Advent 2020 at OPCC
No matter the manner in which we worship, we again are approaching a new year in the church calendar. A beginning that is an ending, and an ending that is a beginning that we called Advent. We hope this page will help you experience the wonder of Advent no matter how we worship.
Psalm 126 opens with the line: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” What does it look like to live as those who dream? The prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds and the Magi—they were all dreamers. They received, discovered, and responded to God’s dreams for the world. In Advent 2020, we will step into the mystery and awe of God’s dreams and pray they shape our reality.Advent is for the dreamers in all of us—those who dream of a deeper connection with God and those who dream of a better world. They’re for those who dream of comfort and for those who have given up on their dreams. They’re for those whose dreams have been crushed and for those who show us that dreams take time. Join us this Advent as we dream alongside prophets and angels, Mary and the Magi. Join us as we seek and sow God’s dreams for our world.
You can join us each week for virtual worship 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.
Won't you join us for some of these wonderful opportunities listed below? Advent simply won’t be the same without you!
Psalm 126 opens with the line: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” What does it look like to live as those who dream? The prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds and the Magi—they were all dreamers. They received, discovered, and responded to God’s dreams for the world. In Advent 2020, we will step into the mystery and awe of God’s dreams and pray they shape our reality.Advent is for the dreamers in all of us—those who dream of a deeper connection with God and those who dream of a better world. They’re for those who dream of comfort and for those who have given up on their dreams. They’re for those whose dreams have been crushed and for those who show us that dreams take time. Join us this Advent as we dream alongside prophets and angels, Mary and the Magi. Join us as we seek and sow God’s dreams for our world.
You can join us each week for virtual worship 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.
Won't you join us for some of these wonderful opportunities listed below? Advent simply won’t be the same without you!
Candle Pass Video Instructions
Though we won't physically be together to sing Silent Night and share the light of Christ with one another, you still have an opportunity to participate in sharing the light with one another by video.
Visit our blog about how to participate in sharing the light from home! The deadline to submit is Tuesday by the end of the workday - though I'm sure our video editor would welcome them to be submitted ASAP!
Click Here for those Instructions
Visit our blog about how to participate in sharing the light from home! The deadline to submit is Tuesday by the end of the workday - though I'm sure our video editor would welcome them to be submitted ASAP!
Click Here for those Instructions
Prayer During Advent
OPCC has provided an in-depth and interactive Advent devotional for each of us to “dig deeper” into “the reason for the season” as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming Christ.
In particular, our "Those Who Dream" devotional will give you an opportunity not only to read scripture and a meditation, but also to color and journal in meditative and prayerful ways. We invite you to use this devotional as a way to pray with family, or on your own, as we navigate our way through this season. OPCC has printed these devotionals ourselves, so feel free to take as many as you need, and to share with friends/others! You can pick up one of these are church, or one can be sent to you by contacting Eileen in the church office by email, or by calling the main church phone number.
In particular, our "Those Who Dream" devotional will give you an opportunity not only to read scripture and a meditation, but also to color and journal in meditative and prayerful ways. We invite you to use this devotional as a way to pray with family, or on your own, as we navigate our way through this season. OPCC has printed these devotionals ourselves, so feel free to take as many as you need, and to share with friends/others! You can pick up one of these are church, or one can be sent to you by contacting Eileen in the church office by email, or by calling the main church phone number.
Advent Bible Study
The Girlfriends and Men's Fellowship groups continue to share in Bible Study over Zoom and would love to have you join!
Longest Night Worship Service
For many, the Christmas season is a bittersweet time of year. Everywhere we go, the constant refrain and messages of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds some of us of what we have lost, have never had, or maybe can't have particularly in 2020. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the feelings of being outcast, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation, or the grief of a lost loved one — all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of celebrations. Our hope is that this Longest Night worship service will create a safe and sacred space for those who are struggling to feel the joy and light of this holiday season due to loss of any kind. It is not intended to be a service of healing, for what we lose cannot always be replaced. Yet, we use this service to acknowledge the hole that grief leaves in one’s heart, while simultaneously remembering that we worship a God who is with us, even in the darkest of times.
