Adult Discipleship – Diving into Advent

Spiritual Formation and Discipleship : Diving into Advent 

Can it possibly be Advent already? It seems like we just finished packing away the Christmas decorations from last year. Time does seem to fly, more quickly every year, and once again, the whirlwind of activities and preparations that lead to Christmas have begun. If we’re not careful, we will rush quickly through another Advent, hardly stopping to take a breath and pause to wonder at the good news of Emmanuel, “God with us.” 

This Advent we have some wonderful opportunities to slow down and go Deeper: 

Worship: 

We have two special Sunday morning worship services during Advent as we are lead by the choir, Dec 9, and lead by the children, Dec 16. 

Our Blue Christmas service, Dec 15, is another opportunity to worship for those that struggle during the holiday season. 

Growth: 

Advent Small Groups are being offered at a number of different times with the hope that everyone has an opportunity to participate. 

Midweek @ Midtown we will have a special Advent(ure) planned each week with the intention of slowing down and reflecting on the reason for the season as we will journey together at a mindful pace. 

Service: 

Volunteers are always needed to help in the Hand-up Food Pantry. 

Bake cookies for the PW cookie round-up Dec 9. Then volunteer to deliver one of the cookie boxes to someone on the list! 

Community: 

The Annual PW luncheon, Dec 2. 

The Advent Celebration Sunday which includes breakfast at 9 am, crafts & activities, worship and ends with the opportunity to serve others in our community and go caroling to some of our homebound, Dec 2. 

The annual Wassail Party on Dec 23. 

I hope you will join me this Advent season as we go Deeper in our faith and further into community. May we all find places to pause and not rush headlong down that road with Christmas as the goal but rather step thoughtfully and prayerfully as together, like Mary, we ponder all these wonderful things in our hearts. Blessings, 

Pastor Jenni 

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 

Luke 2:19 (NRSV)