Advent 2023 ~ Attentiveness

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Advent reflections have frequently been guided and organized around four words that describe the character of what God is bringing into the world.  Words like peace, joy, love, hope. But by focusing on the character of what or who is coming into the world through Christ’s birth we become predisposed to noticing only those things that fit our expectations. In “Night Visions’ Jan L. Richardson writes “The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before…What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you.”

God is the one bringing the Kingdom into being. We are called to be alert and attentive so that we might not miss it. This year we invite you to stop preparing, stop fashioning images of peace, love, joy, and hope, and instead turn your energy into attentiveness. Each week in worship we will open with a guided reflection on how we can use one of our senses to perceive God’s presence and activity. You will have an opportunity to share a written response from your reflection during the offering. The responses from each week will add flame to one of four candle banners reminding us of the candles that we light on our advent wreath.
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With new curiosity let’s use all our senses to notice God’s presence and activity in the world around us.  Quiet yourself as you listen, cleanse your palate with water and simple bread so you really taste, take off your gloves and boots so you can actually feel, put away the scented candles to smell the world as it really is.

​Hear and respond to the invitation that Dietrich Bonhoeffer extends in “God is in the Manger” ~ “Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come.”

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“Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

​“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… .What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.”
– Jan L. Richardson, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas

The Spiritual Life Ministry Unit has gathered a list of Advent Resources for you to use as we prepare for the celebration of our Lord Jesus.

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Advent/Christmas Worship -
9:00 am in-person worship services and live-streamed (the live-stream will also be available to view at any time when the service has concluded)

Sunday, December 3, 2023 — 9:00 am
1st Sunday of Advent (Taste)
Communion
Rev. John Porter, preaching
                         
Sunday, December 10, 2023 — 9:00 am
2nd Sunday of Advent (Sound)
Rev. John Porter, preaching
Candlelight Service — 4:00 pm
 
Sunday, December 17, 2023 — 9:00 am
3rd Sunday of Advent (Touch)
Rev. Allison Maus, preaching
 
Sunday, December 24, 2023 — 9:00 am
4th Sunday of Advent (Smell)
Rev. John Porter, preaching
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Services at 4:30, 7:30, & 11:00 pm
 
Sunday, December 31, 2023 — 9:00 am
1st Sunday of Christmas
Rev. John Porter, preaching

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The Angel Tree
​Thank you to all for your generosity!

Delivering Gifts - Watch the Weekly Update for opportunities to help transport gifts from the church to the receiving agencies.

Do you want to be part of the giving, but you can’t get out as much as you’d like? Our Angel Tree gift to Out of the Cold is a few nights of hotel housing, providing guests with a change of pace, showers-without-lines, and a full sized bed, and providing staff with a few days of respite at Christmas, so that they can keep doing their extraordinary work all year long.  While we do have Angel Tree tags to contribute toward that gift, we actually need to collect more than is on the tags, so you are welcome to simply write a check or make a donation on the SCPC website (memo:OOTC) …and of course you can still hang an angel on a Sunday when you are able to be with us in person.

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Christmas Party for Children and Youth on December 17
Families of children and youth, mark your calendars now for our Christmas party during the Exploration Hour on December 17. Our party will be hosted by Oasis, and begin around 10:15 am in the Fireside Room. All children in the PATHWAYS class are invited along with all OASIS Youth. (This means all Pre School and Elementary children.) PATHWAYS children will go to their classroom first, then arrive in the Fireside Room as a group at 10:15 am.
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The party plan involves COOKIE decorating, and some songs. We will have regular and gluten free cookies and everyone gets to decorate TWO cookies...one to eat and one to take home!  We hope you will send your children and youth for this FUN way to celebrate the birth of
JESUS !

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​​College-Age and Young Adult Christmas Eve Open House
We are always excited to welcome folks back to town while they are home for the holidays. Come and visit with your SCPC friends at 10:15-10:45 pm in the Martin Room on December 24th before our 11:00 pm worship service. We’ll have hot chocolate and treats waiting for you!

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A Night for Weary Hearts Service (formerly "Blue Christmas")  ~ Thursday, December 14th at 4:00 pm  at Grace Lutheran Church
This service is meant to bring comfort to those struggling to find joy during the holiday season.

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Advent Attentiveness Art with Pastor Allison
During Sunday morning worship throughout Advent we will be paying attention to the ways God is preparing us and the world around us. We’ll have a congregational offering each Sunday that will be incorporated into a group art project in the form of banners at the front of our sanctuary. We need your help to add some artistic paint to bring this project to life! All skill levels and ages are invited to help create and reflect Wednesdays throughout Advent. Join Pastor Allison 7-8 pm in the Social Hall December 6th, 13th, and 20th. 

 

​2023 Poinsettias
For those who ordered poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary - you may take your poinsettia(s) with you following the 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service.

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Adult Education in Advent

December 3 ~ “Advent Images”, led by Allison Maus, in Westminster Hall 
The Advent and Christmas story has inspired art for countless artists.  We’ll take time to read pieces of the story alongside art images to draw us deeper into the scripture and inspire new ways of reading our familiar story.  This will be discussion based.

