Advent Celebrations

Celebration of Advent at Peoples

The Advent season was ushered in at Peoples on Sunday, November 30, 2014 with the annual Hanging of the Greens church service. Pastor Tom led us through the meaning of symbols which included the hanging of wreaths and swags of green from the rafters and from the center aisle ends of the pews. Children and adults were able to get the wreaths in their proper locations as teams. Appropriate hymns were sung in between each phase of the readings.

The second symbol of Advent and a tradition of Peoples was the lighting of the first candle on the Advent Wreath. There are three candles that are purple, one that is pink and another in the center that is white. The first to be lit represent Hope and the second candle will represent Peace. On the third Sunday, the Sunday of Joy, that candle is pink. The fourth Sunday of Advent finds again the color purple. This fourth Sunday represents Love. On Christmas Eve all candles are lit and the last to be lit is the Christ candle in the middle that is white. Each week a different person or persons will light the candles. The first candle was lit by the Blanchette family. Other, new members of the church will participate in the lighting ceremony in each succeeding week.

The third aspect of the service was preceded by an explanation of the symbolism of the Christmas tree and the ornaments traditionally placed on the tree. In the process of decorating the tree children led the way and were joined by parents and other adults. There were plenty of ornaments available for anyone who wished to take part or folks could bring their own.

 It was then time to place toys and gifts under the tree that will in turn be taken to the Root Cellar in Portland where they will become part of the Christmas Angel store program. This part of the service has been an important part of the Christmas missionary season at Peoples. In recent years the Root Cellar has been the recipient of such a collection. This was a busy day for collections and local missions. Sunday was the last day to collect canned goods for the local food pantry. A basket also collected Hannaford food gift cards to be taken to the police station where the officers will be able to assist people that have food needs and can’t afford to buy necessities of that nature. This is an ongoing project that can be added to anytime.

The final inspirational symbol was the filling of the Crèche located on the top of the piano. Children and adults alike took turns placing characters in the stable scene, characters that were both human and animals. Wide eyed children were careful with a lamb or a cow or a camel. Serious adults showed their care with the adult characters. In the end of the ceremony the only thing missing was the baby, Jesus. His presence will be felt and present on Christmas Eve.

As folks were leaving the church many picked up a copy or more of this year’s edition of the “Celebration of Advent” Advent Meditations booklet. This is the 28^th year of publication. If you would like one or more there are still a number available. The booklet is inspirational and holds over 36 meditations or suggestions that provide a daily opportunity to share a moment of devotion as an individual, with family, or with a group in quiet contemplation with each other and our Lord. The meditations continue through the day of Epiphany on January 6. Donations for defraying the cost of printing are accepted, but are not required.

Advent is not just a one day event at Peoples. This coming Saturday, December 6 the annual Peoples Christmas Fair will be held in Ellis Hall. Since this is a year of celebrating 175 years of existence as a Methodist Society in South Portland a number of the women may be dressed in Victorian costume. Not only is this event a money maker for the church it is also one of the events that provides great fellowship for all those that work on it and open the doors for the community around us.

Be looking ahead to greater involvement by our Sunday school in the coming weeks and also a most sacred event, the Christmas Eve Service when many family members share a Service of Light and Bells with each other.

A Joyous Advent Season to all.