Advent is here! We are excited about celebrating the fact that God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, took on flesh and entered His physical creation in the person of Jesus. The birth of Christ is not less than the nativity scenes found in our houses and on our Christmas cards, but it is so much more. The birth of Christ fulfills what centuries of prophecies had foretold, that a Savior would come to rescue people from their sins. The birth of Christ reveals God incarnate (God in the flesh). Advent reminds us that people walking in darkness have seen a great Light. It reminds us that the anticipation of the first coming of Christ should be matched in intensity by believers as we await the Second Coming of Christ.

Advent is a process. It takes time. It forces us to choose between the busyness of the world and the worship of Jesus. It allows us to anticipate and expect and pray for hope in the midst of hopelessness, peace in the midst of anxiety and stress, joy in the midst of sorrow, and love in the midst of hatred and violence.

I hope that you have had a chance to stop by the “Christmas at Parkview” table in our Welcome Center. There you will find information about schedule changes, additional programs, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. For those who haven’t had a chance to stop by and pick up a Christmas at Parkview card, here are the details that you will need to know in order to make the most of your Advent season with us.

Midweek Services

Beginning Wednesday, November 30, our midweek service will take place in the Fellowship Hall. Every Wednesday (November 30 – December 21), we will offer coffee, hot chocolate, and sweet treats. At 6:00pm we will gather around the tables for a time of singing, prayer, and Bible study. On Wednesday, December 14, we will have a special guest with us. Missionary Tom Kirby from the International Mission Board will join us and talk about life on the mission field and how our generosity helps our missionaries be effective in making disciples of the nations. We will not have midweek services or Next Gen activities on December 28 or January 4. Our normal midweek services will resume in the Worship Center on Wednesday, January 11.

Important note for online viewers: Our midweek services will not be streamed online from November 30 – December 21. Our Sunday services will continue to be streamed as normal.

Christmas Concert

Our choir will present our annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 3, at 2:00pm, and Sunday, December 4, at 6:00pm. We hope that you are planning to attend and that you have taken the time to invite someone to come with you. There is no better way to get into the spirit of Advent than to hear the gospel presented in word and song.

Senior Adult Holiday Dinner

Our Senor Adult Holiday Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, December 15 at 6:00pm. You can sign up online, in the welcome center, or call the church office for details.

Christmas Eve Service

Our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service will take place Saturday, December 24, at 6:00pm. Everyone is invited to join us as we sing and light candles together in anticipation of Christmas Day. You will pick up your candle and communion elements on your way in and then participate with us as the Christmas story unfolds in song and story. The service is family friendly so there is no child care provided.

Christmas Day

Important schedule change: Christmas Day falls on Sunday this year. We will have one service at 10:30am on Christmas Day. There will be no Life Group or Next Gen activities on Christmas Day. Children and preschoolers are invited to sit with their families on this special day. Our New Year’s Day service on January 1, will also be one service at 10:30am, We will provide preschool care and children’s church on January 1. Our regular Sunday morning schedule will resume on Sunday, January 8.

Lottie Moon Chrismtas Offering

Generosity is a characteristic of the Christmas season. I am grateful for a church family that models the generosity of Jesus in their giving. During the Advent season, in addition to our regular tithes and offerings, we receive the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Every dollar received is given to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention to directly support missionary endeavors around the world. Please prayerfully consider how you might invest in the Great Commission this year by giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.