“WAITING IN HOPE”

 Advent (the season leading up to Christmas) is a time of waiting and preparation. It’s not the kind of preparation that has us making frantic runs to the grocery store, fighting the crowds at stores to shop for gifts, or wrapping presents and baking cookies in a frenzied attempt to make the holidays go perfectly. Advent waiting is a time to be still, to quiet ourselves, and to prepare ourselves once again to welcome God’s coming into the world.

It used to be that Advent and Lent were linked closely together since both are seasons of preparation. Churches used purple paraments for both Advent and Lent. We now use blue paraments (and this year we will have blue candles) for Advent because using a different color in Advent helps us to remember the distinction between the two seasons. While both are seasons of preparation, Advent has more emphasis on hope, as we wait expectantly for the Christ child to arrive. We wait and we prepare in this Advent season trusting that (in the words of one of our hymns) “the world is about to turn.”

Where are you waiting to see signs of Christ’s coming in your life and in the world around us?

Blessings Rev. Kari Olson

 Our Advent Stations Tradition Is Back, Now Every Sunday during Advent

Do the Christmas holidays create more anxiety than peace? Are you stressed thinking about how much you need to get done? Are you looking forward to the day after Christmas when you can finally take a break from the busyness?  Are you yearning to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, like you promised yourself last year you would do? Then you are invited to take the time set aside especially for you, to focus on what the Advent Season really means.  Each Sunday during advent, beginning December 2nd, two Advent Stations will be set up on the stage in the Fellowship Hall before and after the service, from 10:00am until 12:30pm. Sunday School groups can also explore them during their class time. Each Sunday will feature different themes including Names of God, Gifts we bring, Let It Go, Prayer, Angels and much more. We will have the stage curtain closed in order to provide a dedicated quiet space for reflection and prayer. We encourage you to make it a habit each week to stop by the stations and seek the Spirit's direction. Please contact Janelle Spedding for further information. 

submitted by  Janelle Spedding

Advent

"Silent Night, Holy Night".  This Christmas favorite was first heard Christmas Eve 200 years ago in the village of Obendorff, Austria.  The poem had been written several years earlier by a Joseph Mohr, the parish priest, but only set to music a few hours earlier by Franz Gruber, church's choir director and organist.  Our theme for Advent will incorporate this beloved hymn as we prepare for the coming of Christ. 

Saturday, December 1st 2018

The annual Hanging of the Greens will being on Saturday morning.

Sunday, December 2nd 2018

Advent begins 

More details will be in the December 2018 Newsletter located in the Narthex

BUSY DECEMBER AT EAST FALLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The beginning of Advent always kicks off a busy time at East Falls Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of Midvale and Vaux.

"Silent Night, Holy Night".  This Christmas favorite was first heard Christmas Eve 200 years ago in the village of Obendorff, Austria.  The poem had been written several years earlier by a Joseph Mohr, the parish priest, but only set to music a few hours earlier by Franz Gruber, the church's choir director and organist.  Our theme for Advent will incorporate this beloved hymn as we prepare for the coming of Christ through Scripture, readings, activities and music.  Advent begins Sunday, December 2, 2018 through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2018.  The annual Hanging of the Greens will be on the morning of Saturday, December 1.  The annual Chancel Choir Christmas Concert will be held at 4:30pm the evening of December 16 in the Sanctuary, followed by a light supper in the Fellowship Hall.  Christmas Eve will be celebrated by two services: The Family service at 4:30pm will include the Children's pageant, the Candlelight service at 11:00pm will have mediations and hymns.  Both services will end with the traditional singing of "Silent Night" by candlelight.

On a secular note side, East Falls Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall will once again host Cookies and Cider following the Community Carol Sing in McMichael Park on December 12, 2018. 

We hope to see one and all during this busy season!

December 1 -             10:00 to noon  Hanging of the Green (10am-noon) EFPC     Church sanctuary

December 2 -              First Sunday in Advent (10:30am) EFPC Church sanctuary followed by Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall

December 9 -              Second Sunday in Advent (10:30am) EFPC Church sanctuary followed by Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall

December 12 -            Community Carol Sing () McMichael Park followed by Cookies and Cider in EFPC Fellowship Hall

December 16 -            Third Sunday in Advent (10:30am) EFPC Church sanctuary followed by Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall

December 16 -            Chancel Choir Christmas Concert (4:30pm) EFPC Church sanctuary followed by a light supper in Fellowship Hall

December 23 -            Fourth Sunday in Advent (10:30am) EFPC Church sanctuary followed by Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall

December 24th          

Christmas Eve Family Service (4:30pm) with the Children's Christmas Pageant in the EFPC Church Sanctuary

December 24th          

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (11:00pm) in the EFPC Church Sanctuary

EAST FALLS

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2018

“Sing We Now of Christmas”

On Sunday December 16, 2018 at 4:30 pm, East Falls Presbyterian Chancel Choir will present Sing We Now of Christmas a collection of anthems that reflect the wonder and joy of the Christmas season. Among the choral selections will be the beautiful John Rutter piece, “Angels Carol”, the upbeat gospel style anthem, “Mary, Mary”, and the beautiful anthem about Mary and Joseph, entitled “The Hands that Cradled Mary’s Child”.  

Guest flutist Roberta Goren will perform an original composition “Comes The Winter” by James Michael Stevens and accompany the choir on several anthems.   Guest performers Richard Maurer and Judy Song will open the program with  Mvt. 2 from the Sonata for cello and piano in E minor.  Vocal soloist Sheila McCaffrey will perform “Christmas Lullaby” from Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown and Sean Duffin will perform “Joseph’s Song” by Michael Card.

Our church will be filled with beautiful choral music, the singing of congregational carols and the glorious sound of instruments celebrating Christmas.  There will also be a traditional candle lighting ceremony at the conclusion of the concert followed by a light meal.   Hope you will join us!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, IMMEDIATELY AFTER WORSHIP FOR THE ELECTION OF ELDERS AND DEACONS FOR  2019 AND OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME UP.

East Falls Presbyterian Church Christmas Pageant

 On December 24 we will have our traditional Christmas Eve service at 4:30 led by Pastor Kari Olson.  In place of the sermon, the children and youth of East Falls Presbyterian Church will present, "What Does Christmas Mean?"  an adaption by Brandy Ferrell of the play "A Christmas Window".

 The play explores the "secular Christmas" of Santa Claus, Rudolph the Reindeer,  mall shopping and Christmas trees and leads us to the true story of Christmas - the birth of Christ.

 The children will be singing fun songs like "Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer, and 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and the beautiful congregational  Christmas Carols, "Away in The Manger and "The First Noel"  to name a few. After the pageant,  our service will end with the beautiful candle-lighting ceremony and singing of "Silent Night".

 We hope you will join us on December 24, 2018 at 4:30.  It is a perfect way to remember the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate the birth of Christ.

This pageant production is a group effort led by our Sunday School teachers and all our supportive parents.

 Submitted by Brenda Browne