Often our Advent preparations have an inward focus as we prepare for the significance of God breaking into our world through the birth of the Christ child. But in a closer examination of the Advent story, we quickly learn that the focus of the coming of the newborn king is outward.

Advent is the season of expecting, awaiting and preparing for our Lord and Savior. This year, we have several opportunities to grow in your faith walk. Starting Nov 24, we will begin a four-week Advent study based on Ed Robb's book, Making Room. In this study, we will look at Advent from a different perspective, rather than how we prepare our lives for celebrating the birth of Christ, but how this birth of Immanuel, of God with us, is meant to be outward-focused and one of radical hospitality and welcome.

In this book and Advent study, Dr. Ed Robb explores the warmth of welcome at Christmas following interactions with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi. Just as Jesus made room in God’s kingdom for a host of people that society wanted to leave on the margins, beginning with the appearance of the shepherds, we too should be asking ourselves who we can make room for this Christmas.

Perhaps it is the unhoused people in our community or the newly immigrated family in town that doesn’t speak your language. Or maybe it’s the next-door neighbor who just settled in? The story of Christ’s birth encourages us to widen our borders and increase our sense of community―and make room for others.

Join us for these Advent focused events:

  • Dec 11 at 6:30 pm Starshine Preschool Christmas Program
  • Dec 20 at 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Christmas Karaoke with Santa (Download the flier at the bottom of this page.)
  • Dec 21 at 10:15 am Christmas Music Sunday in the Sanctuary

Music Groups Preparing Music for Christmas Music Sunday on Dec 21:

  • Children's Choir Practice on Dec 1, 8 & 15 at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary 
  • Christmas Choir Practice on Dec 2, 9 & 16 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
  • Glory Ringers Bell Choir Practice on Dec 3, 10 & 17 at 7:00pm in the Bell Choir Room

Advent Groups

  • Mondays, 5:30-6:00 pm will focus on devotion and meditating on the Word of God.
  • Tuesday, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm we will take a deeper dive following the book. We have books available in the office for $14.
  • Contact Pastor Angie for more information at pastor@independencefirstumc.org

Hillcrest Transitional Housing

The Patience Circle preparing an apartment for a new resident in November. Hillcrest offers individuals, families, and unaccompanied youth a disciplined educational program within a caring, supportive environment to move beyond homelessness. Their primary objective is to move clients from homelessness to self-sufficiency by addressing the total life situation of the people they serve. For many years, we have supported families and youth at Hillcrest, and this Advent we will support Hillcrest through our Hat and Mitten Tree, blessing children and youth with warm winter essentials. In addition, our special Christmas offering, received on the Sunday before Christmas and on Christmas Eve, will go directly to Hillcrest’s ministry.

There will be continuing opportunities to deepen our missional partnership with Hillcrest in 2026. We will clean apartments, provide for the food pantry, come alongside residents and support the programs in holistic ways that help us to live out our love for Jesus by being more and more like him. 

 

 

Downloads