Advent 2021 @ St. Paul’s
Advent is the first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” This season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” (episcopalchurch.org/glossary/advent)
As we individually and collectively enter into this season, we invite you to find spaces for rest, reflection and renewal through the offerings below…
Sunday Labyrinth Walk
On Sunday mornings between 9:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., our labyrinth will be set up in the Parish Hall. We will have guided meditations available for you to use as you walk the labyrinth. Consider exploring this opportunity to pray as you experience the season of Advent.
Contemplative Worship Service | Wednesdays @ 6:00 p.m.
These quiet meditative communion services will be held in the lovely setting of St. Paul’s Church and will help you stay centered. Candlelight, quiet music, chant, and Scripture will make this service a unique experience that will remind us of our connection to God and our connection to each other. These services will take place on December 1st, 8th and 15th. The service on December 22nd will be a Liturgy of the Longest Night (Blue Christmas) In-person and live-streamed. Please e-mail Linda Willis by the Sundays prior to the service if you need childcare. CLICK HERE for details and the live-stream link.
Lecture Series with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine December 2nd & 3rd
We are excited to partner with area churches to host internationally renowned scholar and speaker Dr. Amy-Jill Levine for a two-part Advent Lecture series. Make sure to register for one or both of these upcoming lectures.
The first lecture, “Revisiting Christmas: Ancient Jewish Expectations, Christian Interpretations, and Interreligious Responses Today,” will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on December 2 at 7:00 pm – register at www.ststephensRVA.org/Levine-registration.
The second lecture, “Understanding Jesus and Paul Means Understanding Judaism,” will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on December 3 at 9:00 am – register at www.stpaulsrva.org/levine-lectures. (This lecture capacity is full).
These lectures WILL NOT be live-streamed or recorded.
Advent Lessons and Carols | Sunday, December 5th @ 5:00 p.m.
All are welcome to join us on Sunday, December 5 at 5:00 p.m., as the St. Paul’s Choir presents a service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent was originally celebrated at King’s College, Cambridge, which has been popular worldwide since World War II through annual radio broadcasts on Christmas Eve. 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 anthems and carols. In-person and live-streamed. Please e-mail Linda Willis by the Sundays prior to the service if you need childcare. CLICK HERE for details and the live-stream link.
Faith and Culture Conversations | Wed., Dec. 8 @ 7:00 p.m. Online
Our Advent Faith and Culture Conversation on Zoom will feature the Reverend Caitlyn Bailey, Clinical Pastoral Education Manager for VCU Health. We will explore the role of a chaplain on a healthcare team, working in a level I trauma center and navigating physical and spiritual crises that arise, especially during these colder months.
Rev. Caitlyn Bailey is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and is a Board Certified Chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Educator. Caitlyn’s passion is teaching people how to come alongside one another when life is hard. She loves getting to work amidst the beautiful diversity at VCU Health and the sacred opportunity to hear the stories of others. Caitlyn lives in Midlothian, Va with her husband, son and two dogs, Dolly and Loretta.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Longest Night Liturgy (Blue Christmas)| December 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
For some, Christmas can be a painful, difficult, and lonely time of year because of the recent loss of a loved one or painful memories. The Liturgy of the Longest Night, also known as “Blue Christmas,” is symbolically held around the Winter Solstice. This service creates a sacred space to lift up our grief and lament to God as we wait together in hope and longing for the Eternal Word Made Flesh to be born anew in our weary hearts and world. Please join us for this special service of Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, December 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s. In-person and live-streamed. Please e-mail Linda Willis by Sunday, December 19th if you need childcare.
Christmas Eve Services – Friday, December 24th
4:00 p.m. | Christmas Eve Family Service with Pageant
7:00 p.m. | Festive Eucharist with St. Paul’s Choir
10:00 p.m. | Candlelight Service with Holy Eucharist (in-person only)