Dear First Pres Family,
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t’s hard to believe, but the Season of Advent is upon us. This is a beautiful time each year when we prepare for the birth of our Savior and our King, Jesus Christ. I hope that in this season — which often becomes cluttered with the trappings and activities of the season — you’ll take time to reflect on Jesus and the reason for the season. To that end, we’re excited about this year’s Advent series — the Songs of Christmas — which looks at the songs of the season that are unique to the Gospel of Luke. These texts serve as our guide through the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Eve. This will be a rich series and a rich time of exploration. On the pages of this magazine we wanted to offer you and your family a chance to explore these texts in greater depth. For each week of Advent we have a special devotional to help guide this process. The ministers who are speaking each week have offered a short meditation, and that is coupled with information on the Advent Candle for the week, the passage, discussion questions and activities to complete as a family. Please take time to make this a part of your celebration of the season. Perhaps your family can have its own Advent wreath as you explore the passages and the themes each week. I hope this will enrich your experience of Jesus this Advent Season. As we mentioned last month, the pastoral staff has been blessed to have Rev. Eunice (Junior) McGarrahan serving as our Supply Pastor for Discipleship. She brings a passion for the Word and a breadth of Biblical knowledge to all that she does. In this issue she takes a look at the importance of Biblical literacy, which has been on the decline in our country the past few years. To learn more, see her article on page 5. Finally, this is an exciting time of celebration at First Pres. In addition to our Christmas Eve services, we have a host of events and activities for the whole family. In this magazine you’ll find all the information you need about these events on page 18. May the love of Christ wash over you this Advent Season. See you on Sundays,
Jennifer Holz Senior Associate Executive Pastor
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dec 2014 contents Who is Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? . . . . . 4 Eunice McGarrahan Elizabeth's Song of Hope . . . . . . . . . 6 Rev. Katie Fowler Mary's Song of Love . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Rev. Jennifer Holz Advent Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Zachariah's Song of Joy . . . . . . . . . 12 Rev. Nate Stratman
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The Angel's Song of Peace . . . . . . . 14 Rev. Dr. John Goodale Tracking Santa . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Dale McClure Advent Season Roundup . . . . . . . . . . 18 8
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Contributing Writers: Katie Fowler, John Goodale, Jennifer Holz, Dale McClure, Eunice McGarrahan, Nate Stratman Contributing Editors: Matthew Fox, Alison Murray Graphic Design: Beryl Glass Proofreading Team: Mary Bauman, Deb Berwick, Christine Dellacroce, Betty Haney, Daisy Jackson, Marty Kelley, Karen Kunstle, Linda Pung All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 2011 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. First Pres Magazine December 2014, Volume Six, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization. To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6175 or 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1392 or magazine@first-pres.org. Printed in the U.S.A.
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Who is Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz?
Biblical Literacy & Us
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n elder in one of the churches I served used to surprise me with Bible trivia questions like, “What were the names of Isaiah’s sons?” I actually knew one son’s name (Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz) but couldn’t remember the other son (Shear-Jashub). If I didn’t know the answers, I was gently teased, but it was clear he thought I should know more about the Bible than I did. As Christians who believe that the Bible is essential for our growth into spiritual maturity, it is troubling when we learn of the rapid decline of Biblical literacy in our culture. According to the 2014 “State of the Bible” report by the Barna Group… • 60 percent of Americans cannot name even five of the Ten Commandments. • 82 percent of Americans believe “God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verse. 4 | www.first-pres.org 12/14
• 12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. • More than 50 percent of graduating high school seniors thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. • A large number of respondents to one survey indicated the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. These statistics indicate a decline in knowledge, but the Barna report also described a decline in understanding how the Bible and life are connected. For example, research concluded that millennials are more likely than other age groups to think that the Bible is silent on the subject of forgiveness and patience. Additionally, Christian teenagers who go to church scored about the same as teens who do not attend. The Barna report, commissioned by the American Bible Society, while disturbing, is also helpful for us as we
By Eunice McGarrahan think about our response. Is it important that we know who MaherShalal-Hash-Baz is, other than a cat in a Dorothy Sayers story? What do we need to know about what’s in the Bible? What do we need to know about the Bible? And why do we need to know? What is the nature of true Biblical literacy? On one level, Biblical literacy is knowing enough about Scripture to be able to understand the art, music and literature of Western civilization. Without knowledge of the Bible, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address has less motivational power, as does Martin Luther King, Jr.’s plea, “No, no, we will not be satisfied until ‘justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.’” When we do not know that those powerful words come from God’s Word, they become eloquent words, but only the words of men…words that we can dismiss at will. By using words of Scripture, each of those men intended to call us to a transcendent moral authority, not just to good ideas. So, knowing the content of the Bible and even something of the Bible’s history makes us well informed about our own cultural and political heritage and can help shape a moral vision for our life together. This is what is behind the growing effort at some private, not necessarily Christian, schools to add courses about the Bible. It will help students as they study other subjects — students will, in fact, just become more well
The major challenge for the church is to help those who have no interest in the Bible to discover it for the sake of the life-giving gospel of Jesus.
