Our annual walk through the season of Advent begins this coming weekend here at Storrs Congregational Church, United Church of Christ! You won’t want to miss out on the opportunities for worship, spiritual enrichment and faith formation, fellowship, and more… check them all out below!

• Advent Devotional
• Faith Formation Series: Images of Christmas
• Faith Formation Series: Creating Christmas
• Advent Wreath Making & Supplies
• Worship for Advent
• About our theme

Advent Devotional

We are pleased to be able to offer everyone an Advent Devotional connecting with our “Those Who Dream…” theme and with the lectionary-designated scripture readings from the bible that will accompany us through the season.

This devotional booklet offers poetry, scripture commentary and reflections, space for journaling and artistic response, sabbath prompts, and more… it’s formatted for daily use, but you can also progress through it at your own pace throughout the season. It is especially great for older youth and adults of all ages — and especially for those who are hungry for daily readings and prompts.

• If you’re planning to stop by the Christmas Bazaar or Advent Wreath Making happenings this coming Saturday, November 28th, pick up a printed booklet then!
• Going to come by the church building at some other time? Grab one when you’re here!
• Want the office to drop one in the mail to you? We’d love to… just call (860-429-9382) or email (sccoffice@storrscongchurch.org)!
• Not going to be able to come by, or would simply prefer a PDF electronic copy? You can download it by clicking here! (Note: This is formatted for viewing on-screen, not for printing. If you want a printed version, pick one up or have us send you one!)

Faith Formation Offerings

Images of Christmas
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, 15, 22 from 7:30 – 8:15 PM via Zoom

Please join us for guided visual meditation each we as we use beautiful artwork to help us to see HOPE, PEACE, JOY & LOVE… Advent Visio Divina: THOSE WHO DREAM

People of all ages are welcome, although this offering will likely be most meaningful to adults of all ages (as well as some older youth). A Zoom link will be provided in the Tuesday News & Notes weekly email to help easily connect.

Please contact Lisa Haupt, Director of Faith Formation, at Lisa@storrscongchurch.org for more information about Images of Christmas: Advent Visio Divina.

Creating Christmas
Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, 23 from 3:00 – 3:45 PM via Zoom**

You are invited to join members of First Congregational Church of Woodstock each week via Zoom as we create space for Advent meditation. God’s children of ALL AGES are welcome.

Using Illustrated Ministry artwork to color we will reflect on Light and Darkness existing together in balance — not opposition. As author Barbara Brown Taylor asks in her book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, “what can light possibly mean without dark?”

** This zoom link will only be provided by contacting Lisa Haupt via email at lisa@storrscongchurch.org.

Advent Wreath Making

We hope you can join us Saturday, November 28, noon – 4:00 PM to make an Advent wreath to take home. We will have supplies available for making both traditional AND non-traditional Advent wreaths.

Tables will be set up outdoors in the courtyard and we will have plenty of space for socially-distanced wreath-making.

Whether you prefer to use traditional taper, votive or tea light candles, there will be fresh cut greens and an assortment of decorating items on hand for you to be creative! This year, more than ever, we hope you will light the candles in your home, or from wherever you are viewing worship with us, as we celebrate each week of Advent. This is especially important for those of you with children and youth in your household! Advent devotional booklets will also be available for you to take home.

If you are unable to join us and wish to get supplies to make an Advent wreath, please contact Director of Faith Formation Lisa Haupt at Lisa@storrscongchurch.org.

Worship for Advent

November 29: The First Sunday of Advent
A Service of Word & Feast (with Holy Communion)

Pastor Matt preaching: “Those Who Dream… keep awake”
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; & Mark 13:24-37

Sunday worship for November 29th will be the first of two Sundays featuring music from J.S. Bach’s beloved Cantata Nr. 140, “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme“ (‘Sleepers, Wake!’), a piece that in modern times is strongly associated with the season of Advent.

December 6: The Second Sunday of Advent
A Service of the Word

Pr. Matt preaching: “Those Who Dream… prepare the way”
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; and Mark 1:1-8

The second of two Sundays featuring music from J.S. Bach’s beloved Cantata Nr. 140, “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme“ (‘Sleepers, Wake!’), a piece that in modern times is strongly associated with the season of Advent.

The Annual Budget Meeting of the congregation follows worship on December 6th.

December 13: The Third Sunday of Advent
A Service of the Word

Pastor Matt preaching: “Those Who Dream… sow joy”
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; and Luke 1:46-55

December 20: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
A Service of the Word

Pr. Matt preaching: “Those Who Dream… are not alone”
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; & Luke 1:26-46

December 20 @ 4:00 pm:
Advent Lessons & Carols

Virtual space where we can share light amidst the darkness through music. Featuring musicians from SCC, First Church in Mansfield, and friends.

Service will be broadcast via YouTube and via Facebook Live, via the sites of both Storrs Congregational & First Church in Mansfield.

Wednesdays – December 2, 9, 16, & 23 @ 7:00 pm
Vespers (Evening Prayer)

Designed specifically for the experience of online worshipers, the Vespers service typically lasts 20 to 25 minutes and incorporates psalms, scripture readings, silence, communal and individual prayer, and an opportunity for fellowship and conversation. Beginning December 2nd, the liturgy of our Vespers worship services will be renewed to also reflect Advent themes.

About Our Theme

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” (from Psalm 126)

What does it look like to live as those who dream? The prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds and the Magi—they were all dreamers. They received, discovered, and responded to God’s dreams for the world. In Advent and Christmastide, we step into the mystery and awe of God’s dreams and pray they shape our reality.

This theme is for the dreamers in all of us—those who dream of a deeper connection with God and those who dream of a better world. It’s for those who dream of comfort and for those who have given up on their dreams. It’s for those whose dreams have been crushed and for those who show us that dreams take time. Join us this Advent as we dream alongside prophets and angels, Mary and the Magi. Join us as we seek and sow God’s dreams for our world.