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Stay updated with festive and sacred events this Advent Season
Advent Study
Words from the Beginning - A Sanctified Art
December 1 - January 6
About the Series
Guide developed by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new.
Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to an end. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown. We have crafted an Advent series filled with blessings, with the words we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season. We imagined the words Mary would speak to her newborn son.
What scriptures and stories would she impart to him? What lessons would she teach him as he grew? And so, our weekly themes may feel like the lessons we teach to children, but in reality, these are lessons we continue to learn and relearn as adults. They may sound like the messages we impart to loved ones during special ceremonies or sacred rituals. We intentionally selected scriptures that may be frequently used in weddings, ordination services, or baptisms. And so, we invite you to enter this Advent season as if you are entering a sacred new chapter, holding fast to the reminders that will bolster you for the journey ahead.
As you journey through this season, may you find words for belovedness and hope. May you find words for beginning again. For no matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, love is your beginning.
Preview our Advent themes for our 7-week study below:
For our online community an electronic version of the
Study Devotional will be linked in our Weekly Email.
Please reach out to media@harborchristianchurch.com to be added.
Harbor Advent Events
Our annual creative worship service is back! Held during our usual Sunday Gathering time, Harbor comes together to set our sanctuary for the Advent season. This year we will be focusing on the crafting element of our study so come ready to create and decorate!
Join us for a day celebrating Advent! Artisan booths, creative workshops, handmade goods, fine arts, culinary delights, and vintage treasures. Enjoy live entertainment, a fun Chili Cook-Off and Candlelight Caroling on the lawn!
Sunday December 22nd immediately following Service.
Holiday Cookie exchange (and eating!) If you are bringing cookies for the exchange, please bring:
3 dozen cookies
Copies of your recipe
Containers to take your cookies home.
Join us for our Candlelit Christmas Eve Service.
We will end our Advent Season on Epiphany Sunday! Join us after Sunday Gathering for Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake). Will you get the baby Jesus this year?
The Pacific Southwest Region will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a special event on Sunday, January 26, 2025. The annual event will take place at the Disciples Ministry Center in Fullerton. This year’s theme is “"Doing the Work of Justice: God's Righteousness Made Real." It is based on the scripture from Isaiah 56:1(CSB-Christian Standard Bible): This is what the Lord says: 'Preserve justice and do what is right, for my salvation is coming soon, and my righteousness will be revealed.
Featured at this year’s MLK Jr. Celebration will be Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Founder of HopeBuilds and Former Associate General Minister from United Church of Christ. Also included in the event will be a presentation of the annual “Disciple of the Year” award.
MLK CHOIR CALL - Harbor Music plans to be part of the MLK Celebration Choir. The Regional Committee wants to invite anyone to participate no matter age or musical ability. If interested, please mark your calendars with the following dates:
Rehearsals at Harbor
Sunday, January 5 - following Sunday Gathering
Sunday, January 12 - following Sunday Gathering
Rehearsals off Campus
Saturday, January 18 - Time and Location TBD
Sunday, January 26 - FCC Fullerton, 2pm
Questions? Speak with Associate Music Director Macy Whitesell
We all remember how yummy last year's Tamalada was with Congregational Life Captain Anabel Quintanilla! Funds from this event go towards our Building Fund for the Searcey Hall expansion. This year we are looking to see if anyone is interested in supporting this event? If that's you please speak with Pastor Janette.
Children & Youth Events
No plans for New Year's Eve? Harbor is willing to open up the Sanctuary for a Game Night to ring in 2025 together. We will be surveying interest in this over the next few weeks.
Registration for PSWR Winter Camp is open now! Click the image above to be led to the information page and registration form.
Questions? Speak with Pastor Janette.
Community Call
Staff Gifts - It has been the tradition for many years that we gift our hardworking staff at Christmas. We do this by donations from you rather than from our church treasury which we reserve for worship expenses. You may donate to this fund by cash, check, Venmo or PayPal direct to Board Secretary Nan Collett.
Nan Venmo: @Nancy-Collett-4
Nan PayPal: @nancycollett1
Snacks - You may have noticed the donation box near the coffee bar. We would appreciate your contributing to it as you enjoy coffee/tea/cream/sugar and snacks during fellowship time after church.
Advent Save the Date
With so much coming up we have created a
Save the Date for easy reference!
Printed copies will be available to take home in Ackelson.
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