rounded in their learning. And the church should be doing more along these lines, as well. But if we stop there, we have missed the point. Knowledge of the Bible is not an end to itself. The reason we want to know the Bible is because it is through the Bible that we come to know God. In the Bible, we see who God is as He is revealed through His words and acts, but especially as He is revealed in Jesus Christ. That is why our preaching has been centered on entire books of the Bible and why we provide multiple opportunities for Bible study. First Pres has had a long-term commitment to preaching and teaching the Scriptures for information and for transformation. But there is only so much the church can do about Biblical literacy in its programs. Those who come to worship or attend a Bible study already know that the Bible is a significant element of their growth in their faith and many look to the Bible because they think it will help with some deep need. The major challenge for the church is to help those who have no interest in the Bible to discover it for the sake of the life-giving gospel of Jesus. Paul writes: How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) Paul is telling us that Jesus becomes known in personal conversation and speech — one person talking to another. Embedded in what could be a very discouraging report, is the hopeful, even exciting news that many of those who started reading the Bible did so because they saw how reading the Bible had changed the life of someone they knew. Our deep desire is that we see Biblical literacy as a path to Jesus, and that happens as each of us allows the Word of Christ to dwell richly in us, changing us so that people who know us but who don’t know Jesus will want to know where they can find Him. Eunice McGarrahan is the Supply Pastor for Discipleship at First Pres. 12/14 | www.first-pres.org | 5
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November
Elizabeth’s
Song of hope
Advent Candle The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope. The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. In commemoration of that coming, we light candles for the four weeks leading to Christmas and reflect on the coming of Christ. And so we light the first candle, the candle of Hope, and dare to express our longing for peace, for healing and the well-being of all creation. Meditation by Rev. Katie Fowler Our advent candle this week is the candle of Hope. Hope is a priceless commodity. Despair threatens us at every corner. How do we dare to be people of hope? And by hope, of course, I don’t mean blind optimism, or naïve, wishful thinking. But, confident expectation and assured trust.
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To be people of hope, I suppose it matters greatly what or whom we are putting our hope in. A popular thought is to put our hope in human progress. If we can just think it, build it or do it, then we will be alright. But history has shown us that technology and human ingenuity can be used for evil as well as good, and that as great as our capacity
for good, so is our capacity to cause hurt and harm. Furthermore, there are some things we just can’t fix. Ultimately our hope is not in human ability. As the psalmist says, “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength…But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:16, 18) In our passage for the first Sunday of Advent, Elizabeth is rejoicing in how God is at work. It is God who fulfills His promises; it is God who is found yet again to be trustworthy. All who put their hope in the Lord will not be put to shame. As the Apostle Paul says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) During Advent, we are reminded that we can be people who dare to hope. God, who was faithful in sending His Son, faithful in making a way where there was no way, will be faithful yet again; faithful to the end. During some trying family times last December, my now husband sent me a text. I have saved it in my phone because the words are ones I don’t want to soon forget. “Regardless of circumstances, in the face of the storm…Things are not what they seem. Our hope is greater than what is seen and what is temporary. The Kingdom is breaking in. Our hope is in Christ. Because our hope is Christ-shaped, it is also cross-shaped. There is pain, loss, even death. But on the other side of the cross is Resurrection. Renewed life! New Creation! Don’t stop in the middle of the story. Look in hope towards the end!...The Spirit is at work even in the darkest moment.”
