We will host our fourth annual Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day in the Muhlenberg Activities Center (MAC). Christmas should be a time for joy and celebration but far too many in our community face loneliness and hunger on this most special day. Hosting this Community Christmas Dinner gives us the opportunity to know our neighbor. This year, we open our doors for guests at 3:30 pm with dinner served at 4:00 pm. Please join us for an evening of holiday-themed games, singing, great food and fellowship.

Welcome Christ in the darkness through this quiet, intimate, reflective, and joy-filled service. This service includes music led by the handbell choir and solo musicians, congregational song, a full sermon, Holy Communion, and a candlelit Silent Night. It’s a “Midnight Mass” a few hours before midnight!

Gather for a rich liturgical service led by choir and organ. This service includes favorite Christmas carols, a full sermon, Holy Communion, beautiful anthems, and a candlelit Silent Night. The nursery will be staffed during this service, and the entire service will also be livestreamed.

Join us for an energetic worship for all ages. This service includes easy-to-sing hymns, an interactive telling of the Christmas story, a meaningful reflection, the sharing of Holy Communion, special music from our children’s choir and youth ensemble, and a candlelit Silent Night (with battery operated candles for our younger kids). *PLUS - this year, all kids and youth will have a part to play in our special nativity reading and presentation!* The nursery will be staffed for this service.

Beginning at 3:15 pm - Christmas Photos ~ Come early to get your photo taken by the tree! Your free photo will be printed and ready for you after the 4:00 pm service. At this time, kids will also have the opportunity to pick up quiet activities that can be done during worship and a small snack. Plus, enjoy preservice music and visit with friends before worship begins at 4:00 pm.

The longest night of the year, December 21, has become a meaningful time to recognize the darkness of grief and loss in our lives that long for the light of Christ. The Harrisonburg Community Longest Night service brings together eight congregations (Presbyterian, Mennonite, Methodist, UCC, and Lutheran) for a service of Word, song, prayer, and Holy Communion. The worship provides an opportunity to be honest about our pain and be reminded of Christ’s light that shines into dark places. This year, the service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 725 S. High Street. Join in person or via livestream.

The Children’s Choir and the Youth Ensemble will begin rehearsing Sunday, November 9 and continue each Sunday through December 21. Both groups will participate in worship the second Sunday of Advent (December 7) and at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service.

Children’s Choir (ages 4 - grade 2)

Music Minister Matt Thomas will conduct the Children’s Choir. Rehearsals will be held in the Sanctuary, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Please reach out to Matt (thomas@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Youth Ensemble (grades 3 - 9)

Music Ministry Accompanist Linlin Uta will direct the Youth Ensemble. Rehearsals will be held in the Music Room, 12:15 – 1:00 pm. Reach out to Linlin (uta@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Middle and high school youth are invited to dinner and a Christmas party at Pastor Lauren’s house! Wear your favorite tacky Christmas sweater and join us for Christmas games, decorating cookies, and a White Elephant gift exchange. (No spending money on gifts! Your gift must be something you create or already have at home!) RSVP to Pastor Alex (zuber@muhlenberglutheran.org) by Tuesday, December 16, if you plan to attend or have any questions.

Taizé: Waiting and Watching

Gather for a time of contemplation, music and reflection. Music from the Taizé and Iona communities will illuminate a time of Scripture and reflection of our weekly Advent themes of “That’s Impossible.” This service will also be live-streamed, so if you can’t make it in person, be sure to tune in for this beautiful service. Take a breath, set aside the rush and worry of the season, and join us for a few meditative moments of waiting and watching for the Messiah.

Join Pastor Lauren and Kathy Thompson each Wednesday at 10:30 am for Bible study via Zoom. This class dives deep into the upcoming Sunday’s scripture text.

Local and Global Outreach Ministry received an Endowment Grant to purchase Christmas gifts for Second Home students. The gifts have been purchased and now we need help wrapping them! Everyone is invited to help us Monday, December 15 in the Muhlenberg Activities Center gym. Channel your inner elf and join in the fellowship and fun! All wrapping supplies will be provided, but it would be helpful if you could bring your own scissors and tape dispenser. Hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Karen Thomsen (540-421-4431).

The Children’s Choir and the Youth Ensemble will begin rehearsing Sunday, November 9 and continue each Sunday through December 21. Both groups will participate in worship the second Sunday of Advent (December 7) and at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service.

