ADVENT 2020 | ISSUE 1
THE COMING
The Advent Guide for Allen Temple AME Church-Atlanta
ADVENT DURING COVID WHAT'S INSIDE Advent Word Search 2 What is Advent? 3 The Angel Tree Project 3 The Advent Wreath 3
God is never unaware The world may seem like it is in turmoil, but one thing is for certain, God is not God of confusion, but of order. Out of the chaos that was the beginning, God created order. God juxtaposed the dry land and the water, day and night out of nothingness, and God has already set the beginning and the end. Nothing that we are experiencing at any moment is a surprise to God--to us, yes, but to God, never. COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, and it has certainly pushed each of us to new levels emotionally, physically, intellectually, politically, socially, and spiritually. This global pandemic has forced us to really pause and consider what is truly important in life. Many of us have family members and friends who have had--and recovered, from COVID-19, and even some who have died from complications associated with the virus. Let us pause to remember our loved ones. Amen.
Weekly Scripture Refletions 4 Peppermint Bark Oreos 4
Perhaps even reading this, you are one who has recovered and now understand more clearly the ramifications when members of our intercontinental community refuse to follow the necessary precautions to slow the spread of the virus. Nonetheless, we have the blessed assurance that we serve a God who has already ordered hope, peace, joy and love through the advent ("the coming") of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate.
Coming: in January: Next Level Small Group 4
May your focus this season be on how Christ came so that you might experience the fullness of all that God has already ordained for your live.
Rev. Susan
Try this easy Peppermint Bark Oreo recipie this season - Page 4.
ADVENT WORD SEARCH
WHAT IS ADVENT? Advent is the season of the church when believers reflect in two ways: to prepare for Christmas, when Christ first came to us; to focus our hearts and minds on the Second Coming of Christ. Advent is a time of expecting the hope, peace, joy and love that Christ brought to the world as the Savior of the world. There are 4 Sundays in Advent. Each Sunday prepares us with a specific focus. 1st Sunday: Hope 2nd Sunday: Peace 3rd Sunday: Joy 4th Sunday: Love
COVID-19 stopped the Polar Express Expreience this year, but not our heart for service. The Womens Missionary Society is still supporting the Angel Tree Project and needs your help. Donate $25 gift cards so that parents and grandparents may purchase gifts for children who are missing a parent this year. You may bring the cards to the church or mail them. Contact Ministry Leader, Whilene Smith for details.
The Advent Wreath LIGHT The light from the candles, lit gradually weekly, is a symbol of how Christ brings light to a dark world. As each candle is lit,the light grows brighter and stronger. The light from the white candle, lit on Christmas Day or the Sunday prior symbolizes that Christ's light shines at the center of all. CANDLES There are 4 candles (3 purple and 1 rose), A fifth white candle is lit on Christmas Day or the Sunday prior. The first candle symbolizes hope with the reminder that Jesus is coming and in remembrance of the prophets who foretold the birth of Christ. The second candle symbolizes peace reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.� The third (rose) symbolizes joy reminding us of the Joy of the fulfillment of the promise of God to send a saviour by the birth of Jesus. The fourth candle symbolizes the love that God has for us that allowed God to send Jesus into the world. The fifth (white) candle symbolizes Jesus as the light of the world.
WREATH The wreath is traditionally made of evergreen branches formed into a circle. The evergreen circle is a symbol of eternal life. The color green is considered a symbol of hope.
The Sundays of Advent Weekly Scripture for Reflections November 29, 2020
Hope Monday: Zephaniah 3:17 Tuesday: Titus 1:1-2; Titus 3:7 Wednesday: Jeremiah 29: 11-12; Jeremiah 17:7-8 Thursday: Numbers 23:19; 1 Corinthians 4:16-18 Friday: 1 Peter 1:3; Job 13:15; Psalm 71:14 Saturday: Romans 5:2-5, 15:4, 15:13
December 6, 2020
Peace Monday: John 14:27; Romans 14:7-9 Tuesday: Philippians 4:6-7 Wednesday: Colossians 3:15 Thursday: 1 Corinthians 14:33 Friday: Isaiah 9:6 Saturday: Matthew 11:28-30
December 13, 2020
Joy Monday: Psalm 51; Psalm 47:1 Tuesday: Nehemiah 8:10 Wednesday: James 1:2-3; Luke 15:7; John 16:22 Thursday: Romans 15:13; Peter 1:8-9 Friday: Isaiah 12:6; Psalm 30:8 Saturday: Romans 14:17
December 20, 2020
Love Monday: Matthew 22:37-39 Tuesday: Luke 6:27-36 Wednesday: John 3: 16-18; John 15:3 Thursday: Romans 12:9-21 Friday: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13; Ephesians 4:2 Saturday: 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7-21
PEPPERMINT BARK OREOS Ingredients 1 package Oreo cookies 1 bag white chocolate candy melts 20 crushed candy canes Wax paper Directions 1. Melt the candy melts as directed on the bag in the microwave. Allow to cool during Step 2. 2. Crush 15 candy canes and mix thoroughly into the melted chocolate. Save 5 crushed candy canes for topping later. 3. Dip the Oreo cookies into the melted mixture and place it on the wax paper 4. Sprinkle some of the remaining peppermint candy onto the cookie. 5. Repeat Steps 3 and Step 4 with the rest of the cookies. 6. Allow the cookies to harden completely (about 30 minutes)
Keep the cookies cool to avoid a chocolate meltdown.
NEXT LEVEL? ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR
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CO ING IN JANUARY It is time for you to grow to your next level, but you do not have to do it alone. Join a small group experience to help you flourish physically, emotionally, intellectually, financially, and or spiritually. REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 15TH @ www.allentempleatlanta.org