“You know what time it is.” Romans 13:11
Sunday, December 1 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:40 a.m. Adult Education, Church School 11:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Children in Worship 4:15 p.m. Jubilate Choir Rehearsal 4:30 p.m. Bus pick-up at Freedom Village 4:35 p.m. Bus pick-up at Warm Friend 5:00 p.m. Advent Crafts, Youth Activity, Advent Organ Recital 6:00 p.m Supper and Lighting of Advent Candles
A Special Adult Ed session offers Conversation with Pastor Beth Carroll. As a follow-up to the adult ed session on November 3, the Consistory felt it would be helpful, interesting, and even fun! to have a further opportunity for conversation, particularly around Beth’s assistant pastor role. As we look to the new year, in which there will be a decision about Hope Church transitioning this currently contracted position into an open-ended call to Pastor Beth, you are invited to learn, explore, and inquire about the ministry that Pastor Beth carries out. Whether or not you were able to attend in November, this is an additional forum in which Pastor Beth can share some of her ideas and vision for ministry, and in which there is opportunity for questions and input from the congregation.
The 11:00 a.m. Worship Service will include communion, and children will return from Children in Worship to join their parents for the sacrament.
During Advent Crafts, children preschool (young children accompanied by an adult or older sibling) through fifth grade will make crafts for the season. Families are encouraged to come and craft together, with some traditional Hope Church projects and some new ones, easy projects for little ones and some that challenge older kids to creativity.
The Youth Activity is the creation of college care packages.
A simple Supper and Lighting of Advent Candles unites those who attend the Advent Crafts, Organ Recital, and Youth Activity. Your family is invited to join with others for this meal and celebration.
An Advent Organ Recital is offered at 5 p.m. for Hope Church and the Holland Community. Rhonda Edgington will be joined by Greg Bassett on French horn and Julie Sooy on flute. They will perform music of J.S. Bach and contemporary composers for Advent and Christmas. As in previous years, some pieces are based on congregational hymns, and we will enjoy the opportunity to sing those together before hearing the pieces based on them.
Bach’s Canonic Variation on the German Christmas hymn Von Himmel hoch is a staple of the organist’s repertoire, and Rhonda decided this year was the time to finally learn it. The piece is made up of five variations, utilizing complex counterpoint (as is Bach’s specialty) but is also pleasant for the listener. In many of the variations, the organist is called upon to play the hymn tune with her feet!
There will be other solo organ works, including Incarnation, with Shepherds Dancing by British composer Judith Bingham, and Toccata on Veni Emmanuel (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) by British composer Andrew Carter. Julie and Rhonda will play two movements for flute and organ by American composer Dan Locklair, based on the hymn tune How Brightly Shines the Morning Star, and Greg and Rhonda will play a Noel for horn and organ by Lebanese/ French composer Naji Hakim.
Greg plays with the Holland Symphony, St. Francis de la Sales Brass, and teaches French horn at Hope College. Julie, who has been attending Hope Church with her family, taught flute for many years at Hope College and directed the West Michigan Flute Ensemble. She also played with the Holland Symphony. She is now Academic Adviser for International and Transfer students at Sienna Heights University in Adrian.
Invite some friends who like organ music, and come ready to sing and listen!