Announcement He Comes to Us Advent and Christmas at San Marino Community Church

Sunday , December 2 - First Sunday in Advent
Worship Services
9:30 am Traditional Worship Service
11:15 am "The Gathering"
Growing Families:  "Family Faith-Building Advent-ures"
9:30 am Church Lounge
Lay a deeper foundation for Christmas with practical help from respected parent educator Jan Roberts.
Christmas Giving Tree
See the table in the courtyard between services. 
Advent Celebration
4:00 pm Advent Workshop, Westminster Hall
5:30 pm Family Dinner, Fellowship Hall
6:00 pm Christmas Stories Around the Fireplace, Church Lounge
6:30 pm Children's Choir Christmas Concert, Sanctuary

Friday, December 7
Advent Decorating Party
9:30 am, Sanctuary
Join the fun as we decorate the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas.  Many hands are needed.
An Advent Quiet Afternoon!
12:30 pm, Christ Chapel
Prepare our heart, mind, and spirit to welcome the Christ Child.  Please RSVP to the church office.  A $5 fee reserves your place and resources.

Saturday, December 8
Couples' Garden:  Christmas Calm or Family Frenzy!"
5:30 - 9:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Discuss the tone, content, and pace of your Christmas season with speakers Lois Harrison and Christa & Tom Peitzman.  Continue with dinner and/or shopping while young children are cared for at church.  Reserve your space and childcare by December 5 by contacting the church office.

Sunday, December 9 - Second Sunday in Advent
Worship Services
9:30 am Chancel Choir Cantata
11:15 am "The Gathering"
Christmas Mission Market
9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
Find gifts of love and compassion for all members of God's family at this unique shopping opportunity.  Features a petting zoo, handcrafted items, alternative gifts, and refreshments.  

Sunday, December 16 - Third Sunday in Advent
Worship Services
9:30 am Traditional Worship Service
11:15 am "The Gathering"
Advent Service of Darkness and Light
4:30 pm, Christ Chapel
All who grieve or mourn life's losses - death or divorce, health or employment - are encouraged to join the pastors for this special worship service to reflect on the darkness into which God sent the Light and Hope of the World, Jesus Christ.

Sunday, December 23 - Fourth Sunday in Advent
Worship Services
9:30 am Traditional Worship Service
11:15 am "The Gathering"
Christmas Joy Offering
A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering will be collected today.  The offering supports retired and active church workers and their spouses and families through Monte Vista Grove Homes and Westminster Gardens, and the work of Menaul School, a Presbyterian-related racial ethnic education institution in New Mexico. 

Monday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Worship Services 
5:00 pm Children's Nativity Pageant
Delight in the wonder of children as the story of Jesus' birth is enacted from the angel's visit to the journey to Bethlehem, from the shepherds' worship of Jesus to the arrival of the Magi.  Told with Scripture readings and Christmas carols, adults and children of all ages will enjoy this half-hour family service. Every child is invited to participate in the story as an angel or shepherd.  (Please arrive at
4:45 pm to receive a costume.)
8:00 pm Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols
Celebrate the birth of Jesus with a meditative service that highlights the various elements of the Christmas story in Scripture and song.  
10:30 pm Musical Prelude
11:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service begins
The glory of Christmas joy expressed by brass, choir, carols, and the spoken Word of God brings the season of Advent preparation to a fitting close.  The service will conclude with lighting of candles and the singing of "O,Holy Night."