Advent Christmas 2020
I Believe, . . . Even When
Dear Friends –
We all know that this holiday season will not be like any other we have experienced. Many families are not getting
together because of the COVID-19 virus. Not seeing family during this time of year is difficult and not easy.
While recognizing the difficulty we still believe… even when.
Our theme for Advent this year is “I believe, . . . Even When.” This theme comes from an anthem written by Mark A. Miller called “I Believe.” The text to this anthem is taken from words scratched on the walls of a cellar in Cologne, Germany by a Jew hiding from Nazi persecution.
“I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it.
I believe in God even when God is silent.”
Each Sunday in Advent we will hear and be able to sing part of this anthem. But currently we are still not open for worship. The Session is waiting for two weeks of declining COVID-19 numbers before we are able to come back to worship. And the number who will be able to come to worship will be limited. Whether we worship in person or not, we will still be live streaming our worship services through Advent.
We have planned a few special services:
* The Longest Night/Blue Christmas service on December 21 at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
This service is designed for those who are grieving in this season.
* Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 7:00 PM via zoom.
* The Sunday after Christmas Worship service on December 27 will not be live-streamed
but will be pre-recorded and will be available to view on YouTube and Facebook at 10:30 am. Rev. Garis will be on
vacation this Sunday.
Also, beginning Sunday, November 29th, we will be emailing you daily Advent devotionals for the week via Constant Contact. This will be sent every Sunday through Advent. If you are not on the constant Contact email list, you can call the church office and we will add you to the list. This devotional is from our Presbyterian seminary in Pittsburg, PA. (Pittsburg Theological Seminary) We will also send these out weekly by USPS to those who want them sent through the mail.
We will also be providing a special Documentary Film Study with Rev. Garis each Sunday evening at 7:00 PM through Advent. Each week, we ask that you watch the listed documentary film and through zoom meet with Rev. Garis as he leads you through this study. (PLEASE NOTE – some films have a cost to watch them.)
The documentary films are:
Defiant Requiem (free with Amazon Prime)
Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony (Watch free on YouTube)
Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice! (Rent the documentary for $1.99 on Amazon Video)
The Singing Revolution (Available on Vimeo On Demand or Amazon Prime Video both charge $3.99)
The discussion for these four films will be on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 & 20 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Zoom
information for this study will be included in our weekend updates and announcements. Or you may email Rev. Garis at gregg@stphil.org for the zoom information.
During this Advent Season “We believe, . . . Even When.”
Special Adult
Advent
Documentary
Film Study
Rev. Garis continues an Advent Study discussing Documentary Films.
This Sunday at 7:00 PM the group will discuss the film called “Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Final Symphony.”
This fil is available to watch for free on YouTube.
Bill Moyers said that “The film is beautiful and powerful…If millions could experience its affirming and incandescent message, we might turn around the destructive dynamics that are overwhelming the earth.”
Please watch this film and then join Rev. Garis and others on Sunday at 7:00 PM via zoom.
Anti-Racism Conversation
The Anti-Racism conversation has been postponed to Dec. 13 at 3:00 PM.
This conversation will feature a discussion of racism and anti-racism with
Pastor Daryl R. Davis, II., M. Ed.
Executive Pastor, Inspiring Temple of Praise Church.
A Zoom link will be sent next week.
21 Day Anti-Racism Challenge
Our country has faced another wave of racial unrest. Some know exactly what racism is, what it looks like, and what it sounds like. Others might not be so sure how racism manifests itself.
The Session of St. Philip recommends that our members consider taking the 21 Day Anti-Racism challenge. Other Churches have begun to learn more about racism by taking this challenge.
Click on the button below for the Challenge.
Feel free to add resources to this list or take a look at what others have added. Message AlissaC@stphil.org. if you need any help.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aRYMWQ35SBHfvLT08Rgr2-WrLPzaP-1Oeo7E7kzGfno/edit?usp=sharing
Note: any changes you make to this document will save automatically and be accessible to anyone with this link.
Members and friends of St. Philip contribute to the mission of God because giving is at the core of our theological identity. God has given us gifts of faith, mutuality, generosity, and hospitality. Giving simply grows out of the life of faith.