Weekly Newsletter of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church School

It's almost time for the Advent Workshop!

Join us THIS SUNDAY following worship

**Adjusted Church School Schedule**

The Upper Room is almost ready to kick off the Advent season! The theme of this year's workshop is "do not be afraid" and there are activities for all ages to enjoy together. A BIG thank you to everyone who helped cut Advent greenery last Sunday!

In addition to the Workshop, we will also be celebrating baptism AND communion. The schedule for Sunday will look a little different! Here's how the day will roll out:

• Church School children will be called forward to participate in lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath at the beginning of worship.

• After lighting the candle, children and teachers will go downstairs for Church School.

• Following the sermon, children will return to worship and will sit at the front of the sanctuary with their teachers for the baptism.

• During the hymn following the baptism, children will return to sit with their families for communion.

• After worship is over, all will go to the Upper Room to get the Workshop underway! Make an Advent wreath for your home, pack hygiene kits for Divine Intervention, decorate cookies with Missie Hawley, trim the Christmas tree, and more.

Click the button below to sign up for the Workshop, if you haven't already. Please bring a plate of goodies to share.

Blessings on your Thanksgiving celebrations and see you Sunday!!

Advent-at-Home Packet

Pick up an activity packet on Sunday

New for this season! Advent-at-Home packets have everything you need to keep Advent going all the way through Christmas. Each packet has four short devotions and paper craft activities for the four weeks of the season.

Packets will be available at the Workshop and on the Parent Resource Table in the Peaceable Kingdom.

Coming Up in Church School

Do Not Be Afraid

Listen for God

Luke 1:26-38

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

-Luke 1:30

Our Advent faith practice begins this Sunday! It’s been said that the phrase "do not fear" appears 365 times in Scripture. "Do not fear" does not mean that there is nothing to be afraid of—it means that God will walk with us through whatever fears we have. God has created us for faith, not fear.

There are lots of ways that we can listen for God when we are afraid. God wants to connect with us and let us know that we are not alone! This week, children and youth will look to the stories of angels encountering Mary and Joseph to hear what God's message was to them and to us today.

This is also the first Sunday of the winter quarter! Please join me in welcoming this quarter's Church School teachers: Ann Eisenbrown, Debbie Whitmore, Audra Brennan, and Debbie Anderson. The winter quarter will run through March 2.

"Second Sunday" on December 8

Alternative Christmas Market

The Alternative Christmas Market, one of Immanuel's signature holiday events, returns to the Upper Room on Sunday, December 8 for its thirtieth year! As this event coincides with our "Second Sunday" program, children, youth, and their families will visit the market following worship.

To encourage participation, children and youth will receive a $50 voucher to "spend" at the market. Local mission partner representatives will be on hand to talk with "shoppers" about the work of their organization. After learning about all of the organizations, children and youth can select an organization to support using their voucher.

Sharing vouchers with children and youth began two years ago was a meaningful way for families to share generosity together during the holidays. Thank you to the Mission Committee for making this possible!

Vouchers will be available following Church School on December 8. See you there!

Save the Date for "A Celebration of Christmas"

Christmas Concert, Tree Lighting, and Holiday Buffet

December 15 at 4:00pm

Another Immanuel favorite returns on the Third Sunday of Advent! We begin in the Sanctuary with a Christmas Concert, followed by a tree lighting and Christmas story in the Parlor before going to the Upper Room for a spread of desserts and hors d'oeuvres. All are welcome!

Christmas Eve at Immanuel

Join us for worship at 4:00 OR 7:00

As you're making your holiday plans, Immanuel is offering two Christmas Eve services this year:

• The 4:00 service will be more meditative and has elements for children to participate. If you know your family plans to attend this service, please let Rev. Larson know!
• The 7:00 service remains the same as previous year. Communion will be celebrated followed by a special Christmas Eve coffee hour.
• The singing of Silent Night by candlelight will be done at both services

There will not be any services on Christmas Day. Child care is not available for either Christmas Eve service (Cry Room is available).

Save the date

Church School Calendar for December

CLICK HERE for the calendar through the rest of 2024

THIS SUNDAY, December 1: Advent begins

• Nursery opens at 9:30
• Children dismissed for Church School at begining of service
• Children return to worship near the end of the service
• Advent Workshop, 11:00-12:30
• Child care provided until 11:15.

December 8: "Church Chat", 9:00-9:45; Church School, 10:30-11:15; Alternative Christmas Market, 11:00-noon

December 15: Church School, 10:30-11:30; Christmas Concert, Tree Lighting, and Holiday Buffet, 4:00-7:00

December 22: Church School, 10:30-11:30

December 24: Christmas Eve Worship, 4:00 (new!) and 7:00

December 29: Nursery closed, no Church School