Advent at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Fairport – Christmas 2022
Every year Christmas creeps earlier and earlier. In the church, we often put off all signs until after Thanksgiving. When we finally get around to lighting the Advent wreath in church, we’re focused on the countdown to the birth of baby Jesus in the manger.
This year, what if our Advent waiting wasn’t about a countdown to Christmas? What if we refocused on the words of our faith – Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. – and spent our days looking for all the ways Christ still comes to us!
This year at Bethlehem, we’re not putting off Advent, we’re extending it! We’re giving ourselves more time this year to think about all the ways and places we long to see Christ revealed, as we await his coming again. With the words of the familiar carol – O Come, O Come, Emanuel – we’ll explore the various ways our Messiah comes!
Sunday worship with Communion
8:55am (in-person or livestream!)
10:15am – Discussion – Grab a cup of coffee after worship and share conversation about the various aspects of the God for whom we wait each week.
Christmas Eve Worship
We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel, with carols, the Christmas story, Communion, and candle lighting!
5:30pm (in-person only)
7:30pm (in-person or livestream) – Extended Prelude beginning at 7pm
*New* 6:45pm – Silent Night around the Christmas Tree – Snow, wind or rain, we’ll gather on the corner of Church Street and Perrin at 6:45 pm on Christmas Eve to hear story of Christ’s birth, light candles, and sing Silent Night! The entire community is welcome!
Christmas Season Worship – Note worship times!
Sunday, December 25 at 11am – Christmas Day worship with Holy Communion – treats following worship!
Sunday, January 1 at 11am – New Year’s Day worship with Holy Communion.
More Ways to Celebrate this Advent/Christmas Season!
Make a joyful noise!
Would you like to add your voice (or instrument) to our Christmas Eve celebration? We are preparing special music at both 5:30pm and 7:30pm and for an extended prelude before worship! If you’d like to participate, sign up at https://blcfairport.org/music-sign-up/ or contact Raelynn Clare, Music Director: [email protected] for more information!
Wreath-making!
Sunday, November 27 at 10:15 am following worship
Make a festive wreath to decorate your home and visit with your BLC friends as we observe the Advent season together! Be sure to sign up at https://blcfairport.org/wreath-sign-up/ ASAP or contact the church office if you’d like to make a wreath (all supplies provided, along with expert guidance from our resident horticulturist, Brain Edwards!)
6th Annual Tree Lighting!
Sunday, November 27 at 6:30 pm
Continue the tradition begun at the home of Tom and Gert Edwards, as we light the tree at our BLC home on the corner of our building. We’ll gather on the front steps of the church and share light refreshments afterwards – all outdoors, so bring your mittens! Together, we will mark the holiday season by remembering God’s promise: “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can not overcome it!” (John 1:5)
Decorate our Church Home after worship!
Sunday, December 18 at 10:15am
Grab a cup of coffee then help hang the greens, put the Chrismon ornaments on the tree, set up the nativity and otherwise help us deck our halls. Contact Donna Berner if you’d like to participate.
Poinsettia Orders
Poinsettia Orders Forms are due on Sunday, December 4.
Visit https://blcfairport.org/poinsettia-sale/ to place your order for poinsettias and/or make a donation to support Family Promise of Wayne County in honor or memory of your loved one. Donations directed to Family Promise will be used to purchase household items that will be helpful for families transitioning from the shelter to more permanent housing. Family Promise of Wayne County helps families experiencing homelessness achieve independence. Through a network of volunteers, local churches, organizations and community resources, Family Promise of Wayne County provides temporary quarters, meals, and support to children in need and their families.
Angel Tree
Share God’s love by fulfilling a need from the Angel Tree!
Look for the Angel Tree in the narthex on or shortly after November 27 with angel tags listing the requested gift item. Take a tag (or several if you’d like), purchase the gift, wrap and affix the angel tag to the outside of the package. Please contact the church office if you would like a tag mailed to you. Watch the weekly Star in coming weeks for further details.
Advent Devotional
If you are looking for a resource to guide your Advent reflection at home, we commend to you The Season of Waiting (And waiting…and waiting…) by Kate Bowler.
The devotional starts on November 27 (the more traditional first Sunday of Advent) and includes a Scripture and reflection for each day that weaves together real life and ancient church traditions. It’s hope-filled and invites us into the tension of waiting for the One who was and who is and who is to come.
You can download it from her website or contact the church office if you need a print a copy.