On Sunday we begin a new liturgical year, stepping into the season of Advent. Advent invites us to be responsive to the Coming of Jesus: His first Coming at Christmas; His daily Coming into our present lives; His future Second Coming. Each week we’ll give our attention to how the Coming of Jesus brings both Comfort and a Call. The first Sunday of Advent, for example, we’ll reflect on the comforting truth that Jesus comes to heal the nations, and we’ll consider how we are called to be prepared for His coming.
We are offering several ways for you to participate in the Comfort and Call of Advent at Immanuel:
Sunday Worship: Our 10am services at Beville will be formed liturgically, musically, and visually to welcome you into Advent.
Advent Oasis: Wednesday nights from 7pm-7:45pm, we’ll light the Advent Wreath, participate in Lectio Divina (prayerful reading and contemplation of Scripture), and conclude with a brief Compline service. (Location TBD.)
The Advent Path: Light your own Advent wreath at home, alone or with family and friends, using a liturgy that leads you on a path to the coming of Jesus. Pick up a guide at the service, or watch for the weekly email that will arrive every Sunday.
Thursdays at the Office: Our weekly offering of Morning Prayer (8am), Midday Prayer (Noon), and Compline (8pm) via Zoom continues. Join with generations of faithful Christians in this ancient practice.
The above practices form us in the midst of the waiting that is intrinsic to Advent. We have an additional, unplanned opportunity of formational waiting as a result of the delayed occupancy of our Mission Outpost. I invite you to join me in receiving this delay as another experience of the Comfort and Call of Advent – the comforting hope that we do indeed have a home whose doors will be opening soon, and the call to remember our hope is not in any plans, but in the Person of Jesus.
I look forward to living Advent together.
Your Pastor in Christ,
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