to download a pdf of the Advent Brochure. - The Riverside Church

Advent and Christmas Season
at The Riverside Church 2012
Throughout Advent and Christmas, please continue to bring nutritious non-perishable food
to be distributed by the Riverside Food Pantry
Sunday, December 16:
Advent Bible Study: “The Good News” 9:30 a.m., Room 10T
Scriptures: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18
Teaching Minister: Rev. Julie Johnson Staples
Service of Worship – ADVENT III, 10:45 a.m., Nave
The Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, Preaching
“The Inward Arc: Ready the Mind”
Featuring Dr. Joan Kavanaugh, and her new book “For the Living of These Days”
Candlelight Festival
3:30 and 6:00 p.m. in the Nave
Celebrate the joy of the sounds of the Christmas season at Riverside
Tickets on sale at the Box Office now
Join The Riverside Choir, The Inspirational Choir, The Riverside Ringers, The Riverside Rising Voices,
and special guest instrumentalists for this annual concert featuring familiar Christmas carols sung by
congregation and choirs, as well as Christmas music from around the world – all presented in the beauty
and splendor of the candlelit Nave.
Wednesday, December 19:
“Prayer Without Words: an Advent study with Rev. Phelps”
A course in contemplative spiritual practice. In each meeting, Rev. Phelps will first offer
some theological and spiritual background from the Christian tradition on the character
and intention of contemplative prayer (sometimes simply called “meditation.”) Then the
group will learn a contemplative technique, practice it, and reflect on their experience. All
will be encouraged to set aside time in each day for their practice throughout Advent.
Multipurpose Room, 5:15 p.m.
Space for Grace – Advent Evening Prayer, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall
The Rev. Linda Tarry-Chard – Homily
Focus Scriptures - Psalm 80: 1-7; Luke 1: 39-45
Sunday, December 23:
Advent Bible Study: “A New Beginning” 9:30 a.m., Room 10T
Scriptures: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1: 39-55
Teaching Minister: Rev. Robert B. Coleman
Service of Worship – ADVENT IV, 10:45 a.m., Nave
The Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, Preaching
“The Inward Arc: Christ Conceived”

Monday, December 24:
Christmas Eve Services of Worship
4:00 p.m. – Family-friendly Christmas Eve Service, in the Nave
This service expresses the Christmas story in ways that will speak to a child’s heart. Come
for caroling and hear the Biblical story of the Baby Jesus’ birth. This is an intergenerational
event and all children and families are welcome, and the service will be followed by a birthday
party for Jesus.
Worship led by The Rev. Julie Johnson Staples and Mr. James Singletary
“This Little Light of Mine”
8:00 p.m. – Service of Lessons and Carols, in the Nave
The Rev. Stephen H. Phelps – Homily
“The Inward Arc: Not Too Late”
Wednesday, December 26:
Space for Grace – A Gospel Christmas Celebration, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall
The Rev. Julie Johnson Staples, Preaching
The Praise Team
Sunday, December 30:
Service of Worship: Christmas I, 10:45 a.m., Nave. Youth Sunday
The Rev. Tony Lee, Senior Pastor, Community of Hope AME Church, Hillcrest Heights, MD
Movies @ Riverside: “Joyeux Noël” (2005). 1:00 and 3:00 p.m, in the Multi-purpose Room.
Set on Christmas Eve, 1914. On one momentous day during World War I, French, Scottish
and German partake in a truce to honor the day and change their lives forever.
Monday, December 31:
Watchnight
New Year’s Eve Watchnight Service
10:00 p.m. – Carillon Recital, Dionisio A. Lind, Carillonneur
10:30 p.m. – Organ Recital, Christopher Johnson, Organist
11:00 p.m. – Service of Worship with The Riverside Choir.
The Rev. P. Kimberleigh Jordan, Ph.D, Preaching. “Everyday Resurrections”
Wednesday, January 2:
Space for Grace, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall
The Rev. Lorena Parrish, Associate Pastor, Ft. Washington Collegiate Church
“Out With the Old, In With the New: Starting Fresh & Bouncing Back”
Matthew 2: 12 and 9: 17
The Praise Team
Sunday, January 6:
Service of Worship – Epiphany, 10:45 a.m., Nave
The Rev. Linda Tarry-Chard, Preaching