Memory Monday - Advent

Since Advent has begun I think an appropriate verse to memorize would be one that fits in the season.
Advent means "appearing." When we talk about Christ's first advent we are talking about His birth in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago. When we talk about His second advent we usually say, "the second coming." Here is a great verse with a wonderful promise to all who have longed for (that's how the NIV translates "loved") Hi appearing.
As the Apostle John said, "Even now Lord, come quickly!" (Rev. 22:20)

2 Timothy 4:8 Holman Christian Standard

In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

The First Sunday of Advent

Trying to post on the blog fom my phone. Don't know how it will look, but it looks like it will post.

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. Some people wonder why an old Southern Baptist would bother with Advent. (Sounds kinda "Catholic" dontcha think?) Well, first of all, it's not a "Catholic" thing. Many Christian traditions celebrate Advent. Here's why I like it.

The world is trying to change the meaning of Christmas. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday and now Small Business Saturday, the emphasis on buying more and stimulating the economy and wanting more and more stuff seems to be the only reason for Christmas.

Celebrating Advent helps us focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Most people, when pressed to give the "real" reason for Christmas will tell you about a baby in a manger and peace on earth. But there is so much more.

Advent gives us the opportunity to go a little further into some great spiritual truths that can be seen through the full story of the birth of Christ.

On the first Sunday of Advent we light the Prophecy Candle. It reminds us that Jesus' birth wasn't a last minute plan God thought up when he realized man needed to be saved from his sin. No! We can see, starting in Genesis, God's plan of redemption. And then all throughout the Ild Testament God reveals His plan.

Here's a cool thing to do some time. Read the first several chapters of Matthew and see how many times he says "that the scripture might be fulfilled." Awesome to read!

On the first Sunday of Advent as we think of the prophets, I also like to sing a song about Christ's second Advent. Seeing how the prophecies were fulfilled in His first Advent gives us confidence as we look forward to His second coming.

So... (long intro into what we are singing tomorrow)

Days of Elijah will get us started.

Then we'll sing some Christmas songs. I don't remember exactly which ones right now. Let's see, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
And the choir is singing "Light of the Stable."
Oh, and "Jesus, Messiah"

There. I remembered them all. That's just not the order they're in.

Hope to see you all in the morning.

Updated Dec. 5th Rehearsal Schedule

1:00 - Children’s “Special Events” Choir, wooden soldiers and angels

1:30 - Youth and Adult Angels & Toys

2:00 - handbells (start without me)

3:00 – shepherds & wise men & attendants & Mary, Joseph and Baby
3:30 – drum line

4:00 – ice skaters
4:30 – actors with speaking parts

5:00 – Adult choir run through of all songs

Hope of the World

Here's a poster you can print up to invite your friends, co-workers, family, etc. to this year's Living Christmas Tree. If you click on it you'll get a bigger version of it.

Rehearsals for "the Tree"

Hope of the World

Hilldale’s Living Christmas Tree

Rehearsal & Performance Schedule

November

Sun. Nov. 21 & 28 –

1:00 – Children’s “Special Events” Choir, wooden soldiers and angels

2:00 – handbells

4:30 – youth angels

5:00 – toy shop toys

5:30 – drum line

6:00 – shepherds & wise men

6:30 – actors with speaking parts

December

Wed. Dec. 1 - 

6:30-8:00 - Adult Choir rehearsal

Sat. Dec. 4 –

9:00 – choir in “the Tree” to tests mics and make sure it won’t fall over (just kidding about it falling over)

10:00 – strings rehearsal in the choir room

Sun. Dec. 5 –

1:00 – Children’s “Special Events” Choir, wooden soldiers and angels

2:00 – handbells

2:30 – youth angels

3:00 – toy shop toys

3:30 – drum line

4:00 – shepherds & wise men

4:30 – ice skaters

5:00 – actors with speaking parts
5:30 - Adult choir run through of all songs

Mon. Dec. 6 –

6:00 – make up rehearsal or extra rehearsal for actors

Tues. Dec. 7 –

6:00 – orchestra rehearsal with some soloists (choir can sing along)

Wed. Dec. 8 –

6:00 – rehearsal with all actors and all choirs

Thurs. Dec. 9 –

6:00 – DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Everyone! All choirs, actors, orchestra, sound, lights… EVERYONE!

Fri. Dec. 10 –

6:00 – pre-tree call, mic check, etc.

6:30 – choir call

7:00 – performance

Sat. Dec. 11 –

6:00 – pre-tree call, mic check, etc.

6:30 – choir call

7:00 – performance

Sun. Dec. 12 –

2:00 – pre-tree call, mic check, etc.

2:30 – choir call

3:00 – performance

On the Way to 50,000

Oh my! We are less than 100 hits away from the 50,000 hits mark on our worship blog. How fun is that?

Since we're hitting such a big number I decided we needed a big prize for the person who gets the 50,000 hit, so...

If you are the person who gets to 50,000 on the counter (look over to the right and scroll down a bit) then let me know and I will send you a signed and numbered print of last year's Passion Play painting "Journey to Emmaus."

Ccheck back often for rehearsal schedules, etc. and of course for your chance to win!

Children in "the Tree"

Our "Special Event" Children's Choir is not only getting ready for the big VBS premier, but we are also working on being wooden soldiers on parade and angels in this year's Living Christmas Tree (which I fondly refer to as "the Tree.")

Our SECC ("Special Event" Children's Choir) meets on Sundays at 1:00 in the choir room. We rehearse until 1:45 or so.

If your child is in our choir here's what he/she will need for "the Tree."

Wooden Soldiers - black pants and a white shirt (preferably button down) We will put a red stripe down the pant legs with red tape. We'll have cool marching band hats and suspenders (ribbon pinned on) to make great looking soldiers. Black shoes are best but we can go with black socks.

Angels - white t-shirts and white shorts to go under the angel costumes. Dark colors show through.

Check in tomorrow for a complete rehearsal schedule.