It has been incredibly busy at the Grove! Our hearts continued to grow three sizes this past week. Early in the week the pre-school held a Christmas pageant celebrating the birth of Christ and Whitehurst Hall was filled with the joy of children’s voices celebrating Jesus’s birthday with crafts and song. Later in the week the hall was transformed from a party for Jesus to a stage and theater for the annual youth play as we reflected on the power of family, friendship, and forgiveness on Saturday evening. Lastly, we began the third week of Advent Sunday morning reflecting on the power responding joyfully as Mary did when life presents us with seemingly impossible situations. Whew!
This week faithful volunteers and staff have been scurrying through the halls of Oak Grove filling the church with goodwill and cheer as we prepare to celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent this Sunday morning in a combined worship service of Lessons & Carols at 10am in Whitehurst Hall followed by delicious food, fellowship, and a visit from Santa.
Our hearts have grown and will be filled with Love as we welcome the Christ child on Christmas Eve beginning with telling the Christmas story through the ABCs at our Children’s Christmas Eve service in Whitehurst Hall at 3pm with Santa and his elves stopping by the Atrium for pictures, hot cocoa, and treats.
Christmas Eve will end in the historic sanctuary filled with the beauty and peace of candlelight and song in our traditional Christmas Eve services at 7 and 11pm.
My Advent hope and prayer is that not only have our hearts grow as we prepare for the coming of the Christ child, but that they are filled with love and overflowing with joy as we share the hope of Jesus with the world in 2024 and beyond.
Grace & Peace,
Amanda
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