December First Church News 2013 First Congregational Church Vol. 161, United Church of Christ No. 12 Columbus, Ohio “Enter to Worship – Depart to Serve’’ Genealogy of Grace: How Our Christian Story Actually Holiday and Worship Begins Schedule for the By The Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens, Senior Minister Advent/Christmas (
[email protected]) Season at On Sunday, December 1st, we enter a First Church new year of Christian faith. The year changes. The seasons change. The Sunday, December 1, 9 & 11 a.m. colors change. The music changes. Worship services for Advent I The message changes as Isaiah gets 9 am – Noon - Hanging of the Greens (pg. 6) clear and declares - Immanuel, “God With Us,” is Coming Soon! Sunday, December 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Worship services for Advent II But, what are missing the first chapter of the new Cookie Mission – Large Conference Room (pg. 5) covenant. We cannot find the Genealogy of Matthew’s gospel anywhere in our readings. I have always found Sunday, December 8, 4 p.m. this odd. Where are the 17 verses of the 42 generations A Festival of Lessons and Carols (pg. 5) that proceed the Messiah’s arrival? Prelude begins promptly at 3:30 p.m. In the Hebrew Bible, genealogies are everywhere to be Sunday, December 15, 9 & 11 a.m. found. We track generations, families, and faith through Worship services for Advent III genealogies. In the practice of Jewish faith, the 6-7:30 p.m. - Children’s Christmas Play and Dinner genealogical readings from the Torah are not hidden, left (pg.