December 4, 2014

Advent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. It takes place during the four weeks before Christmas. Traditionally, Advent highlights the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. I encourage you to participate in advent activities and worship during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Below are a number of ways in which you can do this:
HOPE – The Advent books this year are messages of hope written by the inmates at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. Their meditations and artwork are inspiring.
PEACE – The Grief and Loss group is organizing a Blue Christmas Service on Sunday, December 21, at 2:30. This service, acknowledging the struggles of facing Christmas in the wake of loss, will provide an outlet for moments of peace amidst difficult times.
JOY – A multi-generational group of Christmas Carolers gather each December to share some Lakeshore Love with our community. If you’d like to join the chorus, show up at church at 4 on Saturday, December 20. Joy will also abound at our annual Christmas Program, performed by Lakeshore kids on Sunday, December 21, following worship.
LOVE – Lakeshore’s Adopt-A-Family gift drive provides multiple ways to share God’s love with others. You can purchase a gift for someone from the tree in the narthex; you can shop for your own gifts at the Youth Christmas Bazaar following worship on December 7; you can help with gift-wrapping following church on December 21; and you can help deliver gifts on Tuesday, December 23, at 10.
I look forward to sharing the hope, the peace, the joy and the love of the season with you.
Peace,
Allison