What is Advent?
Advent is a Liturgical season made up of the four weeks preceding Christmas. It is a season of preparation for the Nativity of our Lord, and a time to reflect on Christ's promise to come again. Advent derives its name from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming, or arrival". In this season we pause to remember the Christ who came on the first Christmas, the Christ who promises to be with us now, and the Christ who promises to come again to reconcile all of creation to himself. It is a season of embracing the mystery of a God who is, who was, and who is to come!
Beyond this, Advent is a time where we are given permission to rest... pause... wait. While the season leading up to Christmas is often one that is culturally marked by frantic planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and travelling, Advent offers another way. It is a time to rest in God's promises, discern God's mysteries, and embrace the traditional Advent themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love. One of the best-known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting in the midst of growing darkness strengthen images of Advent found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the crown of Christ, or the wheel of time itself. Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light. In many homes, the family gathers for prayer around the wreath.
"Do Not Be Afraid"
Our 2020 Advent and Christmas Theme
This Advent and Christmas, you’re invited to listen in to the angels’ message in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” God gave this instruction to God’s people throughout their history, and it’s a message God continues to give to us today. Through the stories of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, we’ll explore together what it looks like to have hope, know peace, live in joy, and trust love.
With No In-Person Worship, How Can I Participate?
There are many activities to join in throughout the season of Advent! See the full list of opportunities below:
Advent Digital Daily Devotional
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This has been a challenging year, with many stressors and unexpected twists along the way. Biblically, prophets are often called upon to speak God's Word in troubled times like these, and so we turn to their wisdom now! In worship on Sundays at Muhlenberg we will reflect on the angelic call “Do Not Be Afraid,” while throughout the weeks we will explore the faithfulness of the prophets and what wisdom and challenge they shared with God's people. You are invited to participate in this devotional season by recording a short video reflection that will be shared as a daily devotional. How do we have hope, know peace, live in joy, and trust love?
Contact Pastor Alex for more information on participating or click HERE to sign up for a reflection. Devotional Videos will be posted daily in the Muhlenberg Digital Devotionals Facebook group. To sign up to RECEIVE the daily devotionals via email, sign up with the form here: |
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ADVENTure Sunday: December 6th
Advent-ure Sunday has been part of Muhlenberg’s Advent season for more than 20 years! Christian Formation invites everyone to join us, Sunday, December 6, at 4:00 pm in the parking lot for an afternoon of faithful fun. We will hear from St. Nicholas and have family craft activity bags to take home. Greenery will be available for you to clip and use in your Advent wreath. All activities will be conducted with physical distancing measures, and all are welcome to attend from the safety of your own car.
For more information, contact Diane Bayer.
For more information, contact Diane Bayer.
Children's Christmas Program: Christmas Letters
Nearly 30 young people will participate in our online program, Christmas Letters, premiering Sunday, December 20, 4:00 pm on Muhlenberg’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Tune in to see their presentation in word and song! This event will be available online for two weeks following the premiere, so if you miss the broadcast you can watch it any time during those two weeks. Share it with friends and family so they can join in the Christmas cheer!
Longest Night: Community Worship
The longest night of the year is December 21, and it has become a meaningful time to recognize that the Christmas season is often not all brightness and fun. In particular this year, we have much to grieve and many losses to acknowledge. Muhlenberg is hosting this year’s ecumenical Longest Night worship service Sunday, December 20, 7:00 pm, on Facebook and YouTube. This service of word and song will provide an opportunity to be honest about our pain and be reminded of Christ’s light that shines into dark places.
CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE
3:00-6:00 pm - even though our outdoor events are canceled, you are still welcome to stop by the church to drop off alternative giving boxes and/or Christmas offerings, and to pick up poinsettias (if you ordered one) and candles for singing Silent Night at home.
*3:00-3:30 pm Carols and Story - the gathering in Muhlenberg’s parking lot for Christmas for carols and a reading is CANCELED due to weather
4:30 pm Christmas Eve Service of the Word will premiere on Facebook and YouTube. This service will be similar to our current 11:00 Sunday service and feature rich musical selections, the proclamation of the birth of Christ, and a candlelit singing of “Silent Night.” Watch it concurrently with the congregation and send greetings to one another through the chat, or tune in anytime that evening to worship with your family.
*5:30-6:30 pm Luminaries - CANCELED due to weather
7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service of Word and Sacrament will take place via ZOOM. Similar to our current 8:30 Sunday service, this service will feature simple liturgy and music, proclamation, the sharing of communion, and a candlelit singing of “Silent Night.” Please have bread and wine ready in your home before the service begins. Zoom link is HERE
9:00 pm Christmas Eve Service of the Word will premiere on Facebook and YouTube. This service is identical to the 4:30 service and provides the opportunity to worship concurrently with other members of the congregation.
*3:00-3:30 pm Carols and Story - the gathering in Muhlenberg’s parking lot for Christmas for carols and a reading is CANCELED due to weather
4:30 pm Christmas Eve Service of the Word will premiere on Facebook and YouTube. This service will be similar to our current 11:00 Sunday service and feature rich musical selections, the proclamation of the birth of Christ, and a candlelit singing of “Silent Night.” Watch it concurrently with the congregation and send greetings to one another through the chat, or tune in anytime that evening to worship with your family.
*5:30-6:30 pm Luminaries - CANCELED due to weather
7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service of Word and Sacrament will take place via ZOOM. Similar to our current 8:30 Sunday service, this service will feature simple liturgy and music, proclamation, the sharing of communion, and a candlelit singing of “Silent Night.” Please have bread and wine ready in your home before the service begins. Zoom link is HERE
9:00 pm Christmas Eve Service of the Word will premiere on Facebook and YouTube. This service is identical to the 4:30 service and provides the opportunity to worship concurrently with other members of the congregation.
Christmas Morning Music: Livestream of Music at 10am
Tune into a Concert for Christmas Day, presented by Music Minister Elizabeth Williams. This concert premieres on Facebook and YouTube December 25, 10:00 am and will be available to view anytime the rest of the day.