Advent at Grace

From the Manger

My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.

Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn...

Sundays of Advent

As we journey closer to Bethlehem each Sunday, join us for worship opportunities to prepare for the Christ-child's arrival through liturgy, scripture, and song!

Artwork: "The Good That Is Yours"

by the Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity

Advent I: Hope

Sermon: Road Work

Scripture: Malachi 3 & Luke 3

Communion

"My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great... You fixed your sight on your servants plight and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blessed, could the world be about to turn..."

Artwork: "Favored One"

by the Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman

Advent II: Peace

Sermon: About to Turn

Scripture: Luke 21 & Luke 1

"Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me... Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn..."

Artwork: "Full Life in the Emptiest of Places"

by the Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman

Advent III: Joy

Cantata: The Ballad of Bethlehem

by Pepper Choplin

"From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; there are tables spread; every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn..."

Artwork: "Joseph's Dream"

by the Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman

Advent IV: Love

Children's Nativity:

Child of Promise

& Jazz Worship

"Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around..."

Devotionals

As we travel to Bethlehem, which literally means "bread basket," we will reflect on the universal experience of hunger and the need for nourishment. Jesus spent much of his human life focused on feeding the hungry and how to nourish the whole person of everyone he met. Join us by taking part in one of our devotionals from "Illustrated Ministry" entitled, From the Manger. Click on a picture below to order a copy from the Church Office!

Advent Calendar

Whether you get this one in full color or the "color yourself" version, join in this daily practice of seeking the holy throughout the twenty-four days leading up to the Christ-child's arrival in the manger at Bethlehem!

Adult Devotional

With special focus around the themes we will touch on in worship each week, this devotional has stories and scriptures to help you reflect on where you see the Christ-child in our midst in the four weeks of the season.

Family Devotional

Specially designed with young families in mind, this weekly devotional gives each family the opportunity to gather around their own sacred space and make room for the Christ-child coming into our midst.

Blue Christmas

Ever feel like the holiday season is not as holly and jolly as everyone is making it out to be? Do the bells and bows not ring and bounce the way they used to? Need a break from the "most wonderful time of the year"?

Then our Blue Christmas Worship is for you! Join us as we sing some calm, classic carols and honor the reality that for some of us this the holidays are, in fact, one of the most difficult times of the year.

Sermon: Christmas Bells

Scriptures: Isaiah 40 & Luke 1

Wednesday, December 18

6:30 p.m. Fellowship

7:00 p.m. Worship

Artwork: "Magnify"

by Hannah Garrity

Christmas Caroling

Thursday, December 19

5:00 p.m.

We will meet at Grace for pizza before visiting our homebound members to spread some holiday cheer by making a joyful noise!

Christmas Eve Tamale Supper

Traditional Tamales available in Red & Green

Bring a side-dish or dessert and join us for a festive feast!

5:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve

Candlelight | Communion | Worship

Sermon: Resistance Songs

Scriptures: Isaiah 9 & Luke 2

O Come, all ye faithful...

7:00 p.m.

Artwork: "Abolition Baby"

by the Rev. Nicolette Peñaranda

Serving Our Community

And you, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing, O, rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing...

Angel Tree

Join us as we support the families of local prisoners with gifts for Christmas morning. Contact the Church Office for more information!

All Gifts Due (Wrapped Please):

Sunday, December 8

Annual Luncheon:

Sunday, December 15

More about Prison Fellowship

Christmas Joy

On Christmas Eve we will take up our annual Christmas Joy Offering - one of the four annual offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.

More about Christmas Joy.

Little Food Pantry & Little Library

A part of our regular ministry on Grace's campus, we have small sets of food and books available to all who have need of them. Please give what you can or take what will help. And be blessed this season and beyond!