Advent at St. Mary's

Advent resources available for pickup in the Parish Hall.

Sunday Advent Adult Forum “Angels: Bridging Heaven & Earth”

9 am |  Sundays in Advent beginning Dec. 1 | Barrett Room

 

On Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, from 9:10 am to 10 am in the Barrett Room, the Rev. Torrence Harman will lead us in an Advent study of angels. We will locate these special messengers of God in Old and New Testament scripture, look at how we earthly beings have viewed them over the centuries and ponder their presence in contemporary life. These sessions shape and build the conversation over the four Advent Sundays leading up to the Nativity. Hope you will join us for as many of them as your schedule permits.

 

Children’s Formation

| Sundays in Advent | St. Luke Room

 

Children will be led through the season of waiting and anticipation, preparing to enter the mystery of Christmas, through a series of Advent stories that build upon one another each week. They’ll learn about prophets, the Holy Family, the Light of Christ and much more.

 

Men’s Bible Study

9 am | Thursdays in Advent beginning Dec. 5 | Barrett Room

 

Father Andrew will lead a Men's Bible Study on Thursday mornings at 9 am, focusing on the Sunday Gospel Lessons for Advent.

 

Women’s Bible  Study “The Foreshadowing of Jesus in the Old Testament”

10:30 am | Fridays in Advent beginning Dec. 6 | Barrett Room 

 

Join us this Advent for a brand-new, lay-led Women’s Bible Study focusing on the foreshadowing of Jesus in the Old Testament. This is a three-week study led by parishioner Patricia Murphy that occurs at 10:30 am on Fridays during Advent: Join us Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 at the Church. Come for fellowship, learning and to celebrate the season. RSVP to Formation Director Lindsey Herring.

 

Special Youth & Family Formation Dec. 8 with Guest Speaker

Sadie McNair, Interim Director of Camp Henry & the Outdoor School

9:20 am | Sunday, Dec. 8 | Parish Hall

 

Camp Henry Interim Director Sadie McNair will join us for coffee and conversation at 9 am on Dec. 8 in the Parish Hall. Her discussion will center around Camp Henry and the role attending summer camp plays in the lifelong Formation of our youth. We'll learn about retreat offerings for families as well. Families, parents and youth are encouraged to attend.

Afterward, we’ll be offering Children’s Formation at 9:50 am in the St. Luke Room for elementary-age children, which occurs during the first portion of the 10:10 am service. They'll learn about the first two parts of the Advent story (shown), as they begin to fully engage with the entering the mystery of Christmas. They’ll process into the Church and join their families during the Peace. Led by Joanna Reule. 

 

Morning Prayer

8:30 am | Weekdays | Church

 

Start your day with words from sacred scripture, time for silence and prayer during this holy season on weekdays at 8:30 am in the Church.

 

Advent Lessons & Carols

3 pm | Dec. 15 | Church

 

On Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 pm, come be a part of a journey into the season through scripture and song. Led by our choir, this service is deeply moving as it weaves familiar scripture passages with carols of anticipation and expectation.

 

A Service of Hope & Light

6 pm | Dec. 21 |  Watauga Medical Center Auditorium

 

In this Longest Night service of Hope & Light, we acknowledge that there are many for whom the holiday season is not a joyful time. During this worship service, we are invited to be our true selves and allow our true feelings to be expressed, trusting in the light and hope revealed in Christ. This service is offered in partnership with other area churches.