The Sights and Sounds of Advent

By Rev. Lynn Bartlow, Lead Pastor

Happy post-Thanksgiving Day! Is Thanksgiving ever over? We should give thanks each day for the blessings we experience. The little things are the easiest to overlook: the person who opened the door for you, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the softness of your bedsheets, the taste of a freshly baked, flaky croissant. What can you appreciate today, that is easily overlooked?

This Sunday, we move the cultural season of Thanksgiving to the liturgical season of Advent. Our culture around us likes to jump straight from back-to-school to Christmas, but we are invited to linger a while in the not-yet of the season. It’s not yet Christmas, even while we sing our Christmas hymns and give others good wishes.

As we move toward Christmas, we invite you to slow down and notice how our senses are part of our traditions. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches that we experience all help us to tune into the hope, peace, love, and joy of the season.

This week, join Pastor Kim and Rev. Deborah Christine on the Magee campus, with an extra 15 minutes of music before the service begins. Join the Sanctuary Praise Band and me on the Sanctuary campus. No matter where you worship, we will notice the sights of Christmas as we enter this Advent season with thanksgiving!

See you soon!
Pastor Lynn

 

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
• 8:30 and 10 a.m. Traditional service in Magee Campus sanctuary and child care in Rm 15
• 10 a.m. Modern service at Sanctuary Campus
• 10 a.m. Magee Campus youth and children’s Sunday School (except fifth Sundays) and child care
• 10 a.m. Traditional service livestream premieres on YouTube and Website

Worship online at 10 a.m. on Sundays at umcstmarks.org/live-worship or YouTube UMC St. Mark’s AZ. You can also watch the service at a later time.