Hello Gloria Dei,
I pray that you all had a joy-filled Thanksgiving Day. It is so good to pause and simply give thanks to God for the many gifts He provides, including the gift of faith.
Believe it or not, this weekend begins the season of Advent. Advent is a time for us to reflect, prepare, hope, and wait for the celebration of Jesus’ arrival at Christmas.
During this season there are several opportunities to assist you in your spiritual preparation for Christmas. First and foremost is gathering in worship. During our weekend worship and on Wednesday nights, we will be having an Advent emphasis, including the Service of Hope and Remembrance on Saturday December 14 and the Christmas Cantata on Sunday December 15. Wednesdays during Advent we will use the Holden Evening Prayer liturgy, except for Wednesday the 18th, which is our Children’s Christmas Program.
Today I want to highlight another Advent opportunity. We are pleased at Gloria Dei to once again be hosting the Augustana University School of Music Christmas Vespers Concert. This year’s theme is “Prepare the Way”.
Through music, word and light, the Augie Vespers concert will embrace the spirit of Advent and anticipate the coming of Christmas. The dates are Friday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 7, at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
For details, and to purchase tickets, please go to augie.edu/vespers.
I wish you a blessed beginning to this important season in the church year. For this weekend’s worship please read Luke 1:46-55 as we focus on the theme “Made For Hope”.
Pastor Tim
