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"Close to Home:" Advent and Christmas 2024 at CUC

When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas seasons, we Christians journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. We carry the memories and truths of these seasons close to our hearts. Our Advent and Christmas worship theme this year, Close to Home, curated with the help of materials from the progressive Christian creative arts ministry collective A Sanctified Art, acknowledges the “already but not yet” tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our everlasting home—is not fully realized. It names our deep longing for God to come close to us.

Home is both physical and metaphorical, something we seek and something we are called to build. Ultimately, God is our home and resting place. These seasons are all about the reality that God draws near and makes a home on earth—sacred ground is all around us.

This Advent, may we be comforted by the One who dwells intimately with us. May we expand safety and sanctuary for everyone wandering far from home. May we come home—wherever home is found—to live fully with joy, hope, and courage.

Worship for the Season of Advent:

  • “Homesick (Hope)” - the 1st Sunday of Advent: December 1
    Rev. Matt preaching; Holy Communion; Luke 21:25-36 and 1st Thessalonians 3:9-13

  • “Laying the Foundation (Peace)” - the 2nd Sunday of Advent: December 8
    Rev. Matt preaching; Luke 1:57-80 and Philippians 1:3-11

  • “A Home for All (Joy)” - the 3rd Sunday of Advent: December 15
    A Festival of Lessons & Carols for Advent and Christmas takes place during the 10:30 am worship service, with a rich tapestry of scripture readings, poetry, and many gifts of singing for the season (including—yes!—a few Christmas carols, even though it’s still Advent).

  • “Seeking Sanctuary (Love)” - the 4th Sunday of Advent: December 22
    Rev. Matt preaching; Luke 1:39-55 and Luke 1:46b-55

Worship for the Season of Christmas:

  • “Invited Home” - the Birth of Our Lord, Christmas Eve: December 24 @ 7:00 pm
    A single all-ages Christmas Eve worship service at 7:00 pm, with beloved carols, creative storytelling, Holy Communion, and candlelight.

  • “Chosen Home” - the 1st Sunday after Christmas: December 29
    Rev. Matt preaching; Luke 2:41-52 and Colossians 3:12-17

  • “Home By Another Way” - Epiphany Sunday: January 5
    Rev. Matt preaching; Holy Communion; Matthew 2:1-12 and Ephesians 3:1-12

(Except for the Christmas Eve service on Tuesday, December 24, all of the above listed services are on Sunday morning beginning at 10:30 am. All worship services can be participated in either in-person or online.)