Advent Offerings

“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3

What is Advent
Notable Events
Formation Opportunities

What is Advent?

The church follows a calendar that is just a little bit different than the secular calendar.  The secular calendar begins on January 1st.  The church calendar begins 4 weeks before Christmas in a season of four Sundays called Advent.  Advent is an Old English word derived from a Latin word that means arrival or coming.  In Advent we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.  Traditionally, Advent is a quiet time of preparation and penitence. It is the season of Mary, the mother of our Lord, who waited patiently through her pregnancy for the birth of Jesus, our Lord.

 

Advent can be an adventure in counter-cultural living.  Many sectors of our culture encourage a sprint to Christmas.  Advent encourages a slow walk.  At Good Shepherd we're going to try to be patient, quiet, and calm during Advent. We invite you to consider what pace you want for your own life this Advent.  Do you want to race around frantically buying gifts for everyone you know, or do you want to walk thoughtfully through the gift-giving season buying gifts where appropriate and fitting, but spending most of your energy on love?

Each Sunday in Advent, Ms. Patty will lead two or three of our children to light our Advent wreath just before each worship service. The lighting of the candles will help us mark time slowly and peacefully as we make our way calmly to Christmas.

The church year progresses from Advent by season.  Each season leads to a point of focus on a high, holy day.  Advent season leads to Christmas. The Christmas season leads to Epiphany.  The season after the Epiphany leads to Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent which leads to Easter Day.  The 50 day season of Easter leads to the day of Pentecost.  The season after Pentecost leads to the All Saints Day.  The last day of the church year is commonly called Christ the King Sunday (or Reign of Christ).  Then it all begins again!

Keep scrolling for more information about key dates and great opportunities for you and/or for your family!

Notable Events

Adult Formation Opportunities

  • Compline

    Tuesdays at 7:00pm

    In the Library or via Zoom

    Compline is part of the Anglican Daily Office reserved explicitly for night or right before bed. But Rev. Emily has put together a version that will be no more than 15 minutes and includes three sung pieces. (You do not need to be able to sing, but are welcome to). Come once to try it or make it a part of your regular spiritual rhythm. You can come for just Bible study (6pm) or just compline; either way, it is a great way to end your Tuesday. 

    Zoom

  • Centering Prayer Daily Sit

    Each weekday during the season of Advent Good Shepherd’s Contemplative Church team will host a 20 minute Centering Prayer sit in the worship space. All are welcome to come join us in the silence.

    Learn More about Centering Prayer

  • Building Blocks Sunday School

    Sundays at 9:15am

    In the Library

    Rev. Emily’s Sunday School Class where each season we will look at a different “Building Block” of our faith.

    During the season of Advent, we will look at prayer.

    Nov. 23: How do we use art in prayer?

    Nov. 30: How to pray through making art?

    Dec. 7: How to use our bodies in prayer?

    Dec. 14: How to use our lives in prayer?

    Dec. 21: How to turn prayer into action?

  • Healing Ministry Bible Study

    Tuesdays at 6pm

    In the Library and via Zoom

    We are going to do a best-of-healing-ministries stories session led by regular members of the group for the season of Advent. Come to one, come to all, or just come to some. 

    (We will not meet on November 25)

  • Mystics Reading Group

    Mondays at 5:30pm

    In the Worship Space and via Zoom

    The Mystics Reading Group meets Monday nights at 5:00 p.m. We will begin studying a new Mystic during Advent. Stay tuned for more information!

    Zoom

  • Rector's Bible Study

    Wednesdays at 7:30am

    In the Library and via Zoom

    We gather every Wednesday morning for an Applied Contemplative Bible Study. Every week is different, but we usually start with a short Mystic teaching, a few minutes of silence, and then we dive into reading and discussing the Bible.

    We also offer Facebook Live. You have to request to join the group before you are able to see our live videos. Click Here to join the group!

    Zoom