ADVENT & Bible Study

SEARSPORT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - Nov 13

CHRISTMAS SEASON 2020 s(see under services section)

Fanily Advent Devotional -

Dear Friends and Family Members’

Although the Grinch has been pondering, “I must stop Christmas from coming but, how?” we WILL be celebrating and anticipating the arrival of the Christ Child, the Light of the World. 

Advent begins Sunday, November 29. As an entry into the season of Advent, we will offer a Blue Christmas service at 3 pm that Sunday afternoon in the Knox Bros. Ave. parking lot of the church. For those of you struggling with maintaining tension between grief and loss and the joy of the season, we invite you to join us to acknowledge your losses and look for hope with us.

When you arrive at the parking lot, you will be instructed to tune in to 103.5 FM and you will be given some white ribbons. Near the end of the service (which you will hear through your car radio) we will hold our white ribbons, symbols of the losses we mourn (loss of health, loss of relationship, loss of tradition, loss of community, loss of safety, loss of a loved one), close to our hearts and silently lift those losses to God in prayer. Then, practicing safe distancing, you will be invited, one car at a time, to tie your white ribbons on our living Christmas tree. Once the last carload has safely returned to their vehicle, this tree of “loss” will be lit to show that, “The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Then, from that night forward, we invite people to return to that tree to hang ornaments that indicate that Christ brings life. Let’s get creative with this! These ornaments need to be shatter-proof so as not to  create a hazard of broken glass in the parking lot. Won’t it be fun to see our tree be transformed into a tree of life! Come in secret, come when you feel it is safe. Practice safe social distancing. Discuss as a family what ornament you might want to contribute. The tree will be lit every night for those who wish to check on the “transformation”. By Christmas Eve we expect to see a wondrous testament to hope, peace, joy, love, life and light. 

We will light our Advent wreath candles each week during our drive-in worship service on Sunday mornings. Also, we will host Meditation and Reflection time every Wednesday evening beginning December 1 from 4:30 - 6 pm. Come and park in the parking lot of the church on Knox Bros. Ave. and gaze at our living Christmas tree. Turn your dial to 103.5 FM and let holy music wash over you.

More information about Christmas Eve will be forthcoming but we WILL hold a special service on the Eve of our Savior’s birth one way or another!

Please feel free to invite anyone and everyone to join us in these special observances. 

God’s love and hope to all,

Deb

10-14-20  If you want a sneak preview of Sunday's message, read Genesis 19: 1 - 26. Of course, you can always read the previous chapter to "locate" yourself.

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10-7-20  Dear Church Family & Friends,

This week we will meet Potiphar's wife. I can't help but wonder how many of you have any idea about who she was. The text is found in Genesis 39: 1 - 23. Steamy but interesting.  Go ahead and read it and come to worship with questions!!!

Rev. Deb