Celebrate Advent and Christmas
at Church of the Holy Spirit!
Share this blessed season in-person and at home with your friends at Church of the Holy Spirit
Participate in Morning Prayer and Compline
Help with the Greening of the Church
Help with the Luminaries
Enjoy the Service of Lessons and Carols
Join us on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning!
Light Advent Candles
Mark time with an Advent Calendar
Join Sunday services of Holy Communion
Attend the Gospel of Luke Study and Discussion
Attend Sunday School
Invite your Family and Friends!
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Advent is a season of joyous preparation and openness to transformation as we await the arrival of Jesus Christ. Though Advent appears at the end of the secular calendar year, it is the beginning of the Christian year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the deepening darkness of the world around us is met by the promise of the light of Christ coming into the world.
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin Adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” Advent prepares us for, and leads us to, Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Church of the Holy Spirit is decorated in Sarum blue during Advent, a color that honors Mary the mother of Jesus. Using blue as the liturgical color of Advent has its roots at Salisbury Cathedral in England. This is an outward sign of our hope and expectation as we await, with her, the coming of the Christ. The stoles worn by Rev. Kathy and Deacon Johnine were designed and created by COHS member Ruth Konrad!
Join us as we light the Advent wreath at Church of the Holy Spirit during our services on Sunday mornings. The Advent wreath is a circle of greenery with four candles, each of which represents one of the Sundays of the season. The fifth candle is placed in the center and is called the Christ Candle ; it is lit on Christmas Eve. Each Sunday, the circle of light expands, as Christ comes ever closer. Come, Lord Jesus into our hearts and lives!
Christmas Memorials & Thanksgivings
One Christmas tradition is to remember loved ones or give thanks with a contribution toward the flowers, wreaths, and other decorations for Christmas. Please provide your memorial or thanksgiving by either filling out the paper form available in the Narthex or filling out our online form.
Suggested Donation: $35.00
Checks may be made payable to: COHS with Christmas Decorations in the memo line.
You can also pay online by clicking "Give to Church of the Holy Spirit" on the Giving Overview page and Selecting the Christmas Flowers tab.
Please provide your memorial or thanksgiving by Wednesday, December 18th.
Join us for Lessons and Carols!
Sunday, December 22 - 5:00 PM
As we dwell in the mystery and hope of Advent, this service of Scripture and beautiful music uplifts our spirits and directs our lives toward the joy of welcoming Jesus Christ into our lives at Christmas!
Enjoy Martha Norris's Godly Play re-telling of the Advent Story.
Greening the Church
Every year we prepare the church for Lessons and Carols and Christmas--this is called "greening."
This year we will be sitting up the tree, hanging the large lighted wreath over the choir loft and setting out the tall candles. And there will also be garlands and wreaths. Below you will find the schedule of events for setting up all these items. There will be a sign-up sheet at COHS for helpers of all ages!
Saturday, December 14 at 9:30 AM
put up the tree and choir wreath
hang the garland and front door wreaths
place the tall candles
Sunday, December 15 following the 10:15 AM service
finish greening with indoor wreaths
wall hangings
decorating the tree
Sunday, December 22 following the 10:15 AM service
prepare for Lessons and Carols by decorating the tall candles and Baptismal Font
Prepare the luminaries and set out weather permitting
Tuesday, December 24- 3:30 PM
Set out (if not done Sunday) and light
the luminaries
Sunday, January 5 following the 10:15 AM service
De-Greening the church--many hands make light work!
Resources for Prayer and Meditation
during Advent, Christmas, Epiphany:
Resources for Prayer and Meditation
Online and other resources recommended by members of the COHS community:
Books:
The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Alexander Hamilton
Before Bethlehem by James J. Flerlage
The Lord Is Near: Advent Meditations from the Works of Henri J.M. Nouwen
Living Well through Advent by Scott Stoner
The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert Smith
Expectant: Advent Meditations by Anne Kitch
Online:
Advent and Christmas in the Episcopal Church: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources/
Church Publishing, Incorporated has many Advent resources at: https://www.churchpublishing.org/