Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God
Romans 8.19,25
We hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
The season of Advent invites us to experience the awe and wonder of awaiting Christ’s birth. St. Paul’s is proud to offer contemplative worship services, joyous fellowship and musical celebrations throughout the Advent season. All are invited to join us as we anticipate the coming light and love of God!
St. Paul’s staff, clergy, and parishioners have also gathered inspiring resources for you and family to utilize throughout the Advent season, and organized Christmas Giving opportunities to support our community.
Wednesday Worship
Wednesdays, November 29th, December 6th, 13th, 20th @ 6:00 p.m. in the Church
Dinner @ 6:45 p.m. in the Gathering Space
Join the St. Paul’s community during the Winter/Advent season for worship, conversation, and a simple soup supper. These services are intended to be quiet and reflective in nature, providing space to slow down during a busy season. Following each service, we will gather for a warm meal and warm conversation.
Parent’s Day Out and Children’s Christmas Party
Saturday, December 2 @ 4 – 6 PM
Children 2 years old – 5th grade, are
invited to welcome in the season with a festive Christmas Party at St. Paul’s! This joyous celebration provides parents with an opportunity to relax and prepare for the coming of God’s light and love. For more information and to RSVP, contact Linda Willis (lwillis@stpaulsrva.org) or Bo Cresswell (bcresswell@stpaulsrva.org) by Monday, November 27.
Advent Fair
Sunday, December 3 @ 11:30 AM
Join us for a joyous celebration of the beginning of Advent, including crafts, holiday snacks, and festive music. Consider bringing greens (pine, fir, boxwood, Japanese holly, regular holly, or anything that has relatively small leaves on straight branches) from your own homes to share with one another and use to make an Advent wreath. The greens can be dropped off that Sunday morning in Scott Hall prior to worship.
Advent Lessons & Carols with the St. Paul’s Choir
Sunday, December 3 @ 4 PM
The Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent was originally celebrated at King’s College, Cambridge. The order of service includes old liturgical forms that vividly express the Church’s preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus both in the festival of Christmas and in the consummation of the ages. The service alternates lessons from the Old and the New Testaments with carols and hymns, finally climaxing in St. Matthew’s Gospel, in which the angel brings the news that Mary will bring forth a son, “and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” A festive reception will be held following the service. Childcare is provided.
Winter Wander
Sunday, December 10 @ Noon – 4 PM
St. Paul’s Church is offering
refreshments on the porch and tours inside our historic church building
as part of the tour of sites in the “Court End” of downtown Richmond.
Advent Family Worship and Sunday Supper
Sunday, December 10 @ 4 PM (Supper at 5 PM)
All are welcome to
our family-centered worship and parish supper to follow.
Youngish Adult Christmas Party
Thursday, December 14 @ 6 PM
Join us for a festive evening at our
Rector’s home in the Fan. We’ll have hors d’oeuvres, holiday themed
games, and sing Christmas carols! For more information and to RSVP,
contact the Rev. Keli Shipley Cooper (kshipleycooper@stpaulsrva.org) by
Monday, December 11.
Faith and Action Forum: Reducing Gun Violence
Sunday, December 17 @ 11:45 AM, Scott Hall
The Community Engagement Faith and Action provides a monthly symposium to educate our congregation on the role of Christian witness and advocacy in the public square regarding the most urgent social justice issues.
Richmond Allied Voices “Holiday Classics” Concert
Sunday, December 17 @ 4 PM
The three choruses of the Richmond Allied Voices will present their “Holiday Classics” Concert at St. Paul’s on Sunday, December 17th at 4:00 p.m. They will also present the concert on Thursday, December 14th at 7:30 p.m. at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $25 per person (children 12 and under are free) and can be purchased online beforehand (https://www.alliedrva.org/performances). St. Paul’s Director of Music, Dr. Christopher Reynolds, is the director of the Richmond Men’s Chorus.
Liturgy of the Longest Night
Wednesday, December 20 @ 6 PM
Our final Contemplative Service is especially designed to acknowledge the losses that make holiday celebrations challenging. Followed by a simple soup supper at 6:45 PM.