Exploring the Passage Advent is a time of hope and waiting for Jesus’ birth. Elizabeth’s song comes from the hope and trust that she placed in God while she waited to have a child. Read the passage out loud as a family: Luke 1:11-25
Family Discussion What has been happening to the people of Israel up until now? Why was Gabriel sent to Zechariah, and what was the result of Zechariah’s disbelief? What was Elizabeth’s response? Let’s think of a time when God brought hope to you/to us during a difficult time.
Family Activity Jars of Hope – Decorate an individual jar to place on the family dining table, or each family member may decorate their own jar to keep by his or her bedside. As a family, look up verses (using your Bible’s concordance) including the word hope and write the verses on index cards. Place the verses in your Jars of Hope to be shared and prayed over at meals or at bedtime.
Special Music “The Christmas Hope” – Newsong, “Hope Was Born This Night” – Sidewalk Prophets
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December
Mary’s S o ng o f l o ve
Advent Candle: The second candle is the candle of Love. With this flame we signify the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times, but that we also recognize in a special way in the Christmas story. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, because God loves us.
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Meditation by Rev. Jennifer Holz: One of the great traditions of Christmas is the coming together of family generations to celebrate Christ’s birth. Christmas knows no age limit. Young and old share the joy of God coming to earth as a baby. Sometimes it is difficult for the whole family to be in the same place for the holiday, but through letters, pictures, presents, skype and phone calls we connect across the miles to share the love of family during this precious celebration. Although of different generations, Mary and her cousin Elizabeth get to share together the joy of pregnancy. It’s not difficult to picture the excitement they both shared in those three months together. God had a plan for their lives. Elizabeth, older in age, and Mary, quite a bit younger, were experiencing together a filling of the Holy Spirit within them. Both had been visited by God, and He had an incredible plan and purpose for both of them. It would be easy to look at these women and see why neither of them would have been likely candidates to carry a child. Elizabeth was very old and had been barren her whole life. Mary was young and not yet married. Yet God clearly articulates that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). The incarnation is far beyond anything we could ever imagine. God works powerfully from generation to generation. I find it quite beautiful that it is to Elizabeth that Mary sings her song of love. As Mary’s words flow from her heart, she acknowledges what we all long to be true: God’s mercy extends generation to generation (vs. 50). No matter how old or young, God is at work in each of us. Our age is not a barrier to experiencing the new work of God in our lives. Rather, Mary’s song indicates that humility and hunger are the pathways in which God comes into our lives. How can you nurture humility and a hunger for God in this Advent time?
Exploring the Passage Advent is a time of preparing our hearts for Jesus. When Mary finds out that she will give birth to Jesus, she expresses her love to God by glorifying Him in her song. Worshipping and praising God is the way that we express our love to Him. Read the passage out loud as a family: Luke 1:39-55
Family Discussion Share what you think Mary’s life was like. Why do you think God chose Mary to give birth to Jesus? How did Mary respond? Let’s think of some ways that we can tell God how much we love Him.
Family Activity: Heart Ornaments – Purchase clear plastic/acrylic fillable heart-shaped ornaments. As a family, research the many names of Jesus. Using colorful markers, write the names on strips of paper, place inside the ornaments, and hang them on the Christmas tree.