Children’s Choir (ages 4 - grade 2)

Music Minister Matt Thomas will conduct the Children’s Choir. Rehearsals will be held in the Sanctuary, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Please reach out to Matt (thomas@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Youth Ensemble (grades 3 - 9)

Music Ministry Accompanist Linlin Uta will direct the Youth Ensemble. Rehearsals will be held in the Music Room, 12:15 – 1:00 pm. Reach out to Linlin (uta@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Can you spare an afternoon to share the gift of your time to sing carols and visit with some of our mostly homebound members? Please join choir members and CARE team members Sunday (12/14), starting at 12:15 pm for our annual Christmas Caroling event. Meet downstairs in Wayland Hall for a light lunch. We will divide into small groups to spread out in the community. As they say: “The More, the Merrier.” Contact Stephanie Hudy with questions (540-435-1472 or Stephanie.Hudy@gmail.com).

All ages gather together to adorn our church with Advent and Christmas decorations, including the Chrismon tree and our congregational nativity sets. Learn about the symbols and stories of familiar Christmas decorations like wreaths, poinsettias, and holly and ivy while helping get our space ready for Christmas!

Taizé: Waiting and Watching

Gather for a time of contemplation, music and reflection. Music from the Taizé and Iona communities will illuminate a time of Scripture and reflection of our weekly Advent themes of “That’s Impossible.” This service will also be live-streamed, so if you can’t make it in person, be sure to tune in for this beautiful service. Take a breath, set aside the rush and worry of the season, and join us for a few meditative moments of waiting and watching for the Messiah.

Join Pastor Lauren and Kathy Thompson each Wednesday at 10:30 am for Bible study via Zoom. This class dives deep into the upcoming Sunday’s scripture text.

Join us on Sunday nights at 6 pm for food, faith, and fellowship! We love to eat, and every Sunday during the semesters, dinner is on us! Sometimes we do nothing at these dinners, and with as busy as college life is, that’s ok! Sometimes we do bible studies, worship, service, and other activities to grow closer to one another in faith.

Youth and their families will come together for monthly classes and fellowship to learn more about specific topics on the confirmation journey, and discuss how we live out our lives as disciples across generations. This class will happen on the 1st Sunday of each month from 6:00–8:00pm with dinner provided. Confirmation students and their parents/guardians are expected to attend this class. The class is also open to anyone in the congregation who would like to learn about the foundations of the Lutheran faith alongside our confirmands and continue the lifelong journey of Affirming our Baptisms! If you are interested in being a part of the confirmation class and/or helping to provide monthly meals, contact Pastor Alex.

That’s right, Advent-ure Sunday is at a new time this year, so that our celebration can also include a lunch! Join us in the Muhlenberg Activities Center (MAC) for lunch and a lot of Advent fun — including crafts such as wreath and Chrismon making and making your own Advent wreath candles! Wreath forms and greens are provided. If you have questions or want more information, please email Children’s Minister Ashley Saunders (saunders@muhlenberglutheran.org).

The Children’s Choir and the Youth Ensemble will begin rehearsing Sunday, November 9 and continue each Sunday through December 21. Both groups will participate in worship the second Sunday of Advent (December 7) and at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service.

Children’s Choir (ages 4 - grade 2)

Music Minister Matt Thomas will conduct the Children’s Choir. Rehearsals will be held in the Sanctuary, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Please reach out to Matt (thomas@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Youth Ensemble (grades 3 - 9)

Music Ministry Accompanist Linlin Uta will direct the Youth Ensemble. Rehearsals will be held in the Music Room, 12:15 – 1:00 pm. Reach out to Linlin (uta@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

For years, Muhlenberg has collected donations for the pantry, and we are excited to announce that collections continue on the first Sunday of each month! Bring your donations to the Gathering Area - monetary donations are also appreciated and help the pantry purchase food and perishable items as needed at a reduced price. You can make a check payable to “Muhlenberg Lutheran Church” with “Patchwork Pantry” noted. Donations of nutritious, non-perishable foods and personal care items are requested. Acceptable items include:

Staples (smaller sizes are best):

• Canned soups, stew and chili

• Canned fruit

• Canned vegetables and beans

• Mac and cheese box dinners

• Peanut butter and jelly

• Breakfast bars

• Tuna and canned meat

• Low-sugar cereals

Non-food items

• Diapers

• Toilet paper

• Bar soap

• Shampoo

• Toothpaste

Extra Items often requested

• Coffee and tea

• Sugar and flour (small bags – you may buy in bulk and repackage in marked gallon Ziploc bags.)

