Dear siblings in Christ,
As the Church of Our Saviour continues its vibrant fall and winter programming, I would like to invite your participation through your prayer, presence, and donations during the seasons of Advent and Christmas this year.
First, I invite you into a holy and meaningful Advent season. This year, your Altar Guild and staff have chosen to offer morning prayer during the 8 am and 10 am services on Sunday mornings throughout Advent (12/3 and 12/24). As many of you know, morning prayer is a beautiful part of our Anglican tradition. Until relatively recently, morning prayer was the central and unifying Sunday morning service of our tradition, complete with sermon and music. Your staff and leadership we feel that we can foster an Advent season of preparation, anticipation, and holiness by brining it back into our weekly routine. Our celebration of Holy Eucharist on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be that much more meaningful after morning prayer during the Advent Season.
Second, there are several wonderful opportunities to enjoy music and fellowship during this season of Advent. This week, on Sunday December 10th, we invite you to come Christmas caroling with families from Church of Our Saviour and A Child’s Garden School. Moreover, your Altar Guild will be decorating the church with garland on Wednesday, December 20th, which we’d love to have your help in making. On Saturday, December 16th, Laos Chamber Music will have a free concert, “Yuletide Cello,” featuring twelve cellos playing seasonal favorites. SPARK and our COS Children’s Ministry is sponsoring a family-friendly reception the concert. Please join us for these events!
Third, I invite your participation on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Our bilingual Christmas Pageant (the best- attended service of the year) will again be held at 4 pm, followed by our bilingual Festive Eucharist at 7:30 pm. We will set the seal on Christmas Eve with our traditional Christmas Eve service in English at 11 pm. And then, we will joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus at 10 am on Christmas morning.
As in other years, Church of Our Saviour is prayerfully asking for your financial contributions toward our Christmas Eve music. All donations will be put toward the many hands that will facilitate this celebration. Let me wish you a Merry Christmas! We here at COS are better because you are a part of this community.
Faithfully,
Jeff+