Advent 2023 at Overland Park Christian
In the well-loved Christmas Song, O Holy Night, the quiet and simple melody builds to a dramatic climax of the first verse - a divine night when Jesus’ birth changes the course of human history forever. This thrill of hope comes into a weary world, that somehow rejoices, despite that dogged weariness brought on by such brokenness. Whether that weariness and brokenness is due to a Roman-occupied Palestine thousands of years ago, or the disease, fear, hatred, oppression, war, and death that have been “normal” for all these years, a weary world can rejoice! Our lives are not as simple, or as easy, as singing the lyrics to a well-loved song, so it may not feel like this weary world can rejoice. The Good News, is that we can. But, how? Worship with us each Sunday of Advent, to hear how this weary world rejoices! Won't you join for some of these wonderful opportunities listed below? Advent simply won’t be the same without you!
Sunday, November 26 – Acknowledging Our Weariness (1st Sunday of Advent)
Sunday, December 3 - Finding Joy in Connection (2nd Sunday of Advent)
Sunday, December 10 – Allow Ourselves to be Amazing (3rd Sunday of Advent)
Sunday, December 17 – Singing Stories of Hope (4th Sunday of Advent)
Sunday, December 24 – We Make Room (Christmas Eve Worship)
You can join us each week for in-person worship, or join virtually by visiting our Worship this Week page, or our OPCC Facebook page. Worship goes live at 10:30am each week, and we would love to have you join us from wherever you find yourself these days.
Sunday, November 26 – Acknowledging Our Weariness (1st Sunday of Advent)
- 9:00am – ALL CHURCHES Hanging of the Greens Decorating
- with Cinnamon Rolls, Donuts, Coffee in the Fireside Room
- 10:00am - Heartspace Worship (Broadway Church) in the Fireside Room
- 10:30am – All Ages OPCC Sanctuary Worship
Sunday, December 3 - Finding Joy in Connection (2nd Sunday of Advent)
- 10:00am - Heartspace Worship (Broadway Church) in the Fireside Room
- 10:30am – All Ages OPCC Sanctuary Worship
- Guest Musician Emily Boedeker
- 11:30am - Broadway Church Congregational Meeting (Fireside Room)
- 11:45am - OPCC Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary) re: 2024 Budget
Sunday, December 10 – Allow Ourselves to be Amazing (3rd Sunday of Advent)
- 10:00am - Heartspace Worship (Broadway Church) in the Fireside Room
- 10:30am – All Ages OPCC Sanctuary Worship
- Reverberations Bell Choir
- 3:00pm – OPCC & Broadway Christmas Caroling (meet in Fellowship Hall)
- ~ 5:00pm – Light Dinner for Carolers
Sunday, December 17 – Singing Stories of Hope (4th Sunday of Advent)
- 10:00am - Heartspace Worship (Broadway Church) in the Fireside Room
- 10:30am – All Ages OPCC Sanctuary Worship
- Chalice Chancel Choir
Sunday, December 24 – We Make Room (Christmas Eve Worship)
- 10:30am – OPCC & Broadway Church Joint Christmas Eve Worship
- (Sanctuary)
- 4:00pm – 6:00pm – Come & Go Communion
- (Prayer Stations begin in the Prayer Chapel)
You can join us each week for in-person worship, or join virtually by visiting our Worship this Week page, or our OPCC Facebook page. Worship goes live at 10:30am each week, and we would love to have you join us from wherever you find yourself these days.
Prayer Devotionals and Calendars During Advent
TWO in-depth and interactive Advent devotionals, and TWO Advent calendars will be provided for all of us to “dig deeper” into “the reason for the season” as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming Christ. You can choose all four of these resources, or just one, taking as may copies as you need, as we can always print more of each of these resources.
Advent Devotional
You are invited to pray individually, but together as a community. Each devotional provides a daily activity to read, or respond, to scripture, poetry prayers, visual art, reflections, and meditative prompts for this season of waiting (perhaps in weariness). Take either version of these devotionals for yourself and your family, or whoever might like to participate in this special time.
Advent Calendars
Take one, or both, of these family-friendly Advent calendars for a map of action prompts to guide your family through this season of waiting, through the month of December.
You can pick up one of these are church, or one can be sent to you by contacting Cody in the church office by email, or by calling the main church phone number.
Advent Devotional
You are invited to pray individually, but together as a community. Each devotional provides a daily activity to read, or respond, to scripture, poetry prayers, visual art, reflections, and meditative prompts for this season of waiting (perhaps in weariness). Take either version of these devotionals for yourself and your family, or whoever might like to participate in this special time.
Advent Calendars
Take one, or both, of these family-friendly Advent calendars for a map of action prompts to guide your family through this season of waiting, through the month of December.
You can pick up one of these are church, or one can be sent to you by contacting Cody in the church office by email, or by calling the main church phone number.
Advent Book Study
As members of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), when we approach scripture, “we are called to study and read scripture for ourselves. Rather than having tests of faith and creedal statements, we critically and thoughtfully study scripture, taking into account the history and background - the context - in which it was written.”
This Advent as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God, we will seek to understand context the of those who experienced the first advent of God-in-Christ - those who “had to travel through great darkness to reach the hope that the shining star announced.”
Using the book titled The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha, there will be two opportunities to return to this context of the first advent. Both gatherings will use the same material for study and conversation. You DO NOT have to purchase the book, though are invited to do so. OPCC can also assist in this purchase for anyone, if you would like to read along with the book but are financially unable to do so.
Come on Tuesdays in-person at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room, OR virtually on Thursdays at 12:00pm by way of Zoom. Please contact the church office for information about the Zoom log-in / link.
This Advent as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God, we will seek to understand context the of those who experienced the first advent of God-in-Christ - those who “had to travel through great darkness to reach the hope that the shining star announced.”
Using the book titled The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha, there will be two opportunities to return to this context of the first advent. Both gatherings will use the same material for study and conversation. You DO NOT have to purchase the book, though are invited to do so. OPCC can also assist in this purchase for anyone, if you would like to read along with the book but are financially unable to do so.
Come on Tuesdays in-person at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room, OR virtually on Thursdays at 12:00pm by way of Zoom. Please contact the church office for information about the Zoom log-in / link.
Advent Gifts & Outreach Opportunities
Whether it is for a dearly beloved grandmother who passed away this year, a parent who has been gone for years, a neighbor who brings joy this day and more, or a friend who gives laughter and comfort - there are many reasons to make a purchase one of these two “gifts” this Advent season.
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, we will display those poinsettias in the worship space during the worship services closest to Christmas. Your gift will help us adorn our spaces, and our hearts, for the Christmas season.
If you would like to purchase a turkey / ham in honor or in memory of a loved one, we will share that gift with our neighbors and clients who visit the OPCC food pantry on December 16. Your gift will help us to provide for a family in need, sharing the love of Christ this season!
A donation of $15 is requested for each of these gifts, and each gift will be listed in our Christmas Eve bulletins.
The OPCC Food Pantry will serve guests and clients on Saturday, December 16, 9:30 - 11:30am. Click on the link for more information, and/or drop off any of the items listed below by Friday December 15 to participate in this important ministry.
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, we will display those poinsettias in the worship space during the worship services closest to Christmas. Your gift will help us adorn our spaces, and our hearts, for the Christmas season.
If you would like to purchase a turkey / ham in honor or in memory of a loved one, we will share that gift with our neighbors and clients who visit the OPCC food pantry on December 16. Your gift will help us to provide for a family in need, sharing the love of Christ this season!
A donation of $15 is requested for each of these gifts, and each gift will be listed in our Christmas Eve bulletins.
The OPCC Food Pantry will serve guests and clients on Saturday, December 16, 9:30 - 11:30am. Click on the link for more information, and/or drop off any of the items listed below by Friday December 15 to participate in this important ministry.
- Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, soups)
- Dry boxed goods (cereal, rice, dried beans, etc.)
- Peanut butter
- Paper goods and cleaning supplies.
- Financial contributions can also be made to our food pantry by clicking here. Mark your donation for "Food Pantry"
All Church Christmas Caroling
Overland Park Christian and Broadway Church are invited to join together for Christmas caroling on December 10th. It isn’t so much about making angelic music, but more about the smiles and warmth we will bring to those who are in assisted living facilities.
Meet in the OPCC Fellowship Hall at 3:00pm to join in visiting some church shut-ins. We will return to OPCC for a light soup/sandwich dinner around 5:00.
Meet in the OPCC Fellowship Hall at 3:00pm to join in visiting some church shut-ins. We will return to OPCC for a light soup/sandwich dinner around 5:00.
Christmas Special Offering for Regional Ministries
Regional Church ministries may not be your first thought when you ponder Advent and Christmas giving. Yet, this is a season of miracles and through Regional Church ministries we see miracles every day!
Each and every day we see:
...miracles when a group of kids and adults show up at church camp one day, and several days later leave as transformed people embedded in a Christian community and faith;
...miracles when folks visiting a new church start hearing their testimony about God’s grace in helping them to find the Disciples of Christ church as their home;
...miracles when a group of women from a variety of congregations raise funds together to give to people on another continent because the regional church connected their compassion to a global church;
...miracles when participating in an ordination service for a new pastor sent out after a few years of nurture from a Regional Commission on Ministry;
...miracles when pastors form a support group that helps them with some complex ministry challenges, and the group reminds them that they do not serve alone;
...miracles when people speaking multiple languages worship together at a regional gathering and recognize the Holy Spirit is among them;
...miracles when congregations install a new pastor after a Regional Minister coaches their search process;
...miracles when a regional board meets, and shares their hope for the future of the whole church;
...miracles when one church sees another church down the road doing a ministry in their community and says “We could do that too!”
The Christmas Special Day Offering will be received in our worship services on December 17 & 24. Your generous gifts make a difference in our shared ministries as Disciples in Greater Kansas City. We hope you will join in making a gift toward these miracles to bless the ministries of our Region.
Each and every day we see:
...miracles when a group of kids and adults show up at church camp one day, and several days later leave as transformed people embedded in a Christian community and faith;
...miracles when folks visiting a new church start hearing their testimony about God’s grace in helping them to find the Disciples of Christ church as their home;
...miracles when a group of women from a variety of congregations raise funds together to give to people on another continent because the regional church connected their compassion to a global church;
...miracles when participating in an ordination service for a new pastor sent out after a few years of nurture from a Regional Commission on Ministry;
...miracles when pastors form a support group that helps them with some complex ministry challenges, and the group reminds them that they do not serve alone;
...miracles when people speaking multiple languages worship together at a regional gathering and recognize the Holy Spirit is among them;
...miracles when congregations install a new pastor after a Regional Minister coaches their search process;
...miracles when a regional board meets, and shares their hope for the future of the whole church;
...miracles when one church sees another church down the road doing a ministry in their community and says “We could do that too!”
The Christmas Special Day Offering will be received in our worship services on December 17 & 24. Your generous gifts make a difference in our shared ministries as Disciples in Greater Kansas City. We hope you will join in making a gift toward these miracles to bless the ministries of our Region.