For us as Christians, the weeks leading up to December 25 are a holy season of expectation and longing. As we journey through Advent, let’s center our shared faith in these extraordinary days. Join us in reaching out to our neighbors, gathering to listen, reflect, reenact, and sing the story of miracles. Together, let us dream—through learning and celebration—of the kingdom of God that Advent invites us to await.
ADVENT
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. Contact,
* 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.
Live Nativity and Advent Workshop, and Evening Worship. Sun., Dec. 8, 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. Evening Worship with candlelight will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Contact,
Harpsichord Recitals. Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, noon, Sanctuary. Featuring Silvanio Reis, Edward Landin Senn with Brendan Dooley, flute, and Gabriel Benton, performing free 30-minute recitals on BMPC’s William Dowd harpsichord.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Lessons and Carols. Sunday, Dec. 15, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary. You are invited to join the Sanctuary Choir, Bryn Mawr Festival Brass Ensemble, readers, and carillonneur Lisa Lonie as they bring a century-old tradition of Lessons and Carols into Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. The Festival of Lessons and Carols dates back to the late 19th century. In this service, we will listen to nine Scripture lessons that recount the Fall from Grace, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol sung by the choir or congregation that reflects on the lesson’s message.
Wee Christmas. Wed., Dec. 18, 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! Contact,
Longest Night Service. Wed., Dec. 18, 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.
Longest Night Labyrinth Walk. Following the service on this longest night, we move from darkness to light. Our rope labyrinth will mark your journey outside the front lawn's main sanctuary doors. 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 simply take in the light. Contact,
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
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.
Worship with Communion, 8:30 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestreamed. Carols and anthems led by BMPC’s Sanctuary Choir with String Quartet. The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet will preach. Prelude begins at 8:10 p.m.
ADULT EDUCATION
Looking Along Advent: C. S. Lewis & A Christian Vision of Today’s World, December 8, 15, 22, 11:15 a.m. Fullerton Room, Ministries Center C.S. Lewis, known for his works on Christian apologetics and the beloved Chronicles of Narnia series, significantly influenced 20th-century literature and theological thought, blending imaginative storytelling with profound philosophical and religious insights. In the season of Advent, Dr. Steven Boyer of Eastern University will explore how Lewis’s theology and insights can inform our understanding and experience of Advent. Each week, Dr. Boyer will lead us through a different aspect of Lewis’s theology.
CARING & SHARING
Christmas Flower Donations. Deadline: Sun., Dec. 1. Contributions for Sanctuary Christmas Flowers may be given “In memory of,” “In honor of,” or “In celebration of (marriage, retirement, birth, baptism)” and will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletins. Forms are available in the Ministries Center, in the back of the Sanctuary, or online . Donations received will be used for our floral decorations and Deacons’ flower ministry.
Christmas Angels. Deliver by Sun., Dec. 8, to the Ministries Center reception desk or Ed. Bldg. Hall. Share the spirit of Christmas by adopting a family or sponsoring a child (three to five gifts per child). Gift cards in $25 increments from Amazon, Walmart, Target, Giant, and ShopRite are preferred. If you wish to buy a gift, you may sponsor a child’s Christmas at bit.ly/BMPCXmasAngels2024, 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), or purchase from Gemma’s Amazon Wish List at bit.ly/GemmaNeeds. Contact,
Help Feed the Hungry at a Casserole Blitz. Sat., Dec. 14, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m., Ministries Center Kitchen. Join us to make casseroles and friends at the Hunger Committee’s Casserole Blitz! Enjoy this family activity (children over age 5) as you get to know BMPC folks you haven’t met before while working with others to prepare casseroles for area shelters. Please use our RSVP link to sign up (link this bit.ly/Blitz-RSVP)
Advent Gift Market. BMPC’s Advent Gift Market provides a meaningful way to support our mission partners locally and globally while sharing the joy of giving with family and friends. This year’s market offers 25 unique gift options, allowing us to celebrate the season in a way that embodies compassion, justice, and transformation. By selecting alternative gifts through AGM, you not only uplift others but also directly contribute to the mission and ministry of our congregation. AGM representatives will be available to take your orders in the Atrium after worship on Sundays during Advent. Orders also may be placed online at www.brynmawragm.com
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. 8 and 15; learn more about the Christmas Offering
