Author: Church Office

Kirchenwald    Nawakwa

Camp Brochures are in the narthex!

Kirchenwald is located near Lebanon in a scenic forest. Traditional camping and recreational experiences are for ages K-11^th grade. Adventure experiences include traditional camping, hiking, nature crafts, swimming, gaga court, wall climbing and a lot more. Grades 7-11 can sign up for the special adventure experience; beach trips, backpacking, canoe trips and more!

Nawakwa’s camp setting is traditional cabin row for campers, with crafts, music, high ropes, tree top campouts, hiking trails and smores at a camp fire. The swimming pool is a favorite spot to cool off and re-energize! Nawakwa offers Family Camp, Elder Camp, Braft Camp for adults to join in the fun!

Holy Spirit helps with the cost for each child. There are many other discounts to take advantage of…including EARLY REGISTRATION– April 1^st. If you have any questions see our Camp Person: Patti Laporte.

Dec. 1       Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. –in person

Dec. 4       Sunday School Chrismon Project

Dec. 6       Book Club, Christmas Dinner 6:30 p.m. Square Mile Public House

Dec. 7       Advent Bible Study, 11 a.m.

Dec. 8       Christmas Tea, 2p.m.

Dec. 8 Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Zoom

Dec. 14 Advent Bible Study, 11 a.m.

Dec. 15 Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Zoom

Dec. 18 4th Sunday in Advent

Dec. 18 Decorating for Christmas, Noon

Dec 21 Advent Bible Study, 11 a.m.

Dec. 22 Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Zoom

Dec. 24 The Nativity of Our Lord–Christmas Eve Worship, 6 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Dec. 25 Christmas Day worship, 9:30 a.m.

Jan 4 Bible Study, 11 a.m.

Jan 6-8 WinterFest

Jan. 8 Heritage Chorale, 4 p.m.

Advent shares the Latin root adventus meaning “a coming, approach, or arrival.”  It’s part of the word “adventure” – which I love!  Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas Day – not just the first 24 days of December.  In a way, Advent wreaths are more accurate timekeepers than Advent calendars, although I am a fan of both.  

Advent is the season of “already/not yet”: Christ has already come/Christ has not yet returned.  I am a believer/God help my unbelief (see Mark 9).  I am a complete human as I am/I am still learning to be fully human.  Advent carries the weight of the end times balanced with the hope of the Kingdom of God.  Consequently, it is a season of penitence and introspection, a time for prayer and silence, and a time of thinking through what the Church is, and what it will become.  That’s why we light candles, and read about John the Baptist, and focus on confession and spiritual growth.  We remember Christ coming as a vulnerable baby, and hope for the coming of Christ the Prince of Peace.

Advent gets really lost in the shuffle of seasonal chaos – the ridiculously early arrival of Christmas junk in all the stores even before Halloween, and the commercialism of toys and Santa and stuff, the intensity of parties and food and beverages and even having to pretend to like your Aunt Betty – it can all seem pretty insane.. 

So I invite you this advent season to really slow down. I invite you to fill your calendar with things that help you prepare once again to tell the story of the salvation of the world. The world can have all the rest. But for you, my friend, this advent season is calling you back in for so much more than any store could ever offer..

May this Advent prepare your hearts for the wonderful good news of the season.

Pastor Gretchen

Cell :717.679.0264

3131Pastor@gmail.com

There will be two worship services on Christmas Eve, one at 6:00 pm and the other at 9:00 pm. Both services will include the service of Word and Sacrament. The services will conclude with the singing of Silent Night outside under the canopy.  The choir and the bell choir will provide special music at the 9:00 pm service.  We look forward to seeing you at one or both of these special services.