Advent & Christmas Services for 2016 – First Congregational Church of Westbrook, CT

We have services on Wednesdays in Advent, 3 services on Christmas Eve, and a family brunch service on Christmas Day.

Advent Services of Silence and Song, Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, December 7, 14, 21 – time and space for Advent waiting and reflection, along with Holy Communion and the music of Taize.

Longest Night Service, Weds. December 21, 7:30 pm (part of the Advent Service of Silence and Song) – a Liturgy of Memory and Hope as we light candles for those for whom our hearts ache this season.

The Living Crèche, Sunday, December 18, 5:30-6:00 pm. A still life reenactment of the manger scene, led by our Youth Group, held outside on our front lawn.

Christmas Eve, Saturday, December. 24:

5:00 – All Age Worship with “Instant Pageant”
7:30 – Candlelight Service with Choir
11:00 – Candlelight and Communion Service

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25: (No 8:15 service)
10:15 – Prayers, Carols and Potluck Brunch! – Come together for an informal celebration gathering around the breakfast table, sharing prayers and carols as we celebrate the morning of Christ’s birth. Bring a breakfast item to share.

New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2017: (No 8:15 service or child care.)
10:15 – Ring in the New Year together as we remember the Magi and their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Advent Services of Silence and Song

Advent is the season of waiting and hoping, as we prepare to welcome the Christ into our life in new ways. To offer you a deep and meaningful way to observe the sacred season of Advent, we are offering a four week Contemplative Advent Worship series on Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary, led by Rev. Jan, Diane Wolff and Price Vander Swaagh. Come, sink into the stillness and quiet of God’s presence as an emerging awareness of Christ’s coming dawns throughout the season. The music, prayers, silence and reflections will all be designed to draw you deeper into the heart of God as you await Emmanuel.

Weds. Nov. 30- Contemplative Worship
Weds. Dec. 7- Contemplative Worship
Weds. Dec. 14 – Contemplative Worship
Weds. Dec. 21 – Longest Night Service of Remembrance

Christmas Eve Instant Pageant FAQs

The Instant Pageant is a simple, yet moving, unrehearsed reenactment of the Christmas story, narrated by Rev. Jan. All children and teens (visitors included) are welcome to participate.

When Is It?
On Christmas Eve, during the 5:00 p.m. family service. Children should come to Fellowship Hall by 4:45 p.m. to don their costumes.

What Should I Wear?
To be a shepherd, wear a plain, dark bathrobe. To be an angel or a farm animal, wear a simple costume from home if you have one, or use one of the costumes available in Fellowship Hall.

Tell Me More!
Children participating in the pageant will sit with their parents in costume. Our oldest Sunday School, Confirmation students and high school teens generally fill the roles of Mary, Joseph, Gabriel and the three Kings. Those selected will sit at the very back of the sanctuary with Julia Manners until it’s time for them to come forward.

Rev. Jan will narrate the Christmas story and each group of children will come forward during the appropriate Christmas carol (as marked in the bulletin).