Advent Marks the Beginning of the Christian Year
From the Latin word adventus, Advent means “coming.” It’s a season of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the birth of Jesus and his return. It was Bernard of Clairvaux (d.1153) who said there are actually three comings of Christ: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time. Join us in this holy season as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE
Friday, December 24 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Please register your presence for either service (ASAP). The registration list will be used for contact tracing should a COVID outbreak occur. While we will not require proof of vaccination to attend either service, we trust that all attendees who are eligible are vaccinated.
Family Service 4 p.m. – Pavilion
Join us at 4 p.m. for an outdoor interactive and intergenerational worship service. Our 4 p.m. Family Christmas Eve service will be held outdoors under our pavilion and recorded for later viewing.
Please remember to bring and wear your mask. We believe that being outdoors would be safest since, traditionally, this service has so many young children, many of whom are too young for vaccination.
Candlelight Service 8 p.m. – Sanctuary
Then in the evening at 8 p.m., come for a joyous service of wonder and light. “All is calm, all is bright.” Join us in the sanctuary (or online) on Friday, December 24.
Our Candlelight Service at 8 PM will be indoors and live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and the CPC website. Every other pew will be blocked off to assure social distancing. The Candlelight Evening service is limited to 100 people in the sanctuary and overflow presentation in Fellowship Hall. Please remember to bring and wear your mask.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom God favors!”
—Luke 2:14
Activities and Worship Services
Advent I (November 28): Worship at 10:30 a.m. and MCKIM Gift Giving Starts
Advent II (December 5): Lectionary Bible Study at 9 a.m. and Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Advent III (December 12): Worship at 10:30 a.m., Church School, Catonsville Concert at 3 p.m., and Cocoa and Carols at 7 p.m.
Advent IV (December 19): Lectionary Bible Study at 9 a.m. and Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Blue Christmas (December 21): Space for Prayer, Reflection, and Remembrance at 7 p.m.
Christmas Eve (December 24): Family outdoors service at 4 p.m. and Candlelight service at 8 p.m.