Prayer for Illumination for the First Sunday of Advent, Sanctified Art

When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?

The CC staff have been inspired by an Advent series called "What do you fear? Insisting on hope this Advent" crafted by the wonderful group of clergy at Sanctified Art. Their wonderings and questions resonated with us:

"In a season of waiting, we are not asked to suppress fear but to face it.

To ask: How does fear live in me? What voices has it amplified? What longings has it silenced? Advent gives us room to sit with fear— not to banish it, but to listen to it...

"Every Advent, we light candles, sing ancient carols, and pray for Christ’s coming. We hold onto hope because we believe that Christ did come to bring good news to a frightened world, then and now—that’s the promise of the season. Our hope is not flimsy or fleeting. It’s gritty, resilient, and can endure—no matter what we fear or face."

As the shadows lengthen, and our season of waiting begins, together may we name our fears and insist on hope. Advent blessings to each!

Scroll down for information about Advent Wreath making, Christmas Angel gifts, Advent meditation offerings, and more.

November 30, 2025

The First Sunday of Advent

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

A Traditional Spoken Service (Rite I), In Person Only

9:30 a.m. Children's Faith Formation

pre-K through 5th grade, meet in the Parish Hall

Nursery care available for ages 0-3 throughout the morning

9:30 a.m. Junior Youth Group

Grades 6-8/9, meet in the Youth & Children's Library, upper level

10:00 a.m. Children's Chapel

In Person, Parish Hall

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

In person and Live Streaming on YouTube 

4:00 p.m. Bible Study

In person (church library) and Live on Zoom (password = Bible)

5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist

In Person and Live on Zoom 

(password = 20895)

Advent Wreath Making – Tomorrow, November 30!

Believe it or not, Advent begins THIS Sunday! Time to make a beautiful Advent wreath for your home. Enjoy this fun annual event downstairs in the Parish Hall after the 10 am service. All supplies provided - but if you have special greens you'd like, or clippers, bring them in! (There will be some of both to share.) And if you have a wreath ring from a previous year’s event, please bring it for your re-use. Alternative advent activities will be available for younger children. 

Questions? need info? Contact Linda Daisley (lindatdaisley@gmail.com) or the office (administrator @ccpk.org). 

Be a Christmas Angel to a local child this Christmas!

Help us bring joy to 60 children at Arcola and Rock View Elementary Schools this season.

Want to shop for a child? Take a mitten from the Outreach board in the upstairs hallway. It contains a child's age and wish list. Sign the clipboard with your stocking number, grab an instruction sheet, and return your UNwrapped gifts by December 14.

Can't make it to church? Watch for a SignUp Genius link later this week. 

Want to help but not able to shop this year? You can make a donation of gift cards (Target is the most often requested) or funds to help purchase gifts. Drop your check or gift cards in the box on the Outreach table, or make a donation through Realm (choose Outreach-Arcola as the fund). 

Visio Divina for Advent

During the season of Advent, we will shift from the Lectio Divina practice of "sacred listening" to the Visio Divina practice of "sacred seeing" or gazing upon with the heart. 

Join us on Thursdays at 7:00pm on Zoom to explore this meditative practice and find stillness and inspiration through the exploration of Christmas themed artwork. 

For more info on Visio Divina, visit: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/visio-divina-a-practice-of-sacred-seeing/ or email coordinator Lissa Ramsepaul at lissacr@comcast.net. See you Thursday!

Love in Action: Racial & Social Justice

All are welcome to join the Mercy Team! Support the vulnerable in the current political crisis and put your faith into action. To join the distribution list, contact Cynthia Mitchell at justice@ccpk.org or Thea Kayne theakayne@gmail.com. 

This is the best way to find out about emerging needs

and a variety of ways to get involved. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Join a "Care Pod"

 An increasing number of families in the region are experiencing the detention or deportation of a family member, often a breadwinner, putting a huge strain on families as they struggle to cope. Interested? Contact Thea Kayne or any member of the Mercy Team to learn how you can put your faith into action by joining a "Care Pod" to support a local family in need. Different levels of engagement are needed.  Spanish speakers are especially welcome. 

Love in Action: Reaching Our Neighbors

Ongoing Support for our neighbors!  

