Advent 2020
What is Advent?
The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” Advent includes the four weeks prior to Christmas and is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ into the world, by both remembering the birth of Jesus and anticipating the ways in which the Spirit of Christ continues to come to us. Advent is also the beginning of the Christian Year, a time to reflect, to prepare, and to begin again. Because Advent begins with waiting, it is counter-cultural, granting value to patience, anticipation, and peace, while everyone around seems to be rushing around, exhausted, and stressed.
Advent promises to fill our congregation with the hope of Emmanuel, God with us, even if things are different.
The Nativity, by Mike Moyers
Hanging of the Green: Drive-Thru Event
Sunday, November 29 – 5:30-7:00 p.m.
We have chosen to celebrate Hanging of the Green through a drive-thru event on Sunday, November 29 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. This change supports the safety of our congregation and community during this time. Gather family members staying in your household and take a drive together. Enter the church parking lot off of Charlotte Street. Hosts will be there to:
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Receive your White Christmas food gifts at the Atrium entrance.
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Share an Advent Bag to help families and children celebrate this season.
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Share a Chrismon for your family tree as well as candles and communion elements for our Christmas Eve service.
You won’t want to miss the 23-foot Frazier Fir on the front portico of the church, shining brilliantly with almost 4000 lights. We welcome this outward sign for our church and city as we wait in great hope for Emmanuel, God with us.
Advent Pause Concerts
Tuesdays in December, 12:05 to 12:35 p.m.
These live instrumental concerts will feature some of our cherished artists.
December 1 – Bach’s Lunch with Tate Addis, organ
CLICK HERE
December 8 – Leila Lattimore, harp CANCELLED
December 15 – Tim Owings, piano CANCELLED
December 22 – Hannah Sorrells Tyler, violin CANCELLED
Advent Evensong Re-Broadcasts
Sundays in December – 6:00 p.m.
These beloved concerts from years past express the hope and joy of the season. These concerts will be on fbca.net and our YouTube channel.
Sunday, December 6, The Many Moods of Christmas, 2014
Sunday, December 13, Duo Deo Gloria (Vivaldi and Rutter), 2011
Sunday, December 20, Messiah, 2018
Daily Advent Music and Reflections
Beginning Sunday, November 29, music and reflections will adorn a daily, online Advent calendar brought to you via email each morning. Members and friends at FBCA have written devotions and recorded sacred songs for this holy season. To receive this gift via email, please register here.
Advent Worship 2020
These online Advent worship experiences will include the lighting of the Advent wreath from homes, downtown procession of acolytes and Scripture readings, choral octets, handbells, and sermons.
These worship experiences will be posted here each Sunday morning by 9:00 a.m.
November 29, First Sunday of Advent
An Advent Prayer for the Ages, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
December 6, Second Sunday of Advent
Preparing the Way, Mark 1:1-8, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
December 13, Third Sunday of Advent
The Advent Generation, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126
December 20, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Impossible! Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
December 27, First Sunday after Christmas Day
Christmas Prophesies, Luke 2:22-40, Psalm 148