This year our “Longest Night Service” will be shared virtually on Monday, December 21.
Join with us to hear scripture, offer prayers for healing and wholeness, and sing music that acknowledges God’s presence is for those who mourn, those who grieve, and those who struggle. God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. ALL are welcome.
This year our “Longest Night Service” will be shared virtually on Monday, December 21.
Join with us to hear scripture, offer prayers for healing and wholeness, and sing music that acknowledges God’s presence is for those who mourn, those who grieve, and those who struggle. God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. ALL are welcome.
Christmas Eve at OPCC
Some Christmas Eve plans are still TBD as we discern best, and safest practices for OPCC and all of its members, yet we know that there will be a 7:00pm virtual worship service for all who want to join.
Wherever you find yourself on Christmas Eve, at 7:00pm we will offer a virtual worship with scripture, hymns, and a meditation as we welcome the Light of the Christ Child with one another. Your Advent-At-Home-Kit should have included Christmas Eve candles for you to use as we together sing Silent Night. If you need more, or they weren't with your kit, please contact the church office and we will make sure you get some!
Wherever you find yourself on Christmas Eve, at 7:00pm we will offer a virtual worship with scripture, hymns, and a meditation as we welcome the Light of the Christ Child with one another. Your Advent-At-Home-Kit should have included Christmas Eve candles for you to use as we together sing Silent Night. If you need more, or they weren't with your kit, please contact the church office and we will make sure you get some!
Outreach Opportunities during Advent
What better way to usher in the new church year and the new calendar year than to celebrate all of God's bounty by giving to those in need? OPCC two opportunities to contribute to the betterment of our community. You can purchase / donate for these gifts on your own, or in honor / memory of a loved one. The list of honoring / memorial gifts will be shared on Christmas Eve.
The OPCC Food Pantry will serve guests and clients on Saturday, December 19, 9:30 - 11:30. Click on the link for more information, and/or drop off any of the items listed below by Thursday December 17 to participate in this important ministry.
Every year the churches and volunteers of the entire Johnson County Interfaith Hospitality Network have a party for former guests who have graduated from the program. It is a way to stay in touch with the former guests and provide a little continued support. While 2020 will not allow us to have this part in ways we have in year's past, we still hope to provide current IHN clients, and former guests with some holiday cheer.
Ways you can participate:
The OPCC Food Pantry will serve guests and clients on Saturday, December 19, 9:30 - 11:30. Click on the link for more information, and/or drop off any of the items listed below by Thursday December 17 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"
Every year the churches and volunteers of the entire Johnson County Interfaith Hospitality Network have a party for former guests who have graduated from the program. It is a way to stay in touch with the former guests and provide a little continued support. While 2020 will not allow us to have this part in ways we have in year's past, we still hope to provide current IHN clients, and former guests with some holiday cheer.
Ways you can participate:
- DONATE STORE GIFT CARDS ($20-$25)
Sponsors can purchase gift cards at local retailers (Target or Wal-Mart). These gift cards will be distributed to our IHN adult guests. This will allow the guests to shop for gifts for their own families. - DONATE GROCERY GIFT CARDS ($25-$50)
Sponsors can purchase gift cards at local grocery stores (Price Chopper / Hy-Vee). These gift cards will allow guests to purchase food for a special holiday meal
- GAS GIFT CARDS ($20-$25)
QuikTrip cards are a great help to defray the cost of gasoline.
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 13 & 20. 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 13 & 20. 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.
Nativities from Around the World
In year's past OPCC has hosted a wonderful event with "Nativities from Around the World." These 600+ are available for people to visit and see as they ponder how the story of Jesus is told throughout the world.
Though we will not host this event in person in 2020, you are still invited to visit the website for "Nativities from Around the World," so you can see this beautiful collection!
Though we will not host this event in person in 2020, you are still invited to visit the website for "Nativities from Around the World," so you can see this beautiful collection!
