We are approaching the last Sunday of November which will also be the first Sunday of Advent. Yes, Advent already. At least at Mountainview. Officially Advent starts December 3 but that would make December 24 both the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. We decided that by December 24 we would all be very much thinking Christmas and so we made this adjustment. Ruth Ann will give you the schedule and more details on the services in part B of this blog.

My task here is to tell you about the theme for Advent. It is “When God Shows Up”. We will be looking at places in the Bible where God shows up in real and powerful ways. We will see how these God-sightings are hints and anticipations of what happens at Christmas when God shows up as Immanuel, God with us.

An important part of being healthy as humans is having a sense of belonging. We need to know that we fit, that we are loved, that we have a place. Advent is anticipating and expecting the coming of Jesus who comes and fits into our place as an act of love so that we can experience belonging with him and in the community of his people.

Pastor Erick Schuringa

Worship Notes - Advent 2023

Advent is my favourite time of year – for real! I love the beginning of the light in the darkness, the anticipation of the celebration, the waiting, the songs of hope and longing, the tension of the “now and not yet” of God’s kingdom, and the introspection of the season. It’s a sobering season to be sure – it’s dark! Not only outside, but also in the hearts of all of us. We are all longing for better relationships, for peace in war-torn places, for safety from abuse, for no more tears and sadness. The world is weary of pain and hopelessness. Will you join us in waiting for the light, and seeing where God shows up?

Advent Series 2023: “When God Shows Up”

Sunday Nov. 26 First Sunday of Advent: “In our panic, God shows up”
Sunday, Dec. 3 Second Sunday of Advent: “In our searching, God shows up”
Sunday, Dec. 10: Third Sunday of Advent: “In our confusion, God shows up”
Sunday, Dec. 17: Fourth Sunday of Advent: “In our Battles, God shows up”

Christmas Weekend

Sunday, Dec. 24 @ 10 AM -Intergenerational Christmas Drama “God With Us”
Sunday, Dec.24 @ 6 PM – Candlelight Service “He’s Here!” (readings & songs)
Monday, Dec. 25 @ 10 AM Christmas Day service

Colour/Visuals in Worship:

A few of us spent significant time thinking about how to visually portray “God showing up” – in each of the stories we’ll hear during Advent. Light will definitely be a theme. The tradition of lighting a weekly candle during the season of Advent reminds us that the light is coming! Darkness will not win. Our Advent candles will look a bit different this year as you will see – the overall affect being one of the increase of light as the season moves on. Thanks especially to Tallia for creatively setting up our visuals. And thanks to Sylvia for making a small quilt banner depicting the road/pathway from dark to light, leading to the manger.

Congregational Participation in Advent Worship

Worship is always more wholistic and engaging and memorable when there’s more than simply sitting in the pew, watching. So I encourage you to consider these ideas as a way to participate more fully in worship:

Make an ornament! (Kids this is especially for you!)

Colour, reflect, cut, glue, and ‘ta-da’ there’s an ornament! The sheets with love, hope, joy, peace, and “God with us” ornaments will be available at the welcome center. (Feel free to contact Karin in the office if you would do not attend in person, but would like to colour or create one or more ornaments). Anyone is invited to participate. Take one, take more, take a full set. If you don’t want to cut and glue, simply colour them, fill in the blank part for your reflection and bring them back to church for us to finish. (There will be some on the fellowship tables in the hall after worship as well for anyone there). Bring finished ornaments to the basket and we will add them each week to the Christmas tree on the stage. Thank you for helping us prepare for our Advent worship.

Share A Story

Consider sharing a brief story of when God showed up for you – in different ways or specific moments – when did God show up for you in your fear, your panic, your anxiety, your loneliness, your confusion, your shame, your searching? OR where do you hope that God will show up? Where do you need God to show up for you? You can email these stories to ruthanns@mountainviewcrc.org. There will also be opportunity to write something and bring it forward in worship as well, on Dec. 17th.

Listen to this year’s Advent/Christmas Playlist – Enjoy this curated list of Advent and Christmas worship music, some familiar, some new-er, some for corporate worship, some for personal worship.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/21YcnVA58Qwn7XR3mnCPpy?si=38401513a96d46c9

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_F0AgAAYnOGHVhnOwUIyJxkUN8D6nCgA

Ruth Ann Schuringa

Advent Already? AND Worship Notes - Advent 2023