December will soon be here! It's hard to believe that 2023 is almost over. Before we blink, we will be ringing in 2024. But before we turn another page on the calendar, let me share some of the wonderful things taking place in worship during the Season of Advent!
This year, Advent begins on Sunday, December 3. During Advent, we will eagerly prepare for Jesus’ arrival, making rooming our hearts and in our lives for him. We also prepare our Sanctuary for Christmas each year as we celebrate the Hanging of the Greens on the First Sunday of Advent. This year, we will have our Hanging of the Greens Service on Sunday morning. Before the service at 10:00 AM, we hope you will join us for a fellowship time with the Union Family in the Fellowship Hall and bring a snack to share. Spending time together in fellowship is a great way to kick off the Advent Season.
During the four weeks of Advent, our theme in worship will be “Rerouted," and we will focus on the many ways that God directed and re-directed people in the Christmas story. I am especially excited about this sermon series as it reminds us to keep our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds open to the new things God wants to do in our lives.
On December 20 at 6:00 PM, we will hold our second annual Blue Christmas Service to reach out to those grieving in the church and the wider community. You may not have heard of a Blue Christmas Service before, but it's a service that speaks especially to people grieving loss during this time of year. You may know a friend or neighbor who is grieving the loss of a loved one or who is grieving another type of loss, including a recent divorce or job transition. Our Blue Christmas service will acknowledge the heaviness that people often feel during this season while pointing to the hope that Jesus brings even as we grieve. Please pray that God will use our Blue Christmas service to comfort those feeling blue this season.
Our music ministry will lead us in worship on Sunday, December 17, as the story of Christ is told through song and readings. We also look forward to our candlelight Christmas Eve service on Sunday, December 24, at 5:00 PM. Since Christmas Eve is also on Sunday this year, we will have a family-friendly service for all ages at 11:00 AM on Christmas Eve that morning, too. There will be no Sunday School on Christmas Eve.
I hope you will invite a friend or neighbor to visit Union for any of our services during December. It will be a rich and meaningful month of worship. During December, there are also a host of fellowship and service opportunities for all age groups in the Union Family. You can find more information about these fellowship and service opportunities sprinkled throughout these pages. It will be a joyous month as we watch and wait for Christ. May the joy of Jesus fill our hearts this December as we worship, serve, and fellowship together.