Donations of baby formula and diapers are as needed as ever. Place in bins in the hallway off the back of the sanctuary. They will be delivered at least monthly to Food Justice DMV. Food Justice also needs dedicated volunteers to make deliveries and support the immigrant families in our region. Please contact Thea Kayne or Deacon Sara Thorne if you're interested in getting involved.

Join us the second Wednesday of each month as we pack groceries at San Mateo Epis. Church in Hyattsville, MD to be delivered to neighbors in Mont. & PG Counties through Food Justice DMV. Next Volunteer Day is December 10. Interested? Contact Deacon Sara (sara@ccpk.org).

Flat Jesus continues His travels, visiting the Christ Church Vestry meeting last week! In their work, the Vestry team keeps Christ before them.

Stewardship 2026 - Christ Before Us

Total Pledges Received to Date: 102

Goal: 135

Total Amount Pledged to Date: $382,367

Goal: $450,000

While the formal campaign has come to a close, it's never too late to pledge.

And THANK YOU to everyone who already pledged!

Assistance If you or a loved one need financial or other support for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact the Rector, the Rev. Emily Guthrie, via email, emily@ccpk.org or her cell. All requests are completely confidential.  

Thursday Prayers for Peace at 12:15pm 

Now more than ever, we are called to work and pray for peace around the world and in our own country.  Please join us on Zoom (password 20895) every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. as we pray for a peaceful end to the war in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and violence in Haiti and Bangladesh; an end to violence in this country, and an end to violent conflict everywhere. (Approximately 15 minutes.)

Tax Planning? If you are planning to donate stock or a large check to the church, please start the process now so that it has time to clear before the end of this year and is recorded on your 2025 statement. Consult your tax advisor regarding the tax laws that impact charitable giving.

Please alert Emily or Jen in the office of your plans, to help us accurately report your contribution. (Why? Because often stock donations are sent without attribution!)

Protect yourself from phishing & scam emails. 

Christ Church’s clergy and staff will never ask for an urgent favor, the purchase of gift cards, or other financial instruments, or your personal information via email.

All emails from clergy and staff will come from our official Christ Church email addresses, with a ccpk.org domain (e.g., emily@ccpk.org). Check the sender's email address to confirm.

If you receive any suspect emails, please delete these emails without responding, and never click on any links contained in these emails.

Upcoming Worship Services & Events at Christ Church

Monday, December 1, 2025 Office Closed

8:30 p.m. Compline - a beautiful short service to end the day

Live on Zoom (password = 20895)

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

7:30 p.m. Holy Handcrafters in the Christ Church library. Bring your craft of any kind and enjoy a supportive creative community.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

6:30pm Evening Prayer - Live on Zoom (password = 20895)

Thursday, December 4, 2025

12:15 p.m. Prayers for Peace

Live on Zoom (password = 20895)

7:00 p.m. Lectio Divina

Live on Zoom

8:30 p.m. Compline

Live on Zoom (password = 20895)

Sunday, December 7, 2025 - Second Sunday of Advent

8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist

9:30 a.m. Children's Faith Formation-lower level classrooms PreK4-Grade 5
9:30 a.m. Junior Youth Group-upper level Children & Youth Library, Gr. 6-8/9

11:30 a.m. Advent Wreath Making, Parish Hall, see details above

4:00 p.m. Bible Study, Library and Live on Zoom



Looking ahead...

• December 14 - NO 8:00 service, Christmas Pageant @ 10:00 followed by Winter Wonderland Coffee Hour, Blue Christmas Service at 5:00 p.m.
• December 20 - Advent Morning Reflection (see details above)
• December 24 - Christmas Eve (services at 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., music & hymns at 8:30 p.m.)
• December 25 - Christmas Day, 10:00 Holy Eucharist
• December 28 - Lessons & Carols, one service at 10:00 a.m.
• December 24-January 1 - Office Closed

Ways To Give

Even if you come to church in-person, giving remotely is convenient and easy! Here are several different options for you make contributions to Christ Church.

Missed a past Sunday Morning Service? Want to enjoy music from past services?

Watch or listen 0n YouTube!

Christ Episcopal Church Kensington

4001 Franklin Street

Kensington MD 20895

301-942-4673

administrator@ccpk.org

what does the Lord require of you?

but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God...

~Micah 6:8