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:
Dec. 1: Hanging of
the Greens
On Sunday, Dec. 1 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 December 1 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 youth and children to sing with the Instant Choir on December 22 in the worship service.
Dec. 1:
“Make Room for Peace”
We’ll start off Dec. 1 with coffee fellowship and breakfast foods at 9:15 a.m. In morning worship at 11 a.m., we will light the candle of peace on the Advent wreath. Pastor Ryan’s message, continuing the “Make Room” series, will be “Make Room for Peace,” drawing from Luke 1:26-38. Each Sunday of Advent we collect a category of food item under the tree for distribution to the hungry locally. The items for Dec. 1 are rice, beans and canned food.
Dec. 7:
Annual
auction
On Saturday, December 7, at 7 p.m. the Women’s Fellowship presents its annual benefit Christmas Auction. Food will be available for purchase from 5:30 to 7 p.m., provided by the Outreach Sunday School Class. 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. 8:
“Make Room for Hope”
Jesus Christ is the hope of all nations. In morning worship at 11 a.m. December 8, we light the candle of hope on the Advent wreath. Pastor Ryan’s message, “Make Room for Hope,” is based on Luke 1:39-56. The food item to bring for the giving tree is cereal.
Dec. 15:
“Make Room for Joy”
On December 15 we focus on the joy of Christ’s coming. In morning worship at 11 a.m. we light the joy candle. Pastor Ryan’s message, “Make Room for Joy,” is based on Luke 1:57-66. For the giving tree, the item to bring is staples.
Dec. 16:
Caroling
Monday, December 16 we will meet at Bob-A-Rea’s, 305 N. Main St., Bridgewater, at 5:30 p.m. Alternatively, you may meet the group in the lobby of White Birch Estates, our first caroling stop, at 5:45 p.m. Choir members will furnish soup, sandwiches, and drinks. Others may share Christmas sweets for dessert. We’ll be caroling at White Birch Estates, the Bridgewater Home, in-town Bridgewater and then Spring Creek.
Dec.22:
“Make Room for Love”
In morning worship at 11 a.m. December 22, we light the candle of love and contemplate the mystery of God’s love in Christ. Pastor Ryan’s message, “Make Room for Love,” is from Matthew 1:18-25. The Instant Choir, including children and youth, will bring special music. Our final item for the giving tree is paper products to be distributed through area food pantries.
Dec. 24:
Candlelight Service
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. Pastor Ryan’s message, based on Luke 2:1-21, will be “Is There Room for Jesus?”
Dec. 29:
“Make Room for All People”
On December 29 Pastor Ryan’s Christmas message will be “Make Room for All People,’ drawing from Luke 2:25-38. Any time Christmas Eve or afterward, all four Advent candles – for hope, peace, joy and love – are lit, followed by the Christ candle.
Jan. 5:
“Who Is on Your Throne?”
Epiphany, 12 days after Christmas, celebrates the visit of the Magi and the revealing of Jesus to the world. Pastor Ryan’s message is “Who Is on Your Throne?” from Matthew 2:1-12 and it will conclude the “Make Room” series. 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.
Here’s that newsletter link again: December 2019 newsletter