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Advent: A Season of Preparation and Promise

In seminary, I learned the word prolepsis and it quickly became one of my favorite one of my favorite theological words. Not only is it fun to say - go ahead, say it out loud - but I loved the tension the word held. In short, prolepsis means "already, but not yet." Prolepsis is something that happens in the future, and yet it is also already happening.

Advent is a season of holy prolepsis. It invites us to hold in one hand the truth that Christ has already come, and in the other, the hope that Christ is still coming. In this tension, we are reminded that God's promises are as good as fulfilled, even as we wait for their fullness to be revealed. In the glow of Advent candles, we glimpse the Kingdom already breaking into our world, even as we long for the day when it will come in its entirety.

Yet Advent is more than waiting—it is preparation. Just as we prepare our homes for Christmas, stringing lights and wrapping gifts, we are invited to prepare our hearts and lives for the arrival of Emmanuel, "God with us." In this sacred season, we are called to turn our attention to the places where Christ is already at work—in acts of justice, kindness, and mercy—and to join in that work with hope-filled urgency.



This Advent, may we live into the "already, but not yet" (prolepsis)of our faith with wonder and expectation. As we prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth, may we also prepare for the promised return, trusting that the God who began a good work among us will bring it to completion in God's perfect time.

Where do you see signs of "Emmanuel (God with us)" already at work in your life or your community? How is God calling you to prepare your heart during this season of Advent? What does it mean for you to live in the “already, but not yet” of God’s promises?

~Deacon Jenny Frantz, Director of Communication & Formation

*Note - Change of Dates* The next round of classes will now run January 2 - January 30

If you are new to the program, we recommend beginning with Intro to the Old Testament (a Foundations Course). If you are interested in exploring how we share the gospel in your context, consider taking Communicating the Gospel al a carte. All classes can be taken individually!

Growing in Faith is a ministry committed to fostering learning environments for followers of Jesus to grow in faith. They believe that lay members of our parishes are integral to healthy discipleship in our churches and communities. So, they gather followers across congregations and synods to grow in faith together.

Advent Bulletin Stock Available for Churches in Need:

This Advent season, we’re pleased to announce that Advent-themed bulletin stock and other materials have been made available through generous contributions from churches eager to support congregations with limited funds. If your church could benefit from these materials, please reach out to Rebekah Wissler (rwissler@neos-elca.org), and we’ll connect you with the available supplies.

If your church has extra bulletins or other materials to share, please contact Rebekah Wissler to arrange a donation. Let’s join together to support one another as we prepare for this season of hope and celebration.

Looking for Advent Devotional Resources? We've been collecting them on our webpage!

If you’re looking for ways to bring new depth and joy to your Advent and Christmas celebrations, the Global Christmas Multicultural Holiday Toolkit from Faithward offers a wealth of creative and meaningful ideas. This resource invites you to explore how different cultures celebrate the season, helping you connect with the universal themes of hope, love, and generosity that lie at the heart of Christ’s birth.

You might find inspiration in Iceland’s Jolabokaflod, where families exchange books and share cozy evenings of reading together. Or consider Kenya’s tradition of community care during the season, providing for widows and the vulnerable as a tangible expression of Christ’s call to serve others. From festive recipes like Kenyan chapati to star-making crafts inspired by the Magi’s journey, the toolkit provides wonderful ways to enhance your celebrations and reflect on the global unity of the Christian faith.

For those planning family or church activities, there are ideas for hosting an Epiphany celebration, complete with gift exchanges and reenactments of the Wise Men’s journey. These activities encourage not just reflection but also participation, making the season more meaningful for all ages.

While some of the resources mentioned in the toolkit may require a purchase, don't let that stop you! Consider reaching out to your public library or connecting with me at the KRC to help you access these materials or find similar resources. There are many ways to make the most of this toolkit without added expense.

You can explore the full toolkit on Faithward's website at the button below. Let these ideas enrich your Advent and Christmas season with traditions that celebrate the beauty of Christ’s birth across cultures!

From our friends at the Hunger Network in Ohio:

Join us for Advocacy in Advent: A Lame Duck Lobby Day

December 10th, 9:00am at the Ohio Statehouse



Hunger is on the rise in our communities, and the voices of those who hunger often go unheard. Join us at the Ohio Statehouse on DECEMBER 10th for a day of advocacy, lifting up the voices of our hungry neighbors in the final days of the General Assembly.

​NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! All we need is you, we will set up legislative meetings, print off materials and provide a policy briefing beforehand. Your stories and passion are enough as a powerful witness.

RSVP's are needed to allow us to schedule legislative meetings before the event.

Join us for the Ohio Rostered Ministers Gathering January 21-23, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Being a rostered minister is no easy task in our time. Institutions are weaker, budgets are in decline, people are uninterested, and commitment is wavering. But these are only symptoms of a bigger issue. During this gathering, we will seek to peer beneath the symptoms and explore why many pastors and deacons find themselves in an identity crisis. As we engage with the presenter and colleagues, we will examine what living in a secular age does to ministerial identity and how rostered ministers can find new footing within it.

This event will be commuter-friendly as housing arrangements will be on your own. A daily schedule and other details are available on the website.

Prayers for Comfort & Peace

Pastor Eric Bodenstab

Prayers for Healing

Pastor Jack Delk

Pastor Bonnie & Pastor Brian Peltomaa

Prayers for Sympathy

Family and friends of Pastor Scott Anderson, upon his passing

Prayer concerns will be removed after four weeks unless otherwise requested.

Consent is required for all submissions. Thank you.

These pages are updated every week with new trainings, events,

opportunities, and more! Be sure to check them out.