ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2024
Calendar of Events
Advent Worship with Sunday School
December 3, 10, 17
10 am
In the Sanctuary and on YouTube
You may attend worship in person in the sanctuary, or you may watch via the church’s YouTube page. Sunday School will be held in-person on Decembers 1, 8,15 and 17. YouTube links and worship bulletins go out with announcements and in Friday “Materials for Worship and Spiritual Journeying” emails. You can also find the link on the homepage of the website.

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Inter-generational Gathering of the Greens & Advent Wreath Class
Sunday, December To be announced later.
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A Woodfords Christmas Celebration: Handbells, Cookies, and Carols
Sunday, December 15
4pm (tentative date)
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Sanctuary
Come enjoy a musical program by the Woodfords Church Handbell Ringers. Join your voice in song with a grand community Christmas sing-a-long. And of course, cookies and hot chocolate will complete the afternoon of music!
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ChoralArt - Handel's "Messiah" Sing-Along
Monday, December 16
7pm
Sanctuary
Join ChoralArt for a festive Messiah sing-along with fun group-format solos, conducted by ChoralArt Music Director Robert Russell and accompanied by organist Hentus van Rooyen. Food and cash donations for Portland’s emergency food pantry, Project FEED, will be accepted at the door. All of the event proceeds will be donated to Project FEED.
Details: Food Donations at the Door, benefiting Project FEED. Scores will be provided, or you may bring your own. Singers of all skill levels welcome.
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$5 at Door, Students Free
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Blue Christmas Service
Tuesday, December 18
6 pm
Chapel
We understand that the holidays aren't always easy. For those who have experienced loss, the joy of the holiday season can often feel elusive and out of reach. As a result, churches around the world have adopted the practice of having a “Blue Christmas”' or a “Longest Night” service during the Advent season. These services are designed to provide space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance amidst the twinkle lights and holiday hustle and bustle. If you are weary, or grieving, or feeling out of sorts when the world expects you to be merry, this service is for you. Bring that grief. Bring that weariness. Bring that fatigue. Allow yourself a quiet space to reflect and draw near to God. May you find peace in your journey.
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Christmas Services
Christmas Eve Day
Tuesday, December 24
Sanctuary and YouTube
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5pm: Family Service and Community Christmas Pageant
If you’re feeling like Charlie Brown, who cried out, “Doesn’t anyone know what Christmas is all about???” then we have an answer for you. Come and live into a community-wide retelling of the Christmas Story – complete with costumes, crowns, and frankincense! Bring your children, grandchildren, or the child within you. Pick out a costume to wear and help us reenact the “reason for the season.” No acting ability is necessary, and no speaking parts will be assigned (unless you have a burning desire to read, that is!) Come, follow the star to Woodfords, get in the spirit of Christmas, and start Christmas Eve day with love in your heart and goodwill for all. Please arrive 30 minutes before 10:00 a.m. to pick out your costume, and leave the rest to us.
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7pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols
A grand tradition: Beautiful music, scripture readings that tell the story of Christmas, prayers and candlelight.
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