Preparing For Advent | Calendar & Events
Advent is the Christian New Year, a season that emphasizes themes of longing, waiting, hope, and expectation. In Advent, we enter into the story of Israel’s prophets as they awaited Christ’s first coming into the world 2,000 years ago in the Bethlehem manger. We also join with Christians across the world and throughout history who have waited for Jesus’s return in His second coming where He will make all things new. Below is our full calendar of Advent events and devotional resources our church is offering to help you press into the spiritual significance of Advent and draw close to Jesus in this season.
Advent Calendar
Sunday Nov. 23rd | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM - Greening of the Church (volunteers needed!)
Sunday Nov. 30th | 10 AM - First Sunday in Advent Worship Service - interview with special guest Maria Miroshnikova
Monday Dec. 1st | 6 PM - Advent Evening Prayer in the sanctuary
Saturday Dec. 6th | 9 AM - noon - Advent Selah & Christmas Around the World event
Sunday Dec. 7th | 10 AM - Second Sunday in Advent Worship Service
Monday Dec. 8th | 6 PM - Advent Evening Prayer in the sanctuary
Sunday Dec. 14th | 10 AM - Third Sunday in Advent Worship Service
Monday Dec. 15th | 6 PM - Advent Evening Prayer in the sanctuary
Sunday Dec. 21st | 10 AM - Fourth Sunday in Advent Worship Service
Monday Dec. 22nd | 6 PM - Advent Evening Prayer in the Sanctuary
Wednesday Dec. 24th | 3 PM - Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Worship Service
Sundays in Advent
Advent is a great season to check out a service with us if you’ve never been to The Mission. We’ll sing songs full of longing and hope—both seasonal classics as well as other songs and hymns highlighting Advent themes. Our sermons will be based on lectionary passages. Each Sunday we’ll light a new candle on the Advent Wreath. We’ll also partner with local non-profit Oranto to purchase emergency medical supplies to send to Ukraine as well as Catholic Charities of SW OH to gather food items to support local refugee families.
Advent Selah & Christmas Around the World
Each Advent, the Mission Cincinnati makes space to pause (“selah”), slow down, contemplate the coming of Jesus, and enter into His presence. This year, we will also make space for our children to celebrate the season with some fun seasonal activities in a space we’re calling “Christmas Around the World.”
Family Advent Packs
It has become our tradition at Mission Cincinnati to share a Family Advent Pack with all households who have children 12 and under! These give parents and caregivers some special ways to enjoy the season with the children in their lives as we all await the arrival of Jesus, God with us! On Sunday November 16th or Sunday, November 23rd, please look for a bag with your family name on it in the hallway or see Christine Mitchell if you have interest in having one but there is not one marked with your name.
Advent Evening Prayer
Mondays in Advent | 6 PM | Church Sanctuary
Join Fr. William & Albert Gustafson to pray the Daily Office from the BCP and spend special spaces of time praying for Jesus to break into our world with peace in violence and warfare, hope in despair, joy in grief and sorrow, and love in division and hatred.
Advent Devotional Resources
Looking for spiritual practices and/or devotionals to help you draw closer to Jesus in this season and press into the spiritual themes of Advent? Check out this Advent resource guide curated by Rev. Kristen to help you find a practice that’s right for you individually or for your family collectively.
Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols
Wednesday 12/24 | 3 PM
Come celebrate with us as we conclude our Advent journey with a Christmas Eve celebration service of Lessons & Carols! This service will feature a journey through the narrative of Scripture from the creation to the arrival of humanity’s salvation in the Bethlehem manger. There will be readings, favorite Christmas carols, communion, candlelight, and prayer. Children are welcome in worship, and the service will be followed by a holiday cookie party in the lounge!
