Make Ready for Holy Disruption:
A Contemplative Advent Midweek Series
Advent carries two simultaneous visions of our expectations: we await yet again the birth of the babe in the manger, and we also await Christ’s coming again to fulfill all things. We often prepare for Advent by “getting ready.” Yet preparing for the coming of Christ is not a matter of having everything under control. Christ’s arrival disrupts—disrupts injustice, sin, and brokenness in a society in which we are deeply embedded. A prayer for Christ to come to us is a prayer for a holy disruption of our lives that we cannot control and that we might struggle to accept.
This midweek Advent is built around three steps to help us recognize our resistance to God’s inbreaking and prepare for God’s holy disruption: breathing, releasing, receiving/rejoicing. Each week’s liturgy will focus on one step of this process. Together they form a spiritual discipline that reminds us that discipleship is always a process requiring intentional practice. Advent reminds us to return to our sense of longing for and expectation of God’s coming into our world. In this worship series, we pay attention to opening ourselves to the holy disruption of God’s inbreaking promise.
Each Wednesday in Advent we will gather for a free-will offering meal and fellowship at 5:15-6:30 p.m. and have Holden Evening Prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
Midweek Service Themes are as follows:
December 3: Breathing
December 10: Releasing
December 17: Receiving/Rejoicing
Advent and Christmas Special Offerings will be split evenly between the Food Bank for the Heartland and Lutheran World Relief.
Special Events
PROJECT LINUS BLANKETS will be made on Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 a.m. Everything will be provided; we just need your time. We will plan to be done by 11:00 a.m. If you can’t make that date and time, we have some kits available to do at home. The finished blanket would need to be returned by Dec. 13. Please see Jackie Combes if you would like to take a kit.
GOODIE BAGS will also be packed the same day, December 13 at 9:00 a.m. Please bring 2 dozen treats to share with the people who need a little extra love this Christmas.
Our INTERGENERATIONAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM will be on Sunday, December 14. As you come in, you’ll be invited to pick up a prop to play a part in the nativity scene. The bulletin will let you know when to come up and join the scene. And the speaking parts are covered.
CAROLING begins immediately following worship on December 14. Everyone is welcome to come and sing with us. We plan to be done about 12:30 p.m.
Christmas Worship
December 24: Christmas Eve Services: 4:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
— Both Christmas Eve services will include Holy Communion and end with the singing of Silent Night by candlelight.
— 10:30 p.m. is the start of the Special Christmas Prelude, followed by the 11 p.m. worship service. This service includes music by the choir, bell choir, Lord f Love brass, and other talented members.
December 25: There will be NO Worship Service on this day.
December 28: Lessons and Carols Service (NO Holy Communion) at 9 a.m.