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6520 Pilliod Rd
Holland, OH
43528
419-865-9171
Fax 419-868-4974
info@fbcogt.com
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ADVENT WORSHIP - Sundays at Christmas, 10:30 a.m.
Each week we light another candle on the advent wreath. It is a
wonderful way of connecting children's growing excitement with the birth of
Jesus. We also encourage you to have advent wreaths in your home. Below
you will find ideas to help you have your own Advent celebration with your
family.
ADVENT SEASON BEGINS
It is a season of preparation, a season of making ourselves ready to fully receive the message of Christmas. At First Baptist a number of special events and programs are offered to help you center the season in Christ. It all begins with the lighting of the first candle on the Advent Wreath
on the first Sunday of Advent. |
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The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a special symbol composed of a wreath of evergreen, in a circle, with 4 candles, 3 purple and one rose or pink. One Candle is lit every night during Advent. One purple one during the first week of Advent, the second purple nightly during the second week, and so on, until during the fourth week all four candles are lit. Some people also place a large white candle in the center to be lit on Christmas Day.
Many churches light the
Advent candles in differing orders - some light the rose
candle as the last before the Christ candle while some (as
our church chooses) light it as the third candle.
Also, the order of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace varies by
congregation. The order you see below is just one way
to celebrate Advent and by no means reflects an "required"
way of presenting the Advent candles. However, it can
be a wonderful guide for family Advent celebrations.
The Purple candles are for the sorrow we feel for not loving Jesus enough. The Rose candle is for the joy surrounding the impending birth of Jesus. The evergreen symbolizes God is with us always and will never change. The circle symbolizes that God is eternal, with no beginning and no end. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, and soon we will celebrate the day of His birth. Week
One · Week
Two · Week
Three · Week
Four
Christmas Day |
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The Candle of Hope - Week One |
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Leader: We light the first candle which symbolizes hope. For many years the faithful looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. We look forward with the eyes of faith.
Read: Romans 5:1-5.
Reflection: What does it mean to rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God? How has God already changed you? Where is change continuing in you?
Prayer: Thank you, dear God, for giving us your son Jesus to be the fulfillment of our deepest desires and hopes. Guide us as we prepare to receive him anew in our hearts. Amen.
Carol: "O Come, All Ye Faithful." |
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The Candle of Love - Week Two |
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Leader: We re-light the candle of hope and now also light the candle of love. We know that God is love. We remember with thankful hearts the gift of Jesus, who came as a babe in a manger, lived and loved among us, was killed on a cross, and arose! Love endures forever.
Read: John 3:11-17.
Reflection: We are created in the image of God. We too, when we are true to our nature, can allow love to be housed in us. Because Jesus cared so deeply, he went about doing good. How are we showing God's love and kindness?
Prayer: Dear God of love, thank you for the gift of your Son who has brought perfect love to earth. May our concern for others be so real and sincere that others will see the living Christ in us. Amen.
Carol: "Away in a Manger." |
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The Candle of Joy - Week Three
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Leader: We again light the candles of hope and love. Today we add the candle of joy. Prophecy has been fulfilled. The long-awaited Messiah has come. Joy is the mood of all earnest seekers.
Read: Luke 2:8-14.
Reflection: The shepherds were filled with fear because of the wonder of God's glory. But the angels assured them that great joy was coming to all people through Jesus, the Messiah. God’s glory shines to us through him. Rejoice!
Prayer: Dear God, be patient with us. Many times we miss your glory and your joy revealed in the common experiences of life. Fill us with a sense of wonder and joy at your creative and redeeming love, and with gratitude and reverence for your awesome and mysterious power. Amen.
Carol: "Joy to the World." |
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The Candle of Peace - Week Four |
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Leader: Today we light again the candles of hope, love, and joy, and the fourth candle, the candle of peace. Christ is the Prince of peace, come to reconcile us with God and others. Christ helps us to see that peace is possible.
Read: Luke 2:15-20.
Reflection: Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, we too can ponder in our hearts what God has said. We can be peacemakers, and love believes that with God all things really are possible. When the desire for peace is strong enough, when it becomes a cherished hope in the hearts of a sufficient number of people, peace will come. A cherished hope has its own creative power. Prayer: O God, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. In the name and spirit of the Prince of peace we pray. Amen.
Carol: "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing." |
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Leader: Today we light all the candles,
and we add a white center candle representing Christ, the Light of the world. It is time for joyous celebration. Christ is with us to bring hope, love, joy, and peace to our hearts and to our world. He is the fulfillment of prophecy. The Savior has come!
Read: John 1:1-14.
Reflection: What difference has the coming of Jesus into the world made in my life? What gift can I share with another in need? What kindness will I share to bless others?
Prayer: Thank you, loving God, for the gift of your Son. He is the light of the world, the bread of life, the living water, our Savior. We ask you to bless and guide us to live, to love, and to serve as he did, that peace may come to the world through us. Amen.
Carol: "Silent Night, Holy Night." |
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