The Meaning of Advent
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” As a season of the church year, Advent is the four weeks before Christmas that prepares us to celebrate the Nativity, the birth of Christ, on December 25th. Christmas is a big mystery. We do not understand how exactly God comes to be among us in human form. Taking time to prepare to celebrate Christmas allows us to enter more fully into the mystery. It is said, if we don’t take time to get ready for Christmas, we could “walk right by this mystery” without ever really experiencing it. And so, we spend the four weeks before Christmas anticipating and preparing for the coming of Christ. Advent has a double spiritual meaning. While anticipating the arrival of the birth of Jesus, we are also anticipating the arrival of the second coming, when Jesus will return to us. Churches using the Revised Common Lectionary will find both themes present in the Sunday lessons during the season of Advent.
Exploring Prayer: Connecting with God in Everyday Ways-Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink-even if you have no money! Come take your choice of wine or milk-it’s all free! Isaiah 55:1
Are you thirsty for a closer relationship with Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit in simple everyday ways? Advent season is a ripe time for exploring prayer practices as we wait in joyful anticipation of connecting with Jesus anew. We invite you to drop in and learn about various ways to pray, listen to each other’s experiences, and take home ideas for practicing prayer- real ways of connecting with the One who comes afresh into our hearts again and again.
Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the hope-filled arrival of Jesus. Let’s join together in this exploration.
We will generally meet in-between Services on Sunday mornings from 9:40 a.m.-10:40 a.m. in the Toppie Bates Lakeside room downstairs with a view of the moving waters. Feel free to bring your coffee and snack down from upstairs.
Note: on Nov 23 we will meet from 11 a.m. -12 p.m. after the fellowship meal.
Come to all or any of these informal sessions-Standard Time 9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
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Nov 23 Simple Conversational/ Listening Prayer
Special Time: 11 a.m-12 p.m. - Nov 30 Tactile Prayer- the Anglican Rosary
with John Gillmeister - Dec 7 Group’s Choice- Psalm, Examen, Adoration, Intercession, Creation
- Dec 14 Moving outward- Praying as we Serve
For more details: Contact Christina Stavenhagen-Helgren stavenhagent@gmail.com.
Family Caroling Dec. 19 at 4:45 p.m.
Advent Wreath Making Sun. Nov. 30 at 9:45 a.m.
Pageant Practice ---Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
Advent Resources to use at Home
