Advent offers an invitation to begin again.
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end.
Politicians prepare to move out of and into offices.
Teachers close out one semester to begin the next.
Families celebrate holidays with new configurations and missing loved ones.
The world as we know it spins madly on.
This season at Middleton Community UCC offers weeks of blessings with the words we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season, asking ourselves:
What might Mary speak to her newborn son?
What scriptures and stories were imparted to him?
What lessons would he be taught as he grew?
Perhaps they were words like:
You are a blessing.
We can’t go alone.
Do the good that is yours to do.
Hope is worth the risk.
Love knows your name.
Don’t forget to laugh.
The road isn’t straight
These words, and many more, will guide us into the new year and to Epiphany as we are grounded in the words of Jesus which echo through creation even today.
The first Sunday of Advent is December 1. Read on in this email for reminders and invitations to connect deeper with this story, our community, and the words of hope God offers us again this year.
12.15 @ 9:30 AM
"The Gift of Words: A Nativity Story" December 15 @ 9:30 AM
All children and youth are invited to participate in our annual Christmas Pageant. Join rehearsal on Saturday, December 14 at 9:00 AM. Contact Amy Miller with questions, AMiller@middletonucc.org
12.22 @ 4:30 PM
Longest Night Worship:
A Service for Endings and Beginnings
Christmas isn’t always merry and bright. If you are grieving or struggling this holiday season, please join us for a special service of lament and hope as we choose to hold the Christ light for one another.
12.24 @ 5:00 & 7:30 PM
Christmas Eve Worship
5:00 PM: This 50-minute service is perfect for children and adults alike.
7:30 PM: This 70-minute service features our talented choir and a string quartet.
Both of our Christmas Eve services include a traditional candle-lit singing of Silent Night
We’re immensely grateful to be using materials from A Sanctified Art again this season. Check out their website to learn more about their creative story.
