Sunday, December 8, is the second Sunday in Advent , a time of preparation for the coming of Christ . The 10am service at the Guilford Community Church will begin with the lighting of Advent candles and and introit sung by Tony Barrand, “The Is the Truth Sent from Above”. Rev. Lise Sparrow will offer the second sermon in an Advent sermon series focussed on the five “staves” of the story of the Christmas Carol story. Charles Dickens wrote the book structured as verses in a “carol” and it is well researched as a meditation on faith development with many biblical references. Week by week the story will unfold, suggesting ways to prepare our hearts, minds and lives for Christ. The scripture for the day is taken from the gospel of Matthew 3, verses 1 to 12, in which John the Baptist calls for a time of repentance and preparation . Music for the day, under the direction of Peter Amidon, includes anthems, “The Candlelight Carol” by John Rutter and “Break Forth Oh Beauteous Heavenly Light” by J.S. Bach as well as carols “Wake Awkae the Night is Flying” “People Look East” and “On Jordan’s Banks”. The children will continue preparing the creche for Christmas and practice for the pageant to be held December 22. After church items from the Christmas pageant will be on sale.
Guilford Community Church, an Open and Affirming/Just Peace Congregation of the United Church of Christ, is fully handicapped accessible and committed to providing hearing assistance and ASL interpretation, if given notice ahead. The church is located one mile south of exit 1 on Route 5 just in back of the Guilford Country Store. For more information call 257-2776, check the website at www.guilfordchurch.org or friend us on Facebook at “Guilford Community Church”. Services are also filmed and can be found on BCTV Wednesday morning at 7am and Sunday mornings at 8am or anytime online at www.brattleborotv.or