Welcome to a New Church Year!
The church year does begin not with nostalgia or a clean slate of starting over like the calendar year, but with the holy promise of again. In Advent we focus on the promised return of Jesus, who will come again to fully set right what corruption and injustices in the world have harmed and fulfill what began in his resurrection. Our readings, music, and prayers reflect the hope in this promise that sees us through the injustices and struggles of our present reality and is what we wait for.
St. Matthias will be dressed for Advent by wearing purple. In liturgy, purple symbolizes penitence and is also used in Lent. It is also the color of royalty, and the penitence we are expressing is our sinful trust in kings other than Christ. Blue is an alternate color used in Advent because it is associated with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and symbolizes patience and waiting for Jesus’ return like Mary waited for his birth.
In Advent, our Sunday services begin with the lighting of the Advent Wreath. It is in the shape of a circle because that is how the church tells time, returning again and again to seasons and holy days as we wait for Jesus to return. There are four candles in the Advent Wreath, one for each Sunday. The prayer for each Sunday reflects the theme of the day.
Whether you join us in person or on zoom, we are looking forward to sharing another season of Advent together at St. Matthias through Sunday worship and the many activities and programs for the season.
Advent Devotionals, Programs, and Activities at St. Matthias FREE Advent candles and Devotional Living Well Through Advent Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
Thanks to the generosity of Living Compass Ministries, this book of daily devotions for Advent is free to you. Please take one for yourself and one for a friend, family member, or spouse. It makes a good personal devotional, and can also be used in small groups or with another person. Daily reflections will focus on the generous nature of God revealed in the Bible and give us the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other through the practice of generosity.
Advent Wreaths are a lovely tradition, and we encourage you to make one or purchase one for yourself at home where you can light the candles, pray, and reflect on scripture and other devotionals during the week. Traditions like this help us incorporate our faith in daily life which can enrich both faith and life. With Christmas so close, this tends to be a busy season of preparation. Having an Advent Wreath or some other Advent devotional is a way to take a rest from Christmas prep for prayer and reflection which can make Christmas even more meaningful and joyful.
Advent Discussion Group Tuesdays in December at 3:00pm on Zoom
You are invited to join Mother Deborah and Mother Meredyth Albright from St. Augustine’s in Rhinelander for a small group discussion based on the Living Well Through Advent devotional Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. If you would like to participate please contact the church office at (715) 358-0355.
-Tuesday, December 2 The Parable of the Generous Parent – Grounding our Generosity in God’s Generosity
-Tuesday, December 9 A Spirit of Giving – Generosity and Gratitude
-Tuesday, December 16 Generous Hospitality Offered without Exceptions – Generosity and Hospitality
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve 5:00pm A joyful celebration with music, sermon, and Holy Eucharist that features the singing of Silent Night in candlelight.
Christmas Day 10:00am A cozy celebration with music, sermon, and Holy Eucharist that gives us a chance to contemplate the Holy Mystery of the Incarnation and the many ways Christ is incarnate in our lives.
The church year does begin not with nostalgia or a clean slate of starting over like the calendar year, but with the holy promise of again. In Advent we focus on the promised return of Jesus, who will come again to fully set right what corruption and injustices in the world have harmed and fulfill what began in his resurrection. Our readings, music, and prayers reflect the hope in this promise that sees us through the injustices and struggles of our present reality and is what we wait for.
St. Matthias will be dressed for Advent by wearing purple. In liturgy, purple symbolizes penitence and is also used in Lent. It is also the color of royalty, and the penitence we are expressing is our sinful trust in kings other than Christ. Blue is an alternate color used in Advent because it is associated with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and symbolizes patience and waiting for Jesus’ return like Mary waited for his birth.
In Advent, our Sunday services begin with the lighting of the Advent Wreath. It is in the shape of a circle because that is how the church tells time, returning again and again to seasons and holy days as we wait for Jesus to return. There are four candles in the Advent Wreath, one for each Sunday. The prayer for each Sunday reflects the theme of the day.
Whether you join us in person or on zoom, we are looking forward to sharing another season of Advent together at St. Matthias through Sunday worship and the many activities and programs for the season.
Advent Devotionals, Programs, and Activities at St. Matthias FREE Advent candles and Devotional Living Well Through Advent Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
Thanks to the generosity of Living Compass Ministries, this book of daily devotions for Advent is free to you. Please take one for yourself and one for a friend, family member, or spouse. It makes a good personal devotional, and can also be used in small groups or with another person. Daily reflections will focus on the generous nature of God revealed in the Bible and give us the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other through the practice of generosity.
Advent Wreaths are a lovely tradition, and we encourage you to make one or purchase one for yourself at home where you can light the candles, pray, and reflect on scripture and other devotionals during the week. Traditions like this help us incorporate our faith in daily life which can enrich both faith and life. With Christmas so close, this tends to be a busy season of preparation. Having an Advent Wreath or some other Advent devotional is a way to take a rest from Christmas prep for prayer and reflection which can make Christmas even more meaningful and joyful.
Advent Discussion Group Tuesdays in December at 3:00pm on Zoom
You are invited to join Mother Deborah and Mother Meredyth Albright from St. Augustine’s in Rhinelander for a small group discussion based on the Living Well Through Advent devotional Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. If you would like to participate please contact the church office at (715) 358-0355.
-Tuesday, December 2 The Parable of the Generous Parent – Grounding our Generosity in God’s Generosity
-Tuesday, December 9 A Spirit of Giving – Generosity and Gratitude
-Tuesday, December 16 Generous Hospitality Offered without Exceptions – Generosity and Hospitality
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve 5:00pm A joyful celebration with music, sermon, and Holy Eucharist that features the singing of Silent Night in candlelight.
Christmas Day 10:00am A cozy celebration with music, sermon, and Holy Eucharist that gives us a chance to contemplate the Holy Mystery of the Incarnation and the many ways Christ is incarnate in our lives.
when we worship |
where we are403 E. Chicago Ave.
(Corner of Chippewa & Chicago Ave.) P.O. Box 936 • Minocqua, WI 54548 715-358-0355 [contact us] Once you are here: find your way around
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why we attend“ I feel the acceptance and love what happens here
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