Previewing the Season of Advent

On Sunday, December 1st, we will begin the church season of Advent.  Advent is the Christian New Year.  It is a 4-week season of waiting, longing, hope, repentance, and preparation, in which intentionally enter into the spiritual posture of Ancient Israel as they waited for God to send Jesus into the world (the first Advent).  We also join with Christians throughout history and across the world today as we wait for Jesus to come back again and make all things new (the second Advent).  Thus, Advent is a season for honestly confronting the hard parts of reality, even as we cultivate hope by remembering God’s promises.  There are many ways we will intentionally press into this season as a church.  Our Sunday services will include the lighting of Advent candles as well as the penitential order where we begin each Sunday with our confession and absolution.  Our sermons will focus on texts from Israel’s minor prophets, we will gather weekly for evening prayer, share a special Selah mini-retreat with Advent themed visio divina & spiritual practice.  We’ll have new Advent art in the sanctuary, and we’ll partner intentionally with RefugeeConnect.  Finally, we’ll conclude our Advent journey with a Christmas Eve service of Lessons & Carols.  Below is an introduction to everything you can expect during the season of Advent.  We hope you’ll join us in these special seasonal rhythms as we prepare our hearts to receive Christ’s presence and love in a fresh way this Christmas.


Greening the Church - November 30th, 3 - 5 PM

Come join our church family as we put up the Christmas trees and hang the wreaths, boughs, and Advent art. We’ll also have cookies, hot chocolate, and Christmas music to enjoy.  If you are able to come, please sign-up below.


Advent 2024 Guide For Adults & Families

Engage the Season of Advent with contemplative devotionals and fun activities for people of all ages. Each year, Mission puts out a seasonal guide that is chock full of resources to help us engage the season more deeply. You can find this year’s guide below.


Advent Evening Prayer – Wednesdays (4th, 11th, and 18th):  6-6:30PM Meal, 6:30-7:30 PM Prayer

Come join us for evening prayer.  We’ll start off by sharing a meal with the folks from Grace  downstairs in the fellowship hall.  Then, we’ll pray evening prayer together in the sanctuary and close our time together with some contemplation on one of our Advent paintings.  If you are not able to join us for the meal, still come for prayer.


Refugee Connect Festival of Lights Family Event on December 7th: 4- 7PM

Come join refugee families for a fun-filled time at the Cincinnati zoo.  Volunteers will guide families around the zoo, help them get back to the bus at the end of the evening, and have fun!  To sign up, click on the link below.  As volunteer opportunities are limited for this particular event, if you are interested, do sign-up soon.


Advent Selah - Dec. 14th:  9:30-11:30 AM/Optional Contemplative time from 11:30AM-12:30PM

Come join Jamie Noyd and Lance Weisser for a beautiful, restful morning as we seek to enter deeply into the season of Advent by engaging in some contemplative practices.  Click on the link to sign-up.   


Walking the Advent Stations – Sundays, Wednesdays after Evening Prayer, 7:30 PM

Come walk the stations of Advent in our sanctuary.  Feel free to do so just before or after Sunday worship, or if you are looking for a quieter time to engage them, feel free to come on Wednesday evenings after evening prayer.  Rev. Kristen is willing to stay after prayer ends for anyone wanting to walk through all the stations.  Just let her know.  You can email her at kristen@missioncincinnati.org.


Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols | 12/24 @ 3 PM

Our Advent Journey concludes with a family-friendly Lessons & Carols celebration that will bring the Big Story of God’s salvation in Jesus to life through classic carols, candlelight, and communion. Join us for a beautiful celebration of Christ’s birth followed by a holiday cookie party!

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Pastoral Letter From Fr. William