1st Sunday in Advent

Advent is a liturgical season of preparation, anticipation, and hopeful waiting for the "coming" of Christ, which is a dual focus on his past birth at Christmas and his future second coming. It is the beginning of the church year and involves reflection, prayer, and traditions like the Advent wreath with its candles, which symbolize hope, faith, joy, and peace

• Special lay service with Sera Butz, preaching
• Matthew 24:36-44
  The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.