Worship Notes for Advent Season: As we continue our liturgical journey with our theme for the year, The Word, we begin our Season of Advent on Sunday December 1st with a seasonal theme, Words for the Beginning. Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year ends, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In addition to our traditional Christmon tree, wreaths, and garland, we introduce new visual arts into our worship space.
Inspired by Sanctified Arts resources, a team of our talented members (Covenant artists - Priscilla Cross, Peggy Fillio, Condit Lotz, Caroline Price, Jewell Sanders, Karen Turney) have created an Advent tapestry for our choir loft. The central motif is the star of Bethlehem, an image that is common in quilt patterning and which reaches into each of our hearts with nostalgic memory. In the church, this symbol marks the beginning of our liturgical year and the moment when the Magi’s journey guides them to Jesus. It reminds me of waiting; of the ways we wait for spring, for a baby to be born, for the coming of Christ. In this banner design, each of the weekly quilt square patterns represent the weekly themes we are journeying with this season: You are a blessing; We can’t go alone; Do the good that is yours to do; Hope is worth the risk; Love knows your name; Don’t forget to laugh; The road isn’t straight.
In addition, we will explore new hymns created specifically for this series by Rev. Anna Strickland, which bring original texts set to familiar hymn tunes.