Special Music: “Be Born in Me (Mary)” – Francesca Battistelli, “Mary Did You Know” – Mark Lowry, “Breath of Heaven” – Amy Grant
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Advent Conspiracy 1
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Spend some time today Ask God to continue to cultivate praising God for the hope we a generous heart in you. have in Jesus. How has God Consider how you can show brought hope into your life? generosity in creative ways. WF SL
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Listen Well: Read Romans 15:13. Pray that Ask Jesus, “How do you want to reveal yourself to me this Call up a friend, ask about their Scripture over those fighting Advent?” Spend time talking to life, listen to their stories and hopelessness in our city. Him; write down what you feel spend some time praying for LA God is saying to you and share it. them. WF GM
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“To love at all is to be vulnerable.” – C.S. Lewis How is God calling you to further embrace a life? LA
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Send an encouraging letter, e-mail or text to someone. GM
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It’s estimated that Americans will spend $450 billion during this Christmas season. What response does this statistic bring about in you? SL
Play one of your favorite worship songs. Sing along, dance around and lift your hands. WF
Share a meal with someone, or spend time with someone over coffee or tea. GM
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Bake a cake or do something On this, the longest night of the “We become beautiful people festive to celebrate the birth of year, pray for and remember when we give whatever we Jesus. Be sure to have your cake those living in homeless situa- can give.” – Henri Nouwen. and eat it, too! tions in our city. How can you give of yourself WF LA today? GM
Advent Calendar 3
Bless someone today with an act of service, a kind word or however the Lord leads you. GM
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Check out our church’s “For God so loved the world Something Significant for that He gave His one and only Christmas catalog and discover Son” – John 3:16a. Spend some amazing, alternative gifts to time reflecting on the generous give this Christmas. heart of God. LA WF
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Consider making some homemade gifts for family or friends this year. Get creative! SL
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Set an alarm for 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. today. When it goes off, pause and make a list of things for which you are grateful that moment. SL
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Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Who is God calling you to love today? How might God stretch you in your capacity to lovingly give of yourself? LA
How could you make this Christmas significant for someone else? SL
Who in our city is desperate for love? What places in our city are needy for love? LA
How attached are you to your possessions? Read Matthew 6:19-34 and consider how God wants to free you from anxiety and worry. SL
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What new things is God doing Start the day with this simple Create space today to worship in your life? In our church? prayer: I am yours Jesus, use Jesus with your heart, mind, Thank God for those things! me as You will. soul and strength. WF GM WF
WF = Worship Fully SL = Spend Less GM = Give More LA = Love All
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December
Zachariah’s Song of joy
Advent Candle: The third advent candle is the candle of Joy. This should be the easy one, because joy is all around us — in the children, the lights, the music, the gathering together. But how often do we let our preparations — or our memories — push joy to the side? Joy is like an underground spring that wells up within us, but joy is also a choice, an attitude. Like a muscle, it needs to be exercised. So today we open ourselves to joy, trusting that God has already planted it in us. All we need to do is give it care and offer it to share.
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Meditation by Rev. Nate Stratman: I don’t know about you, but I like all kinds of music and all kinds of songs. Yet the best songs for me are the ones in which I know the background story to the song. A song often takes on greater meaning when we know what was happening inside the songwriter as they were creating the lyrics. This is especially true with Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:67-79. So why is Zechariah’s song so much about praising God as he looks back? This is the man who, with his wife Elizabeth, waited and waited and waited on God, hoping they would one day have a child. Zechariah showed us that waiting on God is not simply sulking and pouting, it is continued pursuit of God in the midst of life’s great trials. God blessed Zechariah all right, but in ways that were unexpected. Has this ever happened to you? When these “left field” blessings happen in my life, I am often reassured that God really does know what He is doing, and my role is to actively wait on His timing. And this is where we find ourselves today — actively waiting. I know this sounds like an oxymoron such as jumbo shrimp, paid volunteers or civil war. Yet actively waiting is a beautiful posture for followers of Jesus. Do you realize that this song of Zechariah came out of his mouth after months of silence? After waiting on God through silence, Zechariah is bursting at the seams to look back and remember the faithfulness of God and then his song quickly turns to future tense. He is announcing that God in the flesh is on His way to redeem the land and to redeem the people. And his own flesh and blood, his boy John, would help get things ready for the Messiah. We get to watch God’s plan unfold in Zechariah’s life as we read Luke 1, and it is exciting. So as you and I wait this Advent season, what is welling up inside? What do you perceive God is up to? The final verse reminds us that our God will guide our feet into the path of peace. May you actively wait on Jesus to guide your feet into the path of peace this very day.
