Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020
THIS EVENING

Tonight's Evening Prayer Service will be offered from 6:00-6:30 p.m. on the east side of the building. This is the last scheduled service in this series.

Wear your mask, bring your chair, and dress warmly!
ILLUMINATED ADVENT SPIRAL WALK - NOW OPEN

FPCB's Discipleship Committee brings you this beautiful new opportunity to celebrate the season. You can participate 'in person' or from home - read on! 
Advent 2020

Oh expectant babe,
your light,
our future world.
Your beacon
brings the dawn.
Your radiance
sparks our hope with
dreams now
only imagined.

Tonight, we wait.
Yes, we wait.
Expectant.
Hopeful.
Full of promise.

Anne Taylor
On the four Sundays of Advent – which began last Sunday and runs through December 20 - the Discipleship Committee invites you to balance the outward excitement of Christmas with the calm, quiet sense of presence created during the walking of our Illuminated Advent Spiral.

There are guided opportunities to enjoy this experience, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the FPCB Memorial Garden on these Sundays. We encourage you to arrive between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. so you have time for the full experience. (Bad weather: offered on Mondays at the same times.)

You are welcome to stroll the Spiral Advent Walk at any time during daylight hours; the Sunday hours are the only ones that will be guided and lit by candles. 

Your walk will be supplemented by scripture, meditation resources and questions that center on a weekly theme of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. You will receive a small journal, pen, and LED candle (and flashlight if needed) upon your arrival.

Sunday's first walk - focused on "hope" - drew about 25 participants on a lovely, late fall afternoon. Here are some reactions:
I went to the Advent Spiral Walk in the Memorial Garden not knowing what to expect. I found that it was a continuation of the theme of Hope for this week. The spiral was candle lit and had stations in which one could sit and contemplate the hope questions there. It was a very meaningful extension of the candle lighting during the service. - Leslie Pohl
The walk gave me a chance to remember, reflect, and be grateful. Remembrance of my wife Loretta who we lost during Advent four years ago, reflection on the life we shared together and grateful for the many blessings of which I’ve been the beneficiary over the years. As for hope I’m reminded never to abandon it. - Phil Fair
For next week

Beginning Sunday, December 6, the reflection will be on "peace". You can print the scripture, meditation and questions here, which you can use as your Advent devotional:
If you need the devotional for this week (hope), you can print it here:
Let's gather to 'check in'

The Discipleship Committee invites you to gather on Wednesday, December 9 at 7 p.m. via Zoom for a half-hour Advent midpoint check-in. We will share connection and prayer, reflecting on the themes of HOPE and PEACE. 

To join the Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84403005557

Meeting ID: 844 0300 5557

To join via phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 844 0300 5557 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
Many thanks to the Discipleship Committee , Congregational Life Team and facilities team for creating the Spiral Advent Walk and decorating the exterior of the church building! (Photo: Bob Hunsicker)
Said one of our visitors: "What a beautiful sight as we were leaving our meditative Spiral Walk. It added to the message."