Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, and this Advent, our aptly-named worship curriculum invites us to explore “Words for the Beginning: Advent Reminders for New Seasons“. From December 1st through January 5th, we’ll dive into the themes of blessing, companionship, risky hope, abiding love, holy laughter, crooked roads, and a whole lot more!
This Sunday, we welcome United Parish member Kate Baker-Carr to the pulpit as our guest preacher. Kate writes:
From start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation, Holy Scripture bears witness to the angels who play a critical role in the history and heritage of our faith. In the desert, an angel appears to Hagar and leads her from death to life. As the Hebrew people flee Egypt in search of freedom, an angel goes before them. Angels lead the shepherds to Jesus in the manger and minister to him following 40 days of fasting in the desert. The book of Revelation contains choirs of angels guarding gates, singing hymns and generally making their presence known throughout!
We begin Advent with a text from the Gospel according to Luke that highlights a specific angel, a named angel, the angel Gabriel. Gabriel first appeared in the Book of Daniel and reappears in the Gospel of Luke, first to Zachariah and then to Mary. What is the connection? How does the angel’s presence bless the first hearers and us? On Sunday, let’s explore this together and sing again “There are Angels Hovering All Around.”
A reminder that throughout Advent, adults of all ages are invited to join with Children 1st grade and up at 9:45am in the Parlor for some intergenerational church school, where we’ll work on a congregational art project together, deepen our friendships with one another, and prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
I can’t wait to see you there!
In faith,
Amy
Image credit: Angel Gabriel by K.T. Baker-Carr
Words for the Beginning: Advent Reminders for New Seasons
• December 1st: You Are a Blessing
• December 8th: We Can’t Go Alone
• December 15th: Do the Good that Is Yours to Do
• December 22nd: Hope Is Worth the Risk
• Christmas Eve: Love Knows Your Name
• December 29th: Don’t Forget to Laugh
• January 5th: The Road Isn’t Straight
