Dear ,                                          

                            ADVENT; A SEASON OF PREPARATION
Advent is the first Season of the Christian Year. The Season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. The First Sunday of Advent this year is November 29. As we observe this season, there will be many sights and sounds familiar to most of us, but new to others who have not previously been in a church which observed the various seasons of the Christian Year.
Advent is known as a time of preparation. We remember the historical facts of the first coming of the Messiah and the anticipation of His return. The primary color of Advent is purple. Traditionally, purple has been a color of royalty, so it points to the kingship of Jesus Christ. We will see the color purple used in our sanctuary, on the pulpit, the Communion Table, as a Bible marker, and on the stoles of the pastors.
During Worship, each Sunday of Advent, we will, one by one, light the candles of the Advent Wreath. On Christmas Eve, we will light the central "Christ" candle indicating that Christ has come once again at Christmastime. In the Sanctuary will also be a Chrismon Tree with symbols of the faith hanging from its limbs. There will be special opportunities for worship during this Season.
We have chosen as our theme for the Advent Season: "Timeless Truths in a Transient Today- A Journey to Christmas." On the Sundays of Advent the pastors will be speaking about those who made the journey to Christmas long ago. We will seek to discover how we, in these days, can apply the Timeless Truths which they have shown us to the Transient world in which we live today. These are the persons with whom we will journey to Christmas: November 29- "Mary"; December 6- "Joseph"; December 13- "The Angels" (as seen through the music of our Christmas Cantata "Festival of Carols"); December 20- "The Shepherds"; December 24- "Jesus" (as we worship with Candlelight and Communion at 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 PM).
It all begins with our ADVENT WORKSHOP on November 29, 5:00-7:00 PM. We will make Advent Wreaths and fill our Shoe Boxes for "Operation Christmas Child" until about 6:15 PM. Food will be served at 6:15 PM with plenty of fellowship around the tables. You will not want to miss anything scheduled for this Advent Season.
Advent is a Season of Preparation. Let's get ready for Christmas!
                                                                                    Dick Reese