ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS at GRACE
Advent refers to the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It means "coming" or "arrival" and is a time of waiting for the glorious occasion of the birth of Jesus, celebrated on Christmas Day. During this time of waiting, Grace offers opportunities for all ages to explore the meaning of the manger through word and song, music and mission. All are welcome!
In-Person and Virtual Worship Each Sunday in Advent
(Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21)
You may join us in the Sanctuary or tune in on Facebook or Youtube each Sunday at 10:30am for our traditional Advent worship services. We'll have familiar Advent and Christmas songs, Advent wreath lighting each week, beautiful music, and timely messages for this season of waiting.
Family Advent Festival (Fri, Dec 5, 5:45-7:30 pm)
Families with preK and elementary-age children are invited to Wester Hall, for a cozy macaroni-and-cheese bar dinner, treats, interactive learning and crafts! We'll explore the meaning behind Advent wreaths through fun and festive activities.
Campfires and Carols, aka Firepit Fa-la-las (Fri, Dec 12, 6:30 pm)
Come join us on the front lawn for an informal time of caroling around the campfires! We'll have hot dogs, hot drinks, and s'mores and will take requests for your favorite Christmas carols! Plenty of space for the children to move around as we sing and enjoy the time together!
Children's Advent Program & Brunch (Sunday, Dec 14, during 10:30 worship)
Our children's choir, with the help of some youth and adults as well, presents a Christmas play about waiting for Christmas when things don't go quite according to plan...yet Christ is present anyway! Join us for this short play within the context of our church service, surrounded by hymns, scripture, and a brief meditation.
Christmas Brunch for all, provided by a team of volunteers who just loves to cook for us, will follow the worship service!
Service of the Longest Night (Wed, Dec 17, 7:00 pm)
Each year during Advent, we take time on the longest night of the year (or close to it) to make a quiet, contemplative space for worship. Amid the hustle and bustle of the season, this simple service of songs, silence, and scripture allows us to truly enter into what is at the heart of Christmas: the coming of God into our world.
This service is not exclusively a Blue Christmas grief service -- it's really for everyone who needs a moment of quiet-- though, if you're experiencing loneliness or grief this year, you'll find space for that amid the quiet, too. Join us in the sanctuary.
Service of Lessons and Carols (Sun, Dec 21, 10:30 am)
Experience the traditional stories and carols you love, with a timely message of hope for all. The Grace worship team, choir, bell choir, congregation, and AV team have put their best efforts forward to involve many familiar faces, introduce a variety of choirs and solos alongside the readings, and give us all a worshipful, wonder-filled worship opportunity.
You may join the service in person or by streaming online at Facebook and Youtube beginning at 10:30 am. As always, the livestream services will also be available for viewing later.
Outdoor Christmas Eve Worship on the Front Lawn
(Wed, Dec 24, 5:00 pm)
Come one, come all, invite your friends! Join us outside on the front lawn for a family-friendly service with carols, the Christmas story, campfires, candlelight, cocoa, and cookies. Bring a bell or jingle bells! In case of predicted inclement weather, this service will be moved to Wester Hall.
Traditional Christmas Eve Service (Wed, Dec 24, 7:30 pm)
Experience the traditional Christmas Eve worship service with the candlelight, stories, and carols you love. Communion will be served.
The service will be live-streamed at Facebook and Youtube and will be available online afterwards.
Help the Homeless (Sat, Dec 27, 9:30 am)
Bring your friends and family to help put together backpacks for homeless neighbors in our area. The backpacks include such things as a hygiene kit, paper towels, mouthwash, a sack lunch, and a Bible. After the backpacks are filled, a group will take them to DC and parts of Fairfax County to distribute directly to neighbors experiencing homelessness.
