On Sunday, December 2nd we once again enter the season of Advent — a time of contemplation and preparation for the celebration of Christmas and the birth of the one who loved us enough to become one of us in order to show us how to love one another.
As the “holiday hype” accelerates all around us, the church calendar offers a radically counter-cultural opportunity to choose anticipation over instantaneous gratification — contemplation rather than consumerism — holy reflection instead of hectic activity.
During Advent, evening worship services provide a welcome oasis from the cultural chaos as we gather for music, beauty and inspiration.
December 2: Advent Evening Service, Potluck and Wreath Making
Minisingers, Mastersingers and Troubadours offer music, directed by Jenny Tisi. Kelly O’Phelan offers a meditation. 5:00 p.m. in the Church. Immediately following the service you are invited to join an Advent potluck supper and Advent wreath making in Sweetland Hall.
December 9: Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
In the warm ambience of the candlelit church, Coventry Choir offers motets, carols and canticles of intense, mystical beauty. A meditation by Mike Kinman focuses on the meaning of the coming of the Christ in a contemporary context. The choir, directed by Weicheng Zhao, will perform music of Foster, Cooman, Lassus, Stanford, and Mäntyjärvi. Child care provided. 5:00 p.m. in the Church.
December 11: Homeless Memorial
Each year, thousands of homeless men and women die on the streets of our nation due to illness, exposure or violence, many from the Pasadena community. These individuals die without the dignity and respect they deserve. Please join us as we honor and acknowledge their lives and membership in the human family. Antonio Gallardo preaches. 6:00 p.m. in the Church. A festive reception follows in Sweetland Hall.
December 16: Advent Evening Service
Trouvères, Youth Chamber Choir, Vox Cambiata and Canterbury Choir offer music of Hella Johnson, Arnesen, Lauridsen, Howells, and Ivory. Adelaide Esseln offers a meditation. 5:00 p.m. in the Church.
This year we are encouraging members of the All Saints community to include #AdventWord as part of our individual and collective season of Advent reflection.
What is #AdventWord?
#AdventWord is a global, online Advent calendar. Each day from the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Day, #AdventWord offers meditations and images to inspire and connect individuals to a worldwide community around the themes of Advent.
You are invited to participate by posting your own images using the hashtags #AdventWord and #AdventASC along with the word of the day. For example the word for December 2nd — the first day of Advent — is #journey. The words for #AdventWord 2018 are inspired by the Lectionary readings for Advent Year C and are intended to follow the arc of the season, preparing us to #Celebrate the birth of Christ. This year’s meditations are offered in eight languages and American Sign Language.
You can stay up-to-date by signing up to receive #AdventWord emails here, visiting AdventWord.org, and following the project on Facebook and Instagram. And we’ll be featuring images from the parish community on our own Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey this Advent there is a place for you to connect, reflect and engage at All Saints Church. Join as we come together.
