This last Sunday night we started the lighting of the advent wreath at Oxygen. It’s wonderful to explore some of the older church traditions together. Several weeks ago I was asked what we were planning on doing for the Christmas season at Oxygen. It got me thinking about all kinds of great traditions I have been exposed to throughout my life and advent has by far had the greatest meaning.
My earliest memories of Advent come from time spent at my Grand Parents country church in Washington. I can remember singing songs and the pastor reading some scripture those were all the normal things we did each week at church. After a few more songs an older couple stood up from the front row and read a poem about hope followed by a prayer asking God to help us be a people and thanking Him for the hope he gave in the birth of his son the Christ. So being a little boy anytime there was fire involved my interest was sparked. The ride home in my Grandpa’s old farm truck was full of question from me about the candles and the lighting and the wreath. I was very concerned that they had forgotten to put out the candle, but once those fears were squelched my Grandpa began explaining. He told me about the three purple candles. The first standing for Hope then Love and Peace. Then the pink candle to represent the Joy brought through Christ. The center candle being a white candle showing Christ as the center. All of the candles as part of an evergreen wreath to stand for the unchanging nature of God. It was allot for a little guy to take in but even then it I greatly enjoyed the Advent tradition.
Looking back at my own love of Advent it was an easy choice as a way for us at Oxygen to experience this Christmas season together. I hope that if your reading this and have not been part of the advent tradition in the past that perhaps you will explore this for yourself. It’s an easy tradition to learn about with a quick Google or two. Or if you are part of the Oxygen group or you are in college or college aged (18 – 26) then come by this coming Sunday night @ 7pm in the youth room here at Shoreline and join us for this celebration of Advent.
Pastor Andrew
Here’s a little special Christmas treat for you! Click the link!
This last Sunday night we started the lighting of the advent wreath at Oxygen. It’s wonderful to explore some of the older church traditions together. Several weeks ago I was asked what we were planning on doing for the Christmas season at Oxygen. It got me thinking about all kinds of great traditions I have been exposed to throughout my life and advent has by far had the greatest meaning.
My earliest memories of Advent come from time spent at my Grand Parents country church in Washington. I can remember singing songs and the pastor reading some scripture those were all the normal things we did each week at church. After a few more songs an older couple stood up from the front row and read a poem about hope followed by a prayer asking God to help us be a people and thanking Him for the hope he gave in the birth of his son the Christ. So being a little boy anytime there was fire involved my interest was sparked. The ride home in my Grandpa’s old farm truck was full of question from me about the candles and the lighting and the wreath. I was very concerned that they had forgotten to put out the candle, but once those fears were squelched my Grandpa began explaining. He told me about the three purple candles. The first standing for Hope then Love and Peace. Then the pink candle to represent the Joy brought through Christ. The center candle being a white candle showing Christ as the center. All of the candles as part of an evergreen wreath to stand for the unchanging nature of God. It was allot for a little guy to take in but even then it I greatly enjoyed the Advent tradition.
Looking back at my own love of Advent it was an easy choice as a way for us at Oxygen to experience this Christmas season together. I hope that if your reading this and have not been part of the advent tradition in the past that perhaps you will explore this for yourself. It’s an easy tradition to learn about with a quick Google or two. Or if you are part of the Oxygen group or you are in college or college aged (18 – 26) then come by this coming Sunday night @ 7pm in the youth room here at Shoreline and join us for this celebration of Advent.
Pastor Andrew
Here’s a little special Christmas treat for you! Click the link!
Join us at Community Outreach Ministry as we enjoy preparing for the upcoming holidays. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drinK. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:34-36
Holidays can be one of the hardest times some families, seniors and children experience because of the needy and vulnerable positions they are in. We’ve scheduled a lot of opportunities for you and your family to get involved to help.
- Canned Food Drive: Help stock the Food Bank of Monterey County for the holiday and winter.
- Operation Christmas Child: Last day to turn in your gift box is Monday, November 17.
- Thanksgiving Community Dinner: Monterey Fairgrounds, Wednesday, November 26. The crew works all day Wednesday through the night so show up any time after 9:00 a.m. with your own utensils. (peelers, knives, etc.)
