Come enjoy a traditional service of Lessons & Carols led by the Choristers and Singers choirs. Readings and carols retell the story of Christ’s birth, with candlelit singing of Silent Night. Gather for a potluck meal and carol singing in fellowship hall afterward.
Advent & Christmas at Westminster!
Join us to prepare the way through Advent — and celebrate Christmas: from the Advent Workshop on the First Sunday of Advent, all the way to Christmas Eve with a child-friendly service at 5 p.m. and a traditional candlelit service at 8:30 p.m.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 1
First Sunday of Advent
Worship at 11 a.m.
Advent Workshop, 9:45 to 10:40 a.m.
Wednesday, December 4
Fellowship on Tap, 5:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Second Sunday of Advent Worship, 11 a.m.
Session Meeting, 12:30 p.m.
Christmas Kick-Back, 1 p.m.
Open Study Hours begin, 2 to 10 p.m., and run through December 16
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
Tuesday Evening Study Group, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 15
Third Sunday of Advent Worship, 11 a.m.
All-Youth Brunch, 9:30 a.m. Common Grounds
Lessons & Carols, 5 p.m.
Come and enjoy a traditional service of Lessons and Carols led by the Choristers and Singers choirs. Readings and carols retell the story of Christ’s birth, with candlelit singing of Silent Night. Gather for a potluck meal and carol singing in Fellowship Hall afterward.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
Christmas Eve Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
Youth Christmas Party, 6:30 p.m. Common Grounds
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship, 11 a.m.
No classes for adults, youth, or children.
Christmas Eve Choir Rehearsal, 9:30 a.m.
Caroling, 3 p.m. All are welcome to join in song and share carols with those in our congregation in need of Christmas cheer. Directions and song sheets available when we gather in fellowship hall.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve Worship, 5 p.m. This child-friendly service includes carols and candlelight.
Christmas Eve Worship, 8:30 p.m. Share the joy of the season in a communion service with carols and candlelight on this holiest of nights. Organ prelude begins at 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER, December 29
First Sunday of Christmas Worship, 11 a.m.
Guest preacher, Colleen Earp
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5
Epiphany of the Lord Worship, 11 a.m.
Pick up a star word to guide your spiritual practice this year!
The Grand Adventure: Pilgrims in the Tetons
Recently, a group of 15 youth and adults head to the Grand Tetons on Pilgrimage 2019: The Grand Adventure. It has been a year in the making and much longer in the preparing. The group went hiking, horseback riding, visited Yellowstone, took part in an environmental service project, enjoyed cooking and singing around a campfire and sleeping in lux-yurts! Each day, the group gave thanks for moments of wonder and took part in times of silence and sharing.
We are grateful that WPC takes seriously the baptismal promise of caring for and nurturing the faith of its children and youth through its financial and spiritual support of this important part of the youth ministry here.
Share Your Talents!
On Thursday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. you are invited to be part of a concert at Westminster. We need performers of all ages and abilities to create this unique evening of music for our community. Following the performance, there will be ice cream served in the courtyard. This is a fun opportunity to share your talents and enjoy fellowship. Contact Dana Patek, , if you have questions and to get your name in the program.
“Sleepers, Wake!”
No one has ever described me as a “morning person”—just ask Heather. For being a high energy kind of guy, it may come as a surprise to you to learn that I start my mornings slow: wiping the sleep from my eyes, putting on an old sweatshirt, wondering where I put my glasses the night before, and starting the kettle for my morning cup of coffee. My mornings also include stretching out and glancing at my NPR news app. At the break of dawn, it takes me awhile to find my bearings. A few years back, Heather and I attended a conference in Maine where we were invited every morning to begin our day by sitting in silence for 15-20 minutes. Leaders lit a candle, read to us a brief prayer or poem and then, with the sound of a bell, we sat quietly, breathing in and out and placing our day in God’s hands.
Here in Charlottesville, Heather and I have begun this spiritual practice. It doesn’t take a class or a special curriculum. Trust me. Starting off your day grounded and calm in mind and spirit changes the way you interact with others and how others interact with you.
After my silent meditation and a second cup of coffee, I start to feel ready—in soul, mind, and body. I’m ready to face the coming day. And when I pull into Westminster Presbyterian Church and I get out of my car, I say one more prayer: “O Lord, let me rise to the challenges of this day.” My day begins.
Many of us have our morning rituals and routines. We have our own unique way of summoning up the right attitude so we can be more fully engaged in our everyday relationships. Indeed, we all need some time to wake up. One of our Advent hymns (#17) begins this way: “Sleepers awake!” A voice astounds us . . . .” For me, Johann Sebastian Bach’s classic tune calls us to wakefulness. Like many of our Advent hymns, we sing of the joyous news of preparing for Christ’s coming. “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” this hymn calls and beckons. In essence, the hymn cries out, “Wake Up! Wipe the sleep from your eyes! Put on an old sweatshirt! Stretch out! Meditate in the light of Christ. Get ready!”
“For unto us a child is born, a son is given and authority will rest upon his shoulders; and he will be named, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6)
So, sleepers, wake! For Advent is here!
Rev. Ken