“Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise”
Charles Wesley, the musician in the Wesley Bros duo, ends his 18th-century hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” with the above line. It feels like a pattern for Advent, doesn’t it? We start in wonder at God’s amazing acts for us, we grow in love for our fellow humans and creation, and then we live our praise to God through our words and deeds.
Join us during Advent as we offer ways to gather in wonder, love, and praise this season, promising a season of transformation for our homes, families, workplaces, and circles.
Lose yourself in Wonder…
Sunday, November 26th @ 10:30AM – Hanging of the Greens
The annual “greening” of the Sanctuary as the congregation decorates it for the Christmas season! Be inspired by the history of each piece, music, and scripture!
Sunday, December 17 @ 10:30AM – “The Friendly Beasts” Youth and Cantata Sunday
The First Church Youth and the Sanctuary Choir join forces in an epic service of music and youthful leadership! Bring your families and music lovers to a service featuring “The Seal Lullaby,” by Eric Whitacre, and other animal-focused musical works, as we explore the story of the Nativity from the viewpoint of the “friendly beasts” involved in welcoming the Christ Child to our world.
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, December 24 @ 10:30AM – Early Service for Families with Holy Communion
Sunday, December 24 @ 11:00PM – Late Service with Carols and Candlelight
First Church’s traditional Christmas Eve services. We will hear the story of the Christ-child’s birth, sing Christmas hymns, illuminate the sanctuary one candle at a time, and end with a chorus of “Silent Night.” Join us as we welcome the Christ Child this season!
Grow in Love…
Sundays @ 9:00am – “Light of the World” Study Class
It’s getting dark earlier and we need to think about light! Join the 9:00 Sunday class, in person or virtually, for our Advent series. We are using Light of the World by Amy-Jill Levine. In this series, Amy-Jill will lead us through Biblical texts, highlighting the accounts of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and the Magnificat, the holy family’s journey to Bethlehem, and the flight to Egypt..
Wednesday, December 6th @ 7:00PM – Pub Theology!
Join our younger adults as we gather for Pub Theology! We return to our old haunts as we gather at Redhook Brewlab on Pike Street to talk about faith over cold drinks and warm food.
Wednesday, December 20th @ 7:00PM – Longest Night service
For many people the holiday season is one filled with loneliness and grief. In the midst of a season of light, the Longest Night Service honors the darkness that is also a part of life. This service can be a special gift to those outside our church family who are in need of comfort and support.
Live Out Your Praise…
Neighborhood House Hygiene Kit Drive (Dec 3, 10, 17) and Kit making Assembly on December 17th:
Are you looking for a service opportunity? Global Missions is excited to
announce the upcoming “Hygiene Kit” drive for the Neighborhood
House. The Neighborhood House is a human service agency that provides
services to address the needs of entire families, with a focus on low-income
community members, public housing residents, immigrants, and
refugees. This year our goal is to create 30 “Hygiene Kits” for their
Community Outreach Team to benefit the unhoused community members.
The donation collection is scheduled on Sundays 11/26, 12/3, & 12/10 in
the Narthex. We will gather on Sunday 12/17 after the service to assemble
the kits.
*Please note, items should be new. Hygiene items should be individually packaged.
Sunday, December 10th @ Noon – Praise for a Goal of Zero Waste!
Zero Waste: How can we get there? Join us Sunday, December 10 from noon – 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall or through Zoom to learn from Zero Waste Washington how we can advocate for a healthy and waste-free world. Lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall. Register to receive the Zoom link and reserve a lunch spot!
Praise for the Earth with Earth Pledges! For the second year, we are collecting Earth Pledges for 2024. Review our Climate Justice Working Group resources and opportunities and commit to a 2024 action plan.