December 10 ~ “Choosing Empathy for Yourself and Others” led by Chris Calkins in Westminster Hall
Chris Calkins will discuss his experience as a health care administrator with extending empathy to others as they navigate illness, the end of life with family and friends, and with co-workers and front-line healthcare workers as they navigate the emotional intensity of caregiving.  He will talk with us about how to navigate the US healthcare system and discuss techniques for caregiving for yourself and others during illness.

December 17 ~ “Carol Sing” led by Music Ministry Leaders in Westminster Hall
Join us in a round of your favorite Christmas carols!  We don’t usually get the opportunity during worship to sing as many as we would like, so come join us for this special Adult Education offering.

December 3, 10,& 17 ~ “Connect” ~ led by Zack Maser, Jamie Bauman, and Laura Millard in Room 10
Connect is an invitation to deepen your relationship with others and with God by contemplating scripture, lyrics, writing, poetry, and other topics of interest through small group discussions.  This is meant to be a time to sit with questions without needing the answers, speak from the heart, pray, meditate, reflect, and be changed by the stories and sharing of others. Anyone with a desire to Connect more deeply, whether you are a believer or unsure what you believe, is invited to join us.  Come as you are to listen, share, grow, and be! 

December 24 ~ Christmas Eve Morning—No Adult Education

December 31 ~ New Year's Eve—No Adult Education

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​Christmas Candlelight Service
The Candlelight Choir and Orchestra will present a service of Lessons and Carols including traditional songs and new compositions from European, Appalachian, and African-American composers. (Child care provided)
 
Sunday, December 10, 2023
4:00 pm
or live stream below

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Gifts for the Christ Child
Some of you may remember that a few years ago, SCPC decided to step away from Christmas Joy (which supported the Board of Pensions), redirecting our Christmas generosity toward other missions. Several interim names have proven slightly confusing, but we think we’ve now settled on a name that will work, so in 2023, we welcome you to participate in our (drumroll, please!) Gifts for the Christ Child Collection.  

Adults, children, and families are encouraged to participate throughout the month of December. Look for envelopes with the same illustration in the pews, or you can donate online or via check, with the memo: Christ Child Collection. We will celebrate our total together in the New Year!

The Social Justice and Mission Team has chosen to direct the 2023 Christ Child Collection to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which provides humanitarian response and resilient rebuilding from natural disasters and conflict, both in the United States, and around the globe. Their current efforts include helping children and communities impacted by so many things we’ve seen on the news: war in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza; earthquakes in Afghanistan, Mexico, Turkey and Syria; wildfires in Hawaii; and hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, and floods in many regions, as well as many areas of need that rarely make it to our screens.  We are glad we will be able to help these helpers. 

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Christmas Caroling Event
Join the SCPC Deacons in spreading Christmas joy to area seniors in assisted living facilities. The Deacons will be hosting a Christmas Caroling event on Sunday, December 17th. Meet in the Social Hall by 5:00 pm for cocoa and cookies and to organize into groups. Carolers will carpool to visit Wynwood Greenhills Village, Harmony, and Celebration Village care homes. Caroling will be done indoors, so no need to worry about the weather.

Festive attire is encouraged. All ages are welcome and no musical talent is required - come and join the fun celebrating the Christmas season and invite a friend. Groups will return to the church after caroling and can choose to enjoy dinner together downtown afterwards.
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RSVP is not required, but if you know you’re planning to attend, please signup so we have an estimate on the number of attendees. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4DA8A82CAB9-46087398-scpc

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Christmas Eve Worship  ~ Sunday, December 24

Sunday Morning Worship at 9:00 am

Christmas Eve Worship Services
4:30,  7:00 and 11:00 pm

• 4:30 pm Family Service featuring our LOGOS children, youth and leaders (1st through 8th Grade). Childcare may be available
• 7:00 pm Contemplative Service of Lessons and Carols
• 11:00 pm Candlelight Communion Service  We hope you will worship with us on this wondrous night - live stream links available below

Christmas Eve 4:30 pm Service

Christmas Eve 7:00 pm Service

Christmas Eve 11:00 pm Service

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Christmas Day Dinner ~ December 25
The annual Christmas Day Dinner will take place this year with in-person dining in the Social Hall from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Reservations can be made online or by calling the church office.  Meal delivery, between 1:30 and 2:30 pm, is available only for those who are physically unable to attend in person.  Please call the church office at 814-238-2422 to request delivery.  

Everyone is welcome - walk-ins will be accepted just be aware there may be some wait time.  

It takes many hands to make the dinner happen! We can use volunteers to set-up, serve, decorate, cook, and clean up. Food donations are also needed.  
You can sign up to volunteer, or to donate food items online, or by calling the church office. 
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Any questions can be directed to the church office at 814-238-2422.
Make a reservation.  Sign up to donate food.  Sign up to volunteer.

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First Night State College ~ December 31, 2023
SCPC will be hosting events on Sunday, December 31st as part of State College's First Night activities.  Buttons are required for many of the programs and concerts.

In the Church Sanctuary - button required
2;00 pm - Allegheny Ukulele Kollective 
4:00 pm - Natasha & the Spy Boys
7:00 pm - Callanish
9:00 pm - Joy Marie & the Gill Street Band

In the Social Hall
2:00 - 5:00 pm - Kids Winter Craft Market

In Westminster Hall - button required
4:00 pm - Allegheny Ukulele Kollective Workshop 
7:30 pm - Adam Swartz Puppet Workshop

Click here to visit the First Night website