What is Advent?
Beginning Again
Every year, the Christian calendar invites us to begin again—not on January 1st, but with Advent. Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” and it marks the four-week season leading to Christmas when the Church leans forward in longing, watching for Christ’s presence being born into our world.
But Advent is not passive waiting. It does not ask us to sit still, hands folded, hoping things will get better someday. Instead, Advent teaches us to light candles in the darkness, not after it has lifted. It trains our imaginations to recognize the ways Christ is already arriving—in acts of justice, in quiet courage, in shared joy, in stubborn love—right here, right now.
This year, our guiding theme is:
“Do You See What I See? Finding Christ Here and Now in Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.”
Each Sunday, we will practice seeing Christ’s presence—right in the middle of ordinary life—through testimony, scripture, community, and worship. Each candle we light is not just a symbol but an act of holy resistance against despair.
Here is a look at our Advent journey this year:
WEEK 1 — HOPE
“Seeing the Light in Darkness”*
Candle Theme: Hope
Theme Text: John 1:1–5
Sermon Text: Matthew 24:36–44
Testimony Prompt: “Where did you see hope—or Christ’s presence—this week?”
Hope is not passive wishing. Hope is the courage to act, to move, to resist, to rebuild. It is the holy refusal to surrender to despair. Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God breaks in precisely when people choose light over darkness, courage over resignation. Advent hope trains our eyes to look for Christ even when circumstances seem uncertain.
WEEK 2 — PEACE
“Preparing the Way of Peace by Doing Justice”
(Children’s Play Sunday — A Two-Act Worship Experience)
Candle Theme: Peace
Theme Text: Isaiah 11:1–9
Sermon Text: Luke 3:2–15
Peace in scripture is never mere quietness—it is justice in motion. John the Baptist calls for preparation through equity, repair, and clearing every obstacle that keeps people from flourishing. This special two-act service highlights how children, with their honesty and imagination, often lead the way toward peace. Christ’s in-breaking arrives wherever justice-making is happening.
Service Structure:
* Act I: Candle lighting, theme text, testimonies, short homily
* Intermission: light snacks
* Act II: Children’s Christmas play
* Reception: Cookies
WEEK 3 — JOY
“Joy as an Act of Resistance”
Candle Theme: Joy
Theme Text: Luke 1:46–55 (The Magnificat)
Sermon Text: Luke 2:8–20
Joy is not frivolous—it is defiance. It is spiritual strength. Joy is how the oppressed refuse to be crushed. Mary sings her Magnificat in the shadow of empire, proclaiming a world turned upside down. The angels deliver good news not to the powerful but to shepherds—outsiders, laborers, the poor. Advent joy announces a counter-story: Christ is breaking in where joy rises from unlikely places.
WEEK 4 — LOVE
“Love That Makes Room”*
Candle Theme: Love
Theme Text: 1 John 4:7–9*
Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18–25*
Love is where God dwells. In Joseph’s quiet “yes,” we see hospitality, courage, and vulnerability. Love interrupts fear, shame, and social pressure. It rearranges lives and makes room for God’s incarnation in unexpected places. Advent love teaches us that Christ breaks in whenever love becomes visible—in homes, in relationships, in acts of compassion, in communities that dare to open their doors.
CHRISTMAS EVE 6:00 PM
“The World Shines”
Candle Theme: Christ
Text: Luke 2:1–20 & 21-40
The shepherds saw Christ because they were willing to look in unexpected places. Advent trains us to do the same. The Light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Christ is still being born wherever hope rises, peace is made, joy resists despair, and love makes room. We will close our candlelit service by singing Silent Night, reminding us that Christ continues to shine through us and among us.
But Advent is not passive waiting. It does not ask us to sit still, hands folded, hoping things will get better someday. Instead, Advent teaches us to light candles in the darkness, not after it has lifted. It trains our imaginations to recognize the ways Christ is already arriving—in acts of justice, in quiet courage, in shared joy, in stubborn love—right here, right now.
This year, our guiding theme is:
“Do You See What I See? Finding Christ Here and Now in Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.”
Each Sunday, we will practice seeing Christ’s presence—right in the middle of ordinary life—through testimony, scripture, community, and worship. Each candle we light is not just a symbol but an act of holy resistance against despair.
Here is a look at our Advent journey this year:
WEEK 1 — HOPE
“Seeing the Light in Darkness”*
Candle Theme: Hope
Theme Text: John 1:1–5
Sermon Text: Matthew 24:36–44
Testimony Prompt: “Where did you see hope—or Christ’s presence—this week?”
Hope is not passive wishing. Hope is the courage to act, to move, to resist, to rebuild. It is the holy refusal to surrender to despair. Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God breaks in precisely when people choose light over darkness, courage over resignation. Advent hope trains our eyes to look for Christ even when circumstances seem uncertain.
WEEK 2 — PEACE
“Preparing the Way of Peace by Doing Justice”
(Children’s Play Sunday — A Two-Act Worship Experience)
Candle Theme: Peace
Theme Text: Isaiah 11:1–9
Sermon Text: Luke 3:2–15
Peace in scripture is never mere quietness—it is justice in motion. John the Baptist calls for preparation through equity, repair, and clearing every obstacle that keeps people from flourishing. This special two-act service highlights how children, with their honesty and imagination, often lead the way toward peace. Christ’s in-breaking arrives wherever justice-making is happening.
Service Structure:
* Act I: Candle lighting, theme text, testimonies, short homily
* Intermission: light snacks
* Act II: Children’s Christmas play
* Reception: Cookies
WEEK 3 — JOY
“Joy as an Act of Resistance”
Candle Theme: Joy
Theme Text: Luke 1:46–55 (The Magnificat)
Sermon Text: Luke 2:8–20
Joy is not frivolous—it is defiance. It is spiritual strength. Joy is how the oppressed refuse to be crushed. Mary sings her Magnificat in the shadow of empire, proclaiming a world turned upside down. The angels deliver good news not to the powerful but to shepherds—outsiders, laborers, the poor. Advent joy announces a counter-story: Christ is breaking in where joy rises from unlikely places.
WEEK 4 — LOVE
“Love That Makes Room”*
Candle Theme: Love
Theme Text: 1 John 4:7–9*
Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18–25*
Love is where God dwells. In Joseph’s quiet “yes,” we see hospitality, courage, and vulnerability. Love interrupts fear, shame, and social pressure. It rearranges lives and makes room for God’s incarnation in unexpected places. Advent love teaches us that Christ breaks in whenever love becomes visible—in homes, in relationships, in acts of compassion, in communities that dare to open their doors.
CHRISTMAS EVE 6:00 PM
“The World Shines”
Candle Theme: Christ
Text: Luke 2:1–20 & 21-40
The shepherds saw Christ because they were willing to look in unexpected places. Advent trains us to do the same. The Light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Christ is still being born wherever hope rises, peace is made, joy resists despair, and love makes room. We will close our candlelit service by singing Silent Night, reminding us that Christ continues to shine through us and among us.
Upcoming Events
December 1: Janet Adair
December 3: Garrett Hollingsworth
December 16: Ethan Cox
December 21: Neveah Abbott
December 29: Richard Gray
December 3: Garrett Hollingsworth
December 16: Ethan Cox
December 21: Neveah Abbott
December 29: Richard Gray