Worship With Us This Week (in person)
Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 11:00 am
Second Sunday of Advent
9:30 am in the Pavilion (Outdoors)
Rev. Dr. Scott Ramsey, leading in worship
This worship service is intended to provide a worship opportunity for those who, for various reasons, do not feel comfortable worshiping indoors at this time. The service will include a message, singing, prayer, and fellowship.
11:00 am in the Sanctuary (Masks required)
HOPE in the Face of Empire – Advent Sermon Series
In the Wilderness – Rev. Dr. Scott Ramsey, preaching
Scripture: Malachi 3:14; Luke 3:1-6
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Read about the 2021 Christmas Joy Gift Offering and contribute. CLICK HERE
Congregants are encouraged to give their offering on-line by clicking the blue “Make a Gift” button above.
HOPE in the Face of Empire – our Advent Sermon Series : Every period in the Bible, in both the Old and the New Testaments, finds the faith community (whether we are talking about the people of Israel or the church) situated in the midst of some empire. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Rome. The community of faith makes its humble way in a world shaped by dominating, imperial powers. Characteristically, empires want to define and control what is possible, what can be expected about the future, and how life is lived. Empires always set those things in ways that benefit and enhance the empire. ~~ The kingdom of God – which is at hand, according to Jesus – is an alternative way of defining those same three things: what is possible, what can be expected about the future, and how life is lived. Jesus invites his followers to live and organize their lives according to this “more excellent way” (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:31). Jesus invites his followers to organize their lives according to the reign of God, rather than the reign of whatever empires are trying to control their lives at any given time. ~~ Our preaching theme for this Advent will be “Hope in the Face of Empire.” We will be reflecting, through our Advent Scripture texts, on how the coming of Jesus into our world offers us new hope for our lives and for the life of the world – hope that is not controlled or under the management of the various empires and dominating powers of our world.
About Worship During Covid & Construction!
Pandemic Information: We are now worshiping in-person in our Sanctuary. Masks will be required as well as social distancing.
Nursery services for infants and toddlers is available Sunday mornings in the Bethany Room, immediately behind the Sanctuary. Our child care team members are fully vaccinated and will be masked. They will be available at 10:30 am each Sunday morning. Our ushers will be happy to direct you. Read Scott’s letter about childcare here.
Construction Information: Please be aware that because of the construction work, bathroom availability at the church is very limited at this time. In addition, the church elevator is also out of service, due to the construction. If you have any difficulties with mobility, we would encourage you to park in the small church parking lot off of Great Falls Street.
About Worship Services at Lewinsville
Services are held each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. with the exception of the summer months when services are combined into one service at 10:00 a.m. Monthly Contemplative Worship (Taizé worship) is held in the chapel, the first Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. READ MORE about Taizé worship.
Our 8:30 a.m. service is designed to be a simple, less liturgical and more intimate service of worship. Communion is served every Sunday at this service. All are welcome at the Lord’s table.
Our 11:00 a.m. service is more traditional, with the sacrament of Holy Communion celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Holy Communion is also celebrated on special days throughout the year. All Christian believers and their baptized children are welcome at the Lord’s table.
The sacrament of Baptism is administered during morning worship (usually on the third Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. service) by arrangement with the pastors and the Session.
At Lewinsville, we have intentionally scheduled the Church School hour and Worship Services at different times to allow children to participate in and experience worship. READ MORE about Children in Worship. Lewinsville also provides nursery care for infants and small children during the worship service and the Christian Education hour. READ MORE about nursery care.
Special worship services of music are planned during Advent and Lent with added musical instrumentation.
Special Evening Worship
- Ash Wednesday Service- Noon and 7:30 p.m.
- Longest Night Service on December 21st – 7:30 p.m.
- Christmas Eve Family Service – 4:30 p.m.
- Christmas Eve Festival Communion Services – 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Holy Week Services – all services begin at 7:30 p.m.
- Maundy Thursday Communion
- Good Friday Tenebrae (plus a noon service)
- Saturday Great Vigil of Easter
Easter Services:
About Taizé Contemplative Worship
Taizé is a place hidden away in the hills of Burgundy, France. It is an ecumenical community of brothers whose worship is at the heart of their life. Worship at the Taizé community happens thrice daily and is called Taizé prayer. Taizé prayer has two essential elements: song and silence.
The Taizé songs are a form of sung prayer. The songs are short chants (usually words from scripture) that are repeated over and over giving them a meditative quality. The silence during Taizé prayer a time of listening, a time to have one’s soul open for God.
We will experience Taizé worship the first Sunday of each month (October through June) at 7:00 p.m. Join us.