Rock Island
Blue Christmas is December 6 at 6:00 p .m.
Christmas Sweater Sunday is day to lean into JOY. It is December 17 at 9:30 a.m.
December 24 is a Sunday, so we will have services at 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Continue reading “Christmas Dates to Remember”
On November 26 we will decorate the church for Advent. Many hands make light work as we build and decorate the Chrismon tree, set up other Christmas trees, hang wreaths and garland, and prepare for the festive season. We will begin the work of hanging the greens shortly after worship. When the decorating is complete, we will share a prayer for the Chrismon tree and then have a soup luncheon in Epworth Hall. There will be crafts for the kids and jobs for them as well. There will be a sign up sheet provided for those who wish to bring a soup or dessert for the luncheon.
On the longest night of the year, we will gather for a special “Blue Christmas” service. On Wednesday, December 22, at 7:00 p.m., we create space for grief and healing in this annual tradition of Blue Christmas. On the night when the darkness is the greatest, we will enter it and find beauty.
People of faith too often feel pressure to find only joy in Christmas. but the messiness and reality of life reminds us that there is often pain this time of year. In fact, there are things about the Christmas season that sharpen the pain of loss, grief, anxiety, and depression. This service is a chance to speak to this truth.
The service will last about 30 minutes. There will be a time for quiet prayer, music, reflection, and a ritual for healing that will create something beautiful. The piece that we create will be a part of the Christmas Eve atmosphere on Friday at 4:00 p.m., when we celebrate the coming of Christ in worship.
On every Wednesday night during Advent, Pastor Robb will share a short vespers service. Vespers is the ancient tradition of evening prayer. The service will take place in the sanctuary after bell choir rehearsal, which usually ends at 7:00. The Vespers will include a time of prayer and reflection, a Psalm song, a reading from our daily All the Good Devotional, and Communion. The service should take between 30-40 minutes, and be over well before 8:00. The theme for each week will follow along with our Advent themes of Prepare with Hope, Praying for Peace, Care with Joy, and Do in Love.
This Advent the whole church is invited to be a part of The Redemption of Scrooge. This worship series will be a fun trip through Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. We’ll meet all the familiar faces: Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Marley, and of course the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Each week will include the traditional hanging of the Chrismon on the tree, singing familiar Christmas carols and new tunes, and a dramatic Radio Theater presentation. Together we will move from “Bah humbug,” to “God bless us, every one!” In addition to the weekly sermon series, there are three small group opportunities to dig deeper in to Matthew Rawle’s book, “The Redemption of Scrooge.” Sundays at 10:45 in the Adult Class in Asbury Parlor, Mondays at noon in Epworth Hall, and Thursday evenings at 6:00 in Asbury Parlor.
Nov. 27 Bah, humbug
Dec. 4 The Remembrance of Christmas past
Dec. 11 The Life of Christmas present
Dec. 18 The Hope of Christmas future
Dec. 24 (at 6:30) Candlight and Communion Christmas Eve service
Dec. 25 God bless us, every one!
The Hanging of the Greens is a wonderful day in the life of Two Rivers Church. All are invited to come at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20 to help transform the church for Advent. There trees to assemble, ornaments, wreaths, and greens to be hung, and candles to set out. It is a joyful day with work divided by many friendly hands. After all the work is done, we will go to Epworth Hall for a pot-luck dinner.