A Message from Ellen
Dear Friends,
As we approach the end of 2020, I have heard more than a few folks say that the end of 2020 cannot come soon enough!! But the good news is that the Sunday after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the new Christian year! Every year, Christians begin again during Advent. Sunday, November 29th is the first Sunday of the Advent Season – the four weeks when we set aside time to prepare our lives, hearts, and minds for the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
“An Advent like no Other!” could be our theme this year! And, although the times are tough, I just must tell you that the staff of our congregation could not be more creative, thoughtful, and resilient. We have worked hard to reimagine how to prepare for Christ’s coming given all our limitations. Please put the Advent Insert – Inside this newsletter – on your refrigerator or bulletin board for future reference. Let me highlight just a couple of the cool things inside!
First, the staff decided to focus our Advent preparations on the traditional themes of Advent: Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. And we are pairing those themes with our Mission Partners. We will learn more about how FLPC and our Mission Partners work in the world to reach for hope, joy, peace, and love. And each Sunday the Devotion will be written by one of those partners. So, if you have not already done so, please go to the website and subscribe to our Blog so that you can know more and prepare your own heart. Weekday devotionals will be written by our members and guests (there is still time to sign up to write one!!).
Second, the Worship Ministry is making bundles of Advent Candles available for free (until they run out). We ask that you make your own Advent Wreath and include the lighting of these wreaths as part of your own spiritual discipline and preparation. Send us pictures of you with your Advent Wreath to share!
Third, Ed Black and some of our young families are working busily on a Children’s Christmas Program that will happen – completely virtually – on Sunday, December 13th at 6:00pm. You do NOT want to miss this!
Fourth, the older, wooden Advent Wreath that has stood for years near North Trenholm Road has lived a full life and is replaced this year by a new, more sculptural Advent Wreath. Keep your eyes peeled and join us for carol singing and a dedication of our new wreath on Sunday, December 6th at 5:30pm, all outside, near the new wreath.
In Isaiah 43:19 God says, “Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the wilderness.” Come and go with us to meet God!
Peace and Justice,
