Advent & Christmas 2023 - How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

Advent & Christmas

How Does A Weary World Rejoice?

“Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people. . .. . . And so, this Advent, let us hold space for our weariness and our joy. Let us seek a ‘thrill of hope’ in our hurting world. Let us welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.” From “How does a weary world rejoice?” by A Sanctified Art.

Advent Calendars

Advent calendars are ready for pick up and will be available on the Welcome Desk by the main entrance from now through the end of December! Each day, the calendar will offer you a simple task to help you prepare for the in-breaking of Christ this Christmas. Take extra copies for family, friends, or neighbors!
If you’d like to receive a digital version of the advent calendar, please email the Church Office at office@worthingtonumc.com

Advent & Christmas Eve
Worship Services

This year, Advent will begin Sunday, December 3. Each Sunday throughout Advent, we will continue with our 9am & 10am worship services, with the 10am being livestreamed on our YouTube page.

Join us for the “Advent Vespers Service of Prayer and Song” on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:30pm in Potter Chapel. Amid the busyness of the holiday season, take some time in the evening of December 13 to gather with us for a worship service of light, song, silence, and prayer. This brief, simple vespers service, based on ancient monastic practices, will serve as a time to center ourselves in prayer as we prepare of the arrival of Christ. Expect spoken communal liturgies, hymns, music by the bell and chancel choirs, scripture reading, and times of silence.

Christmas Eve is on Sunday, December 24, which means we will have our regular morning services in addition to our three Christmas Eve services:
9am in Potter Chapel – Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship
10am in the Sanctuary & Livestream – Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship
4pm in the Sanctuary – Family Christmas Eve Worship
8pm in the Sanctuary – Lessons and Carols Worship
10pm in the Sanctuary – Candlelight and Communion Worship

Devotional Small Groups

How does a weary world rejoice? Join your family and friends in Christ as we draw from scripture, theological reflection, poetry, and visual art to explore the nuances of this question and emerge from the Advent season with renewed hope and faith. Lou and Dom will lead small groups each week to reflect on the material in the devotional booklet. Dom and Lou will alternate facilitating the conversation on Sunday mornings at 9am in the Conference Room; Dom will lead conversations on Tuesday nights at 7pm on Zoom; and Lou will lead conversations on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm in the Church Conference Room. You can sign up for these classes and see the full schedule using this link or connecting with Dom. Participants in the small group will receive the entire devotional booklet in digital format before the small groups begin, including art and commentary that won’t be available in the E-Blast mailings.

Click here for more information or to register

Weekly E-Blast Devotionals

If you’d like to receive the Advent Devotional “How does a weary world rejoice?” this Advent season, make sure you’re signed up for our weekly newsletter. Each week we will send a devotion as a part of the E-Blast. This devotion will include commentary on scripture, a poem, art pieces with commentary, and reflection questions to guide your study and prayer time throughout Advent. Hard copies of the devotional booklet will be available in the church office for a recommended donation of $5. Please note that some art pieces that will be included in the devotional booklet used by the small group participants will not be included in the weekly devotional, as they deal with controversial subject matter that must be handled with care in the context of trusted community.

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Advent & Christmas

How Does A Weary World Rejoice?

Advent Calendars

Advent & Christmas Eve
Worship Services

Devotional Small Groups

Weekly E-Blast Devotionals

Sign up for the E-blast!

News & Events Archive

Advent & Christmas

How Does A Weary World Rejoice?

Advent Calendars

Advent & Christmas Eve Worship Services

Devotional Small Groups

Weekly E-Blast Devotionals

Sign up for the E-blast!

News & Events Archive

Advent & Christmas Eve
Worship Services