Advent 2020 Activities and Events
Click here to download a condensed version of this information, with printable calendar.
2020 Advent Devotional – Signs of Advent Hope
The Adult Education Committee is excited about this year’s Advent 2020 devotional that is a mix of written and video contributions. The overall theme is Signs of Advent Hope. Each of the four weeks of Advent has its own theme: Watching – Waiting – Listening – Living. The lighting of the Advent candles during worship each Sunday will use these themes as well. Daily devotional emails started Sunday, November 29. If you would like to receive them, please contact Tom Wilfrid (tomwilfrid@gmail.com). A big thanks goes to all who contributed this year.
Interactive Intergenerational Sunday School – Home Version
Advent is a special time of the liturgical year when we relish rituals like using an Advent wreath, lighting the candles, reading Advent devotionals, decorating the house, baking, singing favorite hymns and seasonal music. This year our interns, working with Alicia Morrison and the Children’s Ministries Committee, have created Advent curriculum bags filled with materials for each Sunday in Advent for children and adults alike! Bags will be available for drive-by pick-up after worship on November 22nd and 29th, from 11am to noon.
Included in these bags will be an Advent wreath and liturgy for the whole season, as well as interactive activities the whole family can participate in after worship on December 6th and 13th immediately following worship (just stay tuned to livestream worship and the Sunday School activities will follow). If you would like a bag but are unable to pick one up on November 22 or 29, please contact Alicia Morrison at amorrison@pclawrenceville.org.
Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant will be held on December 20th during the 10am worship service. All children Pre-K through Grade 6 are encouraged to participate in the pageant. Please register your child here. Rehearsals will be held Sunday, December 6th and 12th. All rehearsals will take place on Zoom. Our final rehearsal and recording of the Pageant will take place on Thursday, December 17 at 5 p.m. on Zoom. If you are able to assist with the pageant, please contact Alicia Morrison (amorrison@pclawrenceville.org) .
The Story of The Mitten Tree
More than 20 years ago, Chic Clowes, a long-time member, donated a Christmas tree to the church. With the help of John Burke, they cut down a tree from Chic’s yard and hauled it over to the church. Over the years, Chic donated many trees and delivered them with the help of John Burke. The children and the congregation decorated the tree with mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves. These items were then donated to local children in need. As time passed, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, children from Temple Micah, and the Preschool children “decorated” the tree with donations, too. After Chic’s passing, his family wanted to do something to honor Chic and his generous spirit. They decided to donate the “mitten tree” each year. We give thanks to Chic for his generous spirit, and we give thanks to Chic’s daughter, Norma Fish, and to his grandson, Ken and his family for keeping Chic’s tradition alive. The children have made a real connection with the spirit of giving thanks to one tree, the Mitten Tree.
This year we invite you to leave your Mitten Tree donations (hats, gloves, scarves) in the green bin labeled “Mitten Tree” located outside the southside entrance of the church. Donations will be collected through the end of the year and will be donated to HomeFront. For more information please contact Alicia Morrison at (amorrison@pclawrenceville.org).
Angel Tree 2020
What does Angel Tree look like in 2020? Gift cards! PCOL members usually support dozens of local children during the holiday season with specific gift purchases. This year we would like to instead request $25 gift cards to be distributed to our local families via Eggerts Crossing Village and Samaritan Baptist Church. We suggest cards from Target, Walmart, generic Visa or Mastercard cards welcome too. Please mail them in or drop off at PCOL by December 13. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Grieco at nbgrieco@gmail.com.
Advent Social, December 6
December 6 from 6:30-7:30 pm is the virtual Advent Social: a fun evening together of baking, crafting, singing carols and more brought to you by the Board of Deacons. Invite your family and friends, wherever they are, to join us! Click here for full details about the event and how to prepare!
Longest Night Service, December 21
This takes the place of the Blue Christmas service this year on Monday evening, December 21, at 5pm.
Drive-In Christmas Eve Candle Lighting, 5:30 – 6:00PM
Please join us for a very brief drive-in service on Christmas Eve in our parking lot. All who attend will receive audio via FM radio transmission. We will sing two hymns, hear the Christmas Story, and participate in a service of candle lighting, following safe social distancing protocols. If the parking lot fills, overflow will still be able to hear the broadcast.
Calendar
Sunday, Nov. 22
10am Worship
11am–12pm Drive-thru Advent pickup
Sunday, Nov. 29
10am First Sunday of Advent Worship with communion
11am-12pm Drive-thru Advent pickup
Sunday Dec. 6
10am Worship
11:15am Family activity
5pm Worship in a New Key
6:30pm Advent Social
Sunday, Dec. 13
9:30–11:30am Drive-thru Sunday School
10am Worship, Lessons and Carols
11:15am Family activity
5am Worship in a New Key
Sunday, Dec. 20
10am Worship, Christmas Pageant, Christmas Joy Offering
5pm Worship in a New Key
Monday, Dec. 21
5pm Longest Night Service
Thursday, Dec. 24
4pm Christmas Pageant Rebroadcast
5:30 Drive-In Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service
8pm Festival Service
Sunday, Dec. 27
10am Worship & Hymn Sing
no Worship in a New Key
Youth Group: Watch your email for holiday plans!