Exploring the Passage Advent is a time of joy and celebrating that God’s promises are true. Zechariah responds to the gift of his son, John, by breaking forth in a song of joy and praise to God. Read the passage out loud as a family: Luke 1:67-79
Family Discussion Why do you think God took away Zechariah’s ability to speak? When was he finally able to speak? How did Zechariah respond to God? Let’s think of an experience or a moment when we were filled with joy, and how it overflowed onto others.
Family Activity Feelings Charades – Write different situations down on pieces of paper that evoke different kinds of emotions. Fold them and place them in a bowl. Family members take turns acting out the situations, and then use facial expressions to communicate how the situation makes them feel. As a family, talk about how it felt to not be able to speak. Share thoughts about how to find joy, even in the most difficult situations.
Special Music “Prepare the Way” – Charlie Hall, “Joy to the World/Shout for Joy” – Paul Baloche
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December
theAngel ’s
S o n g o f p e ac e
Advent Candle: The fourth Advent candle is the candle of Peace. Today we light the candle of Peace. We light it knowing full well that peace is elusive, and in some parts of the world, it is almost completely absent. Yet in this season of Advent, we trust that God is never absent from us. God is always preparing something new. And even where there is war and discord, whether between countries, within families or within our own hearts, God is present, gently leading us to new possibilities.
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Meditation by Rev. Dr. John Goodale: A contest once invited artists to paint a picture of peace. The work of two artists stood out. The first artist painted a quiet lake high in the mountains, where all was calm. The second painted a thundering waterfall, with the branch of a tree stretched out over the spray. On the fork of a limb, wet but undisturbed in its nest, sat a bird. Our fourth Advent candle points us to the promise of God’s peace by the angels who appeared to the shepherds. This peace doesn’t consist of an absence of trials and conflict in our lives. Rather, as the second painting illustrates, God’s peace anchors our hearts in the midst of whatever turbulence may be swirling around us. The Apostle Paul illustrated the influence of God’s peace in our lives, writing that it “guards our hearts and minds” (Phil. 4:7). Regardless of what may threaten us externally, God’s peace can shield our hearts and minds within. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want this kind of peace — do you? And unfortunately, it often seems like it’s in even shorter supply in the weeks leading up to Christmas. There are presents to purchase, parties to attend, activities to plan, cards to send — you may have gotten tired just reading that sentence! Jesus came to earth to become God’s peace for us and all of creation. He assured His disciples, and us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). As we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s birth, He longs for you to approach it with a sense of peace that flies in the face of however full your calendar may be. When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed in days leading up to Christmas — and you most likely will — remember the promise of peace held out by our fourth Advent candle. Invite God to guard and anchor your heart with His peace. And believe that regardless of how turbulent your circumstances may be, He can do so!
Exploring the Passage Advent is a time of sharing the good news of the peace that Jesus brings. The Angel’s song is shared with the shepherds, watching over their flocks at night. Read the passage out loud as a family: Luke 2:1-15
Family Discussion Describe the life of a shepherd – what would it be like to be a shepherd? Why do you think the angels appeared to the shepherds? What did the angels say? How did the shepherds respond? Who do you see as a modern day shepherd, watching over the flocks by night?
Family Activity Christmas Cookies – Bake and deliver Christmas cookies and goodies to our “modern day shepherds,” those who serve our community by “watching over us while we sleep.” Homemade treats will certainly bless our firefighters, police officers and soldiers during the Advent season!
