Advent at First Lutheran
November 27 - December 23
All is Calm, All is Bright
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation.
During Advent, we take time to breathe, to slow down so that we can be
attentive to the movement of God into our lives, and into our world.
Join us in these coming weeks as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.
Promises of Advent – Wednesday Reflection Group
Nov. 30, Dec. 7 & Dec. 14
11:00 a.m. - Noon
(Please note time correction)
Gift yourself this Advent with reflection and conversation on the Promises of Advent: the Promise of Comfort, the Promise of Redemption, and the Promise of Justice. All are welcome to meet each of the three Wednesdays of Advent, in room 312.
Our time together will end at noon, so we can enjoy the musical blessings of Lunch in the Loft.
26th Annual
LUNCH
in the LOFT
Join us for midweek concerts of organ music and other accompaniment for the Holiday Season! This series of short performances of seasonal music can be a fun way to relax a bit and get in the festive spirit of the season.
· Wednesday, November 30 - Robin Wagner, Organist - St. Andrew Lutheran Church
· Wednesday, December 7 - Jacob Sprengeler, Organist - Concordia Lutheran Church
· Wednesday, December 14 - Brett & Marita Wolgast, Organist & Director of Music - First Lutheran Church
The concerts begin at 12:05 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Seating is available in the balcony and spread out on the floor level. We invite you to bring a bag lunch or favorite carry-out. Cookies and beverage provided.
Wednesday Evening Advent Dinners
Nov. 30; Dec. 7 & 14
Soup & Salad Dinner-
5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Youth, Children & Families Pizza-
5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Each Wednesday Evening in Advent we will host a hearty Soup dinner for the congregation and friends to enjoy together in the lower level dining hall.
Families in Confirmation or from our kids' choirs will also still have the option of eating pizza like most Wednesdays of Confirmation.
“Take time to Breathe"
Service of Word and Prayer
Midweek Advent Worship services at 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 30; Dec. 7 & 14
When
we take time to breathe, we can relax and release. When we let go, then
we have space to receive. When we receive, we can rejoice.
We will look at how this plays out through spiritual practices each week.
Four Oaks Gift Tags
Give a Merrier Christmas to Youth in Four Oaks Residential Facilities. You can select a tag for a child online here.
Ring Bells to Help Those in Need
We are ringing bells to help others through the Salvation Army from 4-7 p.m. Tues. Dec. 13 at the Wilson Ave. Hy-Vee. The shifts will go fast! Bundle up the kids and sign up here
Prophets & Promises
Devotion Booklets
A great, short, daily devotional resource for Advent Through Epiphany, these booklets are free to pick up any time the church is open.
December Monthly Luncheon
Thurs. Dec. 8
12 noon
Great food and friendships await at our monthly luncheon.
This
month, in addition to getting Mrs. Ruth's great cooking, we will also
be entertained with festive music from the "Young at Harp" ensemble.
Cost is $5. RSVP Here.
Cedar Rapids
Concert Chorale
Saturday, Dec. 10,
7:30 p.m.
Featuring the John Rutter "Gloria", the Chorale and instrumental ensemble will be joined by the First Lutheran Church Adult Choir and Resonaré Ringers handbell choir to celebrate the sounds of the season.
"Greetings from the Heart"
Children's Christmas Celebration
Sunday, Dec. 18,
in 11 a.m. worship
Our First Lutheran Kids Sunday Morning Learning classes present a skit about two people who think they are just too busy to stop and read their Christmas Greetings.
Blue Christmas
Wednes., Dec. 21
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Blue Christmas is a worship time when we can acknowledge the sadness we may feel at Christmas due to losses and
memories of painful past experiences. Through scripture, prayer,
song, and ritual we will seek to be open to the possibility of hope.
Christmas Eve Worship
Saturday, December 24
Children’s Services
2p.m. (Cherub and Chapel) and 4 p.m.(Middle School Choir and
Youth Handbells)
Contemporary Service
6 p.m. (Celebration Band-led)
Traditional services
8 p.m. (Adult Handbells) and 10
p.m. (Adult Choir)
Sunday, Dec. 25: 10 a.m. Traditional Worship Sunday, Jan. 1: 10 a.m. Band-led Worship
