Advent & Christmas
December 2024
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new. Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to an end. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown.
Worship Opportunities
Third Sunday of Advent | DECEMBER 15 AT 10 AM
Luke 3:7-16 | Isaiah 58:9b-12
Christmas Eve | DECEMBER 24 AT 1 PM, 4 PM, & 7 PM
Love Knows Your Name
Luke 2:1-20 | Isaiah 9:6
First Sunday of Christmas | DECEMBER 29 AT 10 AM
Don’t Forget to Laugh
Luke 2:10 | Matthew 2:10 | Isaiah 9:2-3 | Psalm 148
Psalm 126:1-3 | Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 | Isaiah 55:12-13
Epiphany Sunday | JANUARY 5 AT 10 AM
The Road Isn’t Straight
Matthew 2:1-12 | Isaiah 43:16-21
Advent Wednesdays
December 4, 11, & 18 at 6:30 PM
Take a pause each Wednesday evening in Advent for a quiet and contemplative vespers service featuring “Bless This Night” from Holden Village, with open space for reflection, prayer, and art.
The
Longest Night
Saturday, December 21 at 6:30 PM
For some, Christmas brings sadness instead of joy– a season of darkness arising because of grief, depression, isolation, trauma, and physical or mental illness. “The Longest Night” is a worship service for those touched by the darkness this year. Led by Trinity’s Stephen Ministers.
Go Deeper
Advent Devotional
This year’s devotional offers reminders that ground us in the truths of faith: you are a blessing; we can’t go alone; do the good that is yours to do; hope is worth the risk; love knows your name; don’t forget to laugh; the road isn’t straight. These are lessons we pass down, blessings shared in special moments like baptisms or weddings, and wisdom we return to throughout life. As you move through Advent, consider it a sacred new beginning, using each week’s art, reflections, poetry, and hymns to strengthen and uplift. May these pages fill you with belovedness, hope, and the courage to start anew, anchored always in love.
Printed copies are available at Trinity, or email Josh@tlcs.church to receive a digital version.
Advent Photo-a-day challenge
For each day of Advent, we invite you to take a photo inspired by the word of the day. Share your daily photos on social media or email Josh@tlcs.church along with the words that inspired them (we may use them in worship). Use the hashtags #tlcsadvent #wordsforthebeginning and tag @trinitylynnwood.
Advent Calendar
& Children’s Bulletins
A special coloring page Advent Calendar (for children & adults alike!) is available in the narthex. Find the daily word (same words as the photo-a-day challenge) in the quilt design and color in that shape. Children and adults can talk about what the word means and try to use it throughout your day!
Each Sunday through Epiphany, pick up a Children’s Bulletin, designed to invite children (ages 5-10) to engage in worship through coloring, storytelling, reading, and drawing.
