excitement to celebrate the birth of Christ.  We also anticipate the final coming of Christ, bringing completion to all of creation at the end of time.  We’re leaning forward during Advent, looking ahead, hoping, anticipating. 

The Advent wreath points our attention forward to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. (John 8:12)  These December days (in the northern hemisphere) are days of increasing darkness.  The days are shorter and shorter, the nights are longer and longer.  The candles of the Advent wreath bring increasing light as we light another candle each Sunday.  The growing light dispels the growing darkness.

There is much darkness in our world today – violence, poverty, hunger, isolation, fear, greed.  This is the darkness scattered with the Light of Christ.  As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, let us pray for the Light of Christ to chase away the darkness we live with each day, bringing us to full joy as we celebrate Christmas and the birth of our Savior.  And, let us pray for and look forward to that time when Christ will come again, in full and final glory, bringing everything to its completion, wholly dispelling the darkness of this world.

As we light the Advent candles each week, we rejoice – for we walk and live in the light of the Lord, the light no darkness can overcome. (John 1:5)

During Advent, the pastors will be happy to take communion
to homes or hospital rooms upon request.

Go to our Online Advent Devotional Pages >>

ADVENT 2009

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Sunday, November 29
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Services of Worship

• Lighting of Advent Candle
• Holy Communion
• Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
• Sermon:  A Future Promise
  • The Reverend Emily Beman D'Andrea
• Choir:
  • 11:00 - Chancel Choir
• Fellowship Hours after each service

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 6
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Services of Worship

• Lighting of Advent Candle
• Service of Holy Communion
• Scripture: Malichi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
• Sermon: The Promise Brings Refinement and Completion
  • The Reverend Deborah A. McKinley
• Choirs:
  • 8:30 am - St. Andrews Ringers
  • 11:00 am - Chancel Choir
• Fellowship Hours after each service

9:45–10:45 a.m - Preschool “Angel” Breakfast: Preschool children are invited to bring one parent, grandparent or other adult to a special breakfast with the angels!

9:45–10:45 a.m. - Fair Trade Fair - St. Andrews hall

6:00-8:00 p.m. - Youth: Stuffing Stockings for Lewinsville Retirement Residence and Making the Homeless Bags. Busy hands and loving hearts, That's where Christmas really starts!

7:00 p.m. Taizé Contemplative Service of Worship -Chapel

Monday, December 7
7:30 p.m. Presbyterian Women Advent Reflection and Dessert

Saturday, December 12
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Parent’s Day Out

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 13
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Services of Worship

• Lighting of Advent Candle
• Service of Advent Lessons & Carols
  • Chancel Choir
• Fellowship Hours after each service

9:45-10:45 a.m. - Annual Holiday Bake Sale between worship services. All proceeds will help support the Summer Mission Project.

9:45-10:45 a.m. - Adult Education: The Not-So-Good- Samaritans with Speaker: Michael Dobson. Have you ever asked yourself, “Who are the real descendents of the Samaritans of the Bible?” “What are their origins?” “Have they relationships to Judaism and Christianity?” “Have they even survived to the present day?” In this presentation you will learn their amazing story-how they dwindled to only 146 people by 1917 and how their community has rebounded to over 730 members today. Join us for this lecture and gain fresh perspective on Jesus’ ancient parables.

6:00–8:00 p.m. - Youth: Caroling at Lewinsville Retirement Residence and delivering the Christmas Stockings. Bring your singing voices!

FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 20
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Services of Worship

• Lighting of Advent Candle
• Scripture Text: Michah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
• Sermon:  Surprise!
  • The Reverend Deborah McKinley
• Choirs:
  • 8:30 - Jubilate Ringers
  • 11:00 - Alleluia Ringers
• Fellowship Hours after each service

9:45-10:45 a.m. - Christian Education: Tour Event. Tour the Holyword Wax Museum and see the Names of Jesus portrayed by the grade school children of the Workshop Rotation (An Intergenerational Event)

12:15 p.m. - College students meet at Rocco's Italian Restaurant in McLeanfor lunch

6:00–8:00 p.m. - Youth: Christmas Party for Youth Fellowship

Monday, December 21

7:30 p.m. - Service of Worship: The Longest Night

• Scripture Text: Isaiah 40:1-11, 27-31; Romans 8:28-39; Matthew 1:18-2:15
• Reverend Deborah McKinley

CHRISTMAS EVE
Thursday, December 24

4:30 p.m. Family Service of Worship

• Choirs: Joyful Noise/Cherubs/Chimers/Genesis/St. Andrews

7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Candlelight Communion Services
Prelude Music 20 minutes prior to 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. services

• Scripture Text: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psaml 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
• Sermon:  Amazed
  • The Reverend Deborah A. McKinley
• Choirs:
  • 7:30 - Chancel/Jubilate Ringers
  • 10:30 - Westminster/Alleluia Ringers
    

Updated December 2, 2009