hope in the dark: advent 2024
We hope you can join us for worship, formation,
fellowship, prayer, and service in the Advent season!
See below for many opportunities to connect with First Church
as we prepare for the mystery and joy of Christmas.
Advent Formation Series: Hope in the Dark
Sundays, December 1, 8 & 15
9:30 – 10:15 a.m., Harter Room and via Zoom
Inspired by writer and activist Rebecca Solnit’s book Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities, we will gather to explore what it looks like to find hope in the dark – in the darkness of this season, in the darkness of the unknown of what’s ahead, in the darkness of the womb before the birth of Jesus. In this pregnant and liminal time, we need each other. These multigenerational formation sessions will include storytelling, art making, embodied practices, and discussions of sacred and grounding texts. We welcome teens, adults, and kids ages 8 and up (with a grown-up) to join us. Whether you can come to one or all three, come gather in and find hope in the dark with us!
Advent Workshop
Sunday, December 1, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Margaret Jewett Hall
On the first Sunday of Advent, plan to join us after worship for a variety of arts and craft activities to prepare for the season. Bring your Advent candle ring to decorate with greens (new candle rings and candles will be available until we run out). Choose among other crafts, including beeswax candle-dipping, ornament-making, and more. Enjoy a soup and bread lunch as you take in the creative energy around you. All are welcome!
Advent Art: Twelve Feasts & Festivals
Sunday, December 1
Hastings Common
Advent is a season of anticipation of life in Christ. This version of medieval art as revised by First Church member Henry Gates looks through Advent to the whole mystery of traditional Christian faith. Twelve colors symbolize the twelve feasts of the 13th century church. Join Henry on the first Sunday of Advent to discuss these traditions and how they affect our contemporary faith, or not.
Alternative Christmas Fair
Sunday, December 8, 12:15 – 2:00 p.m.
Margaret Jewett Hall
Please join us for First Church’s annual Alternative Christmas Fair. What makes it “alternative?” All proceeds raised by the vendors will go directly to benefit their non-profit organizations’ charitable and social justice causes. Come buy presents for your loved ones, support worthy causes, and celebrate the season with friends and family. Hope to see you there!
Advent Season Gift-Giving and Donation Suggestions
In addition to sponsoring the Alternative Christmas Fair, the Missions & Social Justice Committee is pleased to share with you a list of organizations with which First Church partners closely and who are seeking donations in this holiday season. In the case that you and your family are able to support any of these organizations, we hope that you find the list helpful. If you have any questions, please reach out to Martha Mueller Cook, co-chair of the Missions & Social Justice Committee, at: marthamuellercook@gmail.com.
Youth Group: Holiday Baking and Card Writing
Friday, December 6, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Kitchen and Hastings Common
First Church teens are invited to gather for a cozy evening of cookie baking and crafting holiday messages for church members. Hang out with friends and help spread some sweet joy in the Advent season!
Young Adults: Christmas Party & Hymn Sing
Friday, December 13, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Home of Angela & Phil Servello-Jones
Come celebrate the season by singing carols, drinking cider, and sharing fellowship with other Young Adults (20s-30s). RSVP by emailing youngadults@firstchurchcambridge.org or letting Angela or Phil know. Whether you’re brand new to First Church, or have been here your whole life, you’re welcome to join the party. Keep an eye out for monthly Young Adult gatherings in 2025!
Special Advent Music Sunday
Sunday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary and via livestream
It’s all about Pachelbel this year! The First Church Choir and guest instrumentalists will present a setting of the beloved Magnificat text by this famous composer. We will also experience the famous Canon in person! Seeing it, as well as hearing it, will show everyone what an amazing piece it really is.
The UnPageant
Sunday, December 22 at 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary and via livestream
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we’ll gather for our untraditional take on the Christmas pageant: the UnPageant! The UnPageant is First Church’s unrehearsed, low-stress, multigenerational telling of the story of Jesus’ birth. Come hear the age-old texts and sing the cherished carols as we celebrate the wonder of God’s love among us.
Festive Christmas Coffee Hour
Sunday, December 22 at 12:15 p.m.
Margaret Jewett Hall
We invite everyone to contribute a favorite holiday treat for a festive time of fellowship after the UnPageant. Whether it’s a batch of your sought-after Christmas cookies or a holiday veggie plate in the shape of a snowman, we want to see it and eat it! Plan to drop off your offering in the Kitchen before worship and then come ready to enjoy a mini-feast of snacks for the season.
Light from Deepest Heaven: The Seraphim Singers
Sunday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Sanctuary and via livestream
Light from Deepest Heaven will fill you with serene joy and jubilant good tidings, and be enhanced with carol singing by all and the majesty of The Bitumen Brass Quartet. The program includes works by Daryl Bichel, Graham Gordon Ramsay, Jason Robison, John Rutter, Timothy Takach, and Patricia Van Ness. Cambridge composer James Woodman’s gorgeous piece The Midwife’s Tale, one of Seraphim’s favorites, will be featured. Experience the peace and blessings of Christmas in a heavenly way just days before the 25th.
This concert will be in lieu of Night Song. It is a ticketed event, but those who regularly attend Night Song can see Daryl at the door and donate if they wish, just like the usual offering plate at Night Song.
Participate in Seraphim’s Winter Wear Drive!
We will be collecting winter wear donations for those facing housing insecurity. The items will be distributed by The Friday Café, Seraphim’s designated outreach partner. Donate new and gently used sturdy winter clothing, shoes, and boots.