Special Music “Glory in the Highest” – Chris Tomlin, “When Love was Born” – Mark Schultz
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Photo courtesy of NORAD
By Dale McClure
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Advent Season Roundup so register by Monday, December 1 by calling 884-6144 or visiting www. first-pres.org/ breakfastinbethlehem
Art in Advent As we have the past two years, First Pres will feature live art during Sunday morning services throughout Advent season. This year’s Advent series — The Songs of Christmas — kicks off on Sunday, November 30. Each Sunday artists will offer their interpretation of the Advent theme during the morning services. Please also check out the Advent art hung in the halls leading to the Sanctuary and join us for a special artists’ reception following services on Sunday, November 30, in the Narthex. Breakfast in Bethlehem Saturday, December 6 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $4 per person up to $15 per family This annual event for the whole family is a great kick-off to the holiday season. This year there will again be two seatings in Fellowship Hall. The morning will consist of a pancake breakfast, fun, simple crafts for young children and an engaging play that will involve the kids in the Christmas story. Seating is limited,
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Women’s Christmas Pot-luck and Carol Sing Monday, December 8, 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $5 An all-generation Women’s Christmas Potluck and Carol Sing will be held in the Cathedral Room. Those with the last names beginning with A-K are asked to bring a main dish or side, and those with a last name beginning with L-Z are asked to bring a dessert. To register, call 884-6233. All-Church Christmas Party Wednesday, December 10 3 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $5 The First Pres All-Church Christmas Party, sponsored by the Deacons, will take place in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for fun, food and entertainment as we celebrate the Christmas Season. Space is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the Congregational Support Desk 884-6144. Christmas Joy Sunday, December 14 2:30 and 6 p.m. Cost is $14, $17 or $22 This annual musical extravaganza will take place at the Pikes Peak Center. In
The busy Advent season is upon us. In addition to special Advent services and our traditional Christmas Eve services, First Pres has a host of events this holiday season. The following is your guide to all that’s happening at First Pres this Advent season! There’s truly something for everyone, so mark your calendars accordingly.
addition to selections from Big Blue and full orchestra, this year’s show will feature the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Celtic Steps and the Celtic Mountain Band, 17-piece Big Band, soloists and the Pikes Peak Ringers. Tickets are available at Congregational Support, TicketsWest and the Pikes Peak Center Box Office. Father/Son/Grandson Brunch Saturday, December 20 9:30 to 11 a.m. Cost is $10 per person This annual brunch, hosted by Men’s Ministries, is a chance to get men of all generations together for fun, fellowship and brunch. Tickets must be purchased by Monday, December 15. This year’s speaker is Jeff Kemp, a former NFL player and the son of former quarterback and politician, Jack Kemp. Tickets are available at the plaza desk. Carols and Cocoa Sunday, December 21 5:45 to 8 p.m. The third annual Carols and Cocoa event will be a chance for carolers to bring Christmas cheer to neighborhoods throughout Colorado Springs. Several First Pres families have opened their homes to serve as “caroling outposts” in different areas of town. At 7 p.m. all the carolers will meet back at the Aspen Room in the Weber
Street Center for a post-caroling party that will include fellowship, food, live music and gingerbread house and cookie decorating for the kids. Christmas Eve Services Wednesday, December 24 Celebrate the reason for the season this Christmas with our special Christmas Eve services. There will be services and events for the whole family, with this year’s theme “The Song of Christmas.” The full slate of Christmas Eve services includes the traditional children’s service as well as the Celtic Christmas service to cap the day’s events. For a full list of services, see below: Wednesday, December 24: 10:30 a.m. Children’s Service 2 p.m. Candlelight Service 3:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 5 p.m. Candlelight Service 7 p.m. Candlelight Service 8:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 10:45 p.m. Celtic Christmas Service New Year’s Eve Service Wednesday, December 31, 7 p.m. We will again be offering our traditional New Year’s Eve service. This is a time to come together, worship, give thanks and reflect on 2014 as we prepare for 2015.
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SERVICE
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10:30 a.m. Children’s Service 2 p.m. Candlelight Service 3:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 5 p.m. Candlelight Service 7 p.m. Candlelight Service 8:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 10:45 p.m. Celtic Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas EveServices