Join us Sunday, November 29th for our first Sunday of Advent. This year we will be joining with others across the country on a journey to find more hope, love, joy and peace in the world even when we don’t see it! That is the concept behind this year’s Advent and Christmas season entitled “In Believe Even When…Fill the Night with Music and Light.” Especially this year, with the rise in cases of the COVID virus, when racism is running rampant in our nation, when we are more divided than ever, can we believe that there is a way forward together—all of us together? A short poem found on the cellar wall of a concentration camp shortly after the end of WWII becomes our anchor text as we journey toward Christmas. Readings for this service will include scripture from the Prophet Isaiah and the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark. The sermon by Pastor Lucozzi is entitled “I Believe Even When: The Audacity of Hope” Music under the direction of Peter Amidon includes an anthem written especially for this worship series, “I Believe Even When” by Mark Miller, featuring soloist Cathy Hess. Hymns for this Sunday include Wake Awake by Philipp Nicolai 1599, harmonized by J. S. Bach 1731, “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” and O Come O Come Emmanuel, soloist Perrin Scott as well as the children’s hymn “Are you Ready” transcription/arrangement by Andy Davis with Patty Meyer piano, Ron Kelley alto saxophone, Stefan Amidon percussion. The children’s story for our service is Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Garland. Join us in raising your voices and sharing your light in ways that tell the world: do not be afraid!
Guilford Community Church, an Open and Affirming/ Just Peace congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), continues tomorrow with worship online at 10am and on BCTV at 8am and again on Weds morning at 6:30am. The link to the livestream can be found on the church homepage at guilfordchurch.org.