News Archive

December 2015

Pastor Points: Advent — A Time for Service

If Christ were to appear in our doorway during Advent, would we run toward Him? How will we, as members of the First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, prepare the way of the Lord?

The first Sunday of the new church year is November 29, 2015. We celebrate Advent as a season of expectant longing for the birth of Jesus Christ. In worship, we will observe the four Sundays of Advent. Our Advent candles will be in place in the sanctuary, beginning November 29, and the colored lights and Christmas tree will appear (courtesy of the Deacons) on December 6.

Advent is the season to watch and wait—expectantly and joyfully. We renovate our souls so we can make room for His coming. Finally, December 25 breaks, shattering the darkness. Advent is meant to be challenging and adventurous. So, recover that old couch, try some new recipes for winter comfort food for your family, and set the table for a banquet.

Traditionally, Christmas carols aren’t sung in Christian churches until Christmas Eve—to build anticipation for the Big Day. Christianity is countercultural! We don’t follow the mall in our musical choices. However, many of our members leave the Lehigh Valley during the week of Christmas and will miss singing the hymns of the season with us on December 24. That’s why we introduce favorite carols, one or two each Sunday, in our church as Advent progresses. But, as for “Silent Night,” we save it for the conclusion of our Christmas Eve worship. Christmas Eve is a time of true magic.

The Deacons will sponsor opportunities to purchase gifts for needy children in Allentown, through the Caring Place. Coats, socks and other clothing are being collected in the Sunday School wing for the users of the Whitehall Food Bank. We thank all our generous donors.

We will be polling the congregation, in order to try a new worship schedule for Christmas Eve. Watch your mailbox for our postcard, announcing the Session’s decisions, including the time of the Christmas Eve service and the date of the Sunday School Christmas play.

Won’t you join us to celebrate? Christ is coming!

Blessings,
Pastor Joyce

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