Advent - Christmas Worship, Resources & Activities
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In Community of Christ, Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation of Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.
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2024 Advent Theme
"Hope is Near" December 1st 2024: Joy Before Us December 8th 2024: Love Overflows December 15th 2024: The Lord is Near (Hope) December 2024 22nd: The Magnificat: A Vision of Justice December 25th 2024 Christmas Day |
The focus text for Advent 2024 is the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Luke 1:46-55 NRSV
Mary’s song of praise to God, the Magnificat, is joyful and prophetic, a sharp confrontation to systems that destroy and oppress, and a hopeful vision for the future. Empowered by the sacred life forming within her, she dares to envision the world as it can be. We are invited to join Mary this Advent Season; in joyful anticipation of what is to come, singing a resistance song against the forces of division and destruction around us as we birth God’s future into being!
Advent Children's Ministry
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During the 2024 Advent Season, the Topeka Congregation will present the Outreach International Advent Stable Children’s activities as a part of our worship service children's focus moment.
An offering will be accepted by our children each Sunday during the 2024 Advent Stable Children's Ministry, to support Outreach International.
Click picture to learn more about Outreach International
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Candy Cane Hunt
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December 11, 2024 7 PM
Topeka Community of Christ Church 5252 SW 19th St Topeka KS 66604
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Advent Wreath - Candles
Topeka Community of Christ Advent Candles
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The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.
During the Advent season, Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The lighting of the Advent wreath candles symbolizes the growing anticipation and hope as Christmas Day draws nearer. Each candle on the wreath represents a different aspect of the season. The Advent Wreath candles represent love, peace, hope and joy. The Christ candle, which is placed in the center, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to represent the arrival of Jesus Christ. |
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In addition to lighting the candles, many people also participate in other traditions during Advent. 
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The Christmas Story in the Bible
While the Bible contains many scripture references to the birth of Jesus. The Christmas story is found in two books of the New Testament. Luke 2:1-20 KJV Matthew 1:18 – 2:23 KJV Some may choose to read daily devotions or passages from the Bible, while others may attend special church services or sing Christmas hymns.
Overall, the Advent season is a time of reflection, preparation, and celebration for Christians around the world.
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Advent Devotional Guide
from Community of Christ
from Community of Christ
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Experience the richness of Advent with our multi-generational devotional, designed to foster deeper relationships with God and one another. Each daily reflection, taking just 10 minutes, invites families and communities to explore the theme “Hope is Near.”
Discover where hope is emerging in your lives as you prepare for Christ’s birth .With a focus on Mary’s Magnificat, this devotional offers sacred simplicity and accessibility for all ages. Engage in meaningful rituals, share insights weekly, and cultivate a habit of seeing God’s hope at work around you. Wherever you are, hope is near—embrace it together this Advent season! Click the button to download this Advent Devotional guide (pdf) free from Community of Christ. |
Topeka CofChrist Ministry Facebook Group
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This Facebook group is your destination for Online Advent - Christmas Season Ministry, Worship and Activities. In this Facebook group you will find direct clickable links to:
Online Topeka congregation events, such as our Sunday Worship Service livestream and other congregation Advent & Christmas activities.
Online links to activities produced by Community of Christ and its affiliate organizations.
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If you are not a member of this private Facebook group and would like to participate in these activities, please request to join this group through your Facebook account. 
Click Icon for Topeka CofChrist Ministry Facebook Group
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Community of Christ Facebook page
Community of Christ and its affiliate organizations publish Advent Activities on their Facebook page. Click the image below for a direct link to this page.
Link to CofChrist Facebook page
Community of Christ YouTube channel
Community of Christ and its affiliate organizations publish Advent Activities on their YouTubbe channel. Click the image below for a direct link to this page.
Click image for direct lnk to CofChrist YouTube channel
Advent - Christmas Hymns
THE BEYOND THE WALLS CHOIR - PUBLIC LIBRARY
Youtube Music Videos, including Christmas Hymns
THE BEYOND THE WALLS CHOIR - PUBLIC LIBRARY
Youtube Music Videos, including Christmas Hymns
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All the videos are published under the standard YouTube license. You can use these videos on your online and in-person services and events as long as (1) no major edits are made and (2) the intended use is not for profit. Learn to sing the different parts in the CHOIR PRACTICE page. Thank you for listening to the Beyond the Walls Choir and sharing our music!
The Topeka Community of Christ congregation utilizes the Beyond the Walls Choir Youtube videos in our worship.
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We invite you to sing together some of the most beloved Christmas carols. The Beyond the Walls Choir presents new renditions of great classics that are now part of our library of hymns. This event is a celebration of the commitment of our dedicated choir members, who have poured their hearts, souls, and voices into bringing these timeless carols to life.
