ADVENT BRUNCH
On the first Saturday in December, the church is decorated to its finest.
Pine fresh garland with red bows and twinkling lights lead the way up the sidewalk to the church, where one is greeted in the narthex by a nativity scene.
The nave of the church is fully decorated by two trees (gold balls, gold lights), wreaths, angels in the windows, and pictures with scenes of the Christ Child. A beautiful Advent wreath is decorated with blue candles with the Christ candle in the middle. Our beautiful new banners are displayed.
We have been having an Advent Brunch for nearly 20 years. Our basement is small in our rural church so only 100 people can be seated in the dining room. We also have choir members and our kitchen crew involved, so we have about 125 participating. Tickets are committed one year in advance.We could easily sell another 100 tickets, if we had the room or the help to run this a second time.
A brunch is served consisting of an egg soufflé, fresh bran muffins (made that morning), juice, and coffee. After prayer, we start the program with Choir members (17 in all) singing special Christmas songs. The whole group joins in singing the Christmas Carols.
Then we take a break for more cookies and coffee.
Our program continues with the special message of the season.
Then its time out again for candy and coffee. Participants draw for prayer partners for the year.
At the end of the program, the best gift of all, the Christ child is born. We give each other a special small home made gift. This fills everyone with the true feeling and meaning of Christmas.
" God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son."