Advent and Christmas at First Church Amherst

Advent 2018:
The World Is About to Turn

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet in the way of peace.—Luke 1:78-79

Advent is a time of preparing, waiting, watching, and living into the expectation that God’s dream for the world—and for us—is being fulfilled in the most unexpected ways, through the most unlikely people. A poor, single mom? Please. A baby born in a stable? Get out! But the preposterous promises of Advent are true.

The biggest promise is that God is with us—always and everywhere. Perhaps the next-biggest claim of Advent is that God is remaking the world even now—through Jesus, the church, and people like us.

And so we prepare—because a new thing needs room. We wait because its coming is a gift. We watch because we don’t want to miss the signs. We live in expectation because, though it be dark, we trust the light is coming. So let us bring all our hopes and longings into this special season. Let us live as if the world is about to turn.

Friday, November 30, 6 p.m.
Family Advent Party & Hanging of the Greens

December 2, First Sunday in Advent Signs of Hope
Trimming the Tree

Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 p.m
The Magnificent Magnificat (Mary’s Song)
Reflection, Sharing, and Treats

December 9, Second Sunday in Advent The Way of Peace

December 16, Third Sunday in Advent Subversive Joy
A Service of Lessons and Carols

Tuesday, December 18, 5 p.m. Christmas caroling

Friday, December 21, 7 p.m.
Longest Night Service & bonfire

December 23, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Love That Transforms
A Service of Lessons and Carols

Christmas Eve Services:
5 p.m. Family service: Un-Pageant, carols, candlelight & cookies
10 p.m. Meditative service with communion & candles