Advent and the Beginning of the Liturgical Calendar

Dec. 2 was the first Sunday of Advent, which marks the beginning of the Liturgical Calendar. In this video, "Chuck Knows Church," Chuck explains the use of colors and the liturgical calendar.

Advent Devotions: week 1

Excerpt taken from Advent Reflections: You Shall Have a Song (published by Augsburg Fortress)

Key verse: O sing to the LORD a new song. (Psalm 96:1)

At the beginning of Advent, many of us take a long, deep breath and then dive in...into all those preparations and gatherings that are part of these four brief weeks that precede Christmas. Many of our activities are the same as last year: decorating, shopping, baking, visits with family and friends, children's Christmas program, and Christmas caroling. They are the same and yet not the same. This year we may not have some of our loved ones with us. They are gone, perhaps serving overseas in the military or gone to their heavenly home. This year we may not have the health and strength to build that snowman with the grand kids or to make that special Christmas bread everyone has come to expect and enjoy. Or this year we may have some new faces around the table as our family has grown. An entire year has passed since the last Advent season and we aren't, can't be, quite the same.

Whether it was a year of struggle and defeat or of plenty and victory, Psalm 96 called Israel to sing a new song. This open and joyous invitation was part of Israel's new year celebration. God's people had come through one more year, and this new song celebrated the saving energy of God present and active in the new year and for all peoples of the earth. Nothing stays quite the same, and it is important for us to remember that God keeps up with the changes in us and in our world. God's love and power are new to us not only every year or every Advent but every minute of our lives.

Questions to ponder:

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for your song of saving love, sung throughout the ages and most beautifully in Jesus Christ. Open our ears to hear your song anew every day, so we may live with courage and strength. Let your song be in our hearts and on our lips as we seek to serve you and our neighbor this Advent season. Amen.

ELCA Coach Launch

January 23-24, 2019

Training for ELCA Coaching

Sponsors: Florida-Bahamas Synod Coaching Ministry ELCA and ELCA Churchwide Coaching Ministry

St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1050 Boyd Dr., Mt. Dora, FL. 32757. Phone: 352-383-5402

Why attend ELCA Coach Launch?

…. help people in your congregation discover what God wants them to do and start getting it done!

…..help leaders get done what God wants them to do without doing it for them

…..help others maximize their effectiveness and potential

……stop the endless cycle of trying to get people to do things that you want to get done but they don’t want to do……and start helping people do what God wants them to do and multiply ministry!

>>> learn more about the upcoming Coach Launch event <<<

>>> learn more about coaching <<<

Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events

It's Time to Register for Summer Camp!

Dates to know:

Summer camp Registration is OPEN!

Register by March 15 to lock in our Early Rate 

($40.00 savings from the regular camp rate!)

Regular Camp Rates Apply March 16-April 30 

$20.00 Late Fee is applied if you register after May 1 

Register online at:

Good Gift Options and Possibilities

Many people are looking for alternatives to the consumer-driven model of gift-giving. Here are a few ways you can gift differently.

Lutheran World Relief Gifts

2018 is quickly coming to a close, and the promise of a new beginning is sparked by the coming month. For families around the world, the work of Lutheran World Relief is a promising new beginning for the health and well-being of their family. With the purchase of a sheep or goat from our LWR Gifts catalog, you can provide a lasting source of nourishment, income, and independence. Or by supporting LWR Farmers Market Coffee line, you give back to coffee growers in LWR projects and help them learn how to sustain their farm and provide for their families.  Lutheran World Relief’s Gifts provide families with a lasting source of nutrition and income. This holiday season give the gift of independence, sustainability, and success to a family in need. Visit gifts.lwr.org to learn more.

ELCA Good Gifts

Struggling to find the perfect gift? Or tired of shopping for someone who has everything they need? Shop ELCA Good Gifts and choose a life-changing, charitable gift — such as a goat or water well — and donate in honor of someone special.

>>> learn more and browse gifts from ELCA Good Gifts <<<