- Bell Ringing with the Salvation Army: Help raise funds for their organization’s many holiday and various programs.
- Angel Tree: A project to purchase or deliver presents to children whose parent in in prison.
- Transisitional Housing Women’s and Children’s Christmas Party, December 16th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. here at Shoreline.
- Convalescent Home Christmas Visit: Saturday, December 20th, 9:45-11:30 a.m. Come help brighten a senior’s Christmas.
To get more information or to become involved in these or any of our ongoing outreach ministries please call (831)655-0100 ext.312 or email dfederico@shorelinechurch.org or jatwell@shorelinechurch.org. or see us on Sundays at the Community Outreach Ministry booth.
Join us at Community Outreach Ministry as we enjoy preparing for the upcoming holidays. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drinK. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:34-36
Holidays can be one of the hardest times some families, seniors and children experience because of the needy and vulnerable positions they are in. We’ve scheduled a lot of opportunities for you and your family to get involved to help.
- Canned Food Drive: Help stock the Food Bank of Monterey County for the holiday and winter.
- Operation Christmas Child: Last day to turn in your gift box is Monday, November 17.
- Thanksgiving Community Dinner: Monterey Fairgrounds, Wednesday, November 26. The crew works all day Wednesday through the night so show up any time after 9:00 a.m. with your own utensils. (peelers, knives, etc.)
- Bell Ringing with the Salvation Army: Help raise funds for their organization’s many holiday and various programs.
- Angel Tree: A project to purchase or deliver presents to children whose parent in in prison.
- Transisitional Housing Women’s and Children’s Christmas Party, December 16th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. here at Shoreline.
- Convalescent Home Christmas Visit: Saturday, December 20th, 9:45-11:30 a.m. Come help brighten a senior’s Christmas.
To get more information or to become involved in these or any of our ongoing outreach ministries please call (831)655-0100 ext.312 or email dfederico@shorelinechurch.org or jatwell@shorelinechurch.org. or see us on Sundays at the Community Outreach Ministry booth.
Women’s Christmas Dinner
…be our honored guest and enjoy a completely catered dinner, speaker and beautiful musical program this December!
December 1st 6:00-9:00 pm
Only $10 and a gift for the optional gift exchange
Sign-up at the women’s table in the foyer this Sunday or call Karen at 831.655.0100 ext. 325.
Women’s Christmas Dinner
…be our honored guest and enjoy a completely catered dinner, speaker and beautiful musical program this December!
December 1st 6:00-9:00 pm
Only $10 and a gift for the optional gift exchange
Sign-up at the women’s table in the foyer this Sunday or call Karen at 831.655.0100 ext. 325.
The women of Shoreline and friends gather on December 1st for a glorious Christmas dinner and will be served by none other than the Men of Men’s Ministries! Yes, we can do two things at once: walk and carry plates. Come and witness this remarkable event! (the Women’s dinner, not men doing two things at once).
If you’re guy and want to help out, call Shoreline at 655-0100 and ask for Karen Hughes.
Blessings to all and stay cool during the Holiday build-up!
The women of Shoreline and friends gather on December 1st for a glorious Christmas dinner and will be served by none other than the Men of Men’s Ministries! Yes, we can do two things at once: walk and carry plates. Come and witness this remarkable event! (the Women’s dinner, not men doing two things at once).
If you’re guy and want to help out, call Shoreline at 655-0100 and ask for Karen Hughes.
Blessings to all and stay cool during the Holiday build-up!
Community Outreach Ministry is busy getting ready for the holidays. We have lots of opportunities for you to share God’s love and touch a child, family or senior’s life during this holiday season. To learn about them, visit the Community Outreach Ministry Booth on Sundays or email dfederico@shorelinechurch.org or jatwell@shorelinechurch.org or call 655-0100. We also have our ongoing outreach ministries.
Community Outreach Ministry is busy getting ready for the holidays. We have lots of opportunities for you to share God’s love and touch a child, family or senior’s life during this holiday season. To learn about them, visit the Community Outreach Ministry Booth on Sundays or email dfederico@shorelinechurch.org or jatwell@shorelinechurch.org or call 655-0100. We also have our ongoing outreach ministries.
