Artwork by Brian Wildsmith
Advent And Christmas 2011 At FCC Denton
What is The Season of Advent?
Advent is NOT about making sure your liquor closet is well stocked. It is NOT about getting up all the Christmas lights and stocking. It is NOT about making sure you have purchased all the Christmas presents you need to give.
Advent is a season of "preparation" for the coming of the Christ Child." Spiritual preparation!
Advent is all about reading scripture, mostly all the many scriptures which foretell the coming of the Messiah, prayer, acts of charity, mercy and forgiveness, as well as contimplating what it really means to open your home and heart to the Christ Child!
The First Sunday of Advent - Nov. 27
Morning Worship will kickoff the season of Advent as we recall and reflect on the words of Old Testament Prophets which point the way for the coming of the Messiah.
The Annual Hanging of the Greens Service, a very big deal at our church, takes place at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. At that time we will joyfully decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas and proclaim the meaning of the season and all the symbols. We will hang wreaths and garland as well has hang Chrismons on the Chrismon Tree. It is a fun event especially popular with children. Click here to go to the Hanging of the Greens Page!
Following the Hanging of the Greens Service we will go to the Fellowship Hall for our Annual Dessert Tasting Event. Members of the congregation bring their best, most favorite desserts for us to sample. It starts at 7:00 p.m. and ends when we all have a sugar haze -- about 8:00 p.m. Come join us - there are plenty of calories to go around!
The Second Sunday of Advent -- December 4 - Peace Sunday
The Second Sunday of Advent is traditionally "Peace Sunday." This does not merely refer to an abscence of violence! Jesus the proclaimed as the Prince of Peace and through Him will come spiritual, emotional, and global peace.
The Advent Memorial Dinner And Service -- December 6
Christmas is a very difficult time for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job or career, or... It is hard to get "all festive" when your heart is blue. For those folks in our congregation we have what is called our Advent Memorial Dinner and Service. We (those of us who have had a loss this year) meet on Tuesday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the Gathering Area for a catered meal (We need at have an R.S.V.P. to the church office so we can prepare enough food!) which is followed by a service in the chapel. In the service we will remember our departed loved ones by lighting candles in their memory and call on God to heal our sadness. Click here to go to the Advent Memorial Dinner And Service Page
The Third Sunday of Advent -- December 11 -- Christmas Music Sunday
There are two great things about Christmas Music Sunday. First, our Music Director, Mark Graham, and the Sanctuary Choir provide exceptional Christmas music that reaches into our hearts. The second great thing -- no sermon! There is so much spiritually enriching music that you can be sure that God will be speaking if the people are listening! Click here to go the Christmas Music Sunday Page.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent -- December 18 -- Christmas Story Sunday
The Sunday before Christmas is traditionally Christmas Story Sunday. That means that Pastor Burton will, in some dramatic form, retell the Christmas Story. This year Charlotte Stephens,our official Drama Queen, will be assisting him with the Christmas Story -- a double reason to expect something wonderful will take place.
Christmas Eve -- December 24 -- 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
At First Christian of Denton we have two Christmas Eve Services. At 6:00 p.m. we have a service that is designed to be "child-friendly." The later service, at 11:00 p.m. is more focused toward adults. Both services will have lots of great Christmas carols, communion for all who desire to partake, and a candlelighting ceremony. Click here to go to the Christmas Eve Services page.
Christmas Sunday -- December 25
Christmas comes on Sunday this year! That is a blessing as well as a challenge. We will NOT be having Sunday School that morning but we will have Christmas Worship at 10:50 a.m. It will not be a full service but there will be Commuion, Christmas Carols, warm fellowship and a Christmas blessing. You will be out before Noon! Click here to go to the Christmas Sunday Service Page.