Jesus is the reason for the season at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, and we welcome all for this year’s preparation and celebration! Here is a list of events, also included in the online December newsletter:
Nov. 25 Hanging of the Greens
On Sunday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., we will gather to decorate the church for Advent. The annual Hanging of the Greens begins with a light meal (bring finger food to share) and continues with decorating tasks for all. When the church is decorated, we will sing some songs of the season and have a brief program before having an ornament exchange in the Fellowship Hall. You may also bring fruit basket items, nonperishable food to donate, and child-size mittens, gloves or hats for the Mitten Tree (for children served by area charities). If you wish, bring a Christmas card for the church bulletin board and a donation representing the amount you might have spent sending Christmas cards to Beaver Creek members and friends.
Advent Music Minutes
Beginning November 25 and continuing through the season, all children and youth will gather at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for ten minutes, right at the start of Sunday School. We’ll be getting ready for the kids to sing December 23 in the worship service.
December 1: Annual Auction
On Saturday, December 1, at 7 p.m. the Women’s Fellowship presents its annual benefit Christmas Auction. Food will be available from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Come out for a selection of handicrafts, homemade foods, comforts and other unique items! All proceeds benefit the service and outreach projects of the Women’s Fellowship year-round.
December 2: Hope!
We’ll start off Dec. 2 with coffee fellowship and breakfast foods at 9:15 a.m. In morning worship at 11 a.m., we will light the candle of hope on the Advent wreath, starting the season as we reflect on the years that the world waited in hope and expectation for the promised one, the Messiah, who would reconcile us to God. Each Sunday of Advent we collect a category of food item under the tree for distribution to the hungry locally. Dec. 2’s item is canned food.
December 9: Peace!
Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace who came to the world to bring reconciliation. In morning worship at 11 a.m. December 9, we light the candle of peace on the Advent wreath. There will be special music by the Adult Choir. The food item to bring for the giving tree is cereal.
December 16: Joy!
On December 16 we focus on the joy of Christ’s coming. In morning worship at 11 a.m. we light the joy candle. The focus is on the joy we have in Christ. The Adult Choir will be singing. For the giving tree, the item to bring is staples.
December 17: Caroling
Here’s an invitation from Ann Healy: “Monday, December 17 we will meet at Bob-A-Rea’s (305 N. Main St., Bridgewater) at 5:30. All are invited to share in the spirit of Christmas fellowship. The choir will furnish soup, sandwiches, and drinks. Those joining us may share Christmas sweets for dessert! Come one, come all to carol and bring Christmas joy to our older adults.” We’ll be caroling at Bridgewater Home, White Birch Estates, in-town Bridgewater and then Spring Creek.
December 23: Love!
In morning worship at 11 a.m. December 18, we light the candle of love and contemplate the mystery of God’s love in Christ. Our final item for the giving tree is paper products to be distributed through area food pantries.
December 24: Candlelight service, 11 p.m.
At 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve we will have a special worship service, to include an open communion and candle-lighting. We will sing the songs of the season and have a special service. Then, in closing we will light the Christ candle on the Advent Wreath and use its flame to light individually held candles, passing the flame until the entire sanctuary glows with the symbolized light of Christ.
December 25: Christmas at home
On December 25 we will observe Christmas with our families, remembering that one of the many titles of Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” On December 25, we rejoice that Christmas has fully arrived and we are reminded that God did not leave us alone, but sent his son that we might have life. Any time after Christmas, all four Advent candles – for hope, peace, joy and love – are lit, followed by the Christ candle.
January 6: Bread and Cup
By January 6 the gifts will have been opened and most of the decorations will be down – what better time could there be to come to the Lord’s table in worship? On the first Sunday of the New Year, bread and cup communion will be presented by the Deacons near the end of the 11 a.m. worship. This communion serves as a reminder of what the Christmas season is all about.
Here’s that link to the newsletter again: December 2018