Welcome

For Christians, the weeks leading up to December 25 are not simply a time of waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. The season of Advent is a holy season in itself, a time of expectation and longing. In these days of continued uncertainty and anxiousness, we are truly longing for God to usher in a new creation as we hope for healing, wellbeing and redemption. As we count down the weeks of Advent, let’s make our shared faith the heart of these extraordinary days. We hope that you will join us in the church’s seasonal offerings of reaching out to our neighbors, coming together in person or virtually to listen, contemplate, reenact, and sing the story of miracles and of the kingdom of God that Advent awaits. Christmas Eve Services Christmas Eve Family Service. 4:30 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestreamed. Family Service with Nativity Tableau and musical leadership by BMPC’s Children’s Choir, Youth Chorale and the Bryn Mawr Festival Brass. Prelude begins at 4:15 p.m. Infant and toddler childcare available without reservations from 3:45-5:45 p.m. in the Education Building, Room 101. Christmas Eve Service with Communion. 8:30 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestreamed. Carols and anthems led by BMPC’s Sanctuary Choir and Mainline Musicians. The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet will preach. Prelude begins at 8:10 p.m. These services also will be livestreamed on the BMPC Facebook page, YouTube channel, and the church website. Our Sunday worship services during the Christmas season will be held at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel and 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary on Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24. We only will have a 10:00 a.m. service on Dec. 24 and 31 in the Sanctuary.  Christmas Concert & Recitals Harpsichord Recitals. Tuesdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, noon, Sanctuary. Featuring Gabriel Benton, Silvanio Reis, and Jeffrey Brillhart & Edward Landin Senn performing free 30-minute recitals on BMPC’s William Dowd harpsichord. Adult Education Stories of a young Jesus.   Sundays, December 3, 10 & 17, 11:15 a.m., Fullerton Room  More information contact  Rebecca Kirkpatrick . Additional Opportunities to Contemplate the Season Quiet Prayer in Advent. Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 7:00 - 7:45 p.m., Witherspoon Parlor. Amidst the busyness of the Advent season, this is a time for contemplative guided prayer which will include Scripture readings, space for reflection, and a time of communal silence. Caring Ministry team members and Deacons will lead these sessions. Kiki McKendrick Evening Worship. Sun., Dec. 3, 5:00 p.m., Sanctuary. Join us for our monthly intergenerational worship service. Join us for our monthly intergenerational worship service as scripture is read and carols are sung during the busy season of Advent. Musical leadership will be provided by the Children’s Choir and the Youth Chorale. The Rev. Frank Pottorff will preach. Advent Story Path Labyrinth. Walking a labyrinth during Advent provides a meaningful way to journey to Bethlehem. The small labyrinth is open daily during Advent, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.*, and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. An Advent Labyrinth booklet is available. * Occasional services may be held in the Chapel, and signs will be posted if the labyrinth will be closed during a service. Visit the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church calendar page for information about services. Longest Night Longest Night ServiceWed., Dec. 20, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestream While many of us bask in the holiday spirit of good cheer, the season of Christmas can be a difficult time for others. This service offers comforting and hopeful scripture readings, the singing of carols, a brief meditation by the Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet, and an extended time of prayer to lift to God our yearnings for healing and wholeness for ourselves and the world. Join us, and invite someone for whom you think this service might be meaningful, as we place our concerns for ourselves, those we love, and the world in the hands of our compassionate God. You may attend this service in person or view it via BMPC’s Facebook page, the BMPC YouTube channel or the livestream page on the church website. Labyrinth Walk. Following the service on this longest night, we move from darkness to light. Outside the main sanctuary doors on the front lawn, our rope labyrinth will mark your journey. A labyrinth offers a sacred, nonjudgmental place to pray, meditate and breathe. Walking a labyrinth engages the entire body in releasing the noise of everyday life and allows the possibility to receive the Light to refresh the soul. We invite you to walk or to simply take in the light. Kiki McKendrick Youth, Children & Families Advent Worship Live Nativity and Advent Workshop. Sun., Dec. 3, 4:00 p.m., Front Lawn. Dress for the weather and experience the Christmas Story, meeting live animals and actors while creating ornaments and simple gifts to share. Mary Richards Rainbow Reindeer Games. Sun., Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m. After Youth Gathering stay at church for an epic afternoon of games, color powder and fun! It’s $10 to participate; register and pay online: https://bit.ly/Rainbowgames . All are welcome! Wee Christmas. Tues., Dec. 19, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary. Designed for children ages 2 - 5 years and their families, this special retelling of the Christmas Story allows our youngest members to hear and participate in the story of Jesus’ birth. Helpers are welcome! Mary Richards Caring & Sharing Give Gifts from our Advent Gift Market. Make contributions to some of our amazing mission partners in honor of a loved one. Our shopping list includes local, national, and global concerns with which our church has ongoing relationships; donations are available in a wide range of prices starting at $1.00. Shop online or view the catalog. Marian Chitester Christmas Angels. Share the spirit of Christmas with children of Gemma Services by adopting a family or sponsoring a child (3 - 5 gifts per child). Gift cards and unwrapped gifts need to be delivered to the church by Sun., Dec. 3. Gift cards in $25 increments from Target, Walmart, Amazon, Five Below, Marshalls/TJ Maxx, ShopRite, and Best Buy are preferred. If you wish to buy a gift, you can sponsor a child’s Christmas, https://bit.ly/BMPC_XMAS_Angels_2023, buy a general gift for a child (Legos, toiletry sets, Rubik’s Cubes, makeup, cards and card games, board games, fidget toys, basketballs or footballs, remote controlled cars), or purchase from Gemma’s Amazon wish List:  https://bit.ly/GemmaNeeds . For more information, contact Betty Wu:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Help Feed the Hungry at a Casserole Blitz. Sat., Dec. 16, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m., Main Kitchen. A family-friendly event to make nutritious casseroles for delivery to Philadelphia area food cupboards and homeless shelters.  RSVP   Alicia Franklin Give to the Christmas Joy Offering. This special offering is an opportunity to give generously to those who devoted their lives to the mission of our denomination when they retire or face challenging life circumstances. The Christmas Joy offering also promotes the educational programs of ethnic schools and colleges. Envelopes are in the pews on Dec. 10 and 17; learn more about the Christmas Offering here. Anniversary Christmas Ornament An anniversary Christmas ornament has been created to help us celebrate this season in the life of our congregation. Designed and crafted by Wendell August Forge, the ornament highlights the beauty of our historic buildings as well as our newly-renovated facilities. For 100 years Wendell August has been creating unique hand-wrought pieces using an eight-step process with roots in ancient metalworking techniques.  The ornaments are $20 each, and can be purchased either at the church office or during the AGM opening event on November 19.