“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again.

When does Advent begin?
The season of Advent is fixed to the four Sundays before Christmas. In 2024, Advent begins on Sunday, December 1.

How many days are in Advent?
Because we mark Advent by the number of Sundays before Christmas, and Christmas falls on a different day of the week each year, it can vary! It can be as many as 28 days or as few as 22 days. In 2024, it will be 24 days.

What are some ways we can observe Advent at home?
Some families like to have their own Advent wreath at home. Others use an Advent calendar to mark the days together or use a daily Advent devotional.

Is Advent the same as the 12 Days of Christmas?
The 12 Days of Christmas come after Christmas, not before! This season of celebration culminates in Epiphany (Jan. 6), which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child,

Sundays in Advent

Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22

You’re invited to join us for worship each Sunday in Advent!

Worship is at 8:30 am & 11:00 am. Our 11:00 service is also livestreamed.

Sundays in Christmas

Christmas 1 – Sun., Dec. 29
Worship at 10:00 am

Christmas 2 – Sun., Jan. 5
Worship at 10:00 am

About our Advent Sermon Series

Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber recently wrote a prayer that asks God to “help us remember that even if there is more to worry about in life right now, it does not mean that there is less to love in life right now. So protect every inch of our joy, Lord.”

This Advent we ask: how does a weary world rejoice?

Using the Advent and Christmas texts, we’ll focus our worship by lifting five bits of lyrics from the hymn “O Holy Night.”

• Advent 1: A Weary World Rejoices
• Advent 2: Sweet Hymns of Joy (Lessons & Carols)
• Advent 3: His Law is Love & His Gospel is Peace
• Advent 4: The Soul Felt Its Worth
• Christmas Eve: Fall on your Knees

5:00 pm Family Service

A worship experience intended especially for children and their families, giving us the opportunity to watch the nativity story unfold before our very eyes and ring jingle bells in celebration. The Alleluia Choir and Choristers will sing, and we’ll have both regular and battery-operated candles available. This service will also be available via livestream.

8:00 pm Candlelight Service

A traditional and festive time of worship, with music led by the Chancel Choir. This service will also be available via livestream.

Christmas Gifts of Beauty & Bounty

It is the UPC tradition during Advent to honor and remember the people in our lives through Christmas Gifts of Beauty and Bounty. Your gift can be used to purchase a poinsettia which will be placed in the chancel, or as a contribution to the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services to support our neighbors in need. (You can also choose to do both with your gift!) The names of those honored and remembered with these gifts will be in the Sunday Worship Bulletin on December 8.

Alternative Gift Market

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by the prospect of shopping for Christmas this year? Not sure what to get that friend or family member who has everything? Let us help! At the UPC Alternative Gift Market, you can make donations in honor of your loved ones that will help support our partners around the world who are working to serve and support those in need – no gift wrap required. The online market will open in mid-November, and we will also have a physical table at the Advent Craft Festival.

Christmas Joy Offering

This special offering of the PC(USA) provides the opportunity for future leaders of the church to pursue and fulfill their dreams through Presbyterian-related education. The offering also helps families of active and retired church workers meet unexpected needs through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pension. We will collect this offering in mid-December.