If you’re looking for a place to celebrate the holidays and reconnect with your faith, consider Beaver Creek. We will celebrate in song and prayer, with scripture reading and special events. Our focus is on Jesus Christ and how his birth points to his redeeming work on the cross. Here’s a listing of events for the season:
Nov. 25, 7:30 a.m.: Men’s Fellowship, tree expedition
The Men’s Fellowship will have a breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, November 25 at Bob-a-Rea’s, 305 N. Main St., Bridgewater. All guys who are members or friends of Beaver Creek Church are welcome. After breakfast we will leave to pick out this year’s Chrismon tree. The tree has ornaments of gold, silver and white, all representing some aspect of the life and ministry of Jesus.
For all these dates and more, see our December 2017 newsletter.
Nov. 26, 5 p.m.: Hanging of the Greens
On Sunday, Nov. 26 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 allocated out among those present. There will be decorating assignments 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.
Play practice and Advent Music Minutes
Beginning November 26 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 preparing for the December 17 Christmas play and singing songs of the season. Special note: This year, the script calls for children and youth to participate – so we’ll be asking all children and youth classes to start Sunday School downstairs.
Dec. 2, 7 p.m.: Annual auction
On Saturday, December 2, 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.
Dec 3: Hope!
We’ll start off Dec. 3 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. 3’s item is canned food.
Dec. 10: Peace!
Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace who came to the world to bring reconciliation. In morning worship at 11 a.m. December 10, 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.
Dec. 17:Joy! and a drama
On December 17 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. Highlighting our worship will be the presentation of a drama, “Bells of Christmas: The Best Gift,” by the children and youth combined. For the giving tree, the item to bring is staples.
Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m.: Caroling
The adult choir invites everyone to go caroling starting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 18. Bring a dessert to share; choir members will be bringing soup and sandwiches. The plan is to meet at Bob-a-Rea’s, 305 N. Main St., Bridgewater, and then carol in Dayton and the north end of Bridgewater. Next, after sharing a meal, we’ll carol at several more homes in Bridgewater and then Spring Creek. (The rumor is that there may be candy at one stop.)
Dec.24: 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.
Dec. 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.
Dec. 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.” (If you happen to be looking for a place to celebrate, contact the Wood family.) 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.
Jan. 14 (note changed date): Bread and cup
By January 14 the gifts will have been opened and the decorations will be down – what better time could there be to come to the Lord’s table in worship? On the second 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.