Welcome to Grace at Home. Thank you for joining us. Each year in the Northern Hemisphere, as the days get shorter and the nights get longer and colder, the season of Advent arrives. The season of Advent begins today. We're invited to listen to "the sounds of Christmas" in preparation for coming of the Christ child. In the four weeks leading up to Christmas, we pray and light candles and tell the truth about a world full of shadows. Our 2022 Advent devotional below is titled The Dawn Chorus: An Advent Devotional on the Wonder of Birds.
Songbirds all over the world know a thing or two about singing into the dark. In the wee hours of the morning, before the sun appears over the horizon, they begin a great symphony that scientists call the “dawn chorus.” Advent is the church’s dawn chorus. It starts in the silence, in the shadows, and looks to the light.
Click on the pictures below to access the inspiring educational videos. Scriptures, prayers, and announcements are located beneath the links.
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"Advent Hope"
(Inspiring video)
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"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
(Opening song)
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"Thank You, God" - Food Blessing song
Children's Moment
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"Go tell it on the mountain"
(Song of reflection by
Praise and Harmony)
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Imagine more...more love...more grace
Learn more about our community of faith
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"Preparing to go tell it on the mountain"
10am central live at Grace
Sermon by Rev. Yvonne Gilmore
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Gifts of generosity and grace
You may give gifts, tithes, and offerings online below or mail in a check to Grace Community Christian Church. Thank you for making space for Grace to be shared within and beyond our walls. Your faithful tithes and offerings make a life changing difference. This Sunday, we're invited to consider making a gift over and above our regular tithes and offerings to support Disciples colleges, universities, divinity houses, and seminaries.
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We are a part of something BIGGER...than time, than ourselves, than darkness. We are a part of God's movement for wholeness as faithful stewards of God's limitless love.
Matthew’s Gospel records Jesus teaching his followers of the uncertainty of timing for the coming of the Son of Man. (If a homeowner knew when a thief was coming, the owner would be prepared.)
This is prime teaching for each of us at the beginning of Advent, as we move toward the end of the calendar year. Because we don’t know when the Messiah is coming, we’re urged to “be ready” in every moment!
If people were to look over your credit card statements and your checkbook for this last year, could they discern your desire to care for the poor? Would your desire to feed the hungry and clothe the naked be evident? Could they see your commitment to this congregation? Today is a perfect day to launch into a new practice: to make your giving match your intention to be a follower of Jesus.
No one of us knows the day or the time when our lives will come to an end, but we DO know this is the day, and this is the time, when our life’s financial decisions can proclaim our claim to be a Christian. Let your good intentions be translated into action, not only today, but for life!
Offering prayer
Holy One, this Advent season we wait in hope. And we give in hope. Hope for your coming reign; Hope because of your presence with us even now. Receive these generous offerings, and use them for your work of healing and hope in our world. Amen.
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Click here to give online using Paypal or your credit card
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Opening Prayer
Shine your light, Lord, on this gathered congregation (both in person and online).
We’re eager to start this Advent, season of preparation. We WANT to walk in your light.
So make your presence known to us, walk with us on the way. Challenge each of us, today and throughout these next four weeks,
to let go of our weapons (our cynicism, our sarcasm, our bullying, as well as our guns)
and learn of your love, made known most clearly in Jesus, whom we await. Amen.
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Prayers of the People
When, O God, will the day of peace come? We need the dawn of true hope and peace, O God. Shine your light into our world, our homes, and our hearts, mighty One. Illuminate new paths to hope in our relationships, and give us the wisdom and courage to follow your light.
Teach us to clothe ourselves in Jesus Christ. Guide us into true readiness, even though we do not know the date and time, when true peace will reign. Wake us up; shake off the cobwebs of our complacency; and take us with you on the path up your holy mountain. Plant your peace within us, so that each day, each moment, we may be ready for the harvest of your love. Amen.
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1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
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It's that time of the year where we prepare for the birth of our Lord. Volunteers are needed to assist with "Hanging the Greens" and decorating for the Christmas season on Sunday, November 27 at 9am. Coffee, tea, and muffins will be provided. |
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Advent devotional 2022:
The Dawn Chorus
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The Dawn Chorus: An Advent Devotional on the Wonder of Birds is our 2022 Advent devotional. In the four weeks leading up to Christmas, we pray and light candles and tell the truth about a world full of shadows. We confront the realities of conflict and injustice – and we take responsibility. And then we raise up our voices and sing straight into those shadows, calling on Jesus to come again with light and peace and healing in his wings.
Think of this devotional as a kind of bird feeder: pick and choose the activities that work best for you and your family or friends.
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Grace Community Christian Church
2770 Montgomery Road
Aurora, IL 60504
www.graceccc.org
630.898.7990
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