• Laundry detergent (dry – you may buy in bulk and repackage in marked gallon Ziploc bags)

• Small bottles of liquid detergent

• Paper towels

• Feminine products

• Toiletry packages (Example: Ziploc bag with wash cloth, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream and deodorant)

Lutheran Campus Ministry hosts a weekly Bible Study on the JMU campus to give students an opportunity to grow closer together as we engage in God’s Word. We love to ask big questions and learn new things about the text, but it’s also a great opportunity to check in on and encourage one another during the week. We’ll gather in D-Hall for a Bible Study over breakfast. (If you don’t have a meal plan, don’t let that be a barrier! Talk to Pastor Alex, and we’ll help out.) This week we will begin a new 5-week bible study called Revelation as Resistance, diving into one of the strangest corners of scripture to see what the Book of Revelation has to say in our world today.

Taizé: Waiting and Watching

Gather for a time of contemplation, music and reflection. Music from the Taizé and Iona communities will illuminate a time of Scripture and reflection of our weekly Advent themes of “That’s Impossible.” This service will also be live-streamed, so if you can’t make it in person, be sure to tune in for this beautiful service. Take a breath, set aside the rush and worry of the season, and join us for a few meditative moments of waiting and watching for the Messiah.

Join us for a 25-minute worship service the first Wednesday each month. All are welcome, with a special emphasis on including those who have mobility challenges. A light lunch will be provided afterward for a time to share food and fellowship. The Care Committee will coordinate rides to and from the service. Contact Pastor Alex if you’re interested in giving or receiving a ride or helping with lunch.

Join Pastor Lauren and Kathy Thompson each Wednesday at 10:30 am for Bible study via Zoom. This class dives deep into the upcoming Sunday’s scripture text.

Join us on Sunday nights at 6 pm for food, faith, and fellowship! We love to eat, and every Sunday during the semesters, dinner is on us! Sometimes we do nothing at these dinners, and with as busy as college life is, that’s ok! Sometimes we do bible studies, worship, service, and other activities to grow closer to one another in faith.

The Children’s Choir and the Youth Ensemble will begin rehearsing Sunday, November 9 and continue each Sunday through December 21. Both groups will participate in worship the second Sunday of Advent (December 7) and at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service.

Children’s Choir (ages 4 - grade 2)

Music Minister Matt Thomas will conduct the Children’s Choir. Rehearsals will be held in the Sanctuary, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Please reach out to Matt (thomas@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Youth Ensemble (grades 3 - 9)

Music Ministry Accompanist Linlin Uta will direct the Youth Ensemble. Rehearsals will be held in the Music Room, 12:15 – 1:00 pm. Reach out to Linlin (uta@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Join Pastor Lauren and Kathy Thompson each Wednesday at 10:30 am for Bible study via Zoom. This class dives deep into the upcoming Sunday’s scripture text.

The Children’s Choir and the Youth Ensemble will begin rehearsing Sunday, November 9 and continue each Sunday through December 21. Both groups will participate in worship the second Sunday of Advent (December 7) and at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service.

Children’s Choir (ages 4 - grade 2)

Music Minister Matt Thomas will conduct the Children’s Choir. Rehearsals will be held in the Sanctuary, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Please reach out to Matt (thomas@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Youth Ensemble (grades 3 - 9)

Music Ministry Accompanist Linlin Uta will direct the Youth Ensemble. Rehearsals will be held in the Music Room, 12:15 – 1:00 pm. Reach out to Linlin (uta@muhlenberglutheran.org) to sign-up or if you have questions.

Open Doors Executive Director Nate Riddle will be with us Sunday, November 23 to share an update on the agency’s work. Open Doors operates a low-barrier emergency shelter for adults and a weekday daytime drop-in center open to all in the community, providing vital services to the unhoused in Harrisonburg. Nate will also be available between services for conversation in the Gathering Area.

In addition, join in our next Thrivent Action Sunday activity when we will pack winter warming kits for Open Doors to share with those in need of them. Thanks to Keira Miller for coordinating this project. Come to the Gathering Area Sunday, Nov. 23 at 9:45 am to pack a warming kit and learn more about Open Doors' community-driven mission.