Somehow, in the midst of everything that 2020 has been, we have come to the holy days of Advent and Christmastime.
This will be a different and difficult journey…as was the journey to Bethlehem so long ago…but I am also confident that it will hold joy and holy surprises.
Below are some resources for your Advent devotions, a few invitations, and an outline of our worship plan for your own scheduling and preparations. I apologize for the length of this article…but I hope it will help you have everything you need to know to plan for Advent and Christmas with Peace!
Resources:
Luminary kits to make a home advent wreath are available thanks to the Liturgical Arts Team. Please feel free to email us if you would like one sent to you!
Daily devotional compiled by ELCA pastors in this corner of the church, including Pastor Carolyn.
Starry Night – A Womanist Advent Devotional
And, here is a worship booklet for those who may not have easy internet access and need to worship on their own at home (or for additional worship for those also connecting online). It contains full liturgies and sermons from pastors across the country and the world for each week from now through the Time After Epiphany. If there is anyone you know who might need this, please share it.
Invitations to Contribute to Worship:
Wreath Lighting Prayers: You are invited to offer the Advent wreath lighting prayer during Sunday worship! If you would like to light you home Advent wreath (or your luminaries from the kits from church), please email pastorcarolyn@peaceaustin.org, and we’ll get you on the schedule.
Advent Photo Themes: You are invited to submit photos for the theme each week for our worship slideshows. You will also see them on facebook…but they will be:
Advent 1 (submissions due Friday, November 27) – Hope
Advent 2 (submissions due Friday, December 4) – Prepare (suggestion: a favorite ornament or seasonal decoration)
Advent 3 (submissions due Friday, December 11) – Make room (suggestion: a nativity scene)
Advent 4 (submissions due by Thursday, December 17) – Home (suggestion: your Christmas tree – with you in the photo if you want!)
Worship Schedule:
Sunday worship on November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20 will be online on Facebook and at peaceaustin.org at 10 am, with Holy Communion following on zoom/Facebook Live at 11:15 am.
The Godly Play circle will continue to gather at 9:30 am on Facebook Live for the Advent Story through December 20. All are welcome.
Mid-week Worship opportunities will continue as they have been:
- Monday Morning Prayer at 9 am on Facebook Live
- Wednesday Evening Prayer at 7 pm on Zoom and Facebook Live (NEW Advent liturgy!)
- Friday Night Prayer at 9 pm on Facebook Live
Special Events:
Peace Virtual Christmas Program – December 13, details TBD
Synod-wide Longest Night – December 21 at 7 pm (available to view at the peace website and facebook page)
Christmas Eve will have two worship options:
- 3:30 Encore Viewing of the Peace Christmas Program
- Fully online service with:
- Pre-service Christmas Music program at 5:00 pm at peaceaustin.org & on Facebook
- Service of the Word at 6:00 pm at peaceaustin.org & on Facebook.
- Holy Communion at 7:00 pm on zoom and Facebook Live.
- A Christmas Worship Journey (a safely distanced journey through the Mystery of Christmas)
- First stop at the Peace Labyrinth anytime between 5:30 & 6:45 pm.
- Stations of the Christmas Story (driving to see artistic representations of the story and worship ‘on the road’ among 4 member households’ yards) between 5:45 and 8:15 pm
- Communion and Candlelight at the Peace Labyrinth after you return from your story journey between 7:30 and 8:30 pm.
- See more details about Christmas Eve here
The First Sunday of Christmas, December 27 –
A Service of Lessons and Carols online at 10 am. (This worship service will not include communion.)