'Tis the Season: Advent, Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany at Seattle First Baptist for 2017-18

“...And then, just when everything is bearing down on us to such an extent that we can scarcely withstand it, the Christmas message comes to tell us that all our ideas are wrong, and that what we take to be evil and dark is really good and light because it comes from God. Our eyes are at fault, that is all. God is in the manger, wealth in poverty, light in darkness, succor in abandonment. No evil can befall us; whatever men may do to us, they cannot but serve the God who is secretly revealed as love and rules the world and our lives.” 
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas

Advent - What are you waiting for?

Adult Learning 
Our series for Advent is called WHAT ARE YOUR WAITING FOR?  If you often find yourself harried and frustrated in the weeks leading up to Christmas, wishing you had figured out a way to focus more on the spiritual and less on your to-do list, you will fit right in with the conversation at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings in the Parlor!   Your perspective and your presence will be treasured.  Here’s what’s happening for each of the three Sundays of Advent:
  • Sunday, Dec. 3 - Cherry Johnson will lead us in an opening conversation on the theme “Time Takes Time.”  We will draw from advent stories, poetry, and our personal experiences and dreams, especially related to waiting as a chronological phenomenon.  A few spiritual practices to try during the season of Advent will be suggested.
  • Sunday, Dec. 10 - Our very own theologian-in-resident Rev. Dr. Patricia Hunter asks that we read Isaiah Chapter 40 in preparation for her message:   “Those waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled in their lives will find strength for the journey!”
  • Sunday, Dec. 17 - Cherry Johnson will continue the conversation with the theme “Time’s Up!” as we explore “waiting” (outside of chronological time) as a deliberate spiritual practice. 
Wednesday Evening activities
Special activities are planned for Wednesday dinners during the season:
  • Wednesday, Nov. 29 - Write what we are grateful for on pieces of paper, which will be made into paper chains for the Christmas tree in Fellowship Hall.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 6 - Make decorations to put on the Christmas Tree in Fellowship Hall or to take home. Supplies will be provided.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Pastor Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko and the youth will help us decorate cookies, which will be taken to Hilltop House.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 20 - Sing carols around the piano.
The Gifts of Darkness: An Advent Evening of Prayer
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., at Seattle First Baptist
Patrick Twohy, SJ and Rev. Catherine Fransson, presenters
 
We live in a culture of words, noise and busyness.  What if we were to stop and be still?  What might we hear?  What gifts might we experience in the darkness?  Allow yourself to let go of the “shoulds” of the season; simply pause, rest, listen and be restored at this year’s contemplative ecumenical Advent Evening of Prayer. 
 
RSVP appreciated:  https://www.ignatiancenter.org/advent-evening-of-prayer
COST:   Free will offering ($10 suggested donation)
FREE PARKING available.
QUESTIONS: call (206) 329-4824 or email andrea@ignatiancenter.org
Sponsored by the Ignatian Spirituality Center, Seattle and Seattle First Baptist.
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Christmas - O Holy Night: The Mystery and the Glory

​Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.
A concert of lessons and carols featuring the Sanctuary Choir and a professional brass ensemble, led by our musicians Ben Luedcke and April Kuhr.  Highlights include popular arrangements and original music by John Rutter, as well as congregational carol singing for the enjoyment of all.

Want a preview? Watch these:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaYkpoOC3S4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvnUtV6LiQs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2wr_U4v9K0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZAsV7FIOWQ

Sunday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m.
A concert of lessons and carols in a worship setting, with the Sanctuary Choir and a professional brass ensemble, led by our musicians Ben Luedcke and April Kuhr. Highlights include popular arrangements and original music by John Rutter, as well as congregational carol singing for the enjoyment of all.
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Sunday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve
  • 9:30 a.m. Christmas Breakfast in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome. Great food and fun for children of all ages, plus pictures with Santa.
  • 11 a.m.  Christmas Pageant and an Intergenerational Worship Service of lessons and carols. Worship will include a reincarnation of the Do-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant. All are encouraged to come to worship dressed as your favorite Nativity character. Costumes will be available to borrow if you don't have a favorite of your own.
  • 7 p.m.  Choral Christmas Eve Service of the stories and music of Christmas, with the Sanctuary Choir and instruments. Come early for an extended musical prelude and carol sing, which begins at 6:45 p.m.

New Year's Eve and Epiphany

Picture
Sunday, Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve
  • 9:30 a.m.  Adult Learning - Genjo Marinello. Abbot of Cho Bo Ji Zen Temple on Beacon Hill. Hosted by Steve Smith who considers him “Seattle’s Dalai Lama.” We will have a conversation about Ritual and Transitions as we say goodbye to 2017 and enter a new year.
  • 11 a.m.  Worship will be a service of reflection and commitment.
  • 6 p.m.  New Year's Eve Cabaret. Join us for a family-friendly, non-alcoholic evening of food, fun and entertainment. We will ring in the New Year at 9 p.m. (New York time) and again at 10 p.m. (New Orleans time). This will allow those with young children to celebrate early, and the slightly less young to hang out a little longer. And we all can get home before the partiers start driving.
    • Cost is $10 per person, $20 per family
    • Reservations required - contact the Church Office by Dec. 22
    • Entertainers - if you have a musical offering, contact April Kuhr and get your music to her by Dec. 17

Sunday, Jan. 7 - Epiphany: Wisdom from the East
  • 9:30 a.m.  Adult Learning - Genjo Marinello. Abbot of Cho Bo Ji Zen Temple on Beacon Hill, will once again be our guest.
  • 11 a.m.  Worship with Imam Jamal Rahman preaching. He is a longtime friend of SFBC and has preached for us in the past.

More Music for the Season

The following performances by other groups will take place during December at Seattle First Baptist. Tickets are required in some cases. See the attached links for further information.

Friday, Dec. 8 - Garfield High School Music Department
Messiah Sing-a-Long with full orchestra
7 p.m.
https://garfieldorchestra.org/events/messiah-sing-along/

Saturday, Dec. 9 - Seattle Pro Musica
Winter Rose
3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
www.seattlepromusica.org
 
Dec. 10 and 11 - Joyful Noise
Through the Eyes of a Child
Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
www.joyfulnoiseseattle.org
 

Thursday, Dec. 21 - Early Music Seattle
Venetian Women: Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat
7:30 p.m.
http://www.earlymusicseattle.org/