Dear Friends,
IT’S ADVENT, officially! Advent is a time of preparation, anticipation and patient waiting. It is one of the most beloved times of the church year and this year will be no different. Okay, I’ll be honest, it will be a little different in how it looks and where we are when it is happening, but the wonder of the miracle will be no different.
We will light candles each week, marking the time from darkness to light. We will visit our homebound folks with Christmas cheer (in a socially-distant way). We will have a Christmas pageant to experience the Christmas message through our children’s gifts and talents. We will have our annual Simbang Gabi with lechon lunch (drive thru for to-go boxes after worship). We will be blessed by special music in worship all month and even an infant baptism on December 13 (virtually from the park, weather permitting).
We will not give up on being together as a church family. We will not allow a virus to steal our joy. We will not pull back in our enthusiasm and excitement for Christ’s birth. And we will not forget to keep Christ as the center of this season and the center of our hearts.
I do invite you to journey through this season using our Church Family Advent Kits that are available still if you have not picked one up. There are daily devotions, weekly Advent candle liturgy/worship opportunities, weekly lessons that include interactive activities (supplies included), and a weekly Zoom call that will be led by Ms. Becky and myself. No matter if you feel young or old, if you are single or a large family, living close to the church or far away, join us in singing, praying, playing, talking, and growing together this Advent season.
Blessings, Pastor Stacy
P.S. Don’t forget that we will have our traditional service of stories, carols and candles at 7:00pm on Christmas Eve through Facebook and YouTube. Special music highlights by our Chancel Choir and members of the Los Cancioneros Master Chorale.