Congregational Care & Family Ministries

(updated 11-28-23)   Advent Calendars are a meaningful way to Countdown to Jesus’ birth -- Advent calendars are a fun and popular children's Advent activity as well as a great catechesis tool. Advent calendars teach children to join with the Church in the waiting, expectation, and preparation of the coming of Jesus Christ. The Advent Calendar is believed to have been created by Christians in the early 19th  century to mark the days of Advent leading up to Christmas. The first known Advent calendar was handmade in Germany in 1851. Be sure to pick up your free advent calendars in the education wing lobby or the dining room and enjoy opening a new window each day as you journey closer to Christmas! 
Advent Study via zoom begins on Wednesday, November 29   
This year’s advent study, The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas, by Beth A. Richardson, will meet four Wednesdays beginning Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Books are available for $10 each. Checks may be made payable to Jeff Hodge. It's a time when we prepare our lives--hearts, minds, and spirits--for the coming of the Christ child. We sweep out the corners of our hearts, cleaning up the clutter, to make space for God's hope, peace, joy, love, and presence. The Uncluttered Heart offers four weeks of guided reflection through the weeks of Advent on through Epiphany. Each day provides a: quotation, scripture passage, reflection, and prayer. E-mail Jhodge312@yahoo.com to receive a zoom link.