This Sunday

How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

Second Sunday in Advent: We Find Joy in Connection

Worship Information and Bulletin

Luke 1:24-45, Isaiah 40:1-11

Connections

Advent Calendars

This Week

Wednesday Bible Study on December 13, 2023

Choir Practice- December 14, 2023- 7-8:30 pm

Upcoming Events

Thank You Brunch for Jessica - December 12, 2023 - 11:00am

Vocal Mixology Concert- December 15, 2023- 7:30-9:30pm

Christmas Open House at Pastor Kim's Home - December 17, 2023 - 2-5 pm

Fourth and Final Advent Service- December 24, 2023- 10:30am

Christmas Eve Service- December 24, 2023- 9:00pm

Gathering of Spirits - January 17, 2024

Ministry Opportunities

Gardening

Coffee Fellowship

Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

Giving

It's not too late to offer your pledge for 2024!

How to donate to the Church

Nursery Wish List

This Sunday!

How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people. 

As Advent comes again to a weary world, we ask, “How does a weary world rejoice?” In the opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel, we find a few answers: we acknowledge our weariness, we find joy in connection, we allow ourselves to be amazed, we sing stories of hope, we make room, we root ourselves in ritual, and most importantly, we trust our belovedness. In the parallel birth stories of Jesus and John, joy arrives—despite trepidation, fear, or grief. In these stories, we find rhythms for rejoicing.



And so, this Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy—even if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.

Second Sunday in Advent: We Find Joy in Connection

Worship Information and Bulletin

Pastor Kim Skilling will be preaching,

Luke 1:24-45, Isaiah 40:1-11

Connections

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Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

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Join us on Zoom: HERE

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If you do not have access to a computer or smart phone,

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Call (669) 900-9128.

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Wednesday Bible Study This Week

Bible Study this Wednesday, December 13, @ 10 am

All are welcome to join us in this Zoom Discussion

The scripture for our study will be:

Luke 1:57-66, Psalm 126

To join us on Zoom click on this link: HERE

To join us on by telephone call: 

(669) 900-9128

Meeting ID: 608 966 196

Passcode: 5352176



Choir

Our Chancel Choir is a non-auditioned choir that is supported by the wonderful voices of our choral interns. All are welcome to add their voice as we lead the congregation in giving praise to God. 

Choir Practice is on Thursday nights from 7-8:30pm.

In January we made a commitment to work toward offering our sanctuary to the community as a musical venue and we have already seen an increase in use in this past year. Most of the events have been recitals, but coming up is a concert that members of the congregation may be interested in attending.

On Friday, December 15 Vocal Mixology will hold its winter concert in our Sanctuary. Our own John and Nikki Saylor are members of this Barbershop Acappela Style vocal ensemble. If you would like to attend, you may purchase tickets for $15 by clicking here.

[https://www.vocalmixology.com/watch-us]

In the morning at 10:30am, we will celebrate the last Sunday of Advent. This service will be a time to rest and center ourselves in God's promises as we stand on the cusp of our Christmas celebrations. Based on the 7 ancient "O Antiphon" prayers that we know best from the carol, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," we will reflect on the promises of God through scripture, prayer, and song. 



(Please note: this will not be a "Christmas Eve" service of Carols and Candlelight--you have to wait until 9 pm for that service!)

In the evening at 9:00pm, the Baby will finally be born, and we will finally celebrate with our traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve service. Please invite family and friends to join us for this beautiful service led by our chancel choir. 

Gathering of Spirits is an informal time of open conversation

 where human spirits can connect with one another and God’s Spirit

while sipping some spirits (or soft drinks).

Windsor Browns is a Beer, Wine, and Sandwich Pub located at the corner of Center St Promenade and Clementine.

It is an easy 1 block walk from the church.

Our next meeting will be on January 17, 2024. (Please note new date)

Meeting time changed to 5:45pm to get Happy Hour pricing!

Fellowship and Goodies?

We are always looking for donations of cookies or other treats to give us something to munch on while enjoy a cup of Dale's coffee. If you feel like baking (or shopping) just bring them with you on a Sunday. If we have too many treats that day we will freeze some for the next week. Thank you!

We give thanks for: Cheri Archer's successful surgery. Please pray for her as she recovers at home.

Please pray for those in treatment for cancer: Carole Chambers, Judy Jordan, John Harb (Kendall Schubert’s father), Matthew Williams (Jack and Geri Baird's grandson), Catherine Morris, Bill Anderson (Bruce Anderson's Brother)

Please pray for those on hospice: Patricia Carl



Please continue to pray for the health of: Dave Lopez (Alan Lopez’ brother), Harvey Taylor, Norma Leichtweis, Luca ( son of Christina Cuddy's friend), Carol Talbot, Wanda Reynolds.

If you have a prayer request that you would like to add to our prayer list, 

please contact the church office: offices@anaheimfirstpres.org or 714.535.2176.

If you have not already done so, please mail or bring your 2024 Pledge Card to the church. Your estimate of giving is critical to the Session's ability to set a church budget for the coming year. If you did not receive a stewardship mailing, you may read the letter here and download a pledge card here.

Thank you so much for your faithful and generous support of our congregation!

Nursery Wish List

Our Nursery has created a Wish List to provide some much desired supplies to enhance Sunday Service for the children. Anything received will be greatly appreciated.

Click here to access the Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KCGSBO3CNOUW?ref_=wl_share