We also acknowledge the generosity of our supporters, whose gifts have allowed the choir to record more than 130 hymns over the last 3 years! Together, we've created a celebration that embodies the spirit of the season: Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace! |
CCS 391 - On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry
CCS 394 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel CCS 400 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus CCS 404 - Canticle of the Turning CCS 408 - Joy to the World! CCS 409 - Go, Tell It on the Mountain CCS 415 - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day CCS 419 - Silvery Star, Precious Star CCS 421 - Silent Night! Holy Night! CCS 423 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing CCS 424 - The First Noël CCS 425 - Away in a Manger CCS 427 - Angels We Have Heard on High CCS 429 - Once in Royal David's City CCS 431 - O Come, All Ye Faithful CCS 432 - What Child Is This CCS 433 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice CCS 434 - O Little Town of Bethlehem CCS 438 - We Three Kings of Orient Are CCS 482 - Noël Nouvelet |
Classical Christmas Collection
by Pianist Michael Karpowicz
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An eclectic mix of more than 45 minutes of classical music written for the season of Advent and Christmas, ranging from the Baroque era to the 20th Century. Piano, Organ, & Harpsichord: Michael Karpowicz @michaelkarpowicz Cello: Erika Nielsen @celloerika Violin & Clarinet: Carlos Vasquez Flute: Philippe de Montigny Voice & Guitar: Leandro Palacio
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00:00 A Short Organ Suite on Favorite Christmas Carols by Carl G. L. Bloom (1903–1964)
07:13 Noel by Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877–1950) 09:29 Lulajże Jezuniu (Traditional Polish Christmas Carol), arr. by Michael Karpowicz 12:22 Medley of Old French Carols from the Oxford Book of Carols 16:48 Coventry Carol, Oxford Book of Carols No. 22, Second Version 18:24 Chants de Noël, Op. 150, by Alexandre Croisez (1814–1886) 21:49 Make We Merry by Martin Shaw (1875–1958), arr. by Michael Karpowicz 22:52 Romanian Christmas Songs (Sz. 57), Part 1 Nos. 8-10 & Part 2 Nos. 9-10, by Béla Bártok (1881–1945) 25:38 Sinfonia from Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) 30:39 Chrissemas Day in the Morning, Op. 46, No. 1, by Gustav Holst (1874–1934) 33:27 “Dechem Droumi” from 12 Noëls Populaires des Pyrénées by José Puig Alsubide (1823–1914) 37:50 Fugue pour le Jour de Noël by Isaac-François Lefébure-Wely (1754–1831) 40:23 “Ich Will Nur Dir zu Ehren Leben” from Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) 45:51 “La Peregrinación” from Navidad Nuestra by Ariel Ramírez (1921–2010) |
Explore Michael's full catalog of more than 250 recordings at https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkarpo...
Favorite Christmas Songs
An Instrumental Compilation
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Pianist Michael Karpowicz is joined by cellist Erika Nielsen (@celloerika) and clarinetist Carlos Vasquez to present arrangements of some of the most popular American Christmas songs.
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00:00 “The Christmas Song” - Cello & piano - arr. by Richard Walters
02:51 “Sleigh Ride” - Clarinet, cello, & piano - arr. by Michael Karpowicz 06:16 “White Christmas” - Cello & piano - arr. by Richard Walters 08:43 "A Short Organ Suite on Favorite Christmas Carols" - Organ solo - by Carl G. L. Bloom 15:57 “Silver Bells” - Cello & piano - arr. by Luke Duane 18:19 “The Christmas Song” - Piano solo 20:37 “A Child Is Born” - Piano solo |
Explore Michael's full catalog of more than 250 recordings at https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkarpo...
Project Zion Podcast
Percolating on Faith: Christmas
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The Christmas story is one we are familiar with, but what do the 4 separate gospels actually say about the nativity scene? What is tradition? What is the context? How do the stories differ? Tony and Charmaine are here to walk us through the Christmas story as part of our Percolating on Faith series.
Host: Carla Long Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith |
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Project Zion Podcast
Advent Reflections from Scott Murphy
Advent Reflections from Scott Murphy
Prophecies in the Christmas Story
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In recounting his version of the story of Jesus’ birth, the author of the gospel of Matthew tells readers “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet.” But how well do the Christmas stories in Matthew and Luke align with prophecies about the coming Messiah in the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament)?
In this live streamed lecture John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place outlines the prophecies cited by the evangelists and the insight they give into the creative and non-literalistic way the earliest Christians understood scripture. |
The Real Work of Christmas
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Christmas is usually filled with presents, baking, and decorating. But have you ever heard about the REAL work of Christmas? What Christmas calls us to do? What Christmas pushes us toward? After the tinsel and ornaments are put away, the REAL work of Christmas begins.
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Practices of Discipleship for Advent
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Advent is a season of familiarity, and yet the very nature of Advent is expectant waiting and preparation for what is to come, be it known or unknown. We fall into familiar rhythms of the season in various forms of preparation and celebration. We live in the promise of hope, love, joy, and peace claimed in God’s gift of Jesus the Christ child. We journey in our own way toward the manger and find renewed hope in what can be.
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Advent is a perfect time to prayerfully consider how we are being formed as disciples of Jesus Christ.
How are we preparing to receive the peace of Jesus Christ? How are we preparing to live, love, and share the peace of Jesus Christ? Consider new ways to incorporate practices which renew the significance of Advent and invigorate your journey of discipleship. The following practices of discipleship can be adapted for use as personal spiritual formation or with families, small study groups, and congregations.
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Community of Christ: "Make Space"
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Amidst the clamor of confusion and despair that can crowd our senses in these times, Spiritual Formation Minister Katie Harmon-McLaughlin urges us in this sermon to make space for the prophetic voice this Advent season.
From the "Witness the Word" November 2021 release. Scriptures: Matthew 3:3, Matthew 3:12, Mark 10:51 |
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