Advent is the beginning of each new liturgical year. Like Lent, Advent is a preparatory season. The word “Advent” is from the Latin “adventus,” which means “coming.” It is a hopeful season of looking forward and preparing for the One who is to come.
Advent begins on Dec. 2. There are always four Sundays in Advent.
On the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sundays of Advent (Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23) we gather at our normal Sunday morning time of 10:30 a.m. for our service of Holy Communion and preparation for Christmas. Our Informal Worship with Holy Communion is also offered at 8:30 a.m. on these Sundays.
On the Wednesdays in Advent (Dec. 5, 12 and 19) we begin worship at 7:30 p.m. On Dec. 5 we will use a beautiful service from Holden Village using a world maps where participants will be able to place otives on the map during the service. Evening Prayer using the Vesper setting, Holden Evening Prayer, at 7:30 p.m. will be on Dec. 12 and 19.
Advent is a hopeful time of anticipation for us. Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare to celebrate the birth again this year, to ponder the actions of God in our lives and to rejoice at the great gift that is Jesus.
