On Sunday, December 3, our Sunday School welcomed the Advent Season with a flurry of activites (but so far, no flurries from the sky!)  They began by listening to Pastor Jason’s message reminding them that Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Following their time at worship, the children worked with their teachers to make Advent Wreaths with evergreen boughs (provided by our own Jack Faddegon – thank you!!)  and candles representing the four Sundays in Advent plus a fifth, white, Christ Candle.  We hope they will light the candles with their families each Sunday and spend some time preparing for Christmas by reading Christmas stories or singing Christmas Carols.

The children also thought about the needs of others during this most special time of year:

• They decorated white Angels that have been put on the “Angel Tree” on the upper level of the Education Building.  Each angel is labeled with an item that one of the children at NorthernRivers has asked for this Christmas.  The Congregation is invited to take one or more angels, purchase the item named, and put it under the tree by Sunday, December 10.
• A second tree, labeled the “Mitten Tree” can be found on the lower level.  Please bring in warm hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, or socks and place them on the tree – they also will be delivered to the children at NorthernRivers right after December 10.  These gifts should not be wrapped.
• The children also prepared Christmas Greetings for some of our senior members to remind them that, even though they may no longer be able to attend church in person, we never stop thinking of them.  These cards will be delivered by the Women’s Fellowship Group and the Congregational Care Committee in the days before Christmas.

And, finally, during the coffee hour that was hosted by Sunday School Teachers and Parents, the children were treated to a visit by St. Nicholas, who most kindly spent a few minutes listening to the wishes of each one.  We’re so grateful that he was able to join us for a little while at this very busy time of year!

For more pictures in the gallery on the website, please click on the featured photo.