Advent & Christmas 2025

This Advent we wait for Christ’s coming and at Christmas we will celebrate the Messiah’s birth. You are invited to spend this season at Grace in learning, fellowship and worship.

LEARNING AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Advent “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” Study - Tuesdays, Nov. 25-Dec. 16, 10-11:30 AM. Dr. Martin Luther. No charge, no book required. To sign up, email Jim Stoltenberg, celide1947@gmail.com.

“Songs of the Season” Advent Program, Wednesdays, Dec. 3 & 10, 6:30 PM. For the first two Wednesday evenings in Advent, we will explore the meaning of some of our favorite Advent hymns with Pastor Christina and Music Director Burton Bumgarner.

“The Unexpected Gifts” Christmas Play - Friday, Dec. 5 & Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 PM, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 PM. Join us for another masterpiece written by our Director of Music Ministry, Burton Bumgarner. Set in a small southern town in 1972, our Christmas play tells the story of townspeople leading up to the annual town Christmas pageant. Current events have caused some hardships for some of the families. Others are dealing with broken furnaces, old grievances, an overabundance of fruitcakes and a very funny poker game. When the pageant is canceled due to a winter storm, the Johnson family decided to host the entire town for an indoor Christmas pageant with unexpected results. Featuring a cast of 31 actors. There will be a freewill offering for the Music & Drama Ministry.

Las Posadas - Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5:30 PM (program), 6 PM (meal). Join us for a Posadas procession followed by a meal beginning at 6 PM consisting of tamales & salad. Las Posadas remembers the journey that Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe place to stay where Mary could give birth to Jesus. It is a witness to the hope we have in community in Christ.

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sundays in Advent -

Sunday, Nov. 30 (3 services) Guest Pastor Mary Apicella preaching in English services. Pastor Alfredo Oviedo preaching and presiding in Spanish language worship.

Sunday, Dec. 7 (ONE Worship 10 AM) Guest preacher: Pastor Cassie Overcash, Assistant to the Bishop for Boundaries and Inclusion Education, NC Synod.

Sunday, Dec. 14 (2 services; 11:15 bilingual) Deacon Kimberly Dunbar preaching.

Sunday, Dec. 21 (2 services; 11:15 bilingual) Guest preacher: Pastor Todd Cutter, University Pastor, Director of Spiritual Life and Director of Counseling and Wellness at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC.

Grace Family Chapel - Wednesday, Dec. 16, 8:15 AM in the sanctuary. Join our preschool families for a Los Posadas 15-minute chapel service in the sanctuary.

Blue Christmas - Sunday, Dec. 21, 3 PM. On the longest night of the year, Grace invites you to gather in the Fellowship Hall as we engage with Scripture, prayer and music to reflect on the losses we have experienced, to honor the sadness and grief that accompany our loss, and to come to the Lord's Table for Holy Communion. All who are in need of comfort, strength, courage and hope this Christmas season are invited and you are encouraged to bring a family member or friend. Judy Stoltenberg leading and Pastor Jim Stoltenberg presiding.

Christmas Eve Children & Family Worship Service - Wednesday, Dec. 24, 10 AM. The Family Christmas Eve Service beautifully blends the nativity story from the Books of Matthew and Luke with numerous familiar Christmas carols led by organ and praise instruments as children bring the story to life. Assisted by the youth of Grace, all children and children-at-heart are invited! Holy Communion will be offered. Pastor Tim Canniff-Kuhn, retired program director at Lutheridge, presiding.

Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Worship Service - Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7 PM. Our traditional candlelight worship service will celebrate the birth of Christ in word, music and sacrament of Holy Communion. Hear the Christmas story, sing familiar carols, and listen to special music by the Grace choirs. Pastor Tim Canniff-Kuhn, retired program director at Lutheridge, preaching and presiding.

Christmas Day ONE Worship Service - Thursday, Dec. 25, 10 AM. Grace will celebrate the birth of Christ with liturgy and a carol-fest service. Hear the Christmas scripture readings, a Christmas message, join in singing favorite carols, and celebrate Holy Communion. Pastor Greg Williams preaching and presiding.

Lessons & Carols ONE Worship Service - Sunday, Dec. 28, 10 AM. One service only. (No Eucharist) We invite you to join us as we read scripture, sing hymns and celebrate the birth of Christ. Deacon Kimberly Dunbar leading.