Advent and Christmas 2023 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:13
Surrounded as we are by wars and rumors of wars, environmental catastrophes and ever-present uncertainty, Jesus’ words loom over us as a warning: our time is limited.
Could Jesus’ words also be an invitation? An invitation to step out of time, to shift our focus from what’s next on the schedule to watch and listen for where and how God appears?
Throughout the coming weeks that lead up to the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas, the gospel lessons skip backward and forward over Jesus’ life. One week, Jesus speaks of a day to come; the next week, John the Baptist speaks of Jesus’ coming. Past and future collapse into God’s present, and the lines blur between Jesus’ first and second arrivals. This is chronologically disorienting in a way that seems intentional. God, who created time and exists beyond it, is busy within, around and beyond our human experience of time.
Again this year, we observe an extended Advent, beginning November 12 and lasting seven weeks instead of four so we can dwell in the mystery of God’s time. In worship we will watch for the One who calls to us from BEYOND HUMAN TIME as we wait to celebrate Christ’s birth into our time.
Sunday worship with Communion each week
8:55am – Worship (in-person and livestream)
10:15am – Fellowship Enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea along with a few Christmas cookies after worship each Sunday this Advent season.
Longest Night Service – Thursday, December 21, 7pm (in-person only)
A worship opportunity for those who struggle with grief, loss, or loneliness in a season of joy and hope, as well as those for whom darkness and quiet and candlelight come as a bit of relief in the midst of the commercial Christmas blare.
Sunday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Worship
5:30pm (in-person only) – We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel, with carols, the Christmas story, Communion, and candle lighting!
6:45pm – 7pm Silent Night at the Christmas Tree (in-person) – We’ll gather on the corner of Church Street and Perrin to hear story of Christ’s birth, light candles, and sing Silent Night! The entire community is welcome!
7:30pm (in-person and livestream) – We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel, with carols, the Christmas story, Communion, and candle lighting! Extended Prelude beginning at 7pm.
More Ways to Celebrate this Advent/Christmas Season!
Angel Tree
Share God’s love by fulfilling a need from the Angel Tree! Look for the Angel Tree in the narthex beginning November 26 with angel tags listing the requested gift item. Take a tag (or several if you’d like), purchase the gift, wrap and affix the angel tag to the outside of the package. Please contact the church office if you would like a tag mailed to you. Please bring wrapped presents back to BLC by 9am on Sunday, 12/17 so they can be delivered that day.
Wreath-making!
Sunday, November 26 at 10:15 am following worship
Make a festive wreath to decorate your home and visit with your BLC friends as we observe the Advent season together! Be sure to sign up at https://blcfairport.org/wreath-sign-up/ ASAP or contact the church office if you’d like to make a wreath (all supplies provided, along with expert guidance from our resident horticulturist, Brain Edwards!)
Poinsettia Orders
Poinsettia Orders Forms are due on Sunday, December 10.
Visit https://blcfairport.org/poinsettia-sale/ to place your order for poinsettias to adorn our sanctuary and/or make a donation to support Lutheran Disaster Response- Middle East Crisis.
Decorate our Church Home after worship!
Sunday, December 17 at 10:15am
Grab a cup of coffee then help hang the greens, put the Chrismon ornaments on the tree, set up the nativity and otherwise help us deck our halls.
Advent Devotional
If you are looking for a resource to guide your Advent reflection at home, we commend to you Bless the Advent we Actually Have by Kate Bowler. The devotional which can be downloaded from her website starts on December 3 (the more traditional first Sunday of Advent) and includes Scripture, reflections, and blessings around seeing the world as it really is; Practicing hope for the coming King; Celebrating generosity and love any chance we get.