Advent Resources
Advent has always been, after Lent, my favorite season in the Christian calendar. As a Christian educator in the local church, I loved teaching about Advent and observing spiritual formation in the lives of people as they journeyed through this counter-cultural Season of preparation. Often a church member would remark about how much more meaningful their Christmas was as a result of observing Advent.
As the first Sunday of Advent quickly approaches (December 2!!), I wonder what your church is doing to pay attention to Advent this year?How will your church emphasize Advent in its worship, fellowship, and discipleship opportunities? What resources does your church use to help members “prepare a way” for the Christ-child? What time-tested resources can you recommend for corporate and individual formation?
I’ve listed a few recommendations below which I hope you find helpful:
- http://www.textweek.com/advent.htm - Textweek.com is the premier online worship preparation site (especially if your church follows the Christian calendar). This particular page is for Advent resources.
- http://www.followingthestar.org/ - Followingthestar.org is an online Advent devotional experience created by Passport (youth and children’s camping options) in partnership with CBF, PC USA, and the Episcopal Church. It is done really well. You can sign up to receive reminders daily through Advent. I highly recommend that you share it with your church members.
- http://www.cbp21.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=2940 - Looking for a printed piece/devotional? The Christian Board of Publication (Disciples/Chalice Press) has a long tradition of publishing wonderful Advent and Lenten devotionals. This page will take you directly to this year’s Advent publication.
- http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=4335 - Not sure about this whole Advent thing? Well, here’s a great article on how other CBF partnering congregations are observing the Season.
- Preparing for Advent - Finally, I’ve made available a PowerPoint presentation from my previous local church ministry. Feel free to modify it to suit your purposes. You might use it as a primer on Advent for church members on a Wednesday or Sunday prior to the Season.
- Advent Wreath Liturgy 2007 - A gift from Courtney Krueger from FBC Pendleton, SC. Thanks, Courtney.
What resources or recommendations do you have to share?
Advent, a season my heart longs for. I have had such a place in my heart since I was a child. Advent has always been so very special to me.
As I sit my me office this evening I am working on our 2007 Advent Devotional Guide. I am very excirted this year we have so many lay minister involed on our wrting team. We have choosen the theme of: The Gifts of Christmas. We are seeking to tie our advent/Chrisam season to this theme. Our pastor with preach on this these, as will all our laguage congregtaiosn. Our musical offering this year is Amahl and the Night Visitors, all about gift giving.
We are focusing on gifts such as: Love, Acceptance, Wonder, Reflection, Grace, Faith, Life, Favor, Self, Promise, Hospitality, Simplicity, Worship, Family, Journey, Persistence, Purpose, Celebration,Honor, Name, Protection & Provision, Anticipation.
We also have created an Advent Labyrinth experience we offer our congregation sevral times druing the season.
Several of our Ignitionsgroups (small groups and Bible studies) will be sutdying an Upper Room advent study entitled Simply Wait; Cultivating the Stillness in the Season of Advent. I am very excited for each who will make Advent a very special time in thier lives and the lives of their familes.
Rick,
With your permission, I would like to take your powerpoint presentation and incorporate it into our overall theme for Advent this season at First Presbyterian in Thomaston. You’ve done an excellent work with the presentation. Thanks so much for all you do in bringing together ideas of those doing ministry. Your help this past year has been invaluable to me as I have looked to keep a freshness in ministry.
Thanks again and have a blessed holiday season.
Peace,
Katrina Salter
I wanted our Advent Wreath Lighting to be a little different this year, so I took the article on Refugees that was in the last Fellowship! newsletter and “converted” it into an Advent Wreath lighting liturgy. I borrowed the theme for each week (hope, anticipation, patience, obedience) from Pam Hawkins’ Advent book Simply Wait. If you think this is worth sharing, you are free to do so. (Note from Rick Bennett: I’ve incorporated this file into the original BLOG post above).
Courtney Krueger
Senior Minister
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 187
351 S. Broad St.
Pendleton, SC 29670