Thursday, December 24, 6 p.m., Community Church
— from Dick Staub —
Orcas Island Community Church invites you to celebrate the joyful anticipation of Christmas Eve with us on Christmas Eve December 24 with a quiet candlelight service. This island tradition is a wonderful gathering of islanders into the warmth and unity of the Christmas story.
We’ll sing all the familiar Christmas Carols, enjoy various readings and then experience the glow of light as each attender holds their own lit candle.
This reminds us of light’s capacity to penetrate darkness. At one dramatic point in the service, the silent sanctuary is folded in darkness. The community waits as a single candle enters the darkness, accompanied by an ethereal voice singing “Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
This one candle lights another as the glow spreads from person to person, filling the sanctuary with light, warmth and hope.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned,” writes the ancient prophet Isaiah of the birth of Christ. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Folks of all faith backgrounds are welcome to join us as we contemplate the meaning of Christmas on this night.
The service will also feature a choir and the Joyful Noise chamber ensemble, with a meditation by senior pastor Dick Staub. Associate pastor of congregational life Brian Moss will lead in singing Christmas carols. The service begins at 6 p.m.
Community Vespers Service Continues into New Year
In early December The Community Church introduced an Advent Vespers Service at 5 p.m.
This service combines Celtic worship music, readings, prayers, the Eucharist, and most importantly, quietness and time for personal reflection.
One islander said, “I have been looking for a long time for a venue, an inner/outer space, wherein my spirit and soul and body and heart can truly commune with God…What a heart-opening blessing and haven tonight felt for me. Thank you… But now I am wondering…will this 5:00 Sunday gathering continue throughout the year, or is this only a series of Sundays through the Christmas season?”
We are pleased to announce that due to such great interest from the community Orcas Island Community Church will continue to offer the 5 p.m. Sunday evening contemplative Vespers service weekly into 2016!
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