“Hanging of the Greens” Service
Posted on November 28th, 2010
This Sunday, we had our “Hanging of the Greens” service, in which we decorated our sanctuary as part of our advent preparation. In the service, we had scripture readings that (fore)told the coming of Christ, interspersed with advent hymns and special music by our children, sanctuary and bell choirs. Celia Jo Young and her grandchildren lit our first Advent candle, and members both young and not-so-young participated in decorating the sanctuary.
For more pictures of the service . . . Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: advent, hanging of the greens
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Advent 2010
Posted on November 23rd, 2010
Celebrate Advent with us as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
Advent Season 2010
First Sunday of Advent, November 28
Hanging of the Greens, 11 a.m.
Second Sunday of Advent, December 5
“Hopeful Repentance” 11 a.m. – Service of Believer’s Baptism
Third Sunday of Advent, December 12
“Joyful Revolution” 11 a.m. – Parent/Child Dedication & Communion
Christmas Pot-luck Dinner, 5 p.m.
Christmas Caroling, 6:15 p.m.
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 19
“An Inconvenient Love” 11 a.m.
Christmas Eve, December 24
Communion & Candlelight Service, 5 p.m.
Tags: advent
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Preparing for Christmas
Posted on November 23rd, 2010
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter for December, 2010)
Once again, Advent is upon us, the season in the church calendar consisting of four Sundays before Christmas. We often think of Advent as a time of preparation for Christmas. There are Christmas trees and decorations to put up. Shopping lists and shopping trips to be made. Parties and church gatherings to attend. Presents to buy and wrap. Cards to write and mail. Families to visit. Guests to host. Meals to prepare. Whew! I’m getting exhausted just listing all these “preparations!” Advent has become such a hectic time for so many of us. We get so busy “preparing for Christmas” and laboring under the expectations of family and friends regarding how Christmas ought to be observed, that when December 25 finally arrives, we are physically and emotionally drained.
But what if Advent is not so much a time when we prepare for Christmas than it is a time in which God prepares us for Christmas? Let me suggest three ways in which God can prepare us for Christmas this year.
First, repent! Advent is a time of repentance, but I’m not necessarily talking about sack cloth and ashes. “Repentance” literally means “to change one’s mind,” to change the way we think, believe and behave about things. Specifically, Advent may be God’s way to prepare us to change the way we think about the holidays so that we are freed from having to do what we’ve always done. If the hecticness of this season is not working out for you, perhaps it is time to rethink how you want to spend the days leading up to Christmas.
Second, wait! In our culture of instant gratification, patience and waiting are long-forgotten virtues. But Advent is a time of waiting, as our spiritual ancestors waited thousands of years for Jesus to arrive, and as we still wait for the second coming of Christ. When we’re stuck standing in a long check-out line, or driving behind a slow car in the passing lane, let us ask God to quiet our hearts and to live into the rhythm of God’s time and not ours.
Third, look! Instead of just looking for Santa or the amazing bargains to be had on Black Friday, let us have eyes to see Jesus in the ordinariness of every-day life. Where is Christ at work in your family, your work place, your neighborhood, and your community? When our eyes are focused on Jesus, many of the other things vying for our attention may not seem so important any more.
“Prepare the way of the Lord,” proclaimed John the Baptist as he announced the coming of Christ. May we do the same in our lives this Advent.
Preparing and waiting, Michael
Tags: advent, look, preparation, repent, wait
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Hanging of the Greens ’08
Posted on November 30th, 2008
Tonight, we had our annual Hanging of the Greens service at 6:00 p.m. It was a wonderful service filled with music and singing. Our bell choir, children’s choir, sanctuary choir, women’s ensemble and men’s ensemble led in the music, while the congregation joined in singing of Advent and Christmas carols. Throughout the service, each age group of the church did their part in decorating the Sanctuary–from the hanging of the garlands and wreaths, to the lighting of the window candles, to the arrangement of the poinsettias, and the decorating of the Chrismon tree. Eight scripture lessons were read that told the story of the prophecy, the promise and the fulfillment of the birth of Jesus. This service was a wonderful way to begin the Advent season. After the service, we all enjoyed cookies and punch in our fellowship hall.
Many thanks to our Music and Worship Committee for the organizing and planning of this service, and for our Social Committee for providing refreshments afterwards.
Tags: advent